November 9, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Mad River Glen’s Freeski Team kicks off the 2026–27 season with an evening of film, skiing, music, and fundraising this Saturday, Nov. 14, at The Big Picture Theater & Cafe in Waitsfield.
Mad River Glen’s Freeski Team kicks off the 2026–27 season with an evening of film, skiing, music, and fundraising this Saturday, Nov. 14, at The Big Picture Theater & Cafe in Waitsfield.
On screen will be the film “Mountains of the Moon,” highlighting legendary freeski athlete Chris Benchetler. Proceeds from the event, a raffle, and a silent auction will support the team’s efforts to keep competitive freeride accessible and affordable for local athletes.
The film screening marks the culmination of an ambitious offseason effort to address one of the biggest challenges facing the team’s competitive athletes: the rising cost of travel and equipment.
When the Mad River Glen Freeski Team began in 2000, competitive freeride skiing was still in its infancy. Today, the sport has grown into an international competitive discipline, with the International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association junior circuit spanning North and South America and freeride preparing to make its Olympic debut in 2030.
Over the past 25 years, the Mad River Glen program has grown from a small offshoot of the mountain’s ski school into one of North America’s premier junior freeride programs. The team now works with approximately 150 athletes each year, with roughly one-third competing in IFSA’s junior circuit.
Despite Vermont’s famously tight trees and challenging terrain, Mad River Glen athletes have consistently proven they can compete with the best young freeriders in the world. Over the past two years, the team has produced the top-ranked U19 junior athlete, sent seven athletes to the Austrian Junior Worlds event since 2019, and regularly sends more than a dozen athletes to the Junior Freeride Championships.
As the sport continues to grow, however, so does the financial commitment required to compete at the highest level.
With more competitions taking place out West and increased competition from professional athletes and new ski academy programs, Mad River Glen’s most competitive athletes may need to travel across the country one or two times each season simply to earn the points necessary to advance.
“A couple of years ago, the IFSA adjusted their scoring system in such a way that in order to have an opportunity to earn the most points during the regular season, an East Coast athlete would have to travel West,” explains Matt McGinnis, head of partnerships for Mad River Glen Freeski. “Knowing that our athletes have the talent to compete against any athlete on any venue, it was frustrating to realize that some of our most talented kids might not have the opportunity to grow within this sport simply for financial reasons.”
Rather than allow travel costs to become a barrier, McGinnis and program director Jose Darias began looking for industry partners who could help offset travel and equipment expenses for the team. Their efforts have already paid off as Blizzard Skis, Tecnica Boots, SkiEssentials, and Mehuron’s have signed on as official team sponsors, providing financial support, equipment, fundraising opportunities, and discounts to team members.
Details
The Nov. 14 film event will help build on that momentum. In addition to the screening, the team will raffle and auction prizes provided by its sponsors, helping raise additional funds before the competitive season gets underway.
Filmed almost entirely at night beneath multi-colored lights, Benchetler’s “Mountains of the Moon” brings together some of the most accomplished athletes in skiing, snowboarding, surfing, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The film’s visual artistry is paired with a soundtrack composed entirely of music from the Grateful Dead.
In addition to the “Mountains of the Moon” featured film, the screening will include a few openers, including one from Mad River Glen Freeski coaches Adrian Hayden and Will Miemis, before the main feature.
The team hopes the event will not only be a fundraiser, but also an opportunity for the Mad River Valley community to celebrate the athletes, coaches, families, sponsors, and supporters who have helped build one of the region’s most successful youth freeride programs.
Tickets: $15, adults; $10, kids 5-17. Doors: 5:30 p.m. Opening films, raffle and auction: 6 p.m. Main event: 7:30 p.m. Find more information and advance tickets online here.