The Purple Moon Pub (Rte. 100 and Rte. 17, Waitsfield, 802/496-3422, www.purplemoonpub.com) is a big part of the reason for the area’s nickname, the “Bad Liver Valley.” It has plenty of comfy couches for resting sore muscles après-ski or canoe—to say nothing of the specialty list of martinis and a host of other potent libations. It also offers live jazz and folk music throughout the week.

The sophisticated, artsy vibe at Big Picture Theater and Cafe (4648 Carroll Rd., off Rte. 100, 802/496-8948994, www.bigpicturetheater.info, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Wed.–Sun.) makes for one-stop evening fun—cutting-edge movies, film series, and a dinner that happens one hour before your show. (Reservations are recommended.)

To call the weekly music festival/craft fair/gossip session the Mad River Green Farmers’ Market (9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sat. May–Oct.) is giving it short shrift indeed. For many residents, it’s an event to look forward to all week; for visitors, there is perhaps no better way to clue into the communal spirit of the valley than the boisterous event full of craft booths, organic produce from local farms, and stagefuls of folk, Latin, and Celtic musical performers.