Those that miss the downhill thrills of winter can replicate the feeling with Ski Vermont’s expanding mountain bike options and upgrades. Resorts offer uphill access, well-maintained trails and rentals for beginners to experts. Want to add an uphill experience?  Hiking, disc golf, and scenic gondola and lift rides can also appeal to the mountain adventurer.  Check out the full list of hiking, biking and mountain exploration news at Mountain Biking, Hiking and More at Vermont Ski Resorts.

Adventure Parks are sprouting up at more and more Vermont ski resorts, with tree top excursions, mountain coasters and zipline tours stealing the show. With various activities and levels, they are a great destination for families, couples or groups looking for a fun, outdoor bonding experience. A full list of adventure programming can be found at Ski Vermont Adventure Parks.

Need to get the kids outdoors this summer?  Enroll them in camp in Vermont! Fresh mountain air, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, crafts and just being a carefree kid are all on the agenda at Vermont ski resorts.  For more information on rates, dates and fun check out Summer Camps with Ski Vermont.

There is no need to break the bank for a perfect summer vacation in the Green Mountains. Vermont ski resorts offer great lodging and adventure packages in the “off season.” For a full list of packages and rates, visit Ski Vermont Summer Deals.

Golf news and Events are also available at www.skivermont.com

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Under the direction of golf course superintendent Bryan White, the maintenance crew has been working diligently getting the course ready for opening.  Projects include standard pre-season maintenance like over seeding, topdressing, fertilizing and irrigation in addition to improvements like drainage work, new contours around greens and new pavement and sod around the pro shop. 

“The course came out of the winter in good shape,” said White.  “Folks are definitely going to notice the improvements we’ve done since last season like repositioning some bunkers and thinning out trees in key areas.  We’re really excited for this golf season.”

Midweek rates for 18 holes with a cart start at $49 for adults and $39 for juniors and seniors.  The weekend rate is $75 for all ages.

Mount Snow Golf Club was designed by renowned course architect Geoffrey Cornish who thoughtfully matriculated all 18 holes through the hilly landscape, making it one of the purist examples of mountain golf in New England.  The championship tees stretch nearly 7,000 yards but golfers can choose from three other tee locations depending on ability level.   

For more information about Mount Snow Golf Club or to book tee times online, visit www.mountsnow.com/golf

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Winners of the Green Mountain Awards for Environmental Excellence include:

Greenest Overall Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort

Best Green Up Day Participation Program
Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Best Environmental Awareness & Education Program
Burke Mountain Resort

Greenest Recycling Program
Stratton Mountain Resort

Greenest Composting Program
Burke Mountain Resort

Greenest Water Treatment Program
Stowe Mountain Resort

Greenest Alternative Energy Program
Bolton Valley

Best Efficiency Snowmaking Upgrade
Sugarbush Resort

Best Efficiency Program for Facilities
Jay Peak Resort

Most Sustainable Restaurant
Burke Mountain Resort

Most Creative Environmental Program
Killington Resort

For more information about the winning entries and efforts, visit www.skivermont.com

Green Up Vermont
Green Up Vermont is a nonprofit organization with 501(c) (3) status. Green Up's mission is to promote the stewardship of our state's natural landscape and waterways and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day and raising public awareness about the benefits of a litter-free environment. For 43 years running, Vermonters have held Green Up Day – a state-wide tradition of beautification where armies of volunteers remove roadside debris previously camouflaged by Vermont’s abundant winter snow.

Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where the legislature has designated skiing and snowboarding as the official state sports. Vermont is not only the #1 ski state in the east and third in the US, but also reigns supreme in snowmaking quality and coverage, variety of terrain and historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski  and ride destinations in the world. Ski Vermont’s mission is to help create a legislative, economic and social environment in which the state's ski areas can grow and prosper. It serves its 18 Alpine and 31 Nordic member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.

Mount Snow Resort:
Mount Snow Golf Club, located in the Green Mountains of southern Vermont, is an 18-hole championship course designed by Geoffrey Cornish that combines challenge, forgiveness and aesthetics into one. Stretching nearly 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the course features wide fairways, large greens and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. Fairways Restaurant offers a great menu of fresh food and a full bar and you can gear up in the fully stocked pro shop. MSGC is also home to vast practice facilities and The Original Golf School which offers multi day programs. This season’s projected opening date is May 10.

Stratton Mountain Resort:
Tee it up at the championship 27-hole course that played host to six LPGA tournaments. At Stratton Mountain Golf Course mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for a scenic and challenging round. Stratton Golf School, founded in 1969 by Arnold Palmer, offers programs from $199 with specialty sessions for women, families and juniors plus a new Yoga and Golf program this summer. Call 1-800-STRATTON for more information. The course is scheduled to open May 17, 2013 for the season.

Bromley Mountain:
Bromley Village partners with Manchester Country Club during the summer months to offer great golf privileges to our lodging guests. Originally built in the late 60's by local innkeepers in a Cornish/Durkee design, Manchester Country Club boasts slope ratings from 114 to 139 (the highest rating in Vermont) and has something to offer all levels of play. Call Bromley Village for details.

Okemo Mountain Resort:
Two championship 18-hole courses and a Family Fore course make Okemo Mountain Resort a choice destination for golfers of all ages and abilities.

Okemo Valley Golf Club is Vermont’s premier heartland-style course. The  par-70, 18-hole championship layout features wide, emerald fairways framed with rolling fields of golden fescue. Moderate elevation changes, strategically placed hazards and undulating greens, are the hallmarks of this scenic course.

Okemo’s Family Fore Course is a four-hole family fun course offering beginners and future players all the course attributes with none of the pressures of championship course play. Available throughout the season weekend afternoons, this condensed, fun round of golf comes at an affordable hourly rate. Call (802) 228-1396.

Tater Hill Golf Club, a par-71,18-hole championship course, offers plenty of challenge for low handicaps, golfers of all ability levels can enjoy a layout that features undulating fairways, spectacular views, flower gardens and the casual ambience of an old Vermont hill-farm.

Woodstock Inn & Resort:
The Woodstock Inn & Resort Golf Club in Vermont has been named one of the world's "top 100 golf resorts" by Golf Magazine. It is an 18-hole masterpiece designed by legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. This 6,000-yard, par-70 course is a challenging sequence of fairways, sand traps and water hazards guaranteed to test even the most seasoned golfer.  The course will open May 3, 2013.

Killington Resort:
Killington Golf Course, an 18-hole, 6,186-yard, par-72 course designed by Geoffrey Cornish, is situated at a 2,000 foot elevation, offering gentle mountain breezes and enjoyable temperatures even on the warmest of days. The course is a full-service golf club, offering amenities such as rental equipment, cart rental, driving range and lessons. The Killington Golf Course is scheduled to operate daily from May 24 through October 14, 2013.

Sugarbush Resort:
The Sugarbush Resort Golf Club is slated to open on May 3, 2013 weather depending. The par-71 Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course is designed with respect for the natural setting and boasts breathtaking views of Sugarbush and the Mad River Valley. It also offers one-on-one instruction with a PGA professional catering to all skill levels as well as group clinics and custom club-fitting.

Stowe Mountain Resort:
Stowe boasts two of New England’s finest golf courses, both on and off the mountain. In the heart of Stowe’s town you'll find the Stowe Country Club. With its undulating fairways and manicured greens, the public country club occupies what was a turn of the century dairy farm.

Stowe Mountain Golf Club was recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the 'Top Ten New Courses in the United States that you can play,' wandering along the slopes of Spruce Peak, reaching an elevation of more than 1,800 feet. The mountain course is available to Stowe Mountain Club members, as well as guests of the new Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort:
While vacationing at Smugglers’ Notch Resort, golf enthusiasts can enjoy a driving range, clinics for never-evers and beginners, and special rates at nearby courses. The driving range is open daily. An introductory clinic is held twice weekly for children ages 5-17, offering a focus on the fundamentals, golf etiquette, and beginning to swing. (www.smuggs.com/skivts; 855-581-5906)

Jay Peak Resort:
The Jay Peak Championship Golf Course has been named #1 Public Course in Vermont for the 3rd straight year by Golfweek Magazine and has been mentioned by Golf Digest in their yearly national review. This summer Jay Peak’s new PGA pro Doug Reynolds is focusing on bringing new golfers to the sport down at the resort’s championship course. Reynolds has partnered with GetGolfReady.com to introduce the sport to those who may have never golfed, or done so sparingly. GetGolfReady is designed to teach newcomers all they need to play golf in just a few lessons. The course plans to open for the 2013 season on May 11th, weather permitting.

Bromley also offers E-Coupons for summer savings and posts them months, or sometimes days, in advance of a deal, so check back often for the latest. See thee-coupon page for specific coupon dates and deals. E-coupons must be downloaded 2 calendar days in advance of a deal, or the offer disappears.

Vermont Discount Days means great savings for locals. On Select Mondays in June & July, Vermont residents can save big. Save $10 on an Adventure Pass (Mountain Adventure or Aerial Adventure), $15 on a Combo or Triple-Play Pass, or $5 on a Sun Mountain Flyer Ride. Discount days: 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22 and 7/29/2013. Check out our deals & specials page for more ways to save on adventure this summer!

Killington Resort
Whether you prefer exhilarating outdoor pursuits or more relaxing activities, Killington’s Summer Play & Stay Packages offer discounts on lodging accommodations and whichever summer adventure you choose.

Mount Snow Resort
Golf and Stay Packages start at just $74 per person, per night and include a night of lodging and a round of golf with cart at the beautiful Mount Snow Golf Club. Games are improved with a multi-day program at The Original Golf School, located at Mount Snow Golf Club. Packages start at just $295 per person. Book two nights in a Mount Snow Condominium or the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and get the third night free!  Make the trip that much more special by adding on spa treatments, mountain biking or golf.  

Mountain Top Inn & Resort
The Mountain Top Inn & Resort, just 11 miles from Killington, transforms into a classic summer vacation destination beginning in May. A variety of summer packages are available May/June through October, appealing to all tastes and interests:

• 3-Night Horseback Riding Vacation
• “Moonlight In Vermont” Romantic Getaway
• Family Summer Fun Package
• Endless Adventures Deal
• 5 Night Adult Horsemanship Camp
• “Tee It Up” Mountain Top Getaway

Accommodations at the Resort include classic lodge rooms, luxury rooms, suites, pet friendly cabins and a selection of vacation homes.  Packages are available for 3 nights or more and offer at least a 20% discount.  For additional information call802.483.2311 or visit www.mountaintopinn.com.

Okemo Mountain Resort
The only thing better than playing golf in the Green Mountain State is staying at the course. Okemo Valley Golf Club Stay and Play Packages start at $195 for two guests staying a minimum of two nights in a Jackson Gore Inn studio. Rates are per person, per day and include 18 holes of golf at Okemo Valley Golf Club, use of a quiet, electric golf cart, Vt. tax, vacation protection plan and coupons for discounts on Resort dining and Pro Shop purchases.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Families booking a June vacation at Smugglers’ Notch Resort will save up to 40 percent compared to height-of-season rates. Plus, during June 7-22, 2013, dads and granddads can enjoy a Father’s Day Celebration on packages of five days or more. They’ll receive a delicious cheese gift box from award-winning Cabot Creamery and a $100 gift certificate to Smugglers’ sports shop, and the entire family will enjoy breakfast at the resort’s Mountain Grille. Smugglers’ three summer packages offer choices for every family’s budget, with inclusions of lodging, use of 8 pools and 4 waterslides, guided hikes, family and adult entertainment, and enjoyment of the FunZone entertainment and recreation center. Throughout the summer, guests at Smugglers’ receive 10 percent off the ArborTrek Zip Line Canopy Tour and Treetop Obstacle Course. FamilyFest and Adventure Connection packages include a 50 percent discount on child care at Smugglers’ Treasures center for little ones 6 weeks to 3 years old. (www.smuggs.com/skivts; 855-581-5906)

Stowe Mountain Resort
The timing is perfect for planning summer vacations, and Stowe, Vermont’s newest resort, Stowe Mountain Lodge, offers Countdown to Summer, with up to 25% savings - and the earliest bookings mean the best deals. The offer is valid on travel through September 3, 2013.

• Book May 1 - May 15 and save 25%
• Book May 16 - 31 and save 20%

With Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, as its front yard, Stowe Mountain Lodge takes full advantage of its perfect setting in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Guests experience the exclusive Bob Cupp-designed Stowe Mountain Golf Club, designated by Golf Magazine as one of the Top Ten Gold Courses in the U.S. The pristine landscape surrounding the resort lends itself to hiking, mountain and road biking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, rock-climbing, and tennis. The Spa and Wellness Center soothes and restores, with treatments for adults and kids alike. For more information and to book online visit www.stowemountainlodge.com or call toll free, 888.478.6938.

Sugarbush Resort
Lodging packages at Claybrook and Sugarbush Inn are available for summer camps, golf and tennis, as well as other mid-week and special event packages.

• Stay & Play Packages (Golf or Mountain Adventure): Lodging in a Clay Brook slopeside king and daily choice of either golf or mountain adventure.
• Kids’ Summer Camp Packages: Lodging in a Clay Brook two-bedroom suite, Monday through Friday Adventure Camp for kids ages 3 – 17.
• Sugarbush Brew-Grass Festival Package: Lodging in a Clay Brook slopeside king and two tickets to the Sugarbush Brew-Grass Festival.
• New England Tennis Holidays Package: Lodging in Clay Brook and tennis instruction daily from New England Tennis Holidays.

All packages include breakfast daily at Timbers restaurant and complimentary access to the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club. Mountain Adventure Pass includes lift-served mountain biking, disc golf, scenic lift rides and zipline. For reservations, call 800.53.SUGAR or visit sugarbush.com.

Trapp Family Lodge
A good way to truly get the most out of your vacation is with one of Trapp’s exclusive European style packages. Each package offers accommodations in the Austrian-style Main Lodge and features wonderful amenities. Enjoy our mountain bike or golf packages, 3 & 5 day family packages, learn facts about the von Trapp family with our History package, or unwind with “A Few of Our Favorites Things” package. If you’re a beer lover and are interested in our Austrian lagers or just want a romantic get-away – we also have the packages just for you! For more details, visit www.trappfamily.com.

Stratton Mountain Resort
Golf is a ball all season long at Stratton, so stay and play. Stay in a select Stratton Mountain lodging property and enjoy around of golf at the scenic Stratton Mountain Golf Club, home of Stratton Golf School. Rates start at just $82.50* per person per day.

Outdoor Exploration Camps at Mount Snow offers two Outdoor Exploration Day Camp options depending on the child’s age. Kids Camp is for ages 5 to 12 and provides campers a variety of activities, adventures and hands-on exploration of Mount Snow and the surrounding area. Kids, grouped according to grade, will explore weekly themes and can expect to swim, bike, hike, take chairlift rides, be creative with arts & crafts, cook, take field trips to different area attractions and take advantage of all the mountain has to offer! Mini Camp is for kids age 6 weeks to 4 years old with campers placed in age appropriate groups. They stay busy all day playing outdoors and inside enjoying fun activities. 

At Okemo Mountain Resort, kids love Camp Gokemo, a day camp and day care where kids aged 6 months to 13 years enjoy summertime fun with daily indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and a different theme each week.

Outdoors-focused specialty camps thrill kids ages 9-17 in Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Summer Fun University “course curriculum.” High Adventure Camp includes use of Smugglers’ new aerial trekking course, a climbing wall outing, tree climbing with ropes and harnesses, the Giant Swing, geo-caching, kayaking, swimming, and a Via Ferrata with rappelling and waterfall climb. In Survival Camp, campers learn an array of wilderness survival skills as well as the modern camping and backpacking methods and tactics that complement them. Survival Camp is available Monday-Thursday and High Adventure Camp is available Monday through Friday.

At Stowe Mountain Resort, theChildren’s Summer Mountain Adventure Camp is a fun and educational program that is offered at the mountain and available for kids ages 3 to 12. Single day and flexible five-day passes allow parents to choose the dates.

Sugarbush Resort will be offering summer camps for ages 3-18 from mid-June to mid-August including mountain bike camps, tennis camps, golf camps, adventure camps, freestyle trampoline sessions and more.

• Mini Adventure Camp for ages 3-5 includes swimming, hiking, rock climbing, arts and more.
• Adventure Camp for ages 6-12 includes biking, ziplining, hiking, naturalist tours, swimming, climbing and more with Sugarbush’s finest coaches.
• Mountain Bike Adventure Camp for ages 8-17 has a special emphasis on mountain biking, including downhill, free-ride, cross-country and trail building.
• Junior Golf Camp for ages 6-17 focuses on intro to golf, instruction, course knowledge, rules, games and more.
• Junior Tennis Camp for ages 8-14 hit the tennis courts each afternoon for drills and games led by the coaches of New England Tennis Holidays (NETH).

New this season at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort is the Vermont Summer Adventure Camp in partnership with Vermont Adventure Tours of Rutland, VT. This adventure camp is available for specific dates in July and August.

For the first time, Magic Mountain will have a summer adventure park open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day with its new TimberQuest Park - a series of tree-top obstacle courses and zip lines. It's a park designed to offer a challenge in self-discovery, thrills, excitement and adventure in an authentic Vermont mountain experience. TimberQuest is building a brand new course to add to the original three which opened last August and camps and large groups can reserve the park for special events.

Okemo’s Adventure Zone at Jackson Gore offers fun for the whole family. Whether visitors spend an hour or an entire day, The Adventure Zone is sure to garner giggles, shouts and squeals of pure delight. The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster is Vermont's first roller-coaster-style attraction, where riders control their own speed. There are zipline tours, Segway excursions, an inflatable stunt bag, trampoline bungee jumping, disc golf, mini golf and more. Later this summer, Okemo will add a self-guided, tree-top challenge course to its Adventure Zone.

From the new mountainside Stowe Mountain Lodge & Spa to mountaintop access, there’s literally something for all to enjoy during summer at Stowe Mountain Resort.
Stowe Mountain Resort’s summer attractions include:

• Alpine Slide - An exhilarating 2,300 foot ride down Peak on luge-style tracks.
• Bungee Trampolines.This attraction consists of a support structure with elevated steel arms, bungee cords, and a series of trampolines. The rider is strapped into a harness, which is suspended between 2 of the arms by bungee cords.
• Inflatable Obstacle Course - See how fast the kids can run through this pumped-up proving ground.  For ages 12 and under.
• Auto Toll Road - Over 150 years old, the 4.5-mile unpaved road begins next to the Inn at the Mountain and climbs to an elevation of 3,850 feet.
• Gondola Skyride - An equally spectacular mountain ascent, the gondola terminates at Stowe Mountain Resort’s Cliff House restaurant.

Guests at Smugglers’ Notch Resort can enjoy an adventure hub that serves all ages on the wooded mountainside where the popular 8-line ArborTrek Zip Line Canopy Tour has been drawing visitors since 2010. The new Treetop Obstacle Course will have over 30 elements divided into two aerial courses – the Apple Creek Course for ages 4 and up and The Back Forty Course for ages 8 and up. Trekkers complete a ground school and then explore the courses with wobbly bridges, balance beams, zip lines, swinging beams, rope swings, and more connecting tree platforms anchored 3 to 25 feet above the ground. The new tree climbing program blends new belay technology with innovative climbing holds that make tree climbing easy and tree-friendly, and a climbing wall offers routes ranging from easy to challenging.

Explore Sugarbush Resort’s Summer Adventure Center, opening June 22, 2013:

• Scenic Lift Rides: Magnificent panoramic views while gliding up the mountainside. At the top, explore the landscape or simply enjoy the tranquility. Ride up, hike down. Hike up, ride down. Or ride both ways.
• Disc Golf: A walk in the woods re-imagined into a fun game. Ride to the top for a challenging downhill match or play the rolling terrain of the base course.
• Bungee Trampoline: Kids of all ages can take to the outdoor bungee trampoline. Strap in and take flight up to 25 feet in the air for a thrill like no other.
• Bounce House: The inflatable bounce-house-obstacle-course offers a rugged yet safe activity perfect for kids.
• Zipline: An 800’ zipline soars through the air to a landing pad behind the Gate House Lodge.

At Killington Resort, experience the thrill of gravity-driven mountain biking at the Kona “Groove Approved” Mountain Bike Park. Explore 15 miles of signed hiking trails, take in the scenic views with a trip to the top of Vermont's highest lift-served mountain on the K-1 Express Gondola or check out the Disc Golf course that winds across the mountain. These summer activities are scheduled to operate daily from June 28 through September 2, 2013, Friday-Sunday through September and daily again from October 7-14, 2013.

Mad River Glen’s General Stark’s Pub, recognized as one of the World’s Top Après Ski Bars by Men’s Journal Magazine, will be open this summer for hikers and mountain revelers. It is a great, affordable gathering spot for friends and families with plenty of room for kids to explore. The Pub will be open on weekends from the last weekend in June all the way through the foliage season.

Since opening their lifts to mountain biking 27 years ago, Mount Snow has been putting smiles on dirt covered faces every summer. The terrain and trail system is rooted deep in the heritage of Downhill Mountain biking with the resort hosting dozens of major events including, most recently, the USA Cycling National Championships. In the past few years they’ve been progressively integrating features like berms, ladders, manmade surfaces, and dirt jumps into Mount Snow’s trail system; staying ahead of what has become expected of the new age bike park. Last fall, construction was completed on a new beginner downhill trail that gives anyone the ability to cruise down the mountain with ease.

Stowe Mountain Resort’s Auto Toll Road provides access to the summit ridge of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and spectacular mountaintop hiking in New England. The 4.5-mile Auto Toll Road is over 150 years old and climbs to an elevation of 3,850 feet. The road’s upper terminus presents hiking options which include; To the North, the Cliff Trail, Long Trail and Canyon Trail - all about 1.5 miles long and climbing an additional 550 feet – all offer routes to Mansfield’s ‘Chin’ summit. Southerly trail options include the Lakeview Trail, Forehead Bypass, and Long Trail to the Forehead. Hiking maps and audio CD’s to play in the car are distributed upon arrival.

Everything you love about summer is right outside your door at Stratton Mountain Resort with hiking and biking, scenic gondola rides to the summit of southern Vermont’s highest peak, kayak tours and stand-up paddleboards, music and a whole menu of special events. Stratton Village is lined with shops to outfit every adventure and restaurants to please every appetite. If tennis is the game, Stratton now boasts new red clay courts. Stratton is also home to Cliff Drysdale Tennis, one of North America’s top rated programs for adults and juniors.

From the top of Super Bravo Express Quad at Sugarbush Resort you’ll find over twenty miles of lift-served downhill, cross-country and freestyle mountain biking terrain leading to the base of Lincoln Peak. In addition, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association has connected nearly sixty miles of mapped trails to Sugarbush's. Combined, that’s over 3,000’ of vertical descending into the towns and villages of Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston and Moretown. For less technical terrain, check out the Green Mountain National Forest trails across the valley at Blueberry Lake. Hiking, walking and Nature Tours are also popular at Sugarbush Resort.Visitors can try one of the many diverse hikes, explore scenic country roads and covered bridges that scatter the Valley, or meander along the nature paths of the Mad River. Group and private guided naturalist hikes available.

Visitors to the Trapp Family Lodge can spend peaceful days hiking, mountain biking, playing tennis, and swimming. They can enjoy nature walks, horse-drawn carriage rides, participate in a round of disc golf, attend world-class concerts in the meadow, or join campfire sing-alongs. Children enjoy the popular Mountain Kids Club that provides special activities from rock wall climbing to arts & crafts, biking, farm visits and more. All guests delight in the guided tours; walk through our beautiful gardens, meet the Highland cattle and learn about the von Trapp family through a history tour.

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak Resort today released its summer schedule and it’s a busy one. In addition to summer camps for foodies and adventurers alike, concerts, weekly barbeques and farmers' markets, the resort will continue its ambitious revitalization initiative.

Projects include a new 80,000-square foot base lodge, rental center and hotel at the resort’s Stateside area, 84 new mountain cottages, and a complete revamping of the resort’s entrance. The new base facility will open in December.

In addition to the Stateside projects, construction of a new wedding and event space is already underway. The Barn, as it is being called, will be a 2,000-square foot facility located between the first tee and ninth green of Jay Peak's championship golf course. It’s slated to open this July.

Burke Mountain

Burke Mountain will see significant developments and improvements over the next three years estimated at $108 million. Proposed projects include four new slope-side lodging facilities at both the Mid Burke Lodge and the Sherburne Base area that will include new services for skiers and riders and additional resort amenities. Plans for the first phase are ongoing and are on track for a mid summer ground-breaking for the first hotel complex located at the Mid Burke Lodge Area.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

New for this summer, Splashville, a splash pad water playground designed for youngsters 6 and younger joins the three-tiered pool and 140-foot waterslide at Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Notchville Park. Filled with features such as water misters and sprays, pulsating fountains and a cheerful yellow duckie waterslide sized for youngsters, Splashville will delight and refresh little ones and their parents on summer days. Lounge chairs on the deck provide comfortable vantage points for parents to watch their children as they play. With family needs and convenience in mind, a bathhouse and picnic pavilion are located within a few steps. Splashville's addition to the eight pools and four waterslides enjoyed by families at Smugglers' establishes the resort as a summer water play destination for all ages. (www.smuggs.com/skivts; 855-581-5906)

Sugarbush Resort

Construction continues this spring and summer on Sugarbush's new slopeside living development, Rice Brook. The Rice Brook residences, which are comprised of 15 townhomes and condominiums altogether, are scheduled to be completed by late fall of 2013. Framing of the interior and exterior walls is well underway for all three buildings. This is expected to be the first of three phases, with additional homes and mixed-use space to follow in the next phases.

Killington Resort and Pico Mountain

Killington Resort and Pico Mountain are revving up for next season with their largest capital investment program since Powdr took over. Total expenditures made for this coming season (2013-14) will be $9,766,500 at Killington and $1.3 million at Pico for the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge; a total of almost $11,000,000 dollars!

Improvements investments include:

• $5.1 million on the NEW Peak Lodge Facility
• $2,000,000 on pipeline infrastructure
• $200,000 on new Snowsports uniforms
• $240,000 on new ski & snowboard rental fleet additions
• Nearly $1 million for three new groomers
• Glade trail improvements and additions, will add to a 200+ trail count at both Killington and Pico, all skiable on the same lift ticket
• Numerous projects for lift and snowmaking infrastructure. Snowmaking: snowmaking pipe installation, pump rebuilds, and additional hydrants. Lifts: K-1 Gondola upgrades to include maze deck and boiler upgrades and refurbishments; other lift projects include seat pad replacements, lift drives and other lift components
• New food and seating venue at Pico Mountain
• $1.3 million on the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge at Pico Mountain

Okemo Mountain Resort

Romance is in the air during the summer at Okemo Mountain Resort, and Okemo's Jackson Gore is a popular spot for weddings. Starting this summer, a new wedding garden will welcome brides and grooms, and all their wedding guests. On a flat plot of land where the old Ranta Farm’s barn once stood, an expanse of manicured lawn is surrounded by moss-covered stone walls. Perennial blooms dance in the light mountain breezes.

“Couples fall in love with our Wedding Garden when they see it,” said Okemo Banquet & Conference Sales Manager Lynn Anthony. “It’s easy for them to picture themselves in this quintessential setting with all the amenities of The Jackson Gore Inn, including an ideal reception venue, just a short stroll away.”

Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain will again be making improvements to its snowmaking system which resulted in expanded trail coverage last season. Magic will be improving system capacity and efficiency in order to get more snow on the hill sooner and faster. Magic's customers this season noted improved trail conditions and grooming, and summer upgrades will focus on continuing these gains. In addition to snowmaking, Magic will perform maintenance to insure smooth operations from December through April for both bottom-to-top lifts servicing Magic's 1700 vertical feet of heart-pounding terrain. And, of course, in late summer, Magic continues its tradition of calling on its army of volunteers to help clear glades and trail in preparation for the new season. There will be three volunteer weekends in all stretching into the fall.

Mount Snow Resort

This summer, Mount Snow plans to make significant upgrades to its snowmaking system infrastructure, including the replacement of almost three miles of snowmaking pipe which will improve production as well as efficiency. 

Trapp Family Lodge

Get out and ride! Trapp Family Lodge is excited for mountain biking in Vermont this summer. The Trapp Family Lodge is looking forward to sharpening chains and taping shovel handles as they prepare for mountain bike trail expansion in 2013. The trail expansion will link up local iconic trails like; Hardy’s Haul, Kimmers, Tapline and Pipline. Once finished, riders will be able to descend or climb nearly 1500 feet while riding some of the most epic trails in Stowe, Vermont. www.trappfamily.com.

Topnotch Resort and Spa

Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe will unveil the “new” Topnotch this July, with the final chapter of the much-anticipated multimillion-dollar renovation to this legendary luxury resort well underway. This concluding stage to the property’s dramatic renaissance will bring an impressive new lobby bar and restaurant, guest reception space, outdoor terrace areas with unobstructed views of Mt. Mansfield, a new exclusive and picturesque wedding/event venue, a remarkable new arrival experience, fully renovated meetings and events facili­ties and renovated guestrooms.

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Why should you consider pursuing a career in Recreation and Tourism at UVM?  First, consider the strength of this exciting field.  Using Vermont as an example, during the recent recession, when business sectors, manufacturing, construction, and most other industries lost thousands of jobs, the Recreation and Tourism sector of Vermont’s economy added 2,000 jobs!  Second, pay scales in the field are competitive with other careers, with year round jobs ranging from a base of $20 – 25,000 for entry level positions to $140,000 and more for managerial positions.  Third, workers across Vermont’s Recreation and Tourism industry have a 94% satisfaction rate with careers in this field.  It is a solid life decision to love what you do for work!

The PRT Program at UVM is an integral part of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.  The curriculum is based on a natural resource foundation, providing students with environmentally based learning, essential knowledge for maximizing success in many fields of work today, when the world we live in is challenged to re-generate itself and become sustainable into the future.  PRT specific courses include for example: Foundations of Recreation and Tourism, Ski Area Management, Park and Wilderness Management, Ecotourism, Tourism Planning, Park and Recreation Design, Entrepreneurship in Recreation and Tourism, Wilderness Education and Leadership, and more!

Additionally, UVM’s PRT students participate in valuable internship learning experiences throughout Vermont, across the USA, and around the world.  Many PRT students also pursue minor concentrations in fields such as business administration, political science, or a foreign language, in order to maximize the value from their educational experiences at UVM.. 

Together, PRT faculty and the career services staff assist graduating students in securing rewarding career track jobs in all aspects of the Recreation and Tourism industry, from community recreation and public park management to the hospitality industry (lodging and food), and the mountain (ski) resort business.  Our graduates often find excellent job opportunities right here in Vermont, as well as across the USA and around the world.

There is another compelling reason to consider studying at UVM.  The campus home of the Rubenstein School, the George D. Aiken Center, located adjacent to UVM’s fabulous Davis Student Center, completed a multi-million dollar renovation last year and is now a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum building.  The core of your learning environment at UVM will be in the most environmentally advanced building on the UVM campus and indeed in one of the most environmentally advanced buildings on any campus in the world!

It is probable that one of your greatest joys of visiting is the outdoor recreation that Vermont offers, is known for world-wide, and that attracts tourists by the thousands year round.  Pursuing your passion for the outdoors is the opportunity we offer in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism program at UVM.  Consider transforming your play into a career track on the beautiful UVM campus!

For more information about UVM’s Rubenstein School and the PRT program, go to www.uvm.edu/rsenr.  For information about the many other programs offered at UVM, including Mathematics & Engineering, Business Administration, Arts and Sciences, Pre-Med and Nursing, Community Development, Agriculture and more, go to www.uvm.edu.

Photo: Students in UVM's Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program learn on a field trip to Sugarbush Resort that includes skiing and riding followed by an information packed three hour program presented by Sugarbush's management team...an excellent way to learn about the industry while "testing" the product!

“Ski Vermont’s Check In to Win campaign is an ambitious statewide program that encourages exploration and promotes cross-brand businesses through a location-based campaign, then executes through multiple social media platforms. It smartly leverages social tools; Facebook and Twitter and weekly eblasts to Vermont’s loyal base of skiers and snowboarders; and showcases Vermont ski resorts and partner businesses all working together toward a common goal,” Rich Beattie, executive editor of Travel + Leisure Magazine and a judge for the SMART awards said.

Honorable mention was given to Mondo Mediaworks for the YouTube campaign, “S**t Snowboarders Say,” which was produced for Ride Vermont, the snowboarding marketing entity for Ski Vermont. The video went viral after its release, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and spiking traffic to RideVermont.com. Jay Peak Resort also received honorable mention for the Moment{us} campaign.

Ski Vermont (Vermont Ski Areas Association) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where the legislature has designated skiing and snowboarding as the official state sports. Vermont is not only the #1 ski state in the east and third in the US, but also reigns supreme in snowmaking quality and coverage, variety of terrain and historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski  and ride destinations in the world. Ski Vermont’s mission is to help create a legislative, economic and social environment in which the state's ski areas can grow and prosper. It serves its 18 Alpine and 31 Nordic member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.

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Photo (left to right): Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller, VSAA’s Kyle Lewis, Governor Shumlin, Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith, and the Vermont Chamber’s Vicky Tebbetts. Photo courtesy of Jen Butson.

Timbers Restaurant Donates to Vermont Land Trust’s Bragg Farm Project Through 1% For The Planet Membership

Warren, VT (April 16, 2013) – Vermont Land Trust’s campaign to conserve the historic Bragg Farm is set to receive a $10,000 donation from Timbers Restaurant at Sugarbush Resort and the Winthrop H. Smith Family Foundation.

The donation is a combined gift made through the Winthrop H. Smith Family Foundation and the restaurant’s membership in 1% for the Planet, the global organization of businesses pledging one percent of their revenues to environmental organizations.

Vermont Land Trust’s Bragg Farm initiative is an effort to protect the agricultural heritage and the vitality of farming in the Mad River Valley. With incomparable views of the Green Mountains, the Bragg Farm showcases the beauty and agricultural productivity of the Valley's working landscapes.

“This project exemplifies the spirit of the Mad River Valley, both in that it preserves and protects our open spaces but also by keeping this land in agricultural use,” said Win Smith, President of Sugarbush Resort. “It was our intent at the onset of joining 1% for the Planet to support local environmental initiatives and the Bragg Farm project combines so many of our values into one project.”

Through a competitive process Vermont Land Trust has chosen an experienced farmer to purchase the land. Marisa Mauro, owner of Ploughgate Creamery, plans to craft artisanal butter and cheeses from a small milking herd. The conservation and sale of the Bragg Farm advances the goals of the Vermont Land Trust's Farmland Access Program, which helps experienced farmers gain access to productive, affordable farmland.

“Timbers Restaurant has always supported local agricultural and Vermont’s working landscapes by purchasing and serving the produce, meats and cheeses from our neighbors’ farms.” continued Smith “Perhaps in the future you may see Ploughgate Creamery products on the menu at Timbers.”

Overlooking the Mad River Valley the Bragg Farm is perched on one of the Valley’s finest pieces of real estate. The iconic and over one-hundred year old barn and farm boasts views that overlook Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush and has been seen on the cover of Vermont Life magazine among other publications, including Sugarbush’s marketing material.

For more information contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@sugarbush.com.

Timbers Restaurant is the signature dining establishment at Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT. Fashioned after a 19th-century round dairy barn and featuring 6,000 square feet of post and beam construction and 45 foot vaulted ceilings, it's a dining location like no other. Timbers' menu features dry aged steaks, fresh seafood and locally raised meats, organic vegetables and artisanal cheeses in an upscale, mountainside setting.

About 1% for the Planet

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a platform of credibility and engagement for environmentally conscious brands that are truly committed to making a positive impact with their business. This global movement of more than 1000 member companies in 45 countries donate one percent of annual sales directly to approved environmental organizations worldwide. To date, our network has achieved over 100MM in cumulative giving. To learn more go to: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.

Dark Star Orchestra
May 31, 2013 at Jay Peak
Get down with the Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra playing live in the Foeger Ballroom of the Hotel Jay on Friday, May 31. Performing to critical acclaim worldwide for nearly 15 years and over two-thousand shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead concert experience.  

School's Out "2-4-1" E-Coupon Day!
June 14, 2013 at Bromley Mountain
E-Coupons, Dude! Grab a friend and come on over to VT's Summer Adventure for two-for-one Mountain Adventure passes with your downloaded E-Coupon! Be sure to download & print your e-coupon before midnight, Wednesday June 13, or the offer will disappear! Get your e-coupon here!

Jackson Gore Summer Music Series
June 14 - August 30, 2013 at Okemo Mountain Resort
Every Friday night throughout the summer, visitors enjoy a complimentary lawn concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at Okemo Mountain Resort. Concerts are held in the Jackson Gore Inn Courtyard. Bring the family and enjoy dinner and drinks with an outdoor barbecue. (802) 228-1600

Brewgrass Festival
June 15, 2013 at Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush summer events are a great way to experience the Mad River Valley without the snow. The Brewgrass Festival returns this summer with numerous regional beers, great music and tasty food.

The Eastern States Cup
June 15-16, 2013 at Sugarbush Resort
The Eastern States Cup is coming to Sugarbush for two mountain bike races with the SuperD on June 15th and the Downhill on June 16th.

Wanderlust
June 20 – 23, 2013 at Stratton Mountain Resort
Wanderlust is a multi-day yoga and music festival. The fest features yoga classes, guided meditations, hikes, concerts, local and organic eats and lectures from renowned speakers. Come for one day or four, wander the Market without a ticket or try your hand at something new. This Top 10 Vermont Summer Event is for true yogis, nature lovers and localvores.

2^nd Annual NEMBA Mountain Bike Festival
June 21-23, 2013 at Burke Mountain
Three days of mountain biking on the world class Kingdom Trails, camping, music and mountain bike industry expo with over 50 vendors to demo the latest in mountain bike equipment and gear!

15th Annual Stowe Wine & Food Classic
June 21-23, 2013 at Trapp Family Lodge
Come celebrate Wine and Food to benefit charitable health care at Copley Hospital. Imagine fine wines, superb cuisine, and rare wines at auction, at the world famous Trapp Family Lodge, overlooking the Village of Stowe, Vermont. www.stowewine.com

3rd Annual Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Epic Summer Event Sunday
June 30, 2013 at Trapp Family Lodge
The bike course consists of a 20 kilometer loop, utilizing some of the finest single track trails in all of New England; starting and finishing at the Trapp Family Outdoor Center. New this year is a partnership with the Eastern Fat Tire Association (EFTA) to have the event included in EFTA’s Championship Series. Proceeds benefit the VTSSM. For more information visit: http://www.vtssm.com/epicsummer or www.efta.com

Independence Day Celebration
July 4, 2013 at Smuggler’s Notch Resort
Enjoy an old-fashioned celebration in Jeffersonville with a parade at 10 a.m., carnival, food and music. Smugglers' Notch Resort hosts a delicious late afternoon firemen's barbecue perfect for picnicking on the resort’s Village Green, an evening performance by the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band and fireworks at dusk. 
(www.smuggs.com/skivts; 855-581-5906)

4^th of July Celebration
July 5, 2013 at Burke Mountain
One of the best fireworks displays in the region, scenic chairlift rides, delicious home-style BBQ and FUN!

Farmer’s Market Fridays
Friday’s starting July 5, 2013 at Stowe Mountain Resort
These celebrated mountainside markets take place Fridays from 11am to 3pm in the Spruce Peak Plaza; featuring local cheeses, produce, heirloom grains, crafts, prepared foods, live music and more. Never before in the resort’s 75-year history has this level of regional goods ever been offered at the mountain. In addition, there are weekly themed dinners at the Cliff House & Solstice restaurants, fireworks, interactive arts and live music every weekend at Spruce Peak Plaza.

VermontSymphony Orchestra
July 5, 2013 at Woodstock Inn and Resort
Woodstock Inn and Resort will host the Vermont Symphony Orchestra on Friday July 5th with fireworks.

Mountain Friends and Freedom Celebration
July 6, 2013 at Stratton Mountain Resort
An all-American weekend to ring in the fourth of July at Stratton. Think fun, BBQ, music, games and fireworks! This also kicks off our Saturday Under the Stars Concert Series. Free weekly outdoor music series, every Saturday at Stratton Mountain’s Main Base area.

Independence Day Celebration
July 6, 2013 at Magic Mountain
Magic will host Londonderry's annual Independence Day celebration on July 6th at the base of Magic Mountain. There will be a cook-out and live music starting at 6pm with fireworks blazing by 9pm.

Tri For Hope
July 13, 2013 at Mount Snow Resort
Mount Snow has partnered with The American Cancer Society and The Windham County Relay for Life to make the Tri For Hope a fundraising event with all proceeds going towards the fight against cancer. Tri for Hope is a sprint distance triathlon great for beginners and is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.  The top individual fundraiser will receive a 2013/2014 Mount Snow season pass! 

Jeffersonville Festival of the Arts
August 10, 2013 at Smugglers’ Notch Resort
This summer festival is a highlight for area visitors, with dozens of regional artists displaying their work along Jeffersonville's charming Main Street. Music by the Green Mountain Swing Band and jazz band Eight 02, children's activities, and food. Parking available at Cambridge Elementary School. Free. 10 am - 4 pm. www.cambridgeartsvt.org or 802-644-1960.

Tough Mudder New England
August 10 and 11, 2013 at Mount Snow Resort
Probably the toughest event on the planet, Tough Mudder returns to Mount Snow. This is a hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.  The course at Mount Snow is regarded as one of the most challenging on the Tough Mudder schedule, also making it one of the most popular. 

Okemo’s Hops in the Hills Brew Festival & Chicken Wing Championship
August 24, 2013 at Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort hosts a beer festival from 1 to 6 p.m. in the field approaching the Jackson Gore Inn. Sample a variety of beers from local and regional brewers. Enjoy live music while local restaurants vie for the title of Okemo Valley Chicken Wing Champion. Call (802) 228-1600.

The Full Palette
August 30 - September 1, 2013 at Stratton Mountain Resort
A celebration of the tastes and techniques of Vermont farm-to-table with workshops, demonstrations, author events, grand tasting tent, field trips, food trucks, wine tasting and a gala farm-to-table feast on Sunday night.

Second Annual Jay Peak Trail Running Festival
August 31- September 1, 2013 at Jay Peak
This festival is a series of trail races for all abilities (ages 4-109) over Labor Day Weekend. There are three 5Ks on Saturday: run one, two or three races rated in difficulty like your ski slopes (green circle, blue square, black diamond). You may enter all three for our "Trail Runners with Issues" award too. There is a 25K and a 50K ultra trail race on Sunday. This race series allows the beginner to the trail running nut multiple levels to compete.

Image: Stratton's Wanderlust; photo by Hubert Schriebl

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Stowe Mountain Resort

The combined efforts of Stowe Mountain Resort , including Stowe Mountain Golf Club and  Stowe Mountain Lodge, puts us on a level of environmental stewardship unseen in any other Vermont ski resort. Resort-wide Audubon International Designations in conjunction with Stowe Mountain Lodge’s Destination Earth program undisputedly validates efforts, and clearly establishes Stowe Mountain Resort as a leader. The groundwork has been set to achieve levels of excellence, which should set the bar for ski resorts worldwide.

Stowe Mountain Resort is the first and only ski resort in North America to become a ‘Certified Sustainable Destination’ under Audubon International’s Sustainable Resort program. This rigorous independent certification process took over five years to complete and required the resort to:

• Identify and quantify all elements of sustainable development and operations at Stowe Mountain Resort (SMR).
• Prepare, tabulate and submit specific data and facts such as SMR’s annual energy savings, recycling  and food composting volumes, local food sourcing, environmental education efforts, water conservation, storm water protection, energy efficiency improvements, land and wildlife habitat protection efforts, land planning, alternative transportation options and establishment of a resort wide environmental policy.

Best Green Up Day Participation Program

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Green Up Day has been happening for so long that no one can remember when it started – but current employees can attest to participating in the effort over at least the last dozen years. Typically the resort holds its own Green Up Day just prior to Vermont’s official effort in May, which gives employees the opportunity to participate in their hometown’s program in addition to greening up at work. The effort kicks off with employees meeting for a delicious breakfast prepared by the resort’s Mountain Grille and a safety presentation. Groups then organize and fan out over the resort property, with coverage to the upper mountain parking lots in addition to the Village and Base Lodge areas. Typically 2 to 3 one-ton truckloads of trash are collected each year.

Best Environmental Awareness & Education Program

Burke Mountain

Though the training of resort staff, all resort guests are educated and informed of Burke Mountain Resorts environmental efforts. Through table tents at the restaurants and cafeterias, and resort wide signage, our guests happily and eagerly take part in our initiatives.  During the summer months, Burke makes it a priority to educate the public at all mountain events including large festivals, music and biking events by staging “Separation Stations” at each event. By educating the guests at these events, our composting and recycling efforts during a thee day Mountain Bike Festival with over 1200 people in attendance ended with just 7 bags of garbage removed from the expo. 

Greenest Recycling Program

Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton has a long term goal of being zero-landfill.  In order to do so our first step has been to implement a comprehensive resort wide recycling program.  Our program is multi-faceted and includes not only a successful single-stream program but also a pilot program utilizing BigBelly Solar compactors, and a miscellaneous recycling program to find a second life for many otherwise non-recyclable items.  

This year we converted the majority of our trash and recycling receptacles to be a single-dual function container to make it easy and convenient for all guests.  This combined with the BigBelly compactors makes our trash and recycling collection system easy and present to guests. We collected and recycled over 100 tons of waste that would have otherwise gone to our landfills in 2012 alone.

Although simple recycling is a huge part of our overall solid-waste reduction program it is our miscellaneous recycling program that makes us the Greenest.  So far we have implemented a program to recycle or re-life skis, snowboards, coats, books, toner cartridges and athletic shoes. 

As each program addressed a different waste and worked with different partners they are outlined below:

a.  By partnering with One World Running, Stratton Mountain collected used athletic shoes that will find their way to underdeveloped countries and support athletics. 

b. In our retail outlets we offered a $50 rebate towards the purchase of new equipment when you recycled your old with us that we in turn donated to Vermont Furniture and a local craftsman to find a new life as bird houses, benches, and Adirondack chairs.

c.  In our centralized Welcome Center we collect printer and toner cartridges to be delivered to our local school who recycles them through the Funding Factory who in turn monetarily contributes to school programs.     

d.  Lastly, Stratton’s Retail division created a program called “Coats for All” to collect outerwear to find a second life for those more in need in our two host counties.  Several coat drives were conducted throughout our summer and fall events to collect used coats and pants and then they were distributed by Manchester Health Services and Agape Christian Fellowship.

In 2012 over 400 coats were given a second life, more than 50 pairs of athletic shoes were sent around the world, 16 pairs of skis and 32 snowboards were saved from the landfills, and an ever growing number of printer cartridges have been refilled and recycled. 

Greenest Composting Program

Burke Mountain

Our resort composting program initiated in Fall 2011, with the partnership of Highfields Composting Center, has produced approximately 26,850 lbs of compost that is used locally at farms, gardens and here on the resort. All organic materials from the Tamarack Grill are sorted by wait staff and in the Kingdom Cafeteria during ski operations.  A dedicated staff member and table tents on each table educate guests, who are happy to participate. Diverting this organic waste to composting represents a greenhouse gas emissions reduction equivalent to not burning over 1,300 gallons of gasoline!

Greenest Water Treatment Program

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort collects all the storm water at the base of Spruce Peak and a limited amount from the Mount Mansfield base area and treats it through the use of storage in a fore-bay prior to its passage to the resort’s primary snowmaking reservoir.

This new reservoir, named Peregrine Lake, holds 112 million gallons of water and also serves as a major feature on the Stowe Mountain Club golf course.

The water stored in the Peregrine Lake reservoir is reused for snowmaking in winter and golf course irrigation during the summer.

Greenest Alternative Energy Program

Bolton Valley

In 2009 Bolton became the second ski area in the country, and the first in Vermont, to boast a wind turbine on site. The turbine is maintained by Bolton Valley staff and owned by Larry Williams and Doug Nedde, also the owners of Bolton Valley. 

The 121-foot-tall Northwind 100 Wind Turbine produces approximately 300,000 kilowatt hours of power annually and can start generating electricity at wind speeds as low as 6 mph. The turbine uses net metering so power is sent into the electrical grid and in return, Bolton Valley receives a price reduction on their electricity. The amount of power produced could cover about one eighth of Bolton Valley’s total energy needs, which is equivalent to the electricity consumed by 40 to 45 Vermont households.

Northern Power Systems is a Vermont company based in Barre that used Vermont companies whenever possible throughout the manufacturing and installation of the turbine. Northern Power Systems also created a kiosk that tracks live info from the turbine. Check out the site to see the turbine’s current status. For even more specifics about the wind turbine check out the wind turbine fact sheet.

This unique initiative prompted Bolton’s receipt of the National Ski Areas Association’s 2010 Silver Eagle Award for Excellence in Energy Conservation/Clean Energy. These NSAA awards have garnered national recognition as the leading program honoring environmental excellence in the ski industry.

Best Efficiency Snowmaking Upgrade

Sugarbush Resort 

Sugarbush recently made a $1.5 million investment to upgrade its snowmaking capacities. With this investment Sugarbush has deployed forty new ultra-low energy snow guns. The groundbreaking technology require vastly less compressed air and less electricity per gallon of water and reduces the energy needed to make snow without compromising on either quality or quantity of the snow. The investment allows Sugarbush to make more snow, on more trails from top-to-bottom, earlier in the season then the resort was able to in the past. The addition of these 40 snow guns has essentially doubled the snowmaking capacity at the mountain.

In addition to the increased capacity, the new snow gun technology saves a vast amount of energy per gallon of water pumped thus significantly reducing green house gas emissions and the overall energy consumption. Efficiency Vermont estimated that the deployment of the new technology would save approximately 1,080,000 kilowatt-hours and reduce carbon emissions by 1,112,194 pounds per year. 

Best Efficiency Program for Facilities

Jay Peak Resort

When Jay Peak Resort decided to construct an indoor waterpark, it knew energy efficiency would have to be a top priority. It was that thinking that contributed to how the Pump House was built and where it was located. The 60,000-square foot park is an all-glass structure. Not only does the UV-permissible glass allow for flora to grow in the park, it allows for passive solar heating of the Pump House. Jay Peak didn’t stop there though. The resort located the park adjacent to its Ice Haus skating arena. Ice arenas, being essentially massive refrigerators, emit a lot of waste heat that results from generating the ice and keeping the facility cold. Jay Peak installed a state-of-the-art heat exchange system that captures all of the Ice Haus’ waste heat, plums it over to the Pump House, and then uses that energy to heat the Pump House. The system saves up to 60,000 gallons of propane a year.

Most Sustainable Restaurant

Burke Mountain

Each year the Tamarack Grill submits a very detailed and intensive application to be included as one of 12 Vermont Green Restaurants in the Green Mountain State by the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership. It is our mission at the Tamarack Grill to support the preservation of our environment. We purchase only compostable plates, napkins and plastic cups for our cafeteria dining spaces and also switched over to durable reusable silverware as an effort to cut back our waste. These measures coincide with our resort wide composting program started in the fall of 2011. From every can and bottle that goes through the restaurant, to office paper, cardboard boxes, ink cartridges, batteries, cleaning products and even receipt paper, we make every effort to reduce our impact by using environmentally friendly products and recycling as many products as we can.

We also believe in the importance of purchasing local foods and supporting local agriculture. We work with over 40 local farms & vendors to receive quality local ingredients. We also frequent local farmers markets in the summer months, in order to serve fresh, local products. Other means we practice in order to lower our impact include; the use of green cleaning products whenever possible, the installation of timers on our coffee and cocoa machines, installing water reduction valves in all of our hand sinks, low flow toilets, and a low flow pre rinse valve in our dishwashing unit and updating our lighting to super T-8 and LED lights. We have also replaced paper towel dispensers in the restrooms with low-energy hand dryers.  The Tamarack Grill also tries to give back not only to the environment, but to the local community as well. The restaurant staff visits our local Senior Meal Site a few times each year where we donate, prepare and serve a dinner.

Most Creative Environmental Program

Killington Resort

Killington Resort is powering its K-1 Express Gondola with electricity generated directly from cows on Vermont dairy farms. The initiative was made possible through Killington’s enrollment in Green Mountain Power’s Cow Power program, which enables GMP customers to purchase all or part of their electricity at a premium and support Vermont’s dairy farms as well as the development of new cow power projects across the state.

The power comes from methane released from manure as it decomposes. Farms collect cow manure throughout the day, mixing it with wash water from the milking equipment which is then pumped into an anaerobic digester. The slurry flows through a digester for about three weeks allowing bacteria to convert the manure into biogas, about 60% methane gas and 40% carbon dioxide. The biogas is then delivered to a modified natural gas engine, which drives an electric generator to create electricity. Finally, the energy generated is fed onto the GMP electrical system which ultimately powers the K-1 Express Gondola.

By participating in the Cow Power program, we are supporting the farms that process their farm waste in an anaerobic digester prior to storage. This reduces the farms’ methane emissions by approximately 3.4 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalents per cow, per year. So, not only are we using a local, renewable source for electricity, but it lessens the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Good for the environment, for local farms andfor keeping snow on the mountain.