A Historic Property Worthy Of Preservation

Flash back to 1986 when I first took up residence in the golden triangle of Southern Vermont. Fresh out of college, I landed my first "real job". In fact, it was not only my first job, but a dream job as I was indoctrinated into a then blossoming snowboard industry. Imagine being welcomed by Jake Carpenter and the rest of the early Burton Snowboards Crew to participate in the birth of an entire industry that we all new would fuel our souls for a lifetime. 
So as a wide-eyed kid, with an unbridled passion for standing sideways on any board, I recognized working for the Burton Corp in Manchester Vermont was the idyllic place for me to plant my roots. With what was then a small family of "Burton Board" enthusiast/riders, it was my experience with Burton's premier snowboard designer, tester and then Roommate John "JG" Gernt that inspired my passion for what had been a recently abandoned Ski Area known as Snow Valley located just up rout 11/30 from Manchester. Now while nearly, everyone had their sights set on what was happening at nearby Stratton Mountain Resort, it was Snow Valley that inspired and intrigued JG and myself more than any existing resort that allowed those "crazy knuckle-draggers" on the hill. 
Recognizing the potential of such an idyllic mountain for back country riding, JG and I not only explored the overgrown trails but the possibility of someday purchasing Snow Valley as a snowboard only mountain resort.  Well with little to no money in our pockets, we realized our dream would have to wait if it was ever to become a reality.  Recognizing the history of Snow Valley as host of the first World Cup Snowboard Championship in 1984, our passion for the roots of the sport as well as the host mountain itself ran deep. 

So fast forward 35 plus years and that passion has never waned. With the cooperation of the current landowner as well as a group of extremely dedicated volunteers, our passion for this idyllic mountain resort has been infectious amongst many, while fueled in the marketplace by a desire for authenticity. 

 The vision and need for a backcountry recreational property for all to enjoy is more relevant today than ever before especially during these crazy pandemic times. 
So, with our eyes set on the prize of conservation and revitalization, a campaign has begun taking hold over the past several seasons. The efforts began by hand-lopping the overgrown trails, removing 18 tons of debris and trash much of which was illegally dumped by inconsiderate individuals. Along with the reopening of trails, a project was launched using nearly entirely repurposed materials to resurrect the only remaining building on the which once stood as the ski patrol shack from the 70's. Although this revitalization effort has been gaining significant awareness and momentum, there is real and immediate concern for the future use of this property. 
Since 2020 the property has been listed on the market with what many conservations minded individuals consider a gross use of this historic site slated for development with 185 residential homes condos, helicopter pad, etc.  
Upon realizing such a plan could be a real possibility for this legendary, history and epic recreation area which is currently in jeopardy of becoming another housing development project for out-of-town second homeowners, the conservation spark has taken on new meaning with a sense of real urgency.  
Currently the call to action is now! Anyone with a passion for wide open spaces, four season outdoor recreation, backcountry riding and skiing, land conservation, outdoor events and more, are urged join us as we begin the effort to stave off such development with a national fundraising campaign designed to keep what's left of Vermont, wild.  I say enough is enough when it comes to decimating our few remaining wild places for the benefit of just a few when we can all rally together and provide recreational opportunities for future generations to come. 

Brew Moscarello