WARREN, Vermont ??” Sugarbush Resort today announced that it had reached a settlement in its lawsuit against Mother Nature. While the exact terms of the settlement have not been released, a source close to the proceedings indicated that the deity agreed to bestow over 300 inches of champagne-quality snow to the Warren, VT resort. The source further indicated disbursement of the settlement was to be spread over a five-month period beginning this November.

“We are very happy with the way things turned out,” remarked Sugarbush’s Communications Director JJ Toland. “We knew Ms. Nature had no interest in dragging out these proceedings much less having them go before a jury.”

Speaking from the courthouse steps, Toland said the agreement sets the stage for a phenomenal ski and ride season.

“The moment (Mother) Nature offered over 300 inches of snow, our operations manager purchased two new groomers for the mountain’s fleet just to be able to guarantee plentiful corduroy this season. And with Sugarbush opening the new Lincoln Peak Village this December, we are all but certain the 2006-07 will be one of the best on record.”

Sugarbush began construction of the new village last August and will open it in just over 100 days. The new base facility features three new buildings and represents the largest capital-expansion project to open to the public at any of Vermont’s ski resorts for the 2006-07 winter season. The Lincoln Peak Village is also the first major on-mountain development project since 1961.

Clay Brook, the cornerstone of the revitalization, offers slopeside luxury suites available both for nightly rental as well as whole and fractional ownership.

The brand new Gate House, double the size of the old lodge, provides skiers and riders with a spacious casual dining area, food court with an expanded menu, pub and caf?В©, and an expanded changing area with lockers and check-in service.

And across the new courtyard, Timbers, a post-and-beam restaurant featuring 45-foot cathedral ceilings, will offer guests upscale cuisine and a slopeside dining experience.

Sugarbush Resort had been seeking unspecified damages for extreme emotional cruelty and mental anguish relating to Mother Nature’s lackluster performance during the 2005-06 season. Representatives for Mother Nature have said that a disagreement with Old Man Winter in November of 2005 had put natural snowmaking responsibilities for the Northeast in limbo. The two recently reconciled their differences leading other New England resorts to speculate about a banner winter for the coming ski and ride season. Only Sugarbush however took the unprecedented step of suing Mother Nature and it now appears that action all but guarantees the Resort an extraordinary snow year.

To be a part of all that’s new at Sugarbush visit www.sugarbush.com.