Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Sugarbush hosts Snow Ball fundraiser for new Vt. Adaptive facility at Mt. Ellen

Thursday, Feb. 7—WARREN— For the fourth year, a group of ski enthusiasts from the Boston area will host the annual Snow Ball event to benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. All proceeds from the event will go directly toward the organization’s new adaptive sports facility at Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush Resort, with anticipated groundbreaking this Spring, 2019.

The event will feature live music by The Grift, as well as a silent auction, dancing, food, and beverages by Lawson’s Finest Liquids. The goal is to raise more than $50,000 for the new Vermont Adaptive facility. In addition, every dollar raised from the evening will be matched—up to $1 million, thanks to a generous challenge from friends and participants of Vermont Adaptive’s programs at Sugarbush. Sugarbush owner Win Smith has donated use of the land necessary to build upon.

Last year, the event raised more than $14,000 to support the building of the new facility. The facility at Mt. Ellen will be the second of three permanent homes in the state for Vermont Adaptive. Phase I of the Home Sweet Home Campaign was completed in 2013 with the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge at Pico Mountain, the organization’s state headquarters. A third facility is planned for Burlington, with a location on the waterfront and bike path.

The new facility at Pico Mountain created a spacious and accessible environment for adaptive athletes, and Vermont Adaptive is eager to bring that same experience to their participants who recreate in the Mad River Valley and central Vermont.

“As we grow and expand our existing programs and to better reach and serve our athletes with disabilities in the Mad River Valley, Central Vermont, and beyond, we want to be able to easily accommodate each of their specific needs,” said Maggie Burke, managing director at Vermont Adaptive. “With this new facility, we will be able to further improve the experience for all athletes, and include designs and features that focus on inclusion and adaptability.”

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Adaptive athletes may attend the event for free. Tickets are $40/individuals and $70/couples. Visit vermontadaptive.org/snowball.

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