Sugarbush debuts $10 million family friendly facilities

Sugarbush Resort raised the curtain Jan. 11 on a revitalized Lincoln Peak base
area, showcasing two buildings that will serve as integral parts of a $10 million project designed to
strengthen the resort’s commitment to lifelong learning of snowsports.
 
Sugarbush president Win Smith hosted an official opening of the two recently completed structures
– “The Schoolhouse” and “The Farmhouse.” A wide range of local business leaders, politicians and
contractors that worked on the project joined Smith at the ceremony.
 
Devoted to ski school and family-friendly guest facilities, the two new buildings are part of Phase 2 of
the Lincoln Peak revitalization; the other component being an upgrade of 2.5 miles of snowmaking
pipe servicing both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen.
 
“Vermont has a powerful brand,” said Gov. Jim Douglas, who spoke at the ceremony. “Maintaining
and enhancing that brand is what the Lincoln Peak project is all about.”
 
The Schoolhouse, at approximately 12,500 square feet, is the new hub of lifelong learning. The
building will house the resort’s Micro, Mini and Sugar Bear snowsport educational programs, après-
ski activities for children, and summer camp programs. The warm and welcoming structure
features murals, sculptures and other artwork created by local artists, and provides slopeside on-
snow access for the youth programs.
 
“The amenities offered here at The Schoolhouse, The Farmhouse and Sugarbush Resort for kids
give us a better chance of retaining them and keeping them committed to the state we all love,”
said Douglas.
 
The Farmhouse, at approximately 14,500 square feet, is dedicated to a variety of skier services
and adult learning programs.  This building will house the new Sunrise Café, ticket and season pass
sales, public storage lockers and restrooms, the adult ski school, and rentals and repairs.   
 
The Farmhouse is also home base for Sugarbush’s  “First Timer to Life Timer” program – a
pioneering ski industry program designed to recruit adults into skiing and riding with an
approachable curriculum and an affordable price. Participants in the “First Timer to Life Timer”
program are rewarded with a free season’s pass to Sugarbush.
 
Smith highlighted the Vermont -specific architectural style in both The Farmhouse and The
Schoolhouse and proudly pointed to the interior of The Schoolhouse that features the work of five
Vermont artists. He noted a number of local jobs created by the project and thanked those who
contributed to the financing of Sugarbush’s Phase 2 improvements, particularly NBT Bank, VEDA,
and EB-5 funding, a federal program that uses foreign investment capital to put Americans to work
 
Work on the Phase 2 project began in mid-April and was general-contracted by Pizzagalli
Construction, of South Burlington, Vt. Landscaping will be installed in the spring to complete the
resort’s new grand entrance.
 
“This project was completed in 9 months,” Smith said. “That’s really remarkable.”
 Phase 1 of the Lincoln Peak project included the creation of slopeside Clay Brook Residences,
Timbers Restaurant, and the Gate House Lodge. It was completed in December of 2006.
 
The revitalized Lincoln Peak base area will be a hub of activity in the coming weeks. In addition to the
holiday rush of skiers and boarders, Sugarbush will play host to the inaugural celebration of
Vermont governor-elect Peter Shumlin on Jan. 7.