There’s a great chance each one of us doesn’t make it through life without, at some point, having to deal with struggle. It’s a part of our—the human—story.


How much any one of us and to what degree we will have to grapple with a challenge that strains our mental and emotional reserves will vary. But the universal nature of the fight asks for as many opportunities to talk about and provide resources for something we all experience.

The Descent to Rise Above looks to be such an opportunity.

At its most basic, it is an invitation to participate in a challenge to raise up to $50,000 for mental wellness and resilience by skiing and riding a BILLION vertical feet in a single season. (Is that even possible? We’ll get to that in a bit.) But on a slightly more purposeful level, the Challenge looks to create chances to connect and possibly share some of the less-than-comfortable stories we all may carry. Lift rides and long runs tend to be great conversation starters. They’re also great for showcasing a boundless remedy that’s right beneath our boots: the infinite healing power offered by the outdoors. It has a potency that has been penned about by poets and proved by scientists—getting outside provides enormous restorative effects to our states of mind. And we have plenty of ‘outside’ up at Sugarbush.

The snows are still a few weeks away. But it’s time to start getting ready. Be one of a billion this season. Be a part of the Descent to Rise Above.

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IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?
Yes, but it will take a lot of fun. We’ve done some math and the numbers do point to it being possible. More details to follow as the snows get closer.


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THE WHAT
The Descent to Rise Above Challenge is a partnership between Sugarbush’s Be Better Here Fund and NFI—a New England nonprofit specializing in the healing of mental and emotional trauma. NFI, along with its parent organization NAFI, have resource centers in all six New England states as well as New York, providing community-based care for children, youth and adults in crisis. They are the ones on the ground, so to speak. It is the hope of the Challenge to bring some light to what they do and provide resources so that they may continue to provide services to the communities that rely on them.
Skier Arms raised
SOMETHING FOR THE EFFORT

The Descent to Rise Above Challenge is, at its heart, an opportunity for us to work together to support something we believe in by doing something we love. Since ‘Challenge’ is in the title though, there will be some elements of appreciation.

The top 3 vertical getters from each New England state and New York will receive:

1st place An Ikon or Sugarbush season pass

2nd place A Quad Pack

3rd place A $250 Sugarbush Gift Card

But more to the heart of the Challenge, each getter will receive a commemorative Descent to Rise Above trail sign with their vertical accomplishment burnished into it along with some Challenge SHWAG.

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Descent to Rise Above

A ski and ride challenge to reach a billion vertical feet.

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Descent to Rise Above

A ski and ride challenge to reach a billion vertical feet.