EVENTS

APRIL 7, 2024 FINAL Showing: Mad River Glen 75th Anniversary Film, A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers

Rick Moulton Productions and Stark Mountain Foundation present the film, Mad River Glen, A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier, VT on Saturday, April 7th at 6 pm. If you love skiing at Mad River Glen don't miss the last opportunity to see this on the big screen. This film will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the rich history and love we all share for this special ski area. Tickets are $10, $7 for seniors, students, members, and veterans, and children 12 and under are free. Tickets: https://savoytheater.com/

MARCH 2, 2024 THIRD Showing: Mad River Glen 75th Anniversary Film, A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers

Mad River Glen Basebox 3rd floor. Free and open to the public. The film will be shown from 5:30-7:30 pm. Cash bar provided by Stark’s Pub.

February 24, 2024 6TH ANNUAL STARK MOUNTAIN STORYSKI

The Stark Mountain Foundation will be sponsoring the 6th Annual StorySki on Stark Mountain at Mad River Glen Ski Area on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 10:30 to 2:30. A StorySki is an event where printed pages from a children’s book are installed along the sides of a gentle ski trail that meanders through the woods. Participating children will be able to ski, read, and enjoy this year’s book, Ten on the Sled, by Kim Norman, illustrated by Liza Woodruff.

Pre-registration for the event is strongly encouraged.  The event is free, but everyone will need a lift ticket to participate. Check-in begins at 10.30 AM at the Kent Thomas Nature Center at the Snail and the Slalom Hill junction. The StorySki panels will be in place at Mad River Glen the week before and after the event so skiers can enjoy the story even if they can’t make it on the 24th.

Register Here for the 2024 StorySki

View the press release here

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 Second Showing: Mad River Glen 75th Anniversary Film, A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers

Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, VT. Free and open to the public. Doors at 6:00 pm, first come first served. The film will be shown from 6:30-7:30 pm, with a possible second showing at 8:00 pm. Cash bar.

January 13, 2024, Big Picture THEATER & CAFE, Mad River Glen 75th Anniversary Film Premiere, A 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers

Thanks to our 40+ generous donors, Stark Mountain Foundation will be sponsoring the premiere of the Mad River Glen 75th Anniversary film, by Rick Moulton on January 13, 2024, from 4-6 pm at the Big Picture Cafe & Theater in Waitsfield Vermont. Registration for this event is currently full. There will be a second showing of the film at Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington on February 3rd, and a third at Mad River Glen in March. We hope everyone can enjoy the film during one of these showings even if you cannot make it on the 13th.

September 30, 2023, Wildlife Tales Presentation 10-11 am, Mad River GlEN Basebox 2nd Floor

Please join Stark Mountian Foundation during Green & Gold weekend for an all-ages presentation called, "Wildlife Tales," by the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. SMF and SVNHM invite you to journey around the world with us. Come and hear tales of animals and magic and learn the natural history of these myths and legends. The museum’s naturalist will bring out a live animal during each story. This presentation is a big hit for both children and adults. This program is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Coffee and doughnuts will also be served. Buy a ticket and ride the Single Chair to view the foliage after the presentation. To learn more and register for the event, please go here.

February 25, 2023, 10:30-2:30 5th ANNUAL STORYSKI

The Stark Mountain Foundation will be sponsoring the 5th Annual StorySki at Mad River Glen Ski Area on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10:30 to 2:30. A StorySki is an event where printed pages from a children’s book are installed along the sides of a gentle ski trail through the woods. Participating children can ski, read, and enjoy this year’s book, Red Sled by Lita Judge.

This whimsical book depicted in bold, beautiful watercolors is a wintertime story about woodland creatures. The adventure begins when they find a well-loved, red sled outside of a cozy cabin and take a nighttime joy ride. We hope everyone enjoys skiing from page to page and reading this beautiful story.

Pre Registration for the event is strongly encouraged.  The event is free, but everyone will need a lift ticket to participate. Check-in begins at 10:30 AM at the Kent Thomas Nature Center at the junction of the Snail and the Slalom Hill. The StorySki panels will be in place at Mad River Glen the week before and after the event so skiers can enjoy the story even if they can’t make it on the 25th.

October 1, 2022, 1P - The Magnificent Moose

On October 1, SMF will host the Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s The Magnificent Moose program. Attendees will learn about the life history and importance of these amazing mammals through slides, touchable artifacts, and a wealth of information, This 45-minute program is appropriate for all ages and is free to attend. It will take place on the third floor of the Basebox at 1:00 PM.

October 1, 2022, 9A - Hike it if you can

The White Plains Ski Club will lead a hike from the base area to the top of the double and then up the Long Trail to the top of the Single and down with a stop at the Kent Thomas Nature Center. Hikers depart at 9A. Hike Details

MaY 10, 2022 - The bear facts

On May 10, Stark Mountain Foundation supported the Mad River Valley Community Bear Initiative and will cosponsor with Northeast Wilderness Trust a virtual presentation focused on black bear biology and ecology and how to identify bear tracks and bear signs.

Register for this presentation of Bear With Us, by Susan Morse.

March 26, 2022 - The bear facts

On March 26, we host the Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s The Bear Facts virtual program. Learn about the fantastic wildlife of the American Black Bear. Through beautiful slides and a wealth of information, explore and understand the life history and importance of these mammals in our natural world.

NEWS

May 2024:

Stark Mountain and Mad River Glen Collaboration

Stark Mountain Foundation and the Mad River Glen Cooperative agreed to team up to raise funds for important projects, including the mid-station on the Sunnyside Double, the renovation of the Pub, and other essential initiatives.

Jim Elkind, the President of SMF, stated, "We are excited to formalize our joint efforts to raise money for these critical projects. By doing so, we can leverage the community's passion for recreation and preserving and protecting Stark Mountain." Brad Noble, the President of the MRG Cooperative Board of Trustees said, this agreement to collaborate "signals to our engaged and growing community that a new opportunity to participate in the mission of the Cooperative-both financially and as a volunteer-has arrived."

Please read this SMF presentation to the MRG shareholders on April 1st to learn more.

MaY 2023:

STARK MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH THREE EXCITING, NEW PROJECTS

It thrills Stark Mountain Foundation to unveil its spectacular lineup of new summer projects; an ecological assessment of Stark Mountain, the Vermont Master Naturalist Program, and a campaign to support the production of a new film by Rick Moulton Productions. Stay tuned for more details, updates, and sneak peeks of our summer projects. Follow us on social media, visit our website, and join our mailing list. Let's make this summer the most extraordinary one yet!

View Press Release Here

APRIL 2021:

STARK MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION SPRING VIDEO UPDATE

APRIL 2021:

STARK MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION RECEIVES $46K GIFT FROM COLLABORATION WITH JAMES NIEHUES!

View Press Release Here

NOVEMBER 2020:

THIS YEAR STARK MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION CELEBRATES OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

Download our 20th Anniversary Announcement

Stark Mountain Foundation relies upon the generosity of its supporters to continue its mission to preserve and protect the forest, ecosystem, and unique historical character of Stark Mountain in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains.

GIVE NOW

Stark Mountain Foundation accepts online donations for its general charitable purposes, memorial tributes and more.

THIS YEAR’S PROJECTS - Will You SUPPORT US?

STEWARD

• Support MRG’s purchase of a new $175,000 haul rope cable for the Sunnyside Double

• Complete funding for the remaining costs of the Bridge Building energy efficiency, re-siding, and painting project

• Become better stewards of Stark Mountain’s ecosystems, plants, and animals by conducting an ecological survey of Stark Mountain

EDUCATE

• Expand the cohort of people who understand the ecosystems of Stark Mountain by training 25 Valley residents on the geology, plants, animals, and ecosystems of Stark Mountain and the Mad River Valley.

PLAY

• Make skiing possible for Valley kids that don’t have the financial means to ski

• Underwrite a documentary film that chronicles MRG’s 75-year history 

• Continue educating our community about our Stark Mountain heritage by installing interpretive signs on several historical features on the mountain

• Teach kids how to stay safe in the backcountry by expanding support for MRG’s backcountry education program

• Integrate the thrill of skiing with the joy of reading by hosting another annual StorySki 

Other Ways of Giving

Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page or email us if you'd like to give in any of the following ways:

Wire Transfers or sending a check

Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page or email us if you'd like to send funds to us via a wire transfer or check.

Appreciated Securities

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds may provide you with significant tax benefits.

Real and Personal Property

Real property, such as a vacation home, may be given as an outright gift or the donor may prefer to retain the right to occupy the property for life. Personal property such as paintings and cars also make excellent gifts.

Bequests and Retirement Plans

A bequest permits you to make a significant donation without diminishing the assets available to you during your lifetime. Naming a charity as a beneficiary of your retirement plan may also be a wise tax strategy.

Sample of Bequest Language

GIFTS OF STOCK & PLANNED GIVING

Please use the form below or email us for information about gifts of stock or to discuss the many options available for a planned gift. We would be pleased to work with you and your advisors to discuss all legal, tax, or other financial issues related to your gift or bequest.

Planned Giving Brochure

Stock Power Form

Please contact us with any questions:

Phone: (802) 583-3536

Email: contact@starkmountain.org

Or use this contact form:

Stark Mountain Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Since no gifts, benefits, or services are being given in exchange for this contribution, this gift is a tax-deductible charitable contribution under the current IRS guidelines.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Stark Mountain Foundation!

The idea for Stark Mountian Story Ski event was inspired by Anne Ferguson, from the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier. Anne created “Story Walk,” where the pages of a children’s book are set up along a walking route. During the annual Story Ski event, the pages of a children’s storybook are set up along a ski trail at Mad River Glen. Children and families ski from page to page and read the story together as they move down the ski trail. This event aims to inspire skiers of all ages to enjoy Stark Mountain, read, have fun and be active together.

Please watch the video below to learn more about this event.

Mad River Glen created a Backcountry Program for youth skiers in 2021. The program focuses on snow and ski safety while exploring backcountry terrain as well as an introduction to the natural winter environment. In its inaugural year, the program featured 2 one-day courses at an affordable rate and included equipment if needed. The Stark Mountain Foundation grant funded the equipment purchases and programming for the 2021-2022 season and programming and development for the 2022-2023 season and beyond.

Mad River Glen provides an amazing natural skiing experience that features some of the most interesting, varied, and challenging terrain on the east coast. This terrain combined with some of the best ski schools, racing programs, and free-ski programs on the east coast creates incredibly good skiers who are able to ski any terrain in any condition. The strength of the skier’s ability has not been appropriately paired with the proper education and training in backcountry travel techniques, avalanche education, decision-making skills, and environmental education. Mad River Glen seeks to build upon its award-winning ski education program by creating a Youth Backcountry and Environmental Education program. This program will help Mad River Glen youth skiers develop the knowledge and skills to begin a lifelong love of the natural winter environment, General Stark Mountain, and all areas beyond a ski area boundary.

The Mad River Valley is an amazing place to grow up with exceptional opportunities to get out and play year-round. In the winter months, the quality of skiing for kids in the Valley is second to none. Powder Magazine rated Mad River Glen as the best place to grow up skiing and generations of skiers would agree. Unfortunately, not all local students participate because of the costs associated with skiing and the timing of these programs. The rising cost of skiing at most ski areas limits access to middle and low-income families and prevents kids from being introduced to the sport.

The Mad River Glen Free Ski Fridays is an after-school program on Fridays for area youth (from pre-school through high school) in the Washington West Supervisory Union (all Valley schools and Waterbury) and the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union (Bristol/Lincoln area).

The program provides area students of all abilities access to free lift tickets, rentals, and lessons. It also offers “Fast Start” (intro to racing) – for the more experienced skiers interested in learning basic ski race techniques and the thrill of running set courses with video analysis.

 The Stark Mountain Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Since no gifts, benefits, or services are being given in exchange for this contribution, this gift is a tax deductible charitable contribution under the current IRS guidelines.