Mad River Glen

Posted

Pros: Terrain, vibe, value

Cons: Like pre modern, weather dependant

Mad River Glen is a unique experience. It is kind of an eastern Alta in terms of feel - nothing modern, very local, friendly, no snowboards, no terrain park. It is probably more accurate to say Alta is a western MRG.

 

What Mad River has - terrific terrain - steep and beautiful, absolutely classic trails that wind down the mountains; little bumps, medium bumps, and giant bumps but not like Killington's Outer Limits - these are bumps that no one built other than by skiing and following the trail; a single chair that is unique itself; good prices including some great value days; no snowboarders; very little grooming; very little snowmaking; more terrain for beginners and low intermediates than you might expect

 

What Mad River sometimes has - long lines (see single chair); bare spots (in late and early season these can be much more than spots they can be take your skis off and walk 50 feet area); the highest "whoopie" factor of any ski area I've been too; rocks; streams and waterfalls that, depending on the season and snow depth you ski over, jump over, or try to stop and walk around. It is a great place when there is lots of snow for anyone who can negotiate natural conditions and a tremendous place for having fun once you can manage to get around. I even love it on closing day when there are bands, barbeques, streams across the trails, mud, hikes, ice, slush, and lots of fun.

Posted

Pros: Vibe, terrain, woods

Cons: lift lines

It seems like there is a Mad River Glen "Ski it if You Can" bumper sticker on most of the trash cans at Jackson Hole.  There's a reason -- Mad River is the eastern cousin of the legendary Teton resort.  

 

Not much here for beginners, but MRG delivers the goods for experts.  You want steeps?  Try Paradise, with mandatory air over a frozen waterfall.  Want extreme terrain?  You're surrounded by it.  Want bumps?  Minimal grooming and almost non-existent snow making mean they are big and plentiful.  Want trees?  There may be no better place to ski 'em (but you'll need to follow an insider to find the entrances to the best stuff).

 

MRG isn't just for the experts though -- some great intermediate terrain on the right side of the mountain. 

 

The only downside is also an upside -- the single chair.  Yes, it limits skier traffic and preserves the throwback vibe.  However, it leads to LONG lines winding around the base area.  That limits the runs you can get on a powder day.  

 

I haven't skied another place with a vibe like Mad River.  It's skier owned and shareholders are committed to preserving the Mad River Glen of the 1950s.  The base area is basic Yankee.  No snowboarders to scrape the freshies.  

 

Net, net on a powder day, there's no place east of Jackson that I'd rather ski.  

Posted

Pros: co-op ski area, old-time Vermont feel, no snowborders

Cons: difficult conditions, need a dumping for great skiing

It's hard not to like Mad River. The local feel of the place fits right into Vermont culture. Plus, the single chair, lower lift prices and all their gimicky days to lower prices even more (ex: Roll Back the Clock day when prices are the same as the first year Mad River was open (this year it was $3.50 a ticket!!!). There is a reason the slogan is "ski it if you can". The conditions aren't always great because there's no snowmaking and little grooming. That being said, it's located in an area of the Green Mtns that regularly gets dumped oIt's hard not to like Mad River. The local feel of the place fits right into Vermont culture. Plus, the single chair, lower lift prices and all their gimicky days to lower prices even more (ex: Roll Back the Clock day when prices are the same as the first year Mad River was open (this year it was $3.50 a ticket!!!). There are a few different chair lifts, all operate at old fashioned speeds so you need to be patient. This also means there are less crouds skiing at once, so it all works out nicely. There is a reason the slogan is "ski it if you can". The conditions aren't always great because there's no snowmaking and little grooming. That being said, it's located in an area of the Green Mtns that regularly gets dumped on. It may be tougher for beginner skiers, but there are green and blue trails (note - blue trails can be treacherous when conditions are tough). Overall it's a great little mountain!

Posted

Pros: Terrain, ambiance, value, spirit

Mad River Glen is a classic mountain in every sense of the word.  No high-speed quads, no night skiing, and no snowboarders allowed, what is lacks in modern comforts it makes up for in character.

I've been skiing Mad River Glen since I could stand, and it has always been an incredibly friendly, warm mountain.  The terrain is far from easy, but that's why the mountain proudly wears the "Mad River Glen Ski it if You Can" motto.  In fact, just to be safe several of the trails have experienced "marker inflation" over the past 10 years: Eaton's Run used to be a green circle, Perwinkle Bowl and Lower Antalope used to be blue squares, etc.  If you are uncomfortable skiing ice, hay, moss and rocks, this probably isn't your ideal place.  Additionally, if you pick your ski resorts for the "Apres Ski" rating rather than the "Actually Skiing" ratings, you'll want to look elsewhere.

But for those who understand the beauty of Mad River know that all the oddities are exactly what makes it so appealing.  Everything from the Cooperative (the mountain is owned by the very skiers who frequent it), the minimal snow making and grooming, the Single Chair and the no Snowboards policy -- these are what give the mountain its character.  Love it or leave it.

Finally, this is an excerpt from a review on the magazine which describes the mountain quite well:

In December 2007 a lift will open at Mad River Glen in Vermont. It will be the main chair. It will be unique. It will look almost like the lift that preceded it, the only re-engineered single chair in America. Possibly
the world. It will cost $1.5 million. For $1 million, Mad River could have had a completely modern double chair. But that is not what Mad River skiers wanted.

Posted

Pros: difficult terrain, old style amenities

Cons: not family friendly

Mad River Glen is legendary for its unique approach to skiing and everything that surrounds it. Among all the corporate super resorts, MRG is an anachronism. When I spoke with the ski school director, he said to me, "This place is as much a museum as it is a ski area. This is what New England skiing was 50 years ago." That's the best description I've ever heard. Narrow, winding trails, a near total lack of snowmaking and grooming, and a base lodge that is little more than a shack with a little kitchen cooking up the basics. But it's just about the best place I've ever skied. The terrain is as challenging as anything you can find anywhere in New England. Because of the (deservedly) intimidating reputation of this mountain, the mountain is almost exclusively populated by experts. That give a sense of camraderie and community that just doesn't exist in other base lodges. You can strike up a conversation with anybody about what's good today, how certain trails are skiing, and whatever else you want to chat about. At the end of my last day there, one of the kitchen workers came up and gave out the pizza they hadn't sold, because she'd rather see somebody enjoy it than throw it in the trash. If you're going to go to Mad River, you had better be sure that you really know what you're doing. If you're good enough for it, there's no place better to find what the heart of skiing really is.

Posted

Pros: wild

Cons: wild

The single chair...  the scarce use of groomers...  the abundance of midfat and fat skis...  ice...  bumps...  no snowboards allowed...  Not a great place for beginners or intermediate skiers or anyone that can't stand moguls.  It can be a lot of work if the conditions are not tip-top.

Mad River Glen
Description:

Located on General Stark Mountain, Mad River Glen is famous for its expert terrain and the nation's last surviving single chairlift. Mad River usually opens on or about December 15 and closes around April 15. The actual opening date depends on snowfall, and can happen as early as Thanksgiving week. Mad River's unique and extensive trail system descends down General Stark Mountain following the natural contours of the mountain. The original developers of Mad River Glen worked with nature to create a ski area that is now recognized for the best ski terrain in New England. The mountain's huge natural snowfall, northern exposure, and bowl shape work together to create a ski area that holds snow like no other. The main lodge at Mad River Glen is called The Basebox. It is a classic, rustic ski lodge offering two dining options. The cafeteria offers a wide range of homemade food. General Stark's Pub is a New England skiing tradition - a place to unwind after a hard day on the slopes. A relaxed place where you can get a bit of Mad River conviviality along with a selection of hardy food. The Thompson Family since 1949, one of Mad River's legends, has operated the Basebox restaurants

Details:
DetailValue
Snow making percent15%
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Magic carpet
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Rope tow
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Poma
Lifts-Surface Lifts-T bar
Lifts-Surface Lifts-J bar
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Single1
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Double3
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Triple
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Quad
Lifts-Chair Lifts-High speed quad
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Five person
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Six person
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Eight person
Lifts-Gondola
Lifts-Tram
Lifts-Coggle train
Lifts-Funicular
Lifts-Other
Lifts-Total number of lifts
Lifts-Total lift capacity3574/hr.
Trails-1-Beginner30%
Trails-2-Intermediate30%
Trails-3-Advanced40%
Trails-4-Expert only
Trails-5-Terrain park
Trails-6-Half pipe
Trails-Total45
Runs-Steepest run
Runs-Longest run
General-Base elevation1600'
General-Vertical drop2037'
General-Owner
General-Mountain range
General-Annual skier visits
General-Back country access
General-Total area in bounds915 acres
General-Snow making coverage
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
arrow_down.png TRAIL MAP arrow_down.png CONDITIONS arrow_down.png TRANSPORTATION arrow_down.png LODGING arrow_down.png DINING arrow_down.png MORE

Trail Map
Trail Map
2003_large_map.jpg

eacd63b8_1000x500px-c49982ed_heading_conditions.png
Conditions
Average annual snowfall: 250"
Exposure is northeast and east

Transportation
Transportation
AIR TRANSPORTATION

Burlington International Airport

JETBlue, US Airways, Continental, United and Delta.
Major car rental agencies are available at the airport

 
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
 

Amtrak(800-USA-RAIL):

Waterbury-Stowe Station

 

By car:

From Burlington, Montreal and Points North
Take I - 89 South to Exit 10, the Stowe/Waterbury exit.
Bear Right off the exit ramp to the stop sign. Turn Left on to Route 2 South. Proceed through Waterbury Village and go over the bridge. Make a Right on to Route 100 South. Proceed about 7 Miles to the Stop Sign. Turn Right and continue on Route 100 South. Follow Route 100 to the Village of Waitsfield. Go Right on to Route 17 West just past The Den Restaurant. Go 5 miles up Route 17 West to Mad River Glen.

 

From Boston
Take I - 93 North to Concord, NH. Get on I -8 9 North Go all the way through West Lebanon, NH and over the bridge into Vermont. Get off I - 89 at Exit 9, the Middlesex exit. At the end of the highway ramp Go Left. Cross under I - 89 to the stop sign. Go Left on Route 2 East. Make Right on to Route 100B. Take 100B through Moretown Village and over the stone bridge. Route 100B turns into Route 100 South a mile outside of Moretown Village. Follow Route 100 to the Village of Waitsfield. Go Right on to Route 17 West just past The Den Restaurant. Go 5 miles up Route 17 West to Mad River Glen.

 

From New York
            I-84, I-91, I-89 Route
Take I - 84 East to Hartford, CT. Get on I - 91 North. Proceed on I -91 North through Springfield, MA and on into Vermont. Get on I - 89 in White River Junction. Get off I - 89 at Exit 9, the Middlesex exit. At the end of the highway ramp Go Left. Cross under I - 89 to the stop sign. Go Left on Route 2 East. Go 1/2 Mile then Make Right on to Route 100B. Take 100B through Moretown Village and over the stone bridge. Route 100B turns into Route 100 South a mile outside of Moretown Village. Follow Route 100 to the Village of Waitsfield. Go Right on to Route 17 West just past The Den Restaurant. Go 5 miles up Route 17 West to Mad River Glen
             Alternate New York Thruway Route
Take I - 87, The New York Thruway to Albany, NY. Stay on I - 87 North (The Northway) following signs to Montreal. (Not I-90 West to Buffalo) Go to Exit 20, one of the several Glens Falls exits. Get on Route 149 East. Proceed through Fort Ann and Whitehall, NY on into Vermont. Route 149 East turns into Route 4 East. Take Route 4 into Rutland, VT following it through the city center. Follow Route 4 past the Pico ski area and over Sherburne Pass. After heading down the back side of the pass get on Route 100 North. Proceed approximately 40 miles through the towns of Pittsford, Rochester, Hancock, Granville, and Warren and on to Waitsfield. Go Left on Route 17 West. Go 5 miles up Route 17 West to Mad River Glen.

Lodging
Lodging
 
Name Description Maximum Occupancy Price Range

MRG Lodging Guide

Throughout the Valley.

 

Motel Rooms, B&B, Condos, Private homes, Hostels Varies Varies

Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce Lodging directory

 

More properties through out the valley Varies Varies
       
       
       

REAL ESTATE
 
 
DEALS
 
WHAT'S NEW
Become a steward of the soul of skiing: join the Mad River Glen Co-op
 
ACTIVITIES
 
If Alpine and Nordic skiing isn't enough click HERE
 
SERVICES

Alpine Ski School

 

Telemark Programs

 

Equipment Rental

 

Daycare

 

 

GOOD, BETTER, BEST
Good: Skier owned mountain dedicated to sport, not profit. The Mad River Glen Co-op
Better: Skiing (and I do mean skiing only) the way it was and always will be: Ski it if you can.
Best: 800 acres of boundary-to-boundary tree skiing.