Renua Energy Team Ski Trip at Sugarbush: A Day of Adventure & Team Bonding
Thanks to some unexpected lift issues, we ended up with the top of the mountain almost entirely to ourselves for the afternoon—an experience you can’t plan but won’t forget. Not everyone had the same adventure though. Jutta arrived later and got “stuck” skiing the lower mountain all day. Luckily, she made the most of it on the lower slopes, enjoying a peaceful and relaxing solo ski day in beautiful weather.
“I really enjoyed spending some social time together with coworkers that I don’t get to see very often.”
— Jutta Middel, Project Manager
While some found quiet moments on the mountain, others leaned into the rare opportunity the day presented. With fewer crowds and wide-open runs, the team got to experience Sugarbush in a way most skiers never do.
“We should have offered to fix the mid mountain lift—which turns out needed electrical work—but instead we were fortunate to ride it in the little time it was open—and we selfishly stayed on the upper mountain doing laps all by ourselves.”
— Brett Miller, Director of Business Development
There were plenty of highlights throughout the day. Brett is used to slalom skiing but took things to another level by trying snowboarding for the very first time—and survived. Dave spent time skiing the Glades, where the views were spectacular, and the stories that came out of it kept everyone laughing well into the evening.
“I had a blast spending time with everyone, and improved my Glades skills exponentially while trying to keep up with Tim on his board and Brett on his Slalom skis… the view from the top of Mount Ellen across Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks was priceless.”
— Dave Byrne, Founder/Owner
“It runs in the family” said Dave. Caelan Byrne, Dave’s son, who skis for West Mountain Racing, just recently placed 4th in Giant Slalom at the 2026 U16 Eastern Championship held Mid-March at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. This qualified him for the U16 Alpine Ski Nationals!
The Renua Team stayed at the charming Lareau Farm Inn, home to the original American Flatbread restaurant (established in 1985). The farm-to-table woodfired flatbreads, fresh salads, and even the gluten-free options were incredible. A special shoutout to Stacey, who made organizing our group seamless and welcoming.
The trip wasn’t just about skiing—it was about stepping away from the day-to-day, connecting as a team, and enjoying the kind of moments that don’t happen in the office.
To top it all off, we warmed up by the wood stove with Austrian honey mead brought by Dave, and Brett introduced us to the Ukrainian card game Durak (which means “Fool”).
“It was another successful winter fun day for Renua.”
— Jim Pyenta, CQO / Project Manager / Senior Team Leader / Master Electrician / Safety Officer
