Be Better Here Initiatives
Social Responsibility
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We strive to enact positive change to community well-being both in the local community and the ski industry as a whole. The Be Better Here Fund was put into place as a means of supporting these communities through a variety of philanthropic initiatives. Through the Be Better Here Fund, the resort focuses on providing financial and charitable support to key nonprofit partner organizations, schools, and other fundraising events including but not limited to the below. During our 2023/24 fiscal year, we donated over $2 million in cash and in-kind donations to these entities. rich-text, responsive-table
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of the ability to pay. They offer the largest variety of program opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive operates a facility out of Sugarbush's Mt. Ellen, providing adaptive skiing for its clients. Get a virtual walkthrough of the new facility and learn more about how it'll improve the quality of their programs and events for all participants and family members.
Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation was established to ensure those who have experienced a spinal cord injury can still live an active lifestyle. Kelly, after being injured herself in 2006 at an NCAA alpine ski race, founded KBF to advocate and provide resources for those similarly affected. They are dedicated to giving grants to provide resources and equipment so these athletes can get back out there. Since its founding, they are focused on continuously guaranteeing ski racers are training and competing in the safest possible venues. Sugarbush remains an active partner of the organization, sponsoring various events and hosting "Ski Days with Kelly" at the resort from time to time.
High Fives Foundation
High Fives was formed to create a universal shift in adventure sports that expand on what is possible for those who have experienced life-changing injuries. CEO and founder of High Fives, Roy Tuscany, suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in 2006 while training in the terrain park at Mammoth Mountain, California. From that point, he was committed to becoming a leader in the education and recovery of life-altering injuries in outdoor action sports for injured athletes and Veterans, so they can get back to doing what they love. Today Sugarbush hosts several High Fives fundraising events and sponsors them throughout the year.
Mad River Riders
Mad River Riders is a founding chapter of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. They are dedicated to stewarding and growing a 60+ mile network of sustainable multi-use trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing throughout the Mad River Valley. Through their collaborations, Mad River Riders are able to build and maintain thoughtful trails that better connect existing systems, while protecting the environment. Sugarbush sponsors the organization to help continue to grow a vibrant trail community in the Valley.
Friends of the Mad River
Friends of the Mad River is a member-support non-profit organization that works to steward the land and water of the Mad River to ensure the future of a clean and healthy environment. Founded in 1990, they build diverse partnerships to help restore and enhance the watershed’s valued resources. Their work is grounded in science, inclusive education, and thoughtful action while still celebrating what a special place this is. With outreach programs, cleanups, restoration projects, and more, Friends helps safeguard healthy land and clean water.
Catamount Trail
The Catamount Trail Association is an organization focused on expanding access to Vermont’s backcountry by creating North America’s longest backcountry ski trail. Since 1984 they’ve worked to connect people to Vermont’s mountain landscape by managing ski terrain, protecting mountain lands, and expanding equitable access to skiing. To date, just over 70% of the Trail is protected on public lands, privately conserved lands, or via individual trail easements. Their goal is to facilitate the expansion of sustainable access to the backcountry, ensuring it has a statewide impact.
Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club is a non-profit organization rooted in the foundation of the Long Trail while continuing to maintain and protect it. The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance walking trail in the United States, officially forming GMC in 1910, and breaking dirt in the Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield areas to begin the trail. Their mission is to continue to provide access to quality outdoor recreation for generations to come by protecting and maintaining the Long Trail System.
Vermont Women's Fund
Established in 1994, the Vermont Women's Fund financially supports organizations that drive change for women and girls in Vermont. Based on the philosophy that “philanthropy changes lives”, they were founded with the goal to fund structural change to advance gender equity and justice in Vermont. They work to advance feminism that is centered on equity and justice. VWF is committed to ensuring that all women, inclusive of cis, trans, and non-binary people affected by gender oppression, have access to opportunities and can thrive in this state.
VMBA
TheVermont Mountain Bike Association is a non-profit consisting of 29 chapters that represent the Vermont mountain biking community. Their goal is to ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont through things like partnerships, grants, and community-driven stewardship. VMBA works to promote well-planned, accessible, and progressive trail systems state-wide.
Flyin' Ryan Foundation
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is a non-profit inspired by the life of Ryan Hawks and the core values he held as an extreme skier and a person. The organization was founded after his passing from injuries sustained during a Freeskiing World Tour event in Kirkwood, CA. Their goal is to extend his impact and inspire anyone from students to athletes, to create their own core values. As a foundation, they are committed to making the world a better place through individual senses of identity, leading to higher quality decisions and a greater sense of well-being.
Mad River Valley Arts
Mad River Valley Arts is an organization that works to foster and maintain the creative potential of craft and design in Vermont. They understand that art supports the agency to create stories and value the responsibility of linking art and the environment. MRVA facilitates workshops, artist talks, and tours in addition to their year-round exhibition and event programs. They aim to inspire residents and visitors alike to embrace their artistic growth and join the community of creatives in our arts-centric Valley.
Mad River Path Association
Mad River Path is an organization that maintains a network of paths connecting Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston, and Moretown. It is a community-supported organization that maintains and conserves this system of public pathways. Their goal is to foster community through these paths, connecting people, businesses, and nature - showcasing the special wonders of the Mad River Valley. Sugarbush is a premium business partner, helping to provide funds as well as event support.
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We are committed to supporting the progression and development of a community in which individuals from any background can feel comfortable working, exploring, and adventuring. Our team is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for guests and employees alike. To us, the mountains are for everyone.
rich-text, responsive-tableWe work to address four main areas:
Employee Hiring, Training, and Growth
- Proactively recruit employees from all backgrounds at all levels within the resort
- Conduct employee trainings for staff at all levels to better understand, interact with, and provide a welcoming experience for guests of all backgrounds
- Provide career growth opportunities for these staff
Outreach and Inclusion
- Strive to represent people from all backgrounds in our outreach initiatives
- Include these groups in planning for resort offerings including events, products, and activities
Partnerships
- Partner with organizations striving for similar goals to create a more welcoming and diverse industry for both guests and employees
- Ski Vermont Diversity Initiative
- Alterra Mountain Company initiative
- State of VT Racial Equity Task Force
Diversity Committee
- Develop a committee dedicated to ensuring these initiatives move forward with participation at the employee, guest, and community levels
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Additional Resources:
Ski Area Management – Snowsports Groups Commit to Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equity
Black Lives Matter of Greater Burlington
Ski Vermont Diversity Initiative
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Sugarbush is entrusted with the stewardship of lands in the Mad River Valley. Sugarbush is an endorser of the National Ski Areas Association Sustainable Slopes program and is an active participant in the NSAA Climate Challenge - a voluntary program dedicated to helping ski areas inventory, target and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sugarbush has been recognized and earned Sustainable Slopes Badges in these areas:
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rich-text, responsive-tableWe have a shared responsibility to take climate action seriously and protect the natural environment so that future generations can continue to cultivate a spirit of adventure and camaraderie for many winters to come.
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Sugarbush and Alterra Mountain Company have committed to reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030. Sugarbush has already reduced scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 28% from 2019. Guided by climate science, we are following decarbonization strategies to achieve our climate commitments focused on efficiency, electrification of infrastructure, renewable energy, and collaboration.
SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
In partnership with developer, Green Lantern Solar, Sugarbush is an off taker of a total of 2.75 megawatts of solar energy across eight different solar arrays in Vermont including one at Sugarbush in Parking Lot F. These solar systems produce approximately 4.75 million kWh of electricity or about 47% of our total annual electricity usage.
100% CARBON-FREE ELECTRICITY
In addition to supporting solar development, Green Mountain Power now supplies Sugarbush with 100% carbon-free sourced electricity.
ENERGY EFFICIENT SNOWMAKING
Every year, we replace components of our snowmaking system to make snow more efficiently while reducing the amount of compressed air, energy, and water needed. The resort consumption approximately 33% less electricity now than compared to 10 years ago without compromising either the quality or quantity of snow.
DECARBONIZATION OF OUR HEATING SYSTEMS
We are installing energy efficient electric heat pump HVAC systems which reduce fossil fuel consumption for heating. The Lodge at Lincoln Peak, Mt Ellen Base Lodge, The Farmhouse, Clay Brook, and the Day School are the first facilities with heat pumps.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
We are replacing fossil fuel powered vehicles with EVs. In 2024, we purchased our first all-electric truck and snowmobile with more EVs planned.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
Level 2 EV chargers are available for guests at Mt Ellen, Lincoln Peak, and in the Clay Brook Hotel parking garage so that guests can drive EVs with confidence to and from the resort.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Green Mountain Transit provides free winter public transportation around Sugarbush and throughout the Mad River Valley on the Mad Bus giving guests and employees the opportunity to leave their vehicles at home.
LED LIGHTING
Every base lodge and the SHaRC have been retrofitted with efficient LED lighting.
Waste
WASTE DIVERSION
We strive to reduce single-use products and divert as much waste from the landfill as possible. Our recycling and composting programs now keep approximately 40% of our total waste out of the landfill.HOUSEKEEPING
Our housekeeping team uses bulk cleaning and hygiene products and participates in Clean the World, a program which collects and recycles discarded soap and plastic amenity bottles from our lodging and distributes soap worldwide to support communities vulnerable to hygiene-related illnesses.
Forest
FOREST AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLANS
Portions of Sugarbush Resort are located on leased National Forest System lands and are operated under a Special Use Permit issued by the Green Mountain National Forest. The rest of the resort lands are privately held by Sugarbush Mountain Resort and operated under State of Vermont land use and environmental permits. We have both Vegetation and Forest Management Plans to balance forest and plant health, wildlife diversity and habitat, water and air quality and ski area operations.
HABITAT PROTECTION
From protecting and restoring sensitive high-elevation habitat home to the threatened Bicknell’s Thrush, limiting activity in critical wildlife habitat for black bears, and restoring local stream riparian zones, Sugarbush is committed to protecting our mountain ecosystems.
Water
STROMWATER AND STREAM REPAIR
Stormwater is precipitation (snowmelt and rainwater) that runs off impervious surfaces rather than infiltrating into the soil. Stormwater management techniques are employed throughout the resort to remove pollutants, and slow, spread and sink stormwater back into the ground before it enters the watershed. We have completed amulti-year water-quality remediation planwhich has resulted in the clean-up of several important high-elevation streams at the resort including Rice and Gadd Brooks.
DRINKING WATER
Our Mountain Water Company is committed to providing safe, clean drinking water to resort guests. Resort drinking water comes from the Clay Brook and fourteen bedrock wells, where water is pumped using energy-efficient pumping technology.
WASTEWATER
Wastewater (sewer) from the resort is separated and cleaned through a carefully controlled and monitored process that involves collection, filtration, aeration, and disinfection. Lincoln Peak Wastewater Treatment and Mountain Wastewater Treatment are our two large facilities that process waste back into clean water.
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SEW COMMITTEE
The SEW (Safety, Environment, and Wellness) Committee and an employee committee made up of members from all departments to make improvements to the safety and well-being of our employees and the resort’s environmental stewardship. Some of our initiatives include:- Annual “SEW Day”, an educational day for all staff to celebrate and further SEW focus areas
- Annual “Green-up day” when staff clean up litter around the resort community
- Water bottle filling stations at the Gate House Lodge, Mt Ellen Lodge, and the SHaRC
- Improvements to waste management
- Formalization of a resort-wide no-idling policy
- Replacement of Torchlight parade flares with reusable LED lights
- Pedestrian safety and outdoor lighting improvements
- Elimination of plastic straw use
- Promotion of “Know the Code”
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Charitable Donation Inquiry
Sugarbush Resort receives many inquiries for charitable donations from worthy endeavors, events and organizations around the region. As the number of requests exceeds our giving capacity, we tend to prioritize those requestors from the following areas:
- Those that support our local communities here in the Mad River Valley
- Those that support the greater Vermont area or in other ways champion outdoor recreation, sustainability initiatives and/or DEI
- Those that are integrated into markets key to our business
- Others that are near and dear to our staff and/or key customer base
The Resort does not give cash contributions nor donate lodging packages. A typical donation is a pair of summer or winter non-holiday lift tickets.
To request a charitable donation, please complete the form below in entirety. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Requests are reviewed on the 15th of each month with decisions made and communicated to recipients by the 30th of each month. Sugarbush does not review any requests during our peak winter period from mid-December through February. Please plan accordingly.
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