Mad river glen ski it if you can

I'm sure a big part of the decision making process to allow snowboarders asks the question "How would it benefit the area?" "How much of a revenue stream will it bring in and how much would we lose by doing it?"

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How it would hurt financially is a bigger issue in my mind. How many skiers are loyal to MRG that wouldn't be if the restriction was lifted? Would the increase in boarders offset the decrease in skiers that reject running the area that way? How many shareholders would sell their shares and force Mad River to expense a buyback option?

As a shareholder, I am neutral on the issue. I am sympathetic to the notion that friends cannot ride together if one friend boards instead of skis. I am openly hostile to the awful defense of the ban that boarders would wreck the snow. Good boarders do just fine and bad skiers (there are a lot more of them at MRG than you might think) hacking and side slipping their way down moguls do just as much damage as a bad boarder. 

To me it all comes down to the long term viability of the area. I bought my share to help "preserve and protect" which is the mission of the Coop. Eliminating the equipment restriction might be beneficial if it improves revenues. But it could also cripple the area by causing some folks to abandon the area or worse sell shares back to the coop as well. Hard to know which way it would go but I think the ban helps revenues and eliminating it would hurt financially. Just my guess.

Back to the original topic, Ski It if You Can has always been a statement that MRG is a wild mountain different from other areas. It isn't a statement that MRG is the hardest mountain around nor that you probably can't ski it because you aren't good enough. In fact, MRG's bread and butter are its youth programs which develop the next generation of MRG skiers and keep families coming to the mountain every weekend. It is a great place to learn and develop skiing natural terrain regardless of your level. But without a doubt, the slogan is in reference to challenging terrain.

Perched on the backbone of the Green Mountains, Mad River Glen has been ranked by SKI magazine as the most challenging resort on the East coast, due in no small part to having a 2,000 foot (610 m) vertical drop – this despite the fact that it’s not that large of a resort!

Mad River Glen is a committed “skier’s mountain,” too – meaning it is one of the few ski resorts in the US to enforce a total ban on snowboarding. Now, while this is bad news for snowboarders, it’s great for those skiers out there who have, for what ever reason, formed a, shall we say, “definite opinion” about sharing the slope with snowboarders – or even those who have *no* opinion on snowboarders.

A lot of Mad River Glen’s approach is hand’s off: they don’t groom the slopes much, if at all, preferring to let things lay as they land, as it were. This means the trails can have a decided natural feel to them – and boy do they vary in difficulty!

From flat, open greens to steep, mogul-pocked trails that give Mad River Glen its well-earned reputation as the most challenging ski area in the Northeast, there’s something for every level of skier. Check out the infamous 38 degree pitch of the Paradise run if you think the “most challenging” rating is just hype!

The operation of the last “single-chair” chairlift makes them pretty unique, too – and zippy, too: their unique lift is the fastest fixed-grip chairlift in the United States. Hold onto your hat and goggles!

The resort’s motto – “Ski It If You Can” – has more than one meaning, if you ask us. Not only does it indicate the challenge inherent in many of the runs, it’s also a heads-up that the place is, indeed, very special and, if you’re in the area, you really oughta give their slopes a try.

Luckily, our Ski and Stay Passport offers you a great opportunity to ski freely at Mad River Glen, as well as other resorts in the area and enjoy offers and freebies at local stores and restaurants. So reserve a room and get ready to hit some of the most unique slopes in the Northeast – we’ll keep the cocoa warm for you.

Skier, Parker Herlihy, skiing under the single chair. Photo: Brooks Curran

Mad River Glen, a proudly unique East coast ski resort nestled within the Green Mountains of Vermont, is well known for its legendary slogan “ski it if you can”. With a vertical drop of 2,000 feet, this modest mountain offers what many consider to be the most challenging terrain on the east coast. However, the steep and bumpy trails are just the start of what makes this mountain so iconic.

What makes Mad River Glen so special varies from skier to skier. However, there is no denying the incomparable character that sets this mountain apart from others. Among the four chairlifts, the iconic single chair is one of two left in North America. The chair takes one person per chair on a 12-minute ride to the top of the General Stark Mountain. Not only does this allow for a quiet and contemplative experience, but it also allows for low skier density on the trails.

The legendary single chair. Photo: Mad River Glen

The uniqueness of Mad River Glen is a result of a long and proud history. Founded in 1947 by Roland Palmedo, his goal was to create a place where skiing was the pure focus, not money. Palmedo envisioned a resort with a minimalist and natural atmosphere for dedicated skiers. Staying true to this today, Mad River Glen values preserving the natural beauty of the mountain. Letting mother nature do the work, the terrain sees minimal grooming and manmade snow.

While resort after resort gets swept up in the corporate conglomerate, Mad River Glen stays true to their core beliefs. In 1972, the mountain was purchased by Truxton and Betsy Pratt and remained unchanged. It was in 1995 when it was sold to a group of skiers who then formed a cooperative to own and manage Mad River Glen. The co-op ownership allows anyone to purchase a share of the mountain and welcomes all voices to be heard. The decision to prohibit snowboarding, which was decided by Betsy Pratt in 1991, was voted on by shareholders gain in 1995 and remained unchanged. Holding true to the “skier’s mountain” philosophy, Mad River Glen remains one of three areas in the country that prohibits snowboarding.

You can’t help but feel the stark difference between Mad River Glen and the mainstream world of skiing. The camaraderie of people of all walks of life all incredibly passionate about one thing only-skiing. You don’t come to Mad River Glen for fancy amenities, perfectly groomed trails, or high-speed lifts. You come for the challenging terrain, sense of community, preservation of history, and of course-to ski it if you can.

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| January 23, 2020

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