Sugarbush to Get New Owners in Alterra
There’s a big change afoot at one of the famed, long-running ski resorts our Pitcher Inn guests enjoy awesomely easy access to—but you needn’t be worried.
Sugarbush—one of the great ski resorts of the Northeast, and until now one of the last to be independently owned—has been sold to the Colorado-based Alterra Mountain Company, which runs 14 other mountain resorts in six U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, and partners in the management of more than two dozen others around the world. From the looks of things, the sale will ensure Sugarbush will be able to continue its fantastic level of service long into the future.
New Owners for Sugarbush
Sugarbush president Win Smith of Summit Ventures NE LLC, which bought the resort from American Skiing Company in 2001, announced the transfer to Alterra last November. In his note, he emphasized his belief that Alterra recognizes the ski area’s specialness—partly demonstrated by the new owner’s pledge to keep on the resort’s current team, including Smith himself as president.
“They are buying a place they believe is working well and do not have plans to change our mission, our values, our brand, our culture, or our team,” Smith wrote. “They recognize our commitment to the Mad River Valley community and want that to continue as well.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by Alterra CEO Rusty Gregory, quoted in a VT Digger article that covered the sale. “This is a place heading in a great direction already,” he said at a community meeting held last fall here in Warren. “Our first goal is not to do any damage to that.”
Opened on Christmas Day 1958 and spread across Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, Sugarbush just recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. One of the biggest ski resorts in the Green Mountain State, it lays claim to an amazing history you can read more about in this previous Pitcher Inn blog post about the anniversary. (We’d also direct you to our “Tale of Two Mountains” post from awhile back, focused on Sugarbush as well as the even-older Mad River Glen.)
Looking Forward to the Next Era at Sugarbush
Win Smith emphasized the sale of Sugarbush to Alterra Mountain Company will allow the resort to stay at the forefront of skiing and snowboarding in New England and provide users with the very best recreational experience. Here at the Pitcher Inn, we’re excited about this next chapter for one of the Mad River Valley’s most celebrated tourism draws—and excited to continue providing skiers and riders with fantastic access to those Sugarbush slopes!