Magic Mountain in Vermont will bring skiing to late May with its annual Mountain Town Get Down event on May 31, 2025.
The event is both a fundraiser and an on-snow cross-country race supporting youth programs run by the West River Sports Association and Mountain Towns Recreation (MTR).
To make skiing possible this late in the season, Magic Mountain has built and covered a large pile of snow specifically for the event.
The festivities begin at 3:00 p.m., with race qualifying starting at 4:00 p.m. Skiers aged 14 and older can compete. At 5:45 p.m., the top eight men and women race head-to-head in single elimination heats. The race involves skate skiing through gates and a short uphill sprint.
The Mountain Town Get Down is more than just a race. The event features live music, food and drink vendors, and games for children. Musical acts include Jatoba, performing at 4:00 p.m., and the Weight Band—featuring members from The Band and Levon Helm Band—playing at 6:30 p.m. after the finals.
The West River Sports Association is a nonprofit focused on youth physical and intellectual development in the area, offering programs like youth soccer and cross-country skiing. MTR supports local recreation and leisure opportunities.
Proceeds from the event will help maintain play fields and buy equipment for kids. Tickets, including race entry, start at $28.52.
Magic Mountain’s snow storage technique for hosting late-season events is gaining popularity. Other ski areas in North America are adopting similar methods. For example, Jay Peak in Vermont will host Solstice Sessions on June 21, featuring live music and a small terrain park with real snow. In Wisconsin, Trollhaugen holds an annual fall rail jam and festival called Open Haugen, also using harvested snow to keep the fun going off-season.