STRATTON, Vt. -
Even in the summer there's a lot to do at Stratton. Whether on the golf course or at a tennis camp, it's a playground for locals and vacationers alike.
"All the things to do; hiking, and yesterday we all went kayaking. And then for the mountain, I think it is more the programs for the kids and the accessibility," said Mary Sullivan, a visitor from Massachusetts.
But a huge winter event is saying so long. The Burton US Open-- which brings about 30,000 people to the mountain every winter, is not coming back in March. Burton is moving the event to Colorado.
"You know we are obviously disappointed that the Open is going to leave Stratton after 27 years, but we are grateful for the 27 years that it was here," said Michael Cobb of Stratton Mountain.
For some local businesses, it's a blow.
"It is going to hurt us financially. It hurts," said Megan McMahon, who owns Stratton Rentals.
Every winter, McMahon helps host sponsors and athletes' families who are staying for the world-class snowboarding event.
"We have a couple three-nighters, but for the most it was five to seven nights. A really good hit. It's going to be probably 60 percent of our March business that is gone," McMahon said.
Others are less concerned about the numbers, but instead what its absence means to young athletes.
"The US Open brings a lot of people here for kids to see," said Melanie Finigan of South Wardsboro.
Finigan has lived in this region her entire life, growing up with riders like Kelly Clark and Ross Powers. The Open, she says, gives kids access to these champions that they otherwise can't get.
"It's really important to kids growing up in the world of sports being able to interact with professional athletes," Finigan said.
Burton says it's moving the event so it can grow. Stratton says it's working to make sure the best of the best keep coming back, even if it will not be for the US Open.
"Events have been part of Stratton's history. Whether we have the World Cup in the '70s, we've had the LPGA, we've had the Volvo International tournament. So, we have a long rich history of creative events," Cobb said.
Mountain officials say there are a few new events in the pipeline for this winter, however, it's nothing they are prepared to release at this time. So, they say while it's sad to see the Open go, it also opens the door for new opportunities in the future.
Resorts officials say their biggest concerns is snow or the lack there of. Statewide, it's estimated that last year's mild winter contributed to a decrease in overall visits by about 12 percent.
Related Story:
Burton moves US Open Snowboarding Championship to Colo.
