Sugarbush Resort has Deep Roots in the Community and the Future of Vermont

Sugarbush Resort supports a number of organizations and causes through charitable giving, volunteerism and partnership programs.

Sugarbush’s signature charitable program, Be Better Days, is a collaboration between Sugarbush and local non-profit organizations with events on Sundays in March. On each Be Better Day a portion of the proceeds derived from ticket sales is donated directly to that days partner organization. Organizations that have taken part in the past include Vermont Food Bank, The Kelly Brush Foundation and Burlington City Arts.

In the wake of the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene, Sugarbush and its employees came together to help their community recover. Sugarbush President Win Smith and his wife Lili Ruane donated $100,000 to the Mad River Valley Community Fund’s Flood Relief Fund on behalf of the resort. Sugarbush also organized a benefit concert with nationally recognized local musician Grace Potter. The event raised nearly a quarter-million dollars for flood relief. Additionally, in the aftermath of the flood Sugarbush employees were also encouraged to take time from their workdays to volunteer in the clean-up effort in and around the Mad River Valley.

For eight Saturdays during the winter, Sugarbush invites the mentors and mentees at Burlington Freestyle, a Vermont-based non-profit dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved and at risk youth through participation in snowboarding, to call Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush their home-base. The program provides youth with professional coaching and an opportunity to slide on snow—a chance may not otherwise have.

Sugarbush’s efforts don’t stop here. They continue their philanthropy by donating directly and gifting ski and stay packages, season passes, and day tickets to be used by local schools, scout troops, arts programs, hospitals and more for fund raising events. Furthermore, the resort is an active participant in Vermont Green-Up Week; last year nearly all of Sugarbush’s employees took part in the annual clean-up around the valley. So what’s it all boil down to? Sugarbush and its employee’s charitable and volunteer efforts help make their community and state a better place to live and do business.