Ski Day #27: Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Mad River Glen (Mad River Glen, VT)

For years I have heard fellow shredders talk about the legendary Mad River Glen. They talked about its all-natural snow, its single-chair, and its famous runs through the woods. And for years I have seen the iconic bumper sticker that rippers display as a badge of honor. So I headed up to this funky little place a few weeks ago to see what all the buzz is about and got treated to one of the finest ski days of my life.

The famous bumper sticker.

The view from the parking lot.

When I got out to my car that Friday morning, I saw that we had gotten about 3 inches of snow overnight and it was still snowing. I headed up Rt 17 to the ski area and discovered they had gotten the snow too. One recommendation, listen to Dupree's Diamond Blues from the Grateful Dead's Dozin' at the Knick when driving up, it fits perfectly into the vibe of the place (go to 6:58 of this video to hear it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFhPxDgBHdw).

As I walked up to the base lodge I started to get a little choked up. It is akin to taking your first trip to Wrigley Field or Fenway Park, this is what ski areas should be like. Rising out of the base area are two main lifts, a double chair and a famous single-chair. I skied the single-chair all morning. According to SKI Magazine, anything off of the single-chair gives you bragging rights as most trails are all steep, tight, and filled with moguls. My favorite was Chute which comes down from the summit right under the chair. Its a good place to showboat your skills to chair riders.

I spent most of the afternoon on the double chair. This side of the area is a little more mellow, but doesn't get as many skiers, so the snow was fresher and deeper. 

After killing my quads, I headed back over to the single-chair for one more run, this time in the woods. Mad River is famous for its off-trail skiing, encouraging you to pick your own line through the woods. I was a little hesitant as I was skiing alone, but I jumped into an area just off the summit and caught up to a group of three to follow them through. This unique line was tight but had great snow and it really made you feel like you are a part of the mountain.

At the end of the day, I headed into the bar for a Single Chair Ale made by Magic Hat Brewing Company and a Mad River Glen Lager made by Fiddlehead Brewing Company. I preferred the lager, its not often you see craft lagers, most craft beers are ales.

 The bar post pictures of its faithful holding up the bumper sticker in different spots around the world.

 The fireplace in the bar.

As a New Yorker and Whiteface faithful, I thought it was great that they have a poster from the 1980 Lake Placid Games up.

-Steve

"Born On Ice, Perfect In Powder"

P.S. This wouldn't be a complete post without a comment on the snowboard ban. Unlike Alta which doesn't allow boarders to ride their lifts but does allow them to shred down, Mad River Glen completely outlaws snowboarders. But just as the "rules" differ between the two, so does the attitude. Alta's ban on snowboarders come with a snooty attitude. Mad River Glen, on the other hand, does not have this. I asked a lady in the gift shop why the ban exists and she told me that they used to let snowboarders ride the double chairs, but the lady that owned the area (before it became a cooperative) eventually completely banned it because she just did not like snowboarders, and the rule still exists. This lady also told me that on some nights, snowboarders will hike up and camp out in a cabin at the top and then rip down while skiers are waiting for the lifts to open and that those skiers usually greet the snowboarders with applause. And, just like the bumper sticker that skiers display as a badge of honor, there is one for snowboarders too (I saw it up in the bar). It says "Mad River Glen, Poach It If You Can".