Come enjoy the Mad River Valley and all it has to offer! Try a canoe trip down the river, a hike on the Long Trail, a round of golf at the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course at Sugarbush Golf Club, or just grab a lunch and drive up to the top of the Appalachian Gap and enjoy the views. Whatever the season, the valley has something for everyone.
Activities
Downhill Skiing:
- Mad River Glen (great atmosphere if you are up for the challenge), one mile up Route 17. Ski It If You Can!
- Sugarbush Ski Resort, three miles from The Battleground. A great family mountain for skiers and snowboarders alike.
- Stowe is approximately 45 minutes away on Route 100 North. A perennial favorite just up the road.
Backcountry Skiing:
Cross-country Skiing:
- Ole’s Cross Country Ski Center
- Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center
- Trapp Family Lodge Cross Country Ski Center
- Rikert Nordic Center
Hiking:
- Property borders Catamount Trails for hiking and snowshoeing. Two-mile hike to beaver pond worth the trip. Trails connect to the Long Trail.
- Camels Hump is a full day hike. Camel’s Hump, which actually is shaped like a camel’s hump ranks among the tallest Vermont mountains at 4,083 feet. You can hike to the top of Camel’s Hump during the summer and fall. The views from the summit are amazing any season. On a clear day you can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Adirondacks in New York.
- The valley floor offers a chain of walking trails along the Mad River and through the cornfields. Many of these trails make up the Mad River Path. These trails are both scenic and a great place to walk or have your daily run.
Ice Skating:
- The Skatium located off Route 100 is open for ice skating seven days a week and offers night skating under the lights as well. Skate rentals are available.
Other activities include:
- Paddling and Kayaking in the Mad River and Mill Brook locally or Waterbury Reservoir. Clearwater Sports offers rentals and group tours/adventures. Clearwater also offers snowshoe and ski demos and rentals.
- The town swimming hole is located on Route 100 across from American Flatbread.
- The Big Picture Theater offers movies, lectures and events in a theater setting as well as bands, open mic, wireless internet, full bar and menu in the café.
- Farmers Market on the commons in Waitsfield every Saturday in the spring, summer and fall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Spoil yourself with a visit to Mad River Massage for a day of relaxation and pampering.
Events
- The Skinner Barn is a historic barn that has been lovingly restored to its’ original splendor. Along with weddings and parties The Skinner Barn hosts summer dances as well as Broadway Cabarets and Theater Productions.
- The summer also boasts the Vermont Festival of the Arts in the month of August. This festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year with events ranging from the culinary arts, musical arts to pen and ink sketches hosted in a barn gallery.
- The Mad River Valley hosts the Warren 4th of July Parade. A must see for any visitor to the valley.
- Annual bike racing events including the Green Mountain Stage Race over Labor Day Weekend. The races travel throughout the Mad River Valley and up and over the Green Mountains. Our valley has become a haven for bike enthusiasts and hopes to host more biking events.
Restaurants:
- Mad River Barn
- The Blue Stone
- Tucker Hill Inn
- The Hyde Away Inn: Friendly, comfortable farmstead haven, circa 1824, with full service restaurant and tavern. Casual dining 4 – 10 pm daily, fresh New American cuisine, Vermont micro-brews on tap, free WiFi, a cozy fire in the winter, pool table.
- The Mad Taco
- Peasant
- Sage
- The Big Picture Cafe
- American Flatbread: Open every Friday and Saturday for dinner. Fun for both adults and kids. No reservations, but get there an hour before you actually want to eat so you can enjoy the bonfire as well as art related activities in the adjacent barn.
- Rumble’s Kitchen
- Chez Henri: Great Sunday brunch. Quaint casual French atmosphere.
- 275 Main (The Pitcher Inn): Elegant dining on the river in the heart of Warren Village.
- Hen of the Wood
Shopping:
- Visit Waitsfield Pottery and The Collection for unique gifts and décor items to take home.
- Groceries can be picked up in town at either Shaw’s or Mehuron’s grocery stores.
- If an ATM is what you are looking for they are located at Northfield Savings and BankNorth, located at Mad River Green in the center of Waitsfield.
- The Warren Store, worth the trip, boasts groceries, a deli and bakery as well as unusual Vermont goods. A must visit for any traveler.
- Cabot Cheese Outlet and Ben and Jerry’s are located in Waterbury to the north.
- Just over the Appalachian Gap you will find the small town of Bristol. Along with the various eateries check out Robert Compton Pottery (Bristol Pottery) and their beautiful works.
- The cities of Shelburne and Burlington are hosts to many restaurants, shops and museums. Enjoy a day at Shelburne Museum or on the Lake at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Stroll on Church Street and enjoy the shops and variety of dining experiences.
Vermont Trivia
- Just 45 minutes to the north you can be on Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain became recognized as the Nation’s Sixth Great Lake on March 5th, 1998 with the signing of a Senate Bill. With the addition of a line item entered by Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Bill made Lake Champlain one of The Great Lakes. Following a small uproar the Bill was rescinded on March 24th. So for 19 days Vermont bordered a Great Lake. If you are visiting the lake you will perhaps get a glimpse of “Champ,” Lake Champlain’s version of the “Loch Ness Monster.”