February 12, 2025

Vermont Outdoor Community Celebrates Success, Urges Strategic Investment in the Sector

As Part of Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day 2025

Montpelier, VT - Over 100 non-profit trail stewards, outdoor business owners, ski area managers,  and municipal leaders traveled to the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday for the second annual Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day to share the success of the sector and to urge strategic investment in our outdoor businesses that foster the healthy, resilient communities we want to live and play in. 

The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation also announced the launch of Move Forward Together Vermont, a strategic vision for the State's outdoor recreation economy over the next five years.

Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy continues to grow, bringing $2.1 billion annually, which amounts to 4.8% of State GDP, according to 2023 US Bureau of Economic Analysis. In 2023, Vermont also saw a record $4 billion in visitor spending, with outdoor recreation activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and camping as key drivers for travel. The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) and the Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) held a press conference seeking State investment to incentivize access to outdoor recreation, local economic impact analyses, and funding for flood recovery, climate resilient workforce and business adaptation. 

Treasurer Mike Pieciak, kicked off the press conference to highlight the optimism outdoor recreation provides for the state’s financial outlook. "Outdoor recreation is critical to Vermont's economy and identity, supporting our robust tourist economy and attracting the workers and young families we need to grow our state. It also supports tens of thousands of jobs, particularly in our rural communities. To keep our economy on a positive track, we must thoughtfully balance growth with care for our natural landscape, ensuring it is preserved for future generations to enjoy."

Rep. Mike Marcotte (R-Coventry) reminded us of the value private landowners play in access to recreation. “A big reason why we all love Vermont is our state’s vast array of recreational trails, in fact 75% of Vermont’s recreational trails are on private land. One way we can help make the economic value of outdoor recreation sustainable is to determine a program that recognizes these landowners that provide access in order to share the natural beauty of our State, promote healthy lifestyles and bolster our local economies. 

Sen. Wendy Harrison (D-Windham) pointed out recreationists are also conservationists, and by ensuring everyone has access to the outdoors, we can preserve our natural landscape. “The importance of welcoming everyone to enjoy the outdoors is fundamental to our Vermont ethos. Especially in trying times, it’s so critical that we be outside, take a breath and just be in nature. I feel fortunate to live in Vermont where even our largest cities and towns still have natural lands and waterways. I’m particularly passionate about access to our waterways and urge the state to work with Great River Hydro to improve access to the Connecticut River so that more Vermonters can enjoy the river for decades to come.”

Steve Wright, General Manager of Jay Peak Ski Resort, spoke of the value of direct investment into climate adaptation to ensure ski areas can create four-season outdoor experiences. “This is one of our snowiest seasons in recent memory, and we’re thankful that the snow keeps coming. Current conditions will help us deliver an amazing experience for guests who will visit to ski and play at ski areas across the state next week for the President’s week break. However, this season’s snow and weather has not been the norm, and the ski industry continues several decades of work to hone its energy efficiency and use more renewable energy. The outdoor sector and its workforce must be positioned to be climate-ready to ensure Vermont’s prosperity, jobs and natural places thrive into the future.”

Corinne Prevot, Founder and CEO of Skida Headwear & Accessories described how the attention on climate resiliency has driven home the importance of shoring up small businesses near our recreation resources.“Outdoor businesses across the state drive local economies and ensure quality recreation experiences for Vermonters and visitors. However, the floods showed the fragility of our antiquated system around areas of commerce. So many of our towns and commercial hubs are built around our rivers and waterways, a remnant of our industrial origins.  The state needs to seek higher ground and make considerable investment in our commercial facilities proximal to our natural resources to attract and retain the outdoor businesses and organizations that fuel this economy and build stoke and intrigue among locals and visitors.”

Kelly Brush, of the Kelly Brush Foundation, which was founded after Kelly was injured in 2006 at an NCAA alpine ski race, urged more accessibility. “Accessibility to the outdoors and inclusion in recreation not only draws people with disabilities to the state but allows for all to enjoy the mental, physical, and social benefits of being active.”

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The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a state-wide organization working to strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. VOBA’s 150 outdoor businesses provide products and services to Vermonters and visitors and work together on entrepreneurship, career pathways, and sector branding. VOBA supports the natural and recreation resources we depend on and is dedicated to advancing equitable access for all in the workplace and outdoor spaces. www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org  

The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC) is an member-based, independent nonprofit that works to advance outdoor recreation in Vermont and serves as official advisory body to the Agency of Natural Resources through the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR). The Council is made up of 30+ Vermont trail stewardship organizations, municipalities, and supporting practitioners and was founded in 1989  to ensure that people will always have access to the trails and landscape of Vermont.       

A non-profit trade association founded in 1969 to serve alpine and cross-country ski areas, the Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where skiing and snowboarding are the official state winter sports. The top ski state in the east and among the top destinations in the US, Vermont boasts world-class snowmaking quality, coverage, and efficiency, a wide variety of terrain, and profound historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski and ride destinations in the world. Ski Vermont’s mission is to help maintain an environment in which the state’s ski areas can grow and prosper. Ski Vermont serves its 21 Alpine and 26 Cross Country member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.