WARREN, Vt. -
For decades, two Vermont ski resorts in the Mad River Valley have been fierce competitors... until now. Sugarbush and Mad River Glen have decided to partner-up, and combine their season pass specials.
Before we know it, the green mountains will be painted white, and the slopes will be crawling with skiers and snowboarders. And for the first time ever, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen riders will have access to both resorts, and all three mountains for one price.
"The combined terrain... there's nothing like this in the east and I'd say arguably, it's comparable to anything in the west," Sugarbush President and Owner, Win Smith said.
But they haven't always spoken so highly of one another, the rivalry between the two resorts started back in 1958. Ever since then, they've operated separately and will continue to do so, but are partnering up to get more people through both doors.
"I know many of us have a connection that started when we were in college or in our early 20s growing up and now we need to get those new people coming to the valley," Marketing Director Eric Friedman said.
So they're offering specially priced packages to college students, "to ski three mountains for $359," Smith said.
There's also an unrestricted pass that gives anyone in his or her 20's access to the valley. "All three mountains are all so different in their own way," Friedman said.
When I was at the top of Lincoln Peak, there were far fewer leaves, which means winter could be closer than we're all thinking, but everyone in this industry is hoping for a lot of snowfall this season.
"It's going to be better than last year, we guarantee you," Friedman said.
One person who's excited for winter, Aidan Casner... he learned how to ski about the same time he learned how to walk. "I've been skiing since I was two," he said.
And since then, he's been skiing at both resorts. As you can imagine, he's on board with the news.
"They've got amazing wood skiing, tree skiing and just great bumps," Casner said.
So as history is made on the local level, the two spokesman for the resorts joked that the friendly competition may spark something on the national level.
"If the Republicans and Democrats get together, maybe it's time for Sugarbush and Mad River to get together," Smith said.
Sugarbush and Mad River Glen say this year will be used as a trial period to see if the partnership passes should continue again next year. The two resorts are only five miles apart.
