SugarBlog

A big thank you to all of you who voted in this year’s Ski Magazine Survey.

While the leaves won't peak for a few more weeks, the current mix of late summer weather and advance fall foliage is a pinnacle all its own. Meandering through the Mad River Valley right now is a treat for the senses, complete with vivid visuals, creaking crickets, autumnal aromas and full flavors. 

The spiritual end of summer is Labor Day, but the ghosts of warm weather, wildflowers and garden harvests are still sneaking around. The rivers, ponds and lakes haven't even gotten super cold yet. Well, they aren't any colder than they normally are. Some of the shady tributaries still feel like snowmelt in the middle of August. 

When I see the school buses on the roads again, I know that winter is not far behind...

Having a great winter is an incredible thing during the winter, but perhaps an almost better benefit of a great winter is the ability to reinvest our success into the next season...

Based on the amount of early foliage we have already and a steady supply of chilly mornings, summer seems to be quickly turning towards autumn in the mountains. We've got frost warnings for tonight and the summits may see their first rime coating since April. 

With lots of sunshine, pleasant humidity and prime conditions, our summer show is culminating right now. Soon, we will only have a quick September encore before fall returns to the stage. 

Aside from all the current fun, we are also hard at work prepping for the winter run. For all the latest updates on lifts and the new RFID gates, click over to What's New in 2017.

As a resort we continue to look for ways to improve the guest experience. This season, Sugarbush has made significant investments in a number of capital improvement projects to provide an even better mountain experience.

As a young boy, I went to camp in Maine. We had a guide who used to take us on hiking and canoeing trips.

For me, much of this summer has been centered around helping and watching our two daughters grow into big strong girls. These "delicate flowers" prefer their feet in the dirt and faces in the sunshine. Mom is a great role model and they have spent time at Sugarbush adventure camps learning new skills from the women coaches. Even at only 3 and 5 years old, they are tough and capable in ways that continue to amaze us. 

Sets of wildflower waves break in the fields, tall grasses are going to seed and precocious foliage accents the hillsides. The golden glow of late summer's song is upon us.

The Mad River Valley is a pretty eclectic area. It's likely part of the reason you call this place your home, your second home, or your favorite vacation spot. There's really no better time to witness the mix of working farmers, artists, and athletes than the month of August...

August is good company for the soul, full of heavy garden harvests, fruitful foraging, prime summer adventures and the clear knowledge that September's changes are just around the corner. A few trees have even started changing, early heralds of autumn.

August is the month when the arts take over the Valley, with events to enjoy each and every day.  This year ‘s Skinner Barn production –Oklahoma--has been getting rave reviews.  And this Sunday, August 6^th, we host Vermont Festival of the Arts’ “From the Ocean to the Mountains”,  an outdoor culinary celebration at Lincoln Peak that includes an afternoon scenic lift ride...

The middle of summer in the Mad River Valley means long sweet days of fun and sunshine. From late July through the beginning of September, we typically have a nice dry stretch with near perfect temps. This period is often referred to as the dog days, due to the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, in the night sky. 

I have written about our mission of cultivating a spirit of lifelong adventure and camaraderie here at Sugarbush. This week, I saw an example of that involving members of our community far off in Southeast Asia.