By Melinda Moulton
A collaboration between Rick Moulton Productions and the Stark Mountain Foundation, the film “Mad River Glen, a 75-Year Fellowship of Skiers” debuts in Burlington on February 2, 2024.
The film debuts at Main Street Landing’s Film House, beginning at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
In the fall of 2022 at Mad River Glen’s Green and Gold I was waiting at the bottom of the single chairlift to ride up so I could walk down at my leisure. Standing there was Maximilian Michl, a precocious 9-year-old. He was first in line and was waiting with eager anticipation to be the first person up the mountain. I inquired about his excitement for the coming ski year. Maximilian (as he likes to be called – not Max) told me that last winter he was the first person to go up the lift as soon as it opened. “I was the very first person, always, every weekend,” he exclaimed. He went on to explain why Mad River Glen is so special.
I turned to my husband, filmmaker Rick Moulton, and asked, “When did you make the Mad River Glen film, “Spirit of a Classic” and he replied “1988.” I inquired, “Well don’t you think it is time for you to make another film about Mad River Glen and bring the history up to present day?” Ry Young, the mountain’s public relations and marketing manager was walking toward the lift, and I asked him what he thought of the idea. Ry lit up and said, “The Stark Mountain folks are tabling right over there -- see if you can get them on board.” A week later, we sat in Ry’s office with Jim Elkind, president of the Stark Mountain Foundation. Jim enthusiastically supported the project and presented it to his board, and they agreed to raise the funding and be the film’s sponsor.
A year and a half later, and the film is finished. Originally budgeted to be 20 minutes with 15 interviews, we brought it in on budget at 32 minutes with 45 interviews. From 1988 to 2024 (over 36 years) a lot was accomplished: Thanks to Betsy Pratt, the Mad River Co-Op was a success whereby the skiers now own and control a share of the mountain; the “Single Chair Campaign” preserved the historic lift and upgraded it from diesel to electric; the “Save Paradise Campaign” helped to upgrade the buildings and expand snowmaking; the “Free Ski Team Program” was introduced and developed into a nationally acclaimed program.
Mad River Glen continued its long standing racing program, and the ski-for-free under 12 program was established which brought families to the mountain and created a whole new generation of skiers. Mad River Glen bucked the trends in the ski industry which has moved toward a corporate model. Although many ski areas have widened their trails to accommodate throngs of skiers and snowboarders all the while increasing their uphill capacity and bottom line, Mad River Glen preserved its narrow and magical twisty trails and woods skiing and kept the amount of folks on the mountain at one time to the same level since the 1970s. This creates a unique skiing experience where often you are the only person on the trail. And Mad River Glen is one of three ski areas in the country to only allow skiing – no snowboarding - which preserves the trails and moguls for a traditional skiing experience.
Let’s face it, Mad River Glen is a place so unique and special that it is listed on the National Historic Register.
Rick Moulton is the producer/director and Michael Couture is the film’s editor and camera man. Stefan Beaumont of Red Vault Productions filmed many of the interviews and provided magnificent shots of the mountain. Matt Kiedaisch of Outsider Media, and Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson of Ember Photo provided much of the video and still photos. Dozens of others stepped up and opened their archives for our use. Musicians Spencer Lewis, Stephen Kiernan, and Brett Hughes provided the musical soundtrack.
This film has no narration because the interviewees tell the story. They talk about Mad River Glen as their home, where they grew up, raised their children, made lifelong friendships, and skied into their later years. Mad River Glen is a place so close to their hearts that a few tears are shed during the interviews. It is about the power of humanity to create one of the most beloved ski areas in the world. Rick Moulton will be on hand for a Q & A after the showing.
For the debut, there will be a cash bar provided by Skinny Pancake. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and The Stark Mountain Foundation will be there to take a bow for their role in providing the funds to make this film.
For more information contact
Melinda Moulton is the executive producer of Rick Moulton Productions.
