"It�s been a long, difficult process but in the end, Sugarbush and the Mad River Valley will have a facility that is representative of all that is unique and special about Sugarbush and the region," said Sugarbush Managing Director Rich McGarry in announcing permit approval. "The hotel means Sugarbush now can be truly competitive in the destination marketplace, bringing guests to the Valley from new and expanding markets�during all four seasons." 

Construction on the 100-unit hotel won�t begin immediately, said McGarry, noting that a land swap between Sugarbush and the Forest Service won�t be completed in time for hotel construction to begin this season. A portion of the hotel will be located on a parcel of property involved in the land exchange. Groundbreaking is expected to occur in the Spring of 1999. 

The hotel represents the final of four major improvements identified by Leslie B. Otten, Chairman and C.E.O. of the American Skiing Company, when he purchased the resort in 1994 as essential for Sugarbush to become competitive in the resort marketplace. The other three, a state-of-the-art snowmaking system, the connection of Lincoln Peak  (South) with Mount Ellen (North) and an upgrade of the resort�s lift system, were accomplished in a capital program prior to the 1995-96 winter season. 

Sugarbush is an American Skiing Company (NYSE:SKI) resort. Headquartered in Newry, Maine, American Skiing Company is the largest operator of alpine ski, snowboard and golf resorts in United States. Resorts include Attitash Bear Peak in New Hampshire; The Canyons in Park City, Utah; Heavenly in California/Nevada; Killington and Mount Snow in Vermont; Steamboat in Colorado; and Sugarloaf/USA and Sunday River in Maine.