On December 25, 1958 Damon and Sara Gadd and their partner, Jack Murphy, opened Sugarbush. Lixi Fortna, hired to help run the mountain, shared duties with Damon, Sara and Jack—from ticket selling to tending bar, the four worked long hours by candlelight. Lift tickets were just $5.50. Damon and Sara brought well-known figures to work for the resort, such as Peter Estin, Sigi Buchmayr, and Stein Eriksen. This group drew big-name guests such as the Kennedy clan, actress Kim Novak, fashion designer Oleg Cassini and his brother, Igor—a gossip columnist, heirs and heiresses, a countess or two, and lots of models. This Jet Set crowd became the standard for the Sugarbush scene and the resort became known as “Mascara Mountain.”

Many know us for our award winning terrain (and yes it is some of the best terrain in the East!), but we're much, much more than that. The natural beauty and mountain environment provide a striking setting and a true escape from the everyday. Our home - the Mad River Valley - provides a reason in and of itself to visit Sugarbush. "The Valley" as locals call it, is full of Vermont charm and empty of stop lights and fast food joints. Quirky shops, great restaurants, artisan galleries, covered bridges, church steeples, and more…all strung together by the winding Mad River. Come visit!