Draft:Ski Maple Valley

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. ~2025-31781-75 (talk) 01:06, 14 November 2025 (UTC)

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Ski Maple Valley
Location	Dummerston, Vermont, U.S.
Nearest major city	Brattleboro, Vermont
Vertical	1,000 ft (300 m)
Lift system	4 Total Lifts (2 Fixed Grip Doubles , 1 T-Bar , 1 rope tow)

Ski Maple Valley was a mid-sized ski area located in Dummerston, Vermont, United States. It operated from 1963 until 2000. In 2018, the property was purchased by Sugar Mountain Holdings, LLC.

Early Days

Development of Maple Valley Ski Area began in the early 1960s when local resident Terry Tyler partnered with investors to establish a ski facility on former farmland along Vermont Route 30. Construction began in spring 1963 and included trail clearing, slope preparation, and construction of a two-story base lodge. Maple Valley Ski Area, Inc. was incorporated in May 1963, and the lodge opened in August of that year.

A dedication ceremony was held on December 21, 1963, and operations began on December 25. The initial layout included a Hall double chairlift, a beginner T-bar, and five alpine trails. In its early years, Maple Valley also operated 25-meter and 45-meter ski jumps, which hosted regional events before being removed later in the decade.

During the mid-1960s, Maple Valley expanded its snowmaking system, added new intermediate and advanced terrain, and enlarged both lodge and service buildings. Land acquisitions increased the property to about 150 acres. The area became known as a community-oriented facility frequently used by local school programs.

The Downfall

By the late 1970s and 1980s, Maple Valley experienced difficulties associated with inconsistent snowfall, aging infrastructure, and rising operating expenses. Contemporary accounts noted deteriorating utility systems, and at certain times the ski area relied on diesel generators to maintain power.

In June 1989, the 370-acre property was sold at a satellite auction for roughly US$1.2 million. Limited trail and lodge improvements followed, but competition from larger regional resorts such as Stratton Mountain increasingly affected visitation.

After a foreclosure auction in 1997, the area reopened briefly for the 1999–2000 season with limited weekend and holiday operations. It closed permanently following that winter.

Slow Revival

Terry E. Tyler, founder of Maple Valley Ski Area, died on December 3, 2010, at age 78 in West Dummerston.

In 2011, Nicholas Mercede & Sons, Inc. (also associated with Winchester Stables, Inc.) purchased the property and proposed a four-season recreation plan that included skiing, mountain biking, and event facilities. The proposal was later withdrawn following concerns from local residents regarding noise, lighting, and overall project scale.

In May 2018, the property was purchased for US$745,000 by Sugar Mountain Holdings, LLC, a member-managed company based in Weatogue, Connecticut.

The new owners announced plans to redevelop the lodge into a craft brewery and distillery with tasting rooms, event space, and year-round recreation. The restoration of lift-served skiing remains a long-term objective, contingent on the success of non-winter operations and future investment.