By VDC staff
A snow report from Sugarbush Resort’s official channels took an unexpected turn Saturday morning when snow reporter Lucy Welch used her daily update to issue a passionate critique of the current presidential administration during the visit of Vice-President J.D. Vance and his family, the Valley Reporter shared on its Facebook Page today.
The post, which was quickly taken down, addressed environmental policy, climate change, public land management, and social issues, all within the context of her love for the Vermont ski resort.
The Valley Reporter is the longtime weekly community newspaper for the Mad River Valley. The newspaper’s post has already had 171 comments (pro and con) and 534 shares. VDC’s Facebook share of the VR post also has received extensive attention.
Welch’s post began as a reflection on her deep personal connection to Sugarbush and the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest, which she noted is federal land. However, it quickly pivoted to a sharp rebuke of what she described as the administration’s “attack” on National Forest lands, climate science agencies, and public funding programs that support adaptive skiers, veterans, and international workers.
“This fresh forest air is, more specifically, fresh National Forest air,” Welch wrote. “Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current Administration, who is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love.”
She also highlighted concerns about climate change, referencing Vermont’s rapid warming and potential threats to the ski industry. She criticized cuts to NOAA, the agency responsible for tracking extreme weather, and voiced solidarity with marginalized groups within the Sugarbush community, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and international workers on J-1 visas.
While Welch acknowledged that Sugarbush management and employees were not responsible for the administration’s actions, she urged readers to focus their frustration in the right place. “Instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for ‘allowing this to happen,’ you can direct your anger to the source—the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.”
The post was removed within hours, and Welch speculated that she would likely lose her job for the statement. However, she defended her decision, writing, “This whole shpiel probably won’t change a whole lot, and I can only assume that I will be fired, but at least this will do even just a smidge more than just shutting up and being a sheep.”
Sugarbush Resort has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but the post’s removal and Welch’s anticipated dismissal have sparked a wave of discussion among the resort’s community. Some have praised Welch for using her platform to speak out, while others argue that a snow report should remain apolitical.
As of now, Welch’s employment status remains unclear, but one thing is certain—her most recenty snow report will be remembered long after the powder settles.