Mad River Valley
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Tucked between the Green Mountains and a spur called the Worcester Range, the Mad River Valley is Vermont’s own Shangri-La, a magical valley of white steeples and red barns against a backdrop of omnipresent peaks. The river is named for the fact that, unlike most rivers in North America, it flows south to north, and is therefore crazy or “mad.” The sobriquet extends to the character of the surrounding community, a quirky mix of farmers, artists, and ex-urbanites that calls to mind the live-and-let-live attitude of an episode of Northern Exposure.
The valley is anchored by two villages, Waitsfield and Warren, which both date back to Revolutionary times and together boast a formidable collection of historic buildings. But the area isn’t a set-piece. Its two world-class ski resorts, Mad River Glen and Sugarbush, are only the beginning of an absurd number of outdoor activities pursued with vigor by the townsfolk all year round.
© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.