Fun in the Sun with High Fives at the Green Mountain Shred-A-Thon

As Vermonters, we know an outdoor event in early March is going to be a battle against the weather. A battle very much not in our favor, especially considering the challenging winter marked by warm spells and a bit more rain than snow. Regardless, we partnered with our friends at The High Fives Foundation to put our full support behind their Green Mountain Shred-A-Thon.

Somehow, we arrived (fresh from the previous evening's screening of Full Circle) at Sugarbush’s Mount Ellen to find bluebird skies, warm weather, and soft snow. Perfect conditions for this event. This time, we won the battle against Vermont’s notoriously unpredictable weather.

With the warm air on our faces and soft snow beneath our feet, it was all smiles at the Green Mountain Shred-A-Thon. The day kicked off with the ringing of a cowbell in the base area, symbolizing our commitment to give it our all for the day ahead: Bell-to-Bell.

Shred-A-Thon Connections

Now, you might be wondering “What is a Shred-A-Thon, and what does Darn Tough have to do with it?” Well, that’s a great question, and we have the answers.

The Green Mountain Shred-A-Thon is an annual on-snow fundraiser organized by our partner the High Fives Foundation. Teams and individuals are encouraged to register and raise money on behalf of the foundation. Every dollar raised goes directly to the foundation and supports its mission to create a universal shift in adventure sports (snow, surf, bike, fish, and dirt) that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing injuries.

The event itself serves as a community day on the mountain, complete with teams decked out in matching uniforms, a vendor village (featuring our Darn Tough tent serving up grilled cheese and free socks), a brown bag lunch, and, most importantly, an opportunity for this community to connect.

Sunshine Runs

With the sun shining on Sugarbush’s Mount Ellen, adaptive athletes and their supporting teammates hit the trails. Groups assembled at the top and bottom of the GMX chairlift to ride alongside fellow athletes.

As the day progressed, the snow only became softer, and the groups of sit-skiers, skiers, and snowboarders grew larger. Crowds of Shred-A-Thon participants took over the slopes as they slashed their way to the bottom.

The highlight of the event arrived at the day's end with the annual “Party Lap”. Every team, participant, friend, and supporter gathered mid-mountain and rode down in a massive group. The run concluded as individuals rang the cowbell in the base area, with every chime met by applause from the crowd. Just another sign of the unwavering support this community shows each other.

One Community

At Darn Tough, we aim to partner with organizations that share our commitment to community, and few exemplify this better than The High Fives Foundation. It's an honor to collaborate with them and witness the impact unfold in our backyard.

A huge thank you to Sugarbush Resort, Vermont Adaptive, and the High Fives Foundation. See you next year!