Get Your Gear On! The 31st Waitsfield Ski and Skate Sale is November 13th & 14th

In only two weeks time the annual stick season rite of passage, the Waitsfield Ski and Skate Sale, opens its doors at 9am.   Trusted outdoor retailers such as Nordic Barn, Alpine Ski Shop, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Plymouth Ski and Sport and others will be selling their wares at some of the most competitive prices of the season.  New and used equipment options abound with expert staff on hand to assist the young and old, the beginner or the expert, with their fitting needs. 

Looking to sell your old equipment?  The Sale welcomes new and used gear in good condition that is checked in at Waitsfield Elementary School the Friday before the big sale, from 4 to 7pm.

You can speed up the consignment process by pre-registering your equipment.  Just pick up tags at Waitsfield School on weekdays between 8 and 9am from November 1st through the 12th.  Bring the tags home where you can label and price your gear before simply dropping off the equipment on November 12th between 4 and 7pm. 

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get your gear on!  For additional information and updates join our Waitsfield Ski and Skate Sale Facebook page or call 802 496 3643

Wrench & Ride - The Movie

Wrench & Ride W's Mt. Bike Camp

NEW LOWER PRICES AND PACKAGE OPTIONS!

Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19, 2010

1-Day Camp $140
2-Day Camp $225          
Bike Rental $60/day

Our Women's Wrench & Ride Mountain Bike Camp combines expert advise and coaching with an easy going atmosphere for an instructional experience that is ideal for the woman looking to learn both trail and mechanical skills. Instructors include locals Margo Wade, Audrey Huffman, Melanie Hall, and Meridith McFarland.


Our Cross-Country Camp is best for beginner to intermediate riders, while our Intro to Downhill Camp is best suited to intermediate to advanced riders.


Both camps include daily breakfast and lunch, riding instruction, video analysis, lift tickets, a zipline ride, yoga classes, and mechanical instruction (including how to fix a flat, repair a chain, adjust derailleurs and brakes, and identify and solve some of the mysterious squeaks and creeks coming from your bike).


Cross-Country Camp (some up, some down) - Beginner and intermediate riders are taught the basics of mountain bike handling in the custom-built learning area at the base of Lincoln Peak. Group rides then venture onto the trails surrounding Sugarbush to learn and practice trail-riding techniques, including how to handle climbing and descending, cornering, rock, log and water obstacles, switchbacks and more. A front suspension bike is highly recommended. Bike rentals are offered at a greatly reduced rate.


Intro to Downhill Camp (all down) - For the more experienced rider who wants to explore the world of downhill mountain biking, Intro to Downhill will take you through the ropes of this fast and exciting new sport. Terrain park, pump track and lift-accessed downhill trails will be explored in a safe and comfortable way. A full suspension bike and pads are highly recommended. Rocky Mountain bike rentals (pads included) are offered at a greatly reduced rate.


Join us for one or two days of great mountain biking and go home with new friends, new skills, and new knowledge!


Visit Sugarbush.com or contact Mary Simmons (802) 583-6529 msimmons@sugarbush.com.

Just say "yes"!

NEW BIKE $300
SAFETY PAD RENTAL $15
STEPPED-ON GLASSES $90
LOST BACKPACK $40
W/ CROCS AND H20 BOTTLE $30

RIPPING THRU THE TERRAIN PARK WITH THE BIG BOYS...PRICELESS!!

My little guy is 7, and though he's burly and strong, he can be intimidated by new experiences.  Needless to say the three weeks leading up to the Sugarbush Mt. Bike Adventure Camp was fairly frought with anxiety.   As his growth seemed to be keeping up with the corn growing all around us, it became apparent that a new bike was over-due, so the shopping for, and talking about, the new ride went far in distracting him from his worries.   Nevertheless..... "It'll all be big kids, Mom! "  "No, kiddo.  Charlie's doing it, and Bryn, they're both 7."  "I can't get air in the park, Mom!"  "That's ok.  Everyone's going there to learn."  Though we had these conversations often and with vaying degrees of hysteria, my answers never really seemed to help.   Finally the day arrived.   Boy, backpack, and bike, on-time and ready to ride.  Tentative smiles, nervous bike-riding in circles.  Jitters.  6 hours later I picked up a boy who was all smiles, and  couln't even leave his bike behind for the eveining, but needed to take it home for more driveway trick riding.  And that was only day one.  The rest is history.  Check out this great John Atkinson video for your own inspiration.

As I prepare for our upcoming W's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camp, it occurs to me that many women signing up for, or thinking about signing up for, our program are plagued with the same anxieties that kept my son from being excited about his camp choice.   Is this right for me?  Am I good enough?  Am I too old, young, scared, in-experienced?    Well, I can tell you that 37 year olds are not that different from 7 year olds in this aspect.  Whatever anxiety you might bring to the table, you'll ride away smiling. 

For more infortation and to register for  Wrench and Ride please see side-bar and contact Mary Simmons at msimmons@Sugarbush.com or 802-583-6529.

Blueberries for all!

For all things there is a season, and the season for blueberries is now!  A good dry spring, plenty of warm weather and some drenching rainstorms have added up to a banner blueberry season in the Mad River Valley.  I recently headed up to the Knoll Farm, perched above the valley half way up Bragg hill.  Knoll Farm is the home of the Center For Whole Communities which offers workshops ranging from "Making the Most of Compost" to "Transformational Leadership".  And they grow berries.  Lots and lots of berries of which you can  pick your own, or buy a pint at the farm stand.   With my ten year old in tow, we headed up to the berry patch, past the neatly kept farm stand and white farmhouse, past the swing on the tree and the big beautiful barn, up to the left past the Adirondack chairs sitting empty but inviting all to take a moment and soak up the view. 

The immediate draw of the juicy blue clusters makes it hard to walk past the first bush which is absolutely laden and practically groaning under the weight of the ripe fruit. But I like to hunt out the big ones, so I yank myself away from grazing at the entrance and head up to the back of the patch where traffic has been lighter.  There, too, I find an abundance, and have to steel myself not to flit from bush to bush   Once I get started, the quart containers fill fast, though I lose quite a few to my daughters swift hands.  She could graze happily off the bushes, but she can't resist the fist full that my efforts afford.  She eventually abandons me to the inviting Adirondacks and the  company of her book and the friendly farm cats who show up for an ear scratch.  I don't mind that she's not industrious because every time I look up to check on her I am treated to the view of this amazing place and the valley beyond.  In less than an hour we could drive to any number of commercial berry farms that would offer many more bushes and varieties, not doubt.  But the setting of this particular berry patch is what has drawn me here, and I'm 2 minutes from Waitsfield.  It doesn't get better, or more local, or more lovely than this.

Where to go for blueberries in the MRV:

Knoll Farm - Traveling south on Rt. 100, turn right onto Bragg Hill Rd. just before the the intersection of Rt. 100 and Rt. 17.  +/-1 mile up the hill, Knoll Farm is on the right. 

Open 9-3 Mon. - Sat., 9-12 on Sundays.

Pre-Picked -   $5.00/pint
                     $9.00/quart

Pick-Your-Own -    $3.50/pint
                           $7.00/quart
                           $4.00 per pound if you bring your own container. 
                           *(1 quart is approx 1.5 lbs, this is a really good deal!)

Check out Blueberry Sundays starting August 1st.  Bring your Sunday brunch pick-nick, and enjoy fresh bread from the outdoor oven, and ....of course...the berries. 

Hartshorn Farm Stand - Traveling north on Rt. 100, _ miles from the VG, just past the 1824 House Inn, on the left.  To find the bushes follow the road behind the farm stand.  Bushes are on both sides of road.

Pre-picked -$5.00/pint
Pick-Your-Own - $3.50/pint

Love the 4th. Love it all.

Why would you go on vacation over the Fourth of July holiday if you live in the Mad River Valley? Are you crazy? Miss the parade? Miss the spectacle of whatever those crazies from Prickly Mountain will come up with? Miss the early breakfast with friends in Warren Village so you can get through the parking barricades and don't have to take the bus? Miss the opportunity to make a spectacle of oneself by marching with the Sugarbush float? I did miss it. I missed it all.


Don't get me wrong...I had a great time where I was. I sat with my family....19 of us that night, on a bluff overlooking Buzzards bay. We enjoyed the spectacle of no fewer than 13 fireworks displays, from as close as the beach at the bottom of our stairs to as far away as Marion. We actually enjoyed two nights of this spectacle, as they don't do the 4th lightly in Massachusetts. And we enjoyed the sand and the water and the sun and the heat. Is there a better place to be when it's over 100 degrees than on Cape Cod? We tubed and water skied and fished and clammed. We sent two kids to the ER with epic foot splinters. We burned and peeled and scolded each other and burned again. We played checkers, and gin rummy and miningolf and football. We made friendship bracelets and chowder. And then we went home. Home to the Mad River Valley. I love our time spent on the Cape. And more than anything, I love coming home.

Isis sponsors Wrench & Ride and offers you a chance to win!

Sugarbush PowderRoom friend and partner Isis for Women will once again sponsor our Women's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camp, coming to your favorite mountain resort September 18 & 19, 2010.  In addition, Isis is offering you an opportunity to win and shop!  Keep you eyes out for our "News & Deals" e-mail going out this week, and enter to win  $100 in Isis Goddess Bucks!  Not yet receiving our e-mails?  Visit the Sugarbush homepage to sign up.

Localvore Community Table Dinners

Join us at Timbers Restaurant for a cummunity dinner series with local cuisine, good company, and rich conversation.  Each dinner will have a featured farm and a special guest speaker.

Dates: Fri,day July 2 and Monday, Aug 16.
Time: 7 PM
Price: $35 per person

And don't miss these other local-themed events at Timbers...
   Suds Sippin' Sitdown Beer Dinner - Thursday, July 1.
   Fungus Fest - Saturday, Sept 11.
Click here for more information on special events at Timbers.

Women's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camp - Sept.18 & 19, 2010

Join us in September for our W's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camp.  Designed for the beginner to intermediate mt. biker, this two day session will help you gain the skills and confidence you want on the trail.  Click here for more information or call Mary Simmons at 802-583-6529.

Free Kids Day! Friday, June 25th 2010.

No, we're not giving away free kids......but kids can come play for free!
Sample a Sugarbush Summer Adventure, Friday, June 25th from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Free for kids age 17 and under.

FEATURING FREE:
Lift-Served Mountain Biking and Disc Golf.
Mountain Bike, Tennis and Golf Clinics with our Resort Pros.
Bike Inspections by our Rental Techs.
Zipline Rides (two rides per person).
Swimming, Rock Climbing and Bounce House at the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club.

MOUNTAIN BIKE CLINICS:
Led by some of Sugarbush’s best coaches, these clinics will introduce kids to mountain biking in a fun and safe way on Sugarbush’s great terrain. Limited bike rentals are available so kids are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. Meet at the base of Super Bravo 10 minutes prior to clinic. Clinics will stay around the base area. Sessions run from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

TENNIS GAMES:
Directed by USPTA Pro Ross Greene, this clinic is designed to inspire a life-long appreciation of tennis. Meet at the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club 10 minutes prior to clinic. Clinics will be from 1:00 to 1:45 PM and 2:00 to 2:45 PM.

GOLF CLINICS:
Join Director of Golf RJ Austin for a kids’ clinic at the Sugarbush Resort Golf Club. Meet in the Club House 10 minutes prior to clinic. Sessions run from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and 3:30 to 4:00 PM.

BONUS:
Show up for the FREE Kids Day  and purchase a 2010/11 winter season pass at the already expired rates. Available Friday, June 25th onsite only from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

For more information please contact Pierce Ferris at events@sugarbush.com. For camp information please contact Gretchen Browe at 802.583.6819 or by email at gbrowe@sugarbush.com.


ACTIVITY SCHEDULE/HOURS:

Golf Clinics 9:30-10:00 and 3:30-4:00

Registration 10:00AM – 4:00PM (In front of Gate House)

Zip Line Rides 10:00 – 6:00 (Two free rides/child)

Chair Lift Ride 10:00-6:00 (Parent’s must purchase a ticket)

Disc Golf 10:00-6:00 (Does NOT include discs)

Bike Clinics 11:30-12:30 & 2:00-3:00

Guided Family Hike 12:00-2:00 (meet at base of Bravo lift)

Tennis Games (SHARC) 1:00-1:45 & 2:00-2:45

Swimming/Rock Climbing (SHARC) 10:00-3:00

Bounce House (Gate House Courtyard) 10:00-5:00

Yoga at the SHaRC

The Sugarbush Health and Raquet Club offers 3 different kinds of yoga classes. Something for everyone, or try all 3!

KRIPALU - Kripalu Yoga focuses on breath, proper alignment and internal awareness for increased strength, flexibility and an overall sense of well being. Class begins with a brief centering and warm ups, coordinating the breath with movement. This is followed by a creative series of postures that will strengthen, balance and revitalize. Gentle stretching and relaxation completes our practice.

Instructor: Dee Dee Caritinelli
Thursdays from 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Admission: $15 + tax or 12 classes for $120 Aerobic Punch
For More Info: 802-583-6700

YOGA STRETCH - Start your day with this balanced stretch: Astanga yoga with a strong Iyengar influence: an excellent way to improve physical and mental balance, body awareness and core strength.

Instructor: Cathy Reynolds
Tuesdays 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Admission: $15 + tax or 12 classes for $120 Aerobic Punch
For More Info: 802-583-6700

FREEDOM YOGA - Come and have fun while exploring your Being - Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit! We will touch on all the ancient Yoga techniques: cleansing, meditation, deepening the postures, breathwork and more - to experience a complete yoga practice....a practice complemented with explanations to understand how Yoga works.

Instructor:Edgar Mesquita
Saturdays 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Contact: 802-583-6700
Admission: $15+ tax -Free to Members & Resort Guests

Ladies Golf Clinics

Join us at the Sugarbush Golf Course on Thursday nights for a Ladies Night Golf Clinic followed by blender drink specials in Hogan's.

Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:15 starting May 20th.
Call the Golf Shop (583-6725) for more information or just come on down!

Spring Corn!

Ahhh...spring! Takes so long to get here, and then is so fleeting. Sugarbush offered up some great spring skiing this year, albeit a short season of it. Some suprise storms added to the great base left over from our early March storm, so the corn was delicious!

Thanks to all who participated in our SB PowderRoom programs. We look forward to seeing you again when the snow flies!

Carpe Skiem!

Milestones

Saturday was a great day for the skiing me. The sun was shining, and the whole family agreed to race in Chez-Henri Cup Race. Despite our late arrival, the laid back race is super fun and a great success for us (good attitudes and bodies still in tact). As much fun as the race was, the kids were anxious to get into the bumps. Really? Great! We skied Castle Rock chair all afternoon! This is the first time that I have skied up there with either kid (they are 7 & 9) and the first time into any of that terrain for our 7 year old, so this was pretty huge for us. They not only loved it, they rocked it!

The road to happy family skiing has been a rough one in my experience. But it seems we have arrived. Check out my girl, rockin' the Bruins Jersey in the gates.

"Whatever is your point?" you ask. Well it's just this...............skiing is something I love to do with my husband, my friends, my colleagues, W's Turn, WSD, Breakfast Babes, and now....finally.......I love to ski with my kids. :)

Women's Demo Day a no-go.

Sorry to say our Women's Demo-Day is a no-go due to scheduling conflicts. We will put it on our schedule for earlier in the season next year. In the meantime, if this is a program you are interested in, please send me a note. I would love to know what you would expect from such an event and what elements appeal to you? The demos? the lessons? the raffle? the beers?

For that matter, if you have comments and/or requests on any of our programming I would love to hear it! E-mail me now and tell me your thoughts.

W's Ski Discovery Camp

We have snow! And lots of it!

We also still have spaces left in our W's Ski Discovery Camp, March 8-10. So come join us and find out why our campers keep coming back!

Click here for more details.

Women's Turn dives into Slide Brook

On Saturday, Feb. 20th, before the big dump, the Women's Turn Club jumped into Slide Brook! We were accompanied by guest coach and mountain guru John Egan. Though this was the first time for many in our group, I'm sure it won't be the last! And now with some new coverage, the temptation is even stronger. Great job WTC!

For more information about the WTC please see side bar or click here.

Share for Mer

Please join us to ride, learn, laugh, and share.
February 19th, 2010

Share for Mer- Meredith McFarland is a long-time Sugarbush snowboard instructor battling Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Share for Mer is a three-part fundraiser, with proceeds going to Meridith to assist with her medical bills.

Silent Auction: Stop by the Sleeper Room in the Gate House Lodge to bid on a variety of items donated by the community. Big-ticket items include NY Giants tickets, massages and more. Auction begins at 9:00 AM ends at 6:00 PM.

Raffle: Enter to win gear, artwork, gift certificates, lift tickets, lessons and more. Tickets are available in advance at the Ski & Ride School front desk or the Adventure Den, or day of on the lower level of the Gate House Lodge. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.
Raffle drawing is at 6:00 PM.

Ride Share Women’s Snowboard Clinic: Clinic is recommended for beginner to intermediate snowboarders and includes instruction and lunch. Proceeds to benefit Share for Mer. Cost: $110 per person. Lift tickets and rentals available at reduced rates. For more information on the clinic, call the Ski & Ride School at 888.651.4827.

For more information, call Tracy Wright at 802.583.6872 or email twright@sugarbush.com.