Hello Folks, my name is Benny Jerome and I am Sugarbush’s new Snow Reporter for the 2022-2023 winter season! I am very excited to be working here at Sugarbush and for a company that sits as a cornerstone of the skiing and riding industry, Alterra. I thought I would tell you all a little about myself. What brought me to Warren and why I decided to accept the prestigious position as a reporter for frozen precipitation.
Early Beginnings
Born and raised in Brandon, Vermont in the year of our Lord, 1999, I am a seventh-generation Vermonter. My family has lived in the greater Rutland area for the past 150 years. I was brought up on a small farm where we raise sheep, cattle, and apples, and produce maple syrup. It is with great pride that I say I am a Vermonter and my sense of place runs deep through these green mountains and wooded farmlands. I grew up spending all of my time outdoors. From skiing and mountain biking to duck hunting with my grandfather, I have always held a deep appreciation for all things wild. At 4 years old, my parents popped me on nordic skis and I haven’t stopped ever since. My skiing career began at Killington/Pico and the Middlebury Snowbowl where I learned to alpine ski. I continued my Nordic career at the Holderness School in Plymouth, NH. There, I raced for 4 years earning a spot on the NH State Team in my Junior and Senior years. Then it was on to compete for the University of Vermont club team, starting in the winter of 2018.
Starting on The Right Foot
At the University of Vermont, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. As a 4th generation UVM’er, I had a great time in Burlington. I was an active member of the Wildlife & Fisheries Society and Student Alumni Association. Additionally, I was the Director of Communications for the UVM Ski & Snowboard Club, the largest collegiate snow club in the United States. It was in college that I rekindled my love for alpine skiing. After receiving a pair of touring bindings for Christmas, I immediately threw myself into the backcountry. I am lucky enough to live in the heart of the Vermont backcountry scene thanks to the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective and have been exploring Brandon Gap and Braintree for the past several years. During the pandemic, I interned for the Middlebury Area Land Trust & Ridgeline Outdoor Collective as their communications intern. In this role, I found a passion for content creation, web design, and marketing as I helped build both organizations’ volunteer programs and expand their membership bases.
The Journey Begins
Although I only graduated from UVM this past May I have found myself wrestling with the notion of what direction to take my life. I enjoy a wide range of professional passions from putting up drywall to editing newsletters. Eventually, though, I knew I needed to find myself in a career that fit my needs. A job where I could work outside alongside a group of great people, challenging myself both in communications and marketing. So, one day I decided to peruse the Sugarbush employment website. And then, low and behold, just sitting there waiting for me to apply was the perfect job, Sugarbush Snow Reporter.
It has been quite the job, to say the least. I arrive every morning at 6:15 to give you the most accurate and detailed snow report that a young man like myself can provide. I look forward to bringing reports from my office at the Lincoln Base area all winter and to having more great conversations on the chair lift with our fantastic guests. Thank you so much for having me and don’t forget to call the snow phone at 802-583-7669!