From High Peaks to Higher Service
If you’ve spent any time on the trails around here, you’ve probably run into Matt Kusper. Maybe he was leading a trail crew, maybe he was patrolling at Saddleback, or maybe he was just out there doing what he does best – taking care of the places and people he loves.
Over the past few years, Matt has become more than just our Lead Recreation Ranger. He’s become part of the fabric of this community, earning his EMT credentials through KVCC, volunteering with Franklin Search and Rescue, and serving on the Executive Committee of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.
And now? Matt’s taking his commitment to service to a whole new level. In January, he began drills with the Vermont Army National Guard. Don’t worry – he’ll still be around, supporting our trails and community in his off time. But come August 2026, he’ll head off for a five-month training period, returning to us in early 2027 with even more skills, stories, and that same infectious dedication we’ve come to count on.
For Matt, stewardship and service aren’t just jobs. They’re simply who he is.
A Calling Years in the Making
Here’s something you might not know about Matt: this journey to the National Guard actually started long before he ever arrived in the High Peaks. “I grew up around a lot of veterans within my family, community, and my church, and felt called to service from a young age and enrolled in JROTC in high school and ROTC in college,” he shares. “In 2012, I tried to enlist while I was in college, but medical restrictions at the time prevented me from doing so.”
Fast forward a few years. Those medical restrictions had cleared up, and Matt was working as a patroller at Stowe when he met some folks who told him about an opportunity. “The Vermont Army National Guard has a dedicated mountain infantry company based out of the Army’s mountain warfare school in Jericho, Vermont,” Matt explains. “When I worked as a patroller at Stowe, I met some coworkers who served in this unit and spoke very highly of their experience. I was deeply intrigued by the opportunity to serve my country on skis!”
It All Connects
When Matt talks about joining the National Guard, that every piece of his life has been building toward this. “My experience working in the outdoor industry over the last 8 years led directly to my decision to join,” he says. “Working in this industry has taught me how to ski at an advanced level, required me to maintain a variety of medical certifications, and provided the opportunity to lead young adults in backcountry settings. All of which played a role in my decision to enlist as a combat medic.”
But it goes even deeper than skills and certifications. The way Matt leads his crews on the trails? That’s the same leadership he’ll bring to his Guard unit. “As the lead recreation ranger for HPA, my job requires leadership of crews in the field, which involves holding our work to a high standard and keeping up morale when times get rough,” he explains. “High Peaks Alliance has an unwavering commitment to the people of our region, and there is certainly a high degree of overlap with the guard’s commitment to service in New England and abroad.”
And then there’s this gem of wisdom from someone who’s spent countless hours in mud, rain, and unpredictable mountain weather: “The ability to thrive in uncomfortable and unconventional settings is essential in trail work and will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable skill in a military setting.” If you’ve ever worked a trail day with Matt, you know exactly what he means.
Why He Does I All
You might be wondering: How does someone already juggling ski patrol, EMT training, trail work, and search and rescue decide to add National Guard service to the mix? The answer is pretty simple, really.
“Service to others is personally fulfilling to me and gives me a sense of purpose,” Matt says. “Being able to do so in a setting that both challenges me and offers avenues of personal growth is very intriguing to me.”
Sure, it’s a lot to balance. Matt doesn’t sugarcoat that. “Balancing all these responsibilities has been tough,” he admits. “However, the cross-pollination of skills and experiences acquired in all of these roles will make me a much more well-rounded outdoor steward.” Leave it to Matt to see the silver lining – and to be absolutely right about it.
What’s Next
Between now and August 2026, Matt will be doing weekend drills to prepare for the longer training ahead. “Leading up to basic training, our drills have been focused on physical fitness, land navigation with map and compass, radio operation, drill & ceremony, and more,” he explains. But here’s a cool fact: “The preliminary training offered by the guard often results in higher rates of honor graduates than their active duty counterparts.” Knowing Matt, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him in that honor graduate group.
What really excites Matt, though, is what he’ll bring back to our community. “I hope to become a much more skilled first responder, leader, and overall more resilient individual,” he says. And get this: “Serving in a mountain battalion, I am excited to become proficient with high-angle rope systems, rock and ice climbing, and a better backcountry skier.” Imagine the trail projects we’ll be able to tackle with those skills!
A Community That Shows Up
When we asked Matt about the support he’s received, you could hear the gratitude in his voice. “First of all, Brent has been very supportive of me taking this path,” he says. “I am greatly appreciative of HPA’s flexibility in allowing my sabbatical as well as ski patrol’s flexibility with my schedule to accommodate my weekend drills leading up to basic training.”
When Matt looks back on what he and the team have accomplished together, there’s real pride there. “I am very proud of the development of the High Peaks Recreation Ranger program and the deep relationships we are forming with the Bureau of Parks and Lands, as well as partner organizations within the High Peaks Initiative, such as RLHT and MH&T.” That legacy isn’t going anywhere. It’s something we’ll all keep building on, even while he’s away.
What can you do while Matt’s preparing for this next chapter? His answer is wonderfully straightforward: “Volunteer! You don’t have to wait for a sanctioned volunteer day to get out there and help our trails. Take some loppers or a folding saw with you when you hike!”
And if you want to be part of something bigger: “Reach out to us to jump on one of our volunteer trail work days! We have 4 on our calendar but are hoping to offer more.”
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Matt reminds us every day that service doesn’t stop at the trailhead. It’s in how we show up for each other, for these mountains, and for our community. As he embarks on this new chapter, we hope you’ll join us in keeping that spirit alive. Whether you volunteer, become a member, or just grab those loppers on your next hike – every bit helps. Ready to get involved?
