MAD RIVER VALLEY SKIING COMMUNITY RAISES OVER $251K AT SUGARBUSH SKI-A-THON FOR HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION
Funds raised will help injured, outdoor sports athletes recover from their respective injuries and return to the sports they love
Warren, VT – The High Fives Foundation shared the slopes with over 225 skiers and snowboarders at Sugarbush Resort’s Lincoln Peak on Sunday, March 1st, 2020, for the Ninth Annual Fat Ski-a-Thon. Participants skied “fun laps” under beautiful, blue New England skies in support of the Non-Profit Foundation. The mountain was filled with 15 adaptive athletes skiing the slopes and providing “stoke” to the hill!
High Fives provides grants to outdoor sports athletes who suffer from life-changing injuries such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. They also teach safety awareness and smart decision-making at schools, locally, in Northern Vermont and across the country.
On Thursday and Friday, prior to the event, the Foundation hosted an adaptive ski camp at Sugarbush Resort’s Mt. Ellen. The camp saw 15 participants sit-skiing under the instruction of the professionals at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. Some camp participants skied in the Fat Ski-a-Thon, as well.
The instructors at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports are in a league of their own. I was excited to participate in the camp and then shred with all of the folks in the ski-a-thon. It was a great weekend!said High Fives Athlete Nick Fairall
The Fat Ski-a-Thon started in 2011 as an event for local Vermonters to spend a day skiing on “fat” skis at Sugarbush Resort; but it has transformed into a community event that welcomes all demographics. Expert skiers, novice skiers, adaptive skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to join in on the fun.
Accomplished adaptive skier, and High Fives Athlete, Trevor Kennison was excited to participate in this year’s event. “Skiing has really become a huge part in my life since my 2014 spinal cord injury,” said Kennison. “Witnessing all of the smiles at Sugarbush certainly confirmed that I’m not the only one who enjoys this amazing sport!”
View the 3 photo albums from the event below!
The Ninth Annual Fat Ski-a-Thon transformed Sugarbush’s base-area beyond the normal weekend party. Participants used the Valley House and Super Bravo lifts to ski throughout the day. The weather shined, the sun warmed the trails, and people had energy at their highest levels. Incredible food was provided by LocalFolk Smokehouse to all participants during the day along with snacks from Cabot Cheese, Clif Bar, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Country Archer Jerky, NOOMA, The Village Grocery, and Waku. Participants got to demo all the newest gear from Dynastar, K2, Parlor, and Volkl Skis. Everyone (21 and over) got to enjoy Fat Tire Amber Ale, Stowe Cider, and Tito’s Vodka during the apres awards, in Rumble’s Bistro & Bar, as the results were announced and participants collected their recognition, awards, and prizes from amazing sponsors like Arcade Belts, Big Agnes, bigtruck, Dalbello, FlyLow, GoggleSoc, Lange, Leki, Locale, Look, Marker, New Balance, Outdoor Technologies, Race Stock Sports, Red Brick Clothing Co., Rome SDS, Rumpl, SKIDA, SYNC Performance, Phunkshun Wear, Yakima, and YETI.
The following sponsors provided the monetary and infrastructure support needed to make this event so successful: Darn Tough Vermont Socks, Eddie Bauer, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Formula Ford, GoPro, SNOCRU, SMITH, Stowe Cider, Ski the East, Sugarbush Resort, Tito’s Vodka, and VT North Ski Shop.
The 2020 Fat Ski-a-Thon has become the most successful fundraiser in High Fives Foundation history.
The Fat Ski-a-Thon started as an event to bring awareness to the organization in my home state of Vermont. Over the last 8 years of the event, we have watched it grow from a 25-person event, raising around $15,000, to the largest event in Foundation history with over 225 participants and over $251,000 raised. It speaks to High Fives support in Vermont, and I am truly proud to have grown up in such a caring area of the country.said Roy Tuscany, CEO & Founder of the High Fives Foundation, and former Waterbury, VT native
The funds raised at the 2020 Fat Ski-a-Thon will be distributed through the organization’s Empowerment Fund to support critically injured outdoor sports athletes. The High Fives Foundation has supported 300 athletes in 38 states across the country.
“I grew up with Roy (Tuscany) and High Fives,” said 13-year old, annual event participant, Mae Murphy. “I’ve met a lot of High Fives athletes and I know how much this money helps them. I can’t wait for next year!”
Donations will be accepted through March 31st at www.fatski.highfivesfoundation.org
