How has Vail’s acquisition of Vermont ski areas impacted locals?

Brave Little State

It’s been seven years since Colorado-based Vail Resorts bought the ski resort at Stowe. Almost immediately, Vail cut the cost of a season pass there in half. But cheaper skiing hasn’t deterred people from lampooning Vail online or displaying angry bumper stickers in ski town parking lots — spotlighting a tension over the soul of Vermont ski culture and ski towns.

In this episode, we look into what’s changed since Vail’s entry here, from chairlift upgrades to stress on the housing market. Plus, a general sense of transformation that’s harder to pinpoint.

Check out the web version of this episode for photos from our reporting and a full episode transcript. And to learn more about a new exhibit on Vermont’s lost ski areas, check out the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe.

Thanks to Nathan Evans for the great question.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Abagael Giles, Nina Keck, Robert Parrish, , Jason Blevins, Tom Gianola, Lindsay DesLauriers and Izzy Mitchell.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.