Individuals purchase publicly available shares and attend regular "Town Hall" meetings, voting on issues regarding the area and management of the cooperative.

Mad River Glen was founded in 1947 by Roland Palmedo who led a group of investors that included members of the Rockefeller family.

Additionally, five trails (Catamount, Chute, Fall Line, Porcupine, and Grand Canyon) and a small base lodge (still referred to as the "basebox") were also completed at that time.

In April 1998 the Mad River Glen Cooperative fulfilled its purchase agreement with the previous owner by selling its 1,667th share.

[6] The cooperative holds annual elections for a board of trustees, who oversee the management and business of the ski area.

Strong northwest winds behind the storms pick up moisture from Lake Champlain and are forced rapidly upward on their perpendicular ride over the Greens.

They have been kept much as they were when they were first cut (often by the skiers themselves decades ago), and many are gladed and have natural features lying under the snow; rocks, logs, bushes, etc.

[12] Due to heated debate over this issue, Betsy Pratt, Mad River Glen's previous owner, decided to ban snowboards entirely.

[citation needed] The Kent Thomas Nature Center features interpretive displays about the mountain's ecology, wildlife, and geology.