The "Sugarbush Thread"

[SkiingInABlueDream]

Looks like JD and his family had a good time despite the best efforts of Sugarbush and the MRV to prevent them from enjoying their weekend.

LOL

 

[djd66]

Skiing on Saturday was tops in my books for weekend skiing. We hit the slopes just after first chair as I was anticipating things to be a shit show. Crowds on the slopes never showed up. Trails and lifts were eerily empty. I never saw VD - but saw a ton of Secret Service. All groomers were incredibly edgy/carvable. SF, SB, OG, RC, CR all skied awesome. The set up with a fresh groom on Friday and 3” of new snow made for some perfect skiing. Not sure what’s on the way this week for weather- but there is a ton of solid base to withstand.

I think now that we made it through this weekend, we can move on from politics in my favorite and most popular thread.

 

[reefer]

One more please. Haven't been up to MRV in a few years, (should be changing that this year), but did I miss some new countries border between US and Canada being laid down the middle of this street? Classic!

 

[NewEnglander77]

Disappointing to say the least to see all the Palestine flags and so many people being called Nazis. Do we not care about our American hostages being held? Yes, everyone has a right to their expression, but there is too much antisemitism these days. I thought our valley community was better than this.

Had to say my piece and now we can move on to skiing. Here's to hoping that this coming week is an anomaly. We've had a strong wintery March these last few years.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yeah so….back to talking about Sugarbush. So
I hear that Slide Brook is not going to open this year.

 

[Hastur]

Disappointing to say the least to see all the Palestine flags and so many people being called Nazis. Do we not care about our American hostages being held? Yes, everyone has a right to their expression, but there is too much antisemitism these days. I thought our valley community was better than this.

Had to say my piece and now we can move on to skiing. Here's to hoping that this coming week is an anomaly. We've had a strong wintery March these last few years.

Anti Zionism does not equal antisemitism. That conflation is used by Israel in the US and Europe for cover for their ongoing atrocities and continued apartheid. Please don't further their objective in that.

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, leaving international politics. So how ‘bout that North Ridge Express?

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Agreed. So if they take it down, her report:

Mar 1st, 2025, 6:49 AM: *Today of all days, I would like to reflect on what Sugarbush means to me. This mountain has brought me endless days of joy, adventure, challenges, new experiences, beauty, community, and peace. I’ve found that nothing cures a racing mind quite like skiing through the trees and stopping to take a deep breath of that fresh forest air. The world around us might be a scary place, but these little moments of tranquility, moments I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy as a direct result of my employment here, give me, and I’d guess you, too, a sense of strength and stability. This fresh forest air, is, more specifically fresh National Forest air. Sugarbush operates on 1745 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest. Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current Administration, who is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love, and to protecting us while we are enjoying that land. This Administration also neglects to address the danger, or even the existence of, climate change, the biggest threat to the future of our industry, and the skiing we all so much enjoy here. Burlington, VT is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country, and Vermont is the 9th fastest-warming state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a resource I use every day for snow reporting, is crucial in monitoring extreme weather events and informing public safety measures, and is also experiencing widespread layoffs and defunding at the hands of the Administration. Sugarbush would not be Sugarbush without our wonderful community. Employees and patrons alike, we are made up of some of the most kind hearted, hardworking people I have ever met. Our community is rich with folks of all different orientations, ethnicities, and walks of life, who all contribute to make this place what it is. They all love Sugarbush because it is a place where they can come to move their bodies, to connect with the land, to challenge themselves, to build character, to nourish their souls with the gift of skiing. Many of these people are part of the LGBTQI+ community. Many (well, that’s a stretch, we all know this is an incredibly white-washed industry) are people of color. Half are women. Many are veterans or adaptive skiers who, through Vermont Adaptive, are able to access snow sports in part thanks to federal grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also facing devastating cuts. Many of our beloved employees moved across the world through an exchange program on the J1 visa to help this resort run, and they are not US citizens. ALL of these groups are being targeted, undervalued, and disrespected by the current Administration. The beauty of National Forest land, is that anyone and everyone is welcome to enjoy it. Anyone and everyone can buy a lift ticket. I also imagine it is incredibly difficult, and likely impossible, to say “No” to the Secret Service. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land. I want to reiterate how much I admire and respect my fellow employees and managers–they work so hard to make this place operate, to keep you coming back and enjoying it and making lifelong memories. Many of them may feel the same way that I do, but their hands are tied, and for good reason. They have families to support, they have benefits and health insurance to receive, they face far greater and more binding pressure from Corporate. I am in a privileged position here, in that I work only seasonally, I do not rely on this job for health insurance or benefits, and hey, waking up at 4:30 AM isn’t exactly sustainable. Therefore, I am using my relative “platform” as snow reporter, to be disruptive—I don’t have a whole lot to lose. We are living in a really scary and really serious time. What we do or don’t do, matters. This whole shpiel probably won’t change a whole lot, and I can only assume that I will be fired, but at least this will do even just a smidge more than just shutting up and being a sheep. I am really scared for our future. Acting like nothing is happening here feels way scarier than losing my job. I want to have kids one day, and I want to teach them to ski. The policies and ideals of the current Administration, however, are not conducive to either of these things, because, at least how things look now, I’d never be able to afford a good life for a child anyway, and snow will be a thing of Vermont history. So please, for the sake of our future shredders: Be Better Here. It has truly been a pleasure writing your morning snow reports–I hope this one sticks with you. With love, peace, and hope, Lucy Welch*

Everything Lucy is saying here pertains to our skiing experience. There is no talk of war or economy, just how things are going in regards to skiing, particularly at Sugarbush. I think this posting was a patriotic thing to do. She clearly loves the sport and the outdoors. Who out there wants to point out the positive things our government is currently doing to help our sport? Even just one thing…

 

[Lotso]

OK, leaving international politics. So how ‘bout that North Ridge Express?

NRX has been running great....er, except for today....oh well... SBX needs to be dismantled and sold for scrap. I love that ride, but it is time for it to go.

 

[jaybird]

Yeah so….back to talking about Sugarbush. So
I hear that Slide Brook is not going to open this year.

Not gonna miss it.
Shuttle works fine.
Re-allocate the dollars.
Hire an electric/controls professional.

 

[djd66]

Anti Zionism does not equal antisemitism. That conflation is used by Israel in the US and Europe for cover for their ongoing atrocities and continued apartheid. Please don't further their objective in that.

You had to go there? Seriously? I am not going to argue the BS in your post,… can we keep it related to Sugarbush and skiing?

 

[Shredmonkey254]

You had to go there? Seriously? I am not going to argue the BS in your post,… can we keep it related to Sugarbush and skiing?

Crickets, snowflakes. Crickets. Pretty soon we won’t be able to hear them either. I asked for just one thing. One….

 

[cdskier]

Not sure what’s on the way this week for weather- but there is a ton of solid base to withstand.

We're going to need it based on the upcoming weather pattern through at least mid-March. Hope something changes, but not looking particularly favorable for much new snow.

 

[Cheetah440]

Everything Lucy is saying here pertains to our skiing experience. There is no talk of war or economy, just how things are going in regards to skiing, particularly at Sugarbush. I think this posting was a patriotic thing to do. She clearly loves the sport and the outdoors. Who out there wants to point out the positive things our government is currently doing to help our sport? Even just one thing…

Did you even read it? Among others….
“you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods”

Sorry, but a lot of us who own property in the MRV and ski Sugarbush both fully support this administration and disagree. I know many. Sorry but the MRV isn’t the monolith you think it is. We also don’t want this shit shoved in our faces. We want to get away with our families and enjoy the sport. Do your job, take your politics elsewhere.

This weekend was a disgraceful embarrassment for a Sugarbush on multiple levels.

 

[djd66]

Not sure what was embarrassing. If you are embarrassed with people exercising their 1st amendment right, you need to get some thicker skin.

FYI, 82% of the MRV did not vote for the current administration.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Did you even read it? Among others….
“you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods”

Sorry, but a lot of us who own property in the MRV and ski Sugarbush both fully support this administration and disagree. I know many. Sorry but the MRV isn’t the monolith you think it is. We also don’t want this shit shoved in our faces. We want to get away with our families and enjoy the sport. Do your job, take your politics elsewhere.

This weekend was a disgraceful embarrassment for a Sugarbush on multiple levels.

You bought your second home in the wrong town. I owned here for a long time. You did not answer my question. What is the government doing to help save skiing and the environment.?

 

[Cheetah440]

Not sure what was embarrassing. If you are embarrassed with people exercising their 1st amendment right, you need to get some thicker skin.

FYI, 82% of the MRV did not vote for the current administration.

82% of the skiers in the MRV didn’t vote in the MRV.

 

[Cheetah440]

You bought your second home in the wrong town. I owned here for a long time. You did not answer my question. What is the government doing to help save skiing and the environment.?

I did? Why? Isn’t it still a free country? I’ll buy wherever the fuck I want.
I have no idea what this admin or the last admin or any admin did for skiing.

 

[Cheetah440]

I have news for all of you. There are hundreds if not thousands of Republicans skiing Sugarbush every weekend. Whether you like it or not. And there’s nothing any of you can do about it. The only difference is, they have a hell of a lot more class than we saw on display yesterday.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Did you even read it? Among others….
“you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods”

Sorry, but a lot of us who own property in the MRV and ski Sugarbush both fully support this administration and disagree. I know many. Sorry but the MRV isn’t the monolith you think it is. We also don’t want this shit shoved in our faces. We want to get away with our families and enjoy the sport. Do your job, take your politics elsewhere.

This weekend was a disgraceful embarrassment for a Sugarbush on multiple levels.

Did you even read it? Among others….
“you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods”

Sorry, but a lot of us who own property in the MRV and ski Sugarbush both fully support this administration and disagree. I know many. Sorry but the MRV isn’t the monolith you think it is. We also don’t want this shit shoved in our faces. We want to get away with our fami

I have news for all of you. There are hundreds if not thousands of Republicans skiing Sugarbush every weekend. Whether you like it or not. And there’s nothing any of you can do about it. The only difference is, they have a hell of a lot more class than we saw on display yesterday.

T

I have news for all of you. There are hundreds if not thousands of Republicans skiing Sugarbush every weekend. Whether you like it or not. And there’s nothing any of you can do about it. The only difference is, they have a hell of a lot more class than we saw on display yesterda