Vermont Made, World Class: Announcing Our Partnership with Ben Ogden
Ben Ogden Competes in 2nd World Cup Event in Trondheim Norway
In Vermont, the forests define us. They shape our landscapes, they provide the timber for the floors we craft, and for athletes like Ben Ogden, they provide the training ground that builds world-class resilience.
We are thrilled to announce that Vermont Plank Flooring is now the Official Headgear Sponsor for U.S. Cross Country Ski Team member and Vermont native, Ben Ogden.
If you follow Nordic skiing, you already know Ben. He is an electric talent on snow, recently making history by securing the best-ever overall finish by an American man in the Tour de Ski. But before he was competing on the world stage, he was a kid growing up in the woods of Southern Vermont, learning the value of hard work, patience, and community.
A Shared Heritage: The Woodworker’s Son
Our decision to support Ben wasn’t just about putting a logo on a hat; it was about a shared DNA.
During a recent visit to our mill, Ben fit right in—not just as a guest, but as someone who understands the craft. Growing up with a father who was a woodworker, Ben understands that nothing lasting happens overnight. He knows that whether you are milling a wide plank of White Oak or training for a World Cup sprint, the secret lies in the details.
Watching my dad work with wood showed me what patience and skill look like," Ben told us while touring the mill. "Every board takes time, care, and precision. In a way, that’s just like skiing—progress happens slowly, but if you stay focused, you build something strong and lasting."
Ben feeding lamella into the Engineered Press
From the Mill to the Mountain
There is a rhythm to life in Vermont that connects our work to Ben’s sport. We see a distinct parallel between the lines we cut here at the mill and the lines Ben carves into the snow.
- Precision: Just as our sawyers carefully inspect the grain to maximize the character of a log, Ben analyzes every turn and transition of a race course.
- Resilience: Our timber is hardened by cold Vermont winters, making it durable and dense. Similarly, Ben’s endurance was forged on these same rugged, uphill trails.
- Stewardship: We are committed to using our forests responsibly so they remain for future generations. For Ben, those forests are his office, his gym, and his sanctuary.
Mark Tarmy & Ben Ogden in the Vermont Plank Mill
It Takes a Village
Ben has said that "it takes a village to raise a ski racer." From the local coaches to the neighbors cheering him on, his success is a community effort.
At Vermont Plank Flooring, we are honored to be a part of that village. When you see Ben on the podium or catching his breath after a grueling hill climb, take a look at his hat. You’ll see our name, but what it really represents is a piece of home traveling with him.
We are proud to stand behind Ben as he takes a piece of Vermont heritage to the biggest stages in the world.
Good luck this season, Ben!
Ben Ogden Races in Trondheim
