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NORdic

There is simply no better way to experience winter in Vermont than cross-country skiing and the options in and around the Mad River Valley are endless. We recommend just a few of the highlights below, but this hardly scratches the surface. 

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Ole's XC

Our immediate neighbors, Ole’s XC offers over 30km of groomed trails for skate and XC alike. The nearest trail to Madbush Falls, the Folsom Brook Trail, actually comes within a few hundred feet of Madbush Falls itself just upstream on Folsom Brook and crosses in front of the Bundy Modern, which is an art museum in the summertime. The open fields offer big views of the Monroe Skyline (Mt Abraham, Lincoln Peak, Mt Ellen and General Stark Mountain) to the west and the Northfield mountains to the east.

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Blueberry Lake XC

Five minutes from Madbush Falls is the family-run Blueberry Lake XC, offering 35K groomed skate, XC and snowshoe trails. What’s so special about the Mad River Valley is that something only a few minutes away can be so far off of the beaten path. With a mix of wooded trails and open fields, Blueberry Lake makes for a great day outing–and it’s dog friendly, which is unusual for groomed XC centers.

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Rikert outdoor center

One of the world’s best XC and skate centers is 30 minutes away, just over Middlebury Gap. Rikert has trained national champions and generations of family skiers with over 55KM of groomed trails at Middlebury College’s incredible Breadloaf campus. Snowmaking and an FIS-certified race course attract racers from all over the world. Rikert is a mecca for XC skiing!

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Catamount trail

No matter where you are in Vermont, you’re near the Catamount Trail, because it runs the whole length of the state. Here in the valley, section 18 and section 19 offer very different experiences. Section 18 starts nearby on Lincoln Gap, you can access it by skiing up Lincoln Gap Rd, or find the mellower parts of it on the Sugarbush Golf Course.  Section 19 descends near Appalachian Gap up above the Mad River Glen Base area and leads to some steeper and deeper backcountry options.

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Enchanted Forest

If you ride bikes in the warm seasons, you’re familiar with Enchanted Forest. At a lower speed in the winter, Enchanted Forest truly feels enchanted, snowed in under huge pine and hemlock trees.  Park at the Howe Block trailhead on Tucker Hill Rd and head out and back on Enchanted Forest.  To see a map of the trail, check out Trailforks

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HOURS:

Friday: 8-10am | 3-9pm (Bar 'til 10)

Saturday: 7-10am | 3-9pm (Bar 'til 10)

Sunday: 7-1pm | 3-9pm

Monday: 8-10 | 4-5pm Bar & Snacks | 5-9pm Full Menu

Tuesday: 4-5pm Bar & Snacks | 5-9pm Full Menu

Wednesday: 4-5pm Bar & Snacks | 5-9pm Full Menu

Thursday: 8-10am | 4-5pm Bar & Snacks | 5-9pm Full Menu

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CONTACT

7575 Main St
Waitsfield VT 05673
802 496-7575
info@madbushfalls.com

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Copyright © 2025 Madbush Falls. Website by Pinnacle Media.

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