THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOTEL AND AN ADVENTURE LODGE

A lot of people have asked me (Jonny Adler, Founder) what the difference is between Madbush Falls and any other hotel. It’s a great question, one that I asked myself continuously over the last 3 years as Madbush Falls went from a spark of an idea to the place it is today. We’re hardly the first cool hotel in an amazing spot. Skiing has been around Vermont for 90 years (Suicide Six opened in 1934), and so has apres ski culture. There are bike shops and hotels and camping spots near enough to trailheads, So really, what’s the difference?

The first place I go when asked this question is to list off the amazing attributes and amenities of Madbush Falls. It’s 10 minutes from Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, on the free shuttle bus route! It’s right across from such an expansive trail network and central to Vermont’s best riding! We have an amazing swimming (and maybe skating?) pond! And Riders Outpost is a full ski and bike shop! And the food is what you want after a big day! And that waterfall!

All of that is true, but what makes an adventure lodge isn’t any one of these things. It’s helping our guests put together the adventure that’s right for each of you, by sharing the right knowledge, gear and logistical support with you to make your day outside in Vermont the best as it can be. The bed, the beer, and the short rib poutine afterward are just part of the reward.

Enter our newest solution: the Ultimate Gear Closet: for $99/day, you can choose any gear in Riders Outpost demo fleet: skis, snowboards, backcountry touring equipment, fat bikes, XC skis, and snowshoes. In other words, you show up with just you, you ask what’s good that day, and then we set you up with everything you need to make it happen.

This is especially useful for Vermont winters. Sure, we show the bluebird pow shots on our website (like this beauty from the Green Mountain Spine), but the truth is, Vermont is known for all kinds of variable weather in the winter.  So if you come visit for a few days, one day could be sunny and soft and perfect for riding chairs at Sugarbush or Mad River Glen, one day could be blustery and cold, perfect for ski touring at Brandon Gap or XC Skiing at neighboring Ole’s XC and one day could be crunchy and just right for fat biking at Blueberry Lake.

Knowing what to do and having the right gear to do it? That’s what you get at an adventure lodge that you just can’t get at a regular old hotel. And, of course, the beer and short rib poutine.

Come down to the shop, we love sharing local knowledge to help you put together the right adventure for each day of your stay, and we love even more outfitting you in the right gear to make it possible! Book your stay now, and be sure to include the Ultimate Gear Closet package if you want to take advantage of having all of the toys you can possibly play with at your fingertips!