Vermont And Austria: A Scenic Comparison

Vermont is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, and the Republic of Austria is a country in Central Europe. While the two places are separated by an ocean, they do share some similarities. Both are known for their mountains, with Vermont's Green Mountains and Austria's Alps, and both are popular destinations for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. The von Trapp family, who famously fled Austria before the Nazi occupation, eventually settled in Vermont, where they opened the Trapp Family Lodge, which has been described as a little piece of Austria in a lot of Vermont. Beyond this, the two places have a longstanding military partnership, with the Vermont National Guard and Austrian Army working together since 1983.

Vermont and Austria's military cooperation

Vermont and Austria have a long history of military cooperation, with the two countries' partnership officially beginning on October 15, 2021, when Austria became Vermont's third state partner. This partnership is one of 25 European partnerships that make up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 88 worldwide partnerships that are part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. However, the military cooperation between the two regions dates back to 1983, with the collaboration between the Army Mountain Warfare School, the U.S. Army Biathlon Program, and the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) and their Austrian counterparts.

The Vermont National Guard and the Austrian military have conducted several joint training programs and deployments over the years. One notable example is their joint deployment to Kosovo as part of the Kosovo Force (KFOR). Additionally, the Vermont National Guard has participated in trilateral events with Austria and Senegal since 2015 through the Physical Security and Stockpile Management Program. This program focuses on the safe storage and disposal of munitions, aiming to prevent disasters like the one that occurred in Beirut.

The partnership between Vermont and Austria extends beyond military cooperation to include economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared values. The two regions have worked together to promote global security and have a longstanding relationship in mountain warfare training. Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight acknowledged the significant contribution of the Austrian Army in establishing the Army Mountain Warfare School, highlighting the benefits of their ongoing relationship since 1983.

The Vermont National Guard also possesses capabilities in cyber and counter-cyber operations, which align with the Austrian Ministry of Defense priorities. The Guard's Defensive Cyber Operations Element (DCO-E) has provided cyber assessments for Austria and other partner countries. Furthermore, the Vermont Guard's electronic warfare capabilities include electronic attack, support, and protection, enhancing their ability to collaborate with the Austrian military in this domain.

The military cooperation between Vermont and Austria is a testament to the strong relationship between the two regions and their commitment to global security and mutual defense. Through joint training, deployments, and the sharing of expertise, Vermont and Austria continue to strengthen their partnership and contribute to international peace and stability.

The Trapp Family Lodge

The Trapp family was fictionalised in the 1959 musical 'The Sound of Music', which was based on the 1949 book 'The Story of the Trapp Family Singers' by Maria von Trapp. The musical follows the story of Baron Georg von Trapp and his wife Maria, who fled Austria after its annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and settled in Vermont in 1942. After the Baron's death in 1947, the family expanded their home and operated it as a 30-room ski lodge. The lodge was expanded again in 1968, adding 20 more rooms. Unfortunately, the lodge was destroyed by a fire in 1980, and a new Austrian-style lodge with 93 rooms was opened in 1983.

The lodge has received mixed reviews, with some guests praising the enchanting atmosphere, Austrian flair, and picturesque views, while others have noted that the rooms could benefit from modernisation and that the amenities could be more conveniently placed. The staff are generally described as friendly, and the lodge is a popular destination for outdoor pursuits such as skiing and mountain biking.

Vermont's and Austria's shared mountain expertise

Vermont and Austria have shared military cooperation since 1983, with the Vermont National Guard's Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, the U.S. Army Biathlon Program, and training conducted with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) and their Austrian counterparts. The Vermont National Guard has also undertaken trilateral events with both Senegal and Austria since 2015 through the Physical Security and Stockpile Management Program, focused on safe munitions storage and disposal of expired munitions.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight said:

> When creating our Army Mountain Warfare School, the first place we reached out to for expertise and guidance was the Austrian Army. We benefited greatly from our ongoing relationship with Austrian military mountaineers since 1983.

The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, is another example of Vermont and Austria's shared mountain expertise. The lodge is owned and operated by the von Trapp family, who settled in the area in the 1940s, having toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers. The lodge is reminiscent of the family's beloved Austria, with sweeping mountain vistas. The von Trapps are known for their musical talents, which inspired the film and play, 'The Sound of Music'.

Vermont's largest ski resorts

Killington Resort

Killington Resort is the biggest ski area in Vermont, with 1,509 skiable acres serviced by 22 lifts. The resort offers a staggering variety of trails, from steep glades to wide-open cruisers, and is known for its extensive snowmaking capabilities, ensuring great conditions throughout the season. Killington Peak, at 4,241 feet, offers breathtaking views and thrilling descents, including the famous Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge. With its sister resort, Pico Mountain, Killington offers nearly 2,000 skiable acres and 92 miles of trails, solidifying its reputation as the "Beast of the East".

Smugglers' Notch Resort

Smugglers' Notch is a classic Vermont ski resort, boasting three interconnected peaks with 2,610 feet of vertical drop and 1,000 acres of skiable terrain serviced by eight lifts. Each peak caters to all skill levels, from family-friendly green circles to challenging black diamonds. The resort is known for its Vermont charm and family-friendly services, as well as its impressive average annual snowfall of 276 inches.

Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton Mountain Resort is a timeless East Coast favourite, offering 670 acres of meticulously manicured terrain serviced by 11 lifts. The summit, at 3,875 feet, provides expansive views of southern Vermont. Stratton's terrain is predominantly novice to intermediate, with perfectly groomed cruisers making up 75% of the mountain's 99 trails. The resort also features a first-class village and some of the finest dining options in the region.

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort is located in one of the most picturesque ski resorts in the world, with the charm of New England. The resort offers the biggest vertical drop in the area, and cross-country skiers can access numerous trails right from the lodge. Stowe is also known for its vibrant autumn foliage, with a riot of crimson, vermilion, and ochre colours attracting "leaf peepers" from far and wide.

Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf, located in the heart of Maine, is the only Eastern resort offering lift-serviced above-tree-line skiing. With 1,240 skiable acres serviced by 13 lifts, Sugarloaf provides a unique skiing experience. An average of 200 inches of snow blankets the 4,237-foot peak each winter, and the resort also offers 650 acres of rugged sidecountry access for those seeking a backcountry adventure.

Vermont's and Austria's cultural exchange

Vermont and Austria have enjoyed a cultural exchange for many years, with the states sharing similarities in their mountainous landscapes. The partnership between the two regions is one of 25 European partnerships that make up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 88 worldwide partnerships that form the National Guard State Partnership Program.

The cultural exchange between Vermont and Austria is built on global security, economic cooperation, shared values, and, of course, their ski resorts. The states' military cooperation stretches back to 1983, with partnerships between the Army Mountain Warfare School, the U.S. Army Biathlon Program, and the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) and their Austrian counterparts. The states' similar geography has also allowed for the exchange of knowledge and resources in the area of safe munitions storage and disposal.

One of the most famous cultural exports from Austria to Vermont is the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. The lodge was founded by the von Trapp family, who were made famous by the musical and film, 'The Sound of Music'. The family settled in Vermont in the 1940s, and their story inspired the musical, which was then adapted into a film starring Julie Andrews. The lodge is now run by Johannes von Trapp, the youngest son of Maria von Trapp, and is a popular tourist destination, offering guests a little piece of Austria in Vermont.

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