Fundraising nets $2.8 million for Mad River Glen’s 1,100-acre purchase

February 10, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

A community fundraising push netted $2.8 million for the Mad River Glen Cooperative to move ahead with its purchase of approximately 1,100 acres surrounding the Mad River Glen ski area. 

The recent call for donations drew more than 1,500 individual donations and exceeded the campaign’s goal of $2.5 million, according to a news release from the co-op last week. 

“This was truly a community effort,” said Mad River Glen’s Marketing and Events Manager Ry Young. “The number of donations only tells part of the story. Participation spanned far beyond our shareholder base – the entire ski community answered the call. Together, we stepped up to protect the mountain we love, particularly special given it’s the 30th anniversary of the cooperative.” 

The land acquisition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite Mad River Glen’s original land holdings as they existed at the time of its founding in 1948. The parcels include the area known as the 19th and 20th terrain, land north of Vermont Route 17, and acreage across Route 17 from the Battleground. Ownership of this land ensures long-term stewardship, recreational access, wildlife-habitat protection, and alignment with the cooperative’s founding vision, its leaders noted in their announcement. 

The push to move ahead with the purchase came together over a relatively short timeframe inthe fall. The cooperative had a 30-day Right of First Refusal arrangement with the property owners that was triggered on Oct. 16 when another buyer made an offer of $2.5 million to the Pratt family, the landowners. The cooperative held emergency meetings that led its shareholders to make a similar offer on Nov. 14. The purchase and sale agreement was signed on Dec. 12, they said. 

The total cost for the deal is estimated at $2.75 million, which includes closing costs and the establishment of a conservation easement – a required component of the transaction. Any funds raised beyond the purchase price will support long-term stewardship of the land, they said. 

While Mad River Glen remains financially stable, it has always taken a strategic approach to combine Mad River Glen operational revenue and philanthropy with the nonprofit financial partner, the Stark Mountain Foundation. As a result, the cooperative’s board determined that assuming significant long-term debt would place it at risk given upcoming capital needs, including lift 

infrastructure, grooming equipment, and the reconstruction of Stark’s Pub. As a result, the Stark Mountain Foundation led the community fundraising campaign for the land deal, leveraging its nonprofit status and experience with major donor engagement. 

“This extraordinary achievement reflects the deep commitment this community has to preserving not just the terrain, but the values that make Mad River Glen unique,” said Jim Elkind, president of Stark Mountain Foundation. “It shows what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared vision – and ensures that the land surrounding Stark Mountain will remain  protected and accessible for generations to come.” 

The cooperative and Stark Mountain Foundation emphasized that, while the fundraising goal for the land purchase was reached, ongoing fundraising will support the stewardship and conservation of the newly acquired land as well as expected future work to reconstruct the historic Stark’s Pub at Mad River Glen. 

A special meeting of the co-op’s shareholders was scheduled for Saturday to authorize the completion of the land purchase. That closing is expected in the coming weeks. 

Contact the Mad River Glen Cooperative by email at coopboard@madriverglen.com.