Winter
The Mad River Valley truly comes alive in the winter, with soaring white-capped peaks, deep snow banks lining the roads, Holsteins steaming in the fields, and orange-pink alpenglow coloring the western Northfield Mountains as the sun goes down. Each winter, skiers and riders discover a piece of Vermont that's remained true to its roots. Independent and inspiring. Rugged and relaxed. Why? It could be two mountains of the best skiing and riding in the East. Maybe it's the Green Mountain landscape--grand, pristine, beautiful. Maybe it's the welcoming communities of the Mad River Valley--people who are spirited, independent, and in love with their surroundings. Whatever the reason, Sugarbush will stay with you.
Long after you've gone.
Why should you ski and ride Sugarbush? How about 54 miles of the East's best natural terrain, 2,600 vertical feet cascading from two of Vermont's highest peaks and 111 trails that offer everything from wide-open groomers to the legendary steeps of Castlerock. There are acres of gladed terrain as well as terrain parks and features. It's all served by 16 lifts (including five express quads) to ensure that you spend more time enjoying the good stuff.
Adventure skiing guru John Egan has skied all over the world, but chooses to make Sugarbush his home. He also happens to lead the Sugarbush Ski + Ride School and Adventure Learning Center. John and his staff of ski and snowboard pros will help you reach your goals, whether you want to link turns, achieve a faster time through the gates, prepare for a wilderness trip or anything in between. Private and group lessons are available.
Looking for a quieter way to enjoy the winter woods? Snowshoeing allows you get into the woods with virtually no learning curve. Sugarbush is a Tubbs Snowshoe Rental Center, with snowshoe rentals available at the Guest Service Kiosk at Lincoln Peak, and at the Guest Service Desk in the Mount Ellen Base Lodge. A variety of marked trails and guided tours are available. Cross-country skiing gives you another great way to enjoy the serenity of the Valley in winter. Two full-service cross-country ski centers are located just minutes from Sugarbush, and offer rentals, lessons, snacks, and groomed trails. Rentals are also available at a variety of local sports shops.
If you prefer ice skating, a public outdoor rink is located on the Mad River Green in Waitsfield, and offers rentals, open ice time, and pick-up hockey games. Many ponds throughout the Valley are shoveled off during the winter to make natural skating rinks. Just ask! Or for a real rush, hop on a snowmobile and sample some of Vermont's thousands of miles of maintained trails.
For those who want a slower pace, horse-drawn sleighs rides are available at a number of local farms. Jingle your way through the woods, and enjoy spectacular scenery and perhaps some hot apple cider back at the barn.
Finally, when the days get longer and the sap starts to flow in the sugarbush (a stand of maple sugar trees, from which Sugarbush takes its name), it's sugaring-off time. Visit a local sugarhouse and sample sugar-on-snow--boiling hot maple syrup poured over corn snow to form a deliciously sticky toffee.
