Mad River Valley: You can't ski here in the summer ...unless you can paddle really fast

Vermont Business Magazine, Jul 01, 2005 by Roy, Susan

So, what happens in the Mad River Valley when Sugarbush and Mad River Glen are not open for skiing? There is more to this resort community than skiing. Beginning with the rite of passage from winter to spring, the Vermont Adventure Games and specifically the Sugarbush Triathlon set this community into its Spring mode. Held during the first half of April for the last 27 years, this four-event Triathlon combines winter recreation of Nordic skiing with Springtime endeavors like biking and paddling. In May, birds begin their migration passing through, or moving into, Vermont. With trees bare of leaves for much of May, birding is a fantastic and rewarding MadVenture.

This past year the Sugarbush Chamber of Commerce partnered with Green Mountain Audubon of Vermont, as well as the local birding and trails clubs to bring weekend birding programs to fruition. Guided birdwalks were held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning and a presentation held each Saturday evening on specific bird topics, such as migration, gardening to attract birds and butterflies, etc. With this endeavor the Mad River Valley hopes to begin driving more May weekend overnight lodging business. Now that the template is done and the programs in place, the Valley can launch the May 2006 birding season with gusto.

Probably the single biggest impact on non-winter overnight business is the business of weddings: These "events" bring overnight visitors for, generally, a two night stay. They are not weatherdependant, and the there are multiple "events" held each weekend. In theory, hundreds of overnight visitors are staying, shopping, and dining in the Valley. In reality, each wedding event brings an average of $50,000 into the local economy When calculating average guest counts and their spending patterns. That equates to, millions of dollars in a year into the local economy, rain or shine.

To support that business, the Chamber of Commerce has formed the Mad River Valley Association of Wedding Professionals (NUWP) with the sole purpose of promoting the Mad River Valley as Vermont's premiere wedding/civil union destination. With an award-winning wedding packet, and its companion website, www.VermontWeddings.com, the Valley is well poised to meet its objective. The website is nearing completion of a complete redesign with new and interesting layout and unique features to make planning a wedding/ceremony- whether from afar or locally- a simple and stressfree task.

Other treasured opportunities include the Warren 4th of July (www.Warren4thofjuly.com) and the Vermont Festival of the Arts (www.VermontArtFest.com). Both of these events have been named Top 10 Summer Events by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. These are great events for visitors and locals and ones to be enjoyed year after year. Rounding out the summer opportunities are the Opera Festival, Regional Soaring (glider) Competition, Green Mountain Stage Race, and Mad River Valley Craft Fair. Moving into Autumn we find the Peak Foliage Celebration and the Mad-'o-the-Plaid contest (the search for the plaid that most denotes the Mad River Valley's spirit), and the Fall Display contest.

Can you ski in the Valley in the summer? Probably not, but you can enjoy peaceful paddling on Blueberry Lake, a oftenforgotten gem nestled in this mountainous terrain. If you can paddle fast enough to throw a rooster tail, one might be able to ski. However, I suggest waiting for winter to maximize your skiing enjoyment.