Things To Do in Mad River Valley
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Mad River Valley Attractions
A unique way to explore the region is atop an Icelandic pony. The Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm (tel. 802/496-7141; www.icelandichorses.com), on North Fayston Road in Waitsfield (turn west off Rte. 100 near the airport), specializes in tours on these small, sturdy horses. Full- and half-day rides are available daily, but to really appreciate both the countryside and the horses, sign up for a multiday trek, ranging from 1 to 5 nights and including lodging at area inns, all meals, your mount, and a guide to lead you through the lush hills around Waitsfield and Warren. In winter, try skijoring, best described as like water-skiing behind a horse. Call the farm for latest pricing information or to make reservations.
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Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen is at once the radical dude and the Zen master of Vermont's skiing universe -- a place whose motto is still "Ski it if you can!" High-speed detachable quad chairs? Forget it; up until 2007, the main lift here was a 1948 single-chairlift that slowly creaked its way a… - Cooking Class
Sugarbush
Now more than a half-century old, Sugarbush is a fine intermediate-to-advanced ski resort comprising several mountains linked by a long, high-speed chairlift that crosses several ridges. (A shuttle bus offers a warmer way to traverse the hills, and the resort also recently acquired a…
Mad River Valley Shopping
The attractive Warren General Store (tel. 802/496-3864) anchors the little village of Warren, once a timber town but now the de facto headquarters for legions of quiet-loving Mad River skiers and cyclists. Set along a stream, the store has uneven floorboards, a potbellied stove, and merchandise updated for the 21st century, including a good selection of sandwiches (with cute names like the "Turkey Tumble" and the "Pestopalooza"), gourmet foods, and wines. It's a very popular spot for bicycle riders to assemble and nosh pre-, mid-, or post-ride. Get coffee or sandwich at the back deli counter, and then enjoy it on the deck overlooking the water. The store is in Warren Village, just off Route 100 south of the Sugarbush Access Road. It's open Monday to Saturday to 7pm, Sundays to 6pm.
