MAD RIVER VALLEY SKIING COMMUNITY RAISES $447K 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
The High Fives Foundation shared the slopes with over 175 skiers and snowboarders at Sugarbush Resort’s Mt. Ellen on Sunday, March 5th, 2023, for the 12th 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 11 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.
The week prior to the event, the Foundation hosted an adaptive ski camp at Sugarbush Resort’s Mt. Ellen. The camp saw 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!”
Twelve years strong! This year’s 12th Annual FAT Ski-A-Thon was a celebration unlike any other. Party laps and Tender Belly Bacon-fueled fundraising definitely deserve a HIGH FIVE!
The Fat Ski-a-Thon started as an event to bring awareness to the organization in my home state of Vermont. Over the last 11 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 250 participants and over $440,000 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 2022 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 622 athletes in 45 states across the country and Canada.
Donations will be accepted through March 31st at www.fatski.highfivesfoundation.org
