SUGARBUSH RESORT IN WARREN, VT. TO HOST ANNUAL SKI-A-THON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR INJURED ATHLETES
Warren, VT, February 8, 2019 – On March 3, 2019, the High Fives Foundation from Truckee, Calif. will team up with GoPro and Vermont North Ski Shops to share the slopes of Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vt. with over 200 skiers and snowboarders in the Eighth Annual Fat Ski-A-Thon. Prior to the event, participants will reach out to their contacts to raise funds for the Foundation.
“I look forward to all High Fives East Coast events, but the Fat Ski-a-Thon is my favorite.,” says Jon Wilson, annual event participant. “I grew up with Steve (Wallace) from the Foundation, and following his spinal cord injury, I understand how funds raised can truly help individuals that suffer life-altering injuries.”
High Fives provides grants to outdoor sports athletes who suffer from life-altering injuries such as spinal cord or brain injuries. The organization also teaches safety awareness and smart decision making at schools in Mad River Valley, Vt. and across the country.
Through amazing support in years past, the Annual Fat Ski-a-Thon has become the largest fundraising event for the the High Fives Foundation. The organization has set a goal of raising $200,000 at the March 3rd event. This year’s fundraising will be particularly exciting as all donations will be matched by SnoCru ($5,000), Kingsbury Companies ($1,000) and Village Grocery ($500).
“I’ve helped organize this fun-filled event for the last four years,” said Gina Miele, Events and Partnerships Manager for the High Fives Foundation. “I grew up skiing in Vermont, so the Fat Ski-a-Thon is particularly close to me. I’m looking forward to making this the best year yet for the event.”
In conjunction with the Fat Ski-a-Thon, the High Fives Foundation will host Restaurant Week at some of the the Mad River Valley’s finest restaurants. The week long event is scheduled to kick off Wednesday Feb 27th, and will run through Sunday March 3rd. There are no passes, tickets or coupons needed to take part in High Fives Restaurant Week. Guests will simply visit that night’s restaurant, enjoy an amazing meal, with 10% donated back to the Foundation. The following restaurants will be involved in chronological order- The Hyde Away, Mad River Barn, Worthy Burger Too, Localfolk Smokehouse and Rumbles Sugarbush.
“I particularly love the dinner at the Mad River Barn during Restaurant Week,” said Jonny Klemchuck, former High Fives Board Member, and dedicated Fat Ski-a-Thon participant. “The Mad River Valley coming together for such an amazing cause means the world to me.”
When participants gather the morning of March 3rd at Sugarbush Resort for the Eighth Annual Fat Ski-a-Thon, they will take fun laps with friends and family, while searching for prizing in an exciting scavenger hunt. Along with additional door prizes, each participant will receive a Phunkshun Wear facemask dawning the Marker Dalbello Volkl logos showcasing an admirable 10 years of support of the High Fives Foundation.
Food and beverages from Local Folk Smokehouse, Village Grocery, Cabot Cheese and Kind Snacks will be provided throughout the day, while skiers and snowboarders enjoy music from Mad River Valley’s DJ Professor.
Awards will be held after the event at Sugarbush’s Rumble’s Kitchen. Participants will be recognized for Best Solo Performance, Best Duo Performance, Best Team Performance, Best Dressed and Most Outstanding Performance, while enjoying beer from Lawson’s.
The Eighth Annual Fat Ski-a-Thon is a public event, and anyone is welcome to participate or donate at www.fatski.highfivesfoundation.org
ABOUT THE HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION
High Fives Non-Profit Foundation, based in Truckee, CA, became an official 501c.3 non-profit on January 19, 2009. Founded by Roy Tuscany, the Tahoe-based Foundation supports the dreams of outdoor sports athletes by raising injury prevention awareness while providing resources and inspiration to those who suffer life-altering injuries. Since 2009, the Foundation has helped 235 athletes from 32 states. For more information, visit www.highfivesfoundation.org
ABOUT SUGARBUSH
In 2001, Summit Ventures, led by Win Smith, purchased Sugarbush from the American Skiing Corporation. Today, Smith serves as President of the resort, and his family remains the majority owner. The resort includes two mountain areas, multiple lodging properties, an eighteen-hole golf course, a health and recreation facility, and an array of dining venues. Year-round, the resort staffs approximately 155 employees, and in the height of the winter season employees number close to 1,000.
Sugarbush has earned a reputation as one of the best ski resorts around. Ski Magazine recently ranked Sugarbush #2 in the East, and USA Today named it a top 10 resort in the country—the only eastern resort to be recognized. For more information, visit https://www.sugarbush.com/
