Getting a free ski pass complete with plenty of awesome skiing? And we only have to volunteer at the mountain a few days during the season, mingle with the guests, answer their many questions, schmooze a bit, actually get to ski a bit, and generally have fun?
Yes, that’s pretty much the job description.
But wait, there’s more! It turns out that being a Sugarbush Ambassador means being part of a group with a great deal of esprit, a large appetite for social interaction (that means parties!), a lot of pride and “ownership” of our mountain, and a love of being outdoors. All of which makes them a great fit for Sugarbush’s purpose for being: “To cultivate a spirit of lifelong adventure and camaraderie.”
Thus it was that a couple of refugees from the Washington DC rat race retired from the work force and moved to Vermont to become middle-aged ski bums, knowing only a single person in the town of Waitsfield – the real estate agent who sold them their new home. It only took a single ski season to acquire friends for life, to have a more active and satisfying social life than we ever envisioned, and also to realize that our weekender ski skills, which we thought were pretty good, were in fact only a sound platform for improvement with guidance and coaching from Sugarbush’s Ski & Ride school. We soon discovered that better skills meant more enjoyment on more and varied terrain, a win-win all around.
That was 23 years ago when we joined the ranks. Being a Sugarbush Ambassador has meant so much more than the freedom to ski any day that we want. It’s been a commitment not only to the Sugarbush Resort, but also to the community at large by offering our help and support in welcoming visitors and getting to know people from all over the world. Helping folks navigate the mountain, finding the best terrain for their skill level, answering their questions about the best eating spots in the Valley, where to get a massage, where to take their kids for sledding, how to find their way back to the interstate . . . well, you get the idea. Needless to say, it’s the best job we’ve ever had!
*If you’re interested in joining the Sugarbush Ambassador program, reach out to Guest Services at gservices@sugarbush.com.