Seasonal Programs Family Page
Welcome to the Seasonal Programs Family Page. Here you’ll find what every parent and child should know about their seasonal program, including weekend weather and snow forecasts, updates from coaches and supervisors, observations from our new Seasonal Program Parent Committee, upcoming events, and more.
To stay tuned bookmark this page and click this link to subscribe to the Seasonal Program Report email that will be sent every week during the winter season.
Click here for Seasonal Programs Page
Program Update
Hello Sugarbush family,
Thank you for another great weekend. The natural snow trails were skiing and riding well and we had a chance to explore some woods too. Many of the low-angle mid-elevation runs were covered and fun. Castlerock was in fine shape, giving our Blazers a chance to practice and pick lines for the upcoming Junior Castlerock Challenge, part of the Ski the East Freeride Tour.
Adventure Blazer Joe on Monday at Castlerock.
We have received a bunch of new snow this week already and more is on the way, although there will probably be another quick warm-up/cool-down on Wednesday. We will share condition reports on Saturday, before the Challenge, so all competitors are aware of any changes.
Everyone who is considering entering should have skied or ridden Castlerock this season. We suggest that participating skiers and riders are at Level 6 and above. The judging criteria reward smooth controlled skiing and riding, not out of control turns and airs.
Approximate Start Times - Please try to be at the top of Castlerock at these times
Competitors Meeting at Castlerock Warming Hut - 9:45am
- 8 and under - Girls and Boys - 10:00am start
- 9-11 years old - Girls and Boys - 10:30 start
- 12-13 years old - Girls and Boys - 12:15 start
Pre-registration is already full, but there will be a few spots open for day of registration. Registration starts at 7:30am in the Gate House Lodge. Good luck!
On Sunday, we will also be hosting the US Ski Mountaineering Association Dynafit Randonnee Race from Mad River Glen to Sugarbush. This event benefits the Green Mountain Club.
The course starts at the bottom of MRG climbs to the top, goes across the Long Trail to Mount Ellen, down Lower FIs into Slide Brook, up to Village Run and Gate House, down Castlerock Connection/ Runout, up header to finish on Coffee Run at the Valley House. There are youth, recreational and pro categories, with prizes from Dynafit, Scarpa and Patagonia. Our Mountaineering Blazers will be competing again, with some of them doing the full race!
A little video review from last year's race.
We are still looking for Randonnee Race course volunteers, Mountaineering Blazer parents are strongly encouraged to help. Contact Kyler Turnbull, kturnbull@sugarbush.com, if you want to help.
Our safety message this week is PHAT, which stands for Protect your Head at All Times. PHAT is a non-profit organization that promotes helmet safety. PHAT recommends:
- Replace a helmet every 5 years. This is recommended, since the materials used helmets break down over time.
- Check Your child’s helmet regularly. Children grow rapidly. Make sure helmets fit properly.
- Helmets are made for single-impact ONLY! If you take a hard fall, replace it.
- Remember to ski and ride as if you weren't wearing a helmet. All skiers and riders should ride responsibly and in control at all times. Helmets may help prevent head injuries, in the event of certain types of accidents.
- Use a helmet designed specifically for skiing and snowboarding. Each sport has its own type of impact and accidents. A climbing helmet should never be worn for protection in skiing just as a skiing helmet should never be used for protection while climbing.
- Buy a helmet that meets industry standards. There are various helmet standards in place, including CEN( the least rigorous standard), ASTM and Snell(the most rigorous and hard-to-meet standard for certification.) Be sure to review product literature to find out which standard a helmet meets.
- Adults should serve as role models for children. If you want your children to wear a helmet, wear one yourself. Be sure to always use the head strap, even when skiing through the base area. Straps should be snug under the chin, otherwise the helmet is unlikely to protect you in a fall.
- Establish a firm rule regarding helmet use and skiing/snowboarding. If a parent decides that helmets should be worn, establish a rule, such as "No helmet equals no skiing or snowboarding." Encourage children to follow the lead of professional athletes, who are required to wear helmets.
- Keep goggles and helmets attached together. Some parents find they recoup the cost of the helmet by not having to replace lost goggles as often.
Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Mickey Stone
Blazer Supervisor
Upcoming Events
February 11
Seasonal Programs Family Italian Dinner Night for kids, adults, and Blazer staff from 6:15-9:00. Please join us for a fun night out!
Get your Seasonal Programs Sweatshirts at the Ski & Ride School Desk in The Farmhouse. Adult sizes are $45 and Youth sizes are $30. No pre orders necessary, limited number available.
Click here for more information on Winter Holiday Adventure Camps.
Important Pass Info
If you uploaded season pass pictures, the preprinted passes will be available at the Ski & Ride Desk in The Farmhouse the morning of 12/10 starting at 8am. If you are not able to be here on 12/10, please pick up your passes directly at the Season Pass Office in The Farmhouse.
Also if you have not done so already, please download the forms below and either email, fax or send by mail to the Ski & Ride School: (email) skiandrideschool@sugarbush.com | (fax) 802.583.6751 | (mail) Sugarbush Ski & Ride School, 1840 Sugarbush Access Road Warren, VT 05674
Seasonal Program Release Form >
Code of Conduct Form >
Seasonal Programs Safety Message
Welcome back to a new winter season at Sugarbush!
The Sugarbush Adventure Learning Center’s guiding principles are Safety, Fun and Learning.
Safety is first … we can’t have fun for long or learn much when we are not being safe.
Fun is second … we excel at creating fun experiences!
Learning is third … learning happens best when we are being safe and having fun.
Sugarbush has a comprehensive safety campaign, both for employees and guests. This includes regular trainings, clinics and reviews. During every lesson, coaches present and develop safety skills. We also strive to share pertinent information, such as rapidly changing weather, trail and road conditions, with all guests and employees, in a timely manner.
In the weekly Seasonal Programs newsletter, there will be on-going safety messages. Please share these with your family.
Safety is very important to all of us. Our goal is no accidents, please help us reach this goal!
Be better here … be safe, have fun, learn much.
Bill McGinty
Ski and Ride Director
Sugarbush Ski & Ride Schools
End of Season Evaluations
Everyone received coach evaluations on their skiing/riding and how they interact within their groups. There were also ability level grades, on a scale of 1 to 8.
Here is a video that details the skiing levels to help better understand the evaluations and see a representation the levels. The video can help provide perspective on kids' progress and guidance for choosing future programs.
Seasonal Programs Information for Parents
To create groups, we use last season’s groups as a guide, in addition to end of season evaluations and coaches’ suggestions. We should be ready to share the groups in early December. Remember the initial groups are just a starting point.
Please be prepared for coaching and group changes. Groups and coaches need to be close matched in ability, speed and social make-up to maximize safety, fun and learning for everyone.
All participants need boots that they can flex at the ankle. This should be done with cold boots, put the shells in the fridge or outside on a cold day before testing, to see if your ankles can bend properly. A too-stiff boot restricts efficient movement, wastes valuable energy and slows down the learning process.
Coaches meet groups at 9:15am for a 9:30 departure, except for Diamond Dogs and Mountaineering Blazers.
Please connect with the coaches to swap cell phone numbers. Please have your cell phones with you to ensure prompt contact.
Remember to pack some high energy snack for the kids so they have something to refuel with during breaks.
For the best group experience, kids should limit or curtail their consumption of excess sugar and caffeine. Please be mindful when packing snacks and setting expectations.
Remember to make sure kids eat a hearty breakfast, hydrate well, and have sunblock, neck gators, warm mittens or gloves, and goggles. If you have questions about daily preparation or proper gear, we can help.
For your younger child's comfort and peace of mind, please have extra clothes available nearby ... accidents happen.
Seasonal Program Specific Schedules
Micro-Blazers
8:30-12:30pm for half day Micros, 8:30am-3pm for full day Micros. Meet and pick-up in The Schoolhouse. Please label your child's gear prior to arrival.
Mini-Blazers
9:15am-12:30am for half day Minis, 9:15am-3pm for full day Minis.
Meet and pick-up in front of The Farmhouse, near the bottom of Gatehouse lift. At pick up, please allow the coach to return to the original meeting place by Gate House before picking up your child. This allows us to maintain a safe drop off area.
Snow Blazers
9:15am-3pm. Meet and pick-up near the “Stone Man” bench, at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Snow Riders
9:15am-3pm. Meet and pick-up near the Stone Man, at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Adventure Blazers
9:15am-3pm. Meet and pick-up near the Stone Man bench, at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Race Blazers
9:15am-3pm. Meet and pick-up near the Gate House veranda, at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Mountaineering Blazers
8:45am-3pm. Meet and pick-up near the Gate House fire pit, at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Mount Ellen Blazers
9:15am-3pm. Meet and pick-up behind the Mount Ellen base lodge.
Diamond Dogs
Check out our new Facebook page.
8:45am-3pm. Meet and pick-up at the Mount Ellen Yurt.
For schedules and other information go to, sugarbushfreestyleteam.blogspot.com
Adult Programs - Essential Elements
9:15am-12:30pm. Meet at the bottom of Super Bravo.
Bush Pilots
Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Meet at the rock wall behind Gate House Lodge.
