Waitsfield, Mad River
Glen (Pop. 1,422): Waitsfield
is the commercial center of Mad River Valley, a resort and recreation
area of quiet and uncommon beauty. Route 100 travels through the
town's tasteful center where shops and restaurants now occupy
buildings which held mills, meeting houses and private homes in an
earlier time.
Mad River Glen
is in Waitsfield, and
Sugarbush
is in
Warren, 5 miles to the south. And, there are five ski touring centers
in the area, offering cross-country skiing. In March, there is the Annual NATO Telemark Festival at Mad River
Glen.
The Mad River, which gives the valley its delightful name, offers a
serene setting for fishing, swimming and canoeing during the warmer
months. The valley is 
nestled between two mountain ranges, the Green
Mountains to the west and Roxbury Range to the east. And hikers enjoy
outstanding views from on or near The Long
Trail.
Also during the warmer months, The Green Mountain Cultural Center presents a series of summer
concerts, and The Valley Players produce three or four plays in its
theater during July and August.
In short, this is one beautiful place Summer, Fall, or Winter. Whether
you spend a vacation here or just stop by for lunch and shopping,
you'll be glad you did!
Warren (1,172),
East Warren: Blink and you'd miss Warren, and that would be a big
loss. The tiny town that is literally a bend in the road just off Route
100 has a major presence in the state
for two big reasons - Sugarbush
Resort and Warren's spectacular Independence Day
celebration. "May
The Fourth Be With You," is the way one Warren quipster puts it on
his website.
Warren closes its roads for the Fourth of July to accommodate a
parade and associated hijinks that draw thousands to the celebration
every year. Come early, and prepare to park your car outside the town.
A shuttle bus will drive you to the scene of the action.
The Sugarbush Ski Area serves as the centerpiece for downhill and
cross country skiing as well as the restaurants, inns and sports
facilities that surround this full-service resort. You'll find them
listed in our Lodging and Restaurant pages.
The Sugarbush-Warren Airport hosts the annual Fall Wave Soaring
Encampment each October, and offers glider lessons and sightseeing
flights daily throughout the warmer months. And the enterprising Phantom Theater not only offers plays at the Odd
Fellows Hall each summer but theater workshops for adults at the Town
Hall and summer classes in theater skills for children.
Incidentally, Warren has a great general store. Enjoy!
Granville, Lower Granville (Pop. 309): You could call Granville, "The
Real Vermont" Located in this quiet town on the White River is a
store offering the area's largest selection of Vermont-made products
while a nearby factory/shop is the state's largest manufacturer of
wooden products.
Traveling north from Granville on Route 100 (toward Warren) you'll
soon encounter an impressive natural phenomenon commonly known as the Granville Gulf
(Granville Gulf State Reservation). Don't let the formal name fool
you. This is a seven mile stretch of untouched wilderness - most definitely
worth driving through. However, drive carefully. Route 100 is a
two-lane winding road in the Gulf. And yes, "a river runs through
it" - The Mad River - and it flows NORTH. And you'll pass Moss
Glen Falls, on your left when heading north. Can't miss it! In winter,
it's many times a place of black ice, and although still beautiful
(with it's frozen waterfall), downright treacherous at times. It's
also been said to sometimes host the coldest temperatures in the State
of Vermont. Take our word for it - it's best to travel the Gulf during
Summer or Fall!
The Area:
Unquestionably one of Vermont's most scenic areas, not to mention
diverse in both type of terrain and its offerings. It is truly
beautiful, with much to do, regardless of season. However, in winter,
this is paradise for skiers, as 
