[tkln]

Hi everyone...through all the time I've been on this forum, I don't think I've ever seen anything written about the Mad River Valley/Waitsfield area. Does anyone have any thoughts on the area, with regards to living full time? Job wise I would be telecommuting, so that is not a huge issue.

We currently own a small condo in Stowe (and no, we are not rich!) and though a part of me would love to move to the area (Waterbury and Morrisville included) because I know it, it's also ridiculously overpriced and touristy. But the amenities are there, which I love.

We'd love to have a few acres, and horses, but be near some good restaurants etc. Driven through Waitsfield a few times and met some people there and it seems like a nice place, close to Sugarbush...

Thanks!

[vter]

Morristown (Morrisville) isnt touristy and is right next to Stowe. I would definately check it out.
The Mad River Valley is OK. It is touristy, but not on the scale of Stowe. I'd check out Duxbury or Moretown over Warren or Waitsfield. Warren & Waitsfield, like Stowe, have lots of second homes and are fairly expensive.
Oh...and forget all about Sugarbush. Go to Mad River Glen instead!

[harry chickpea]

Morristown is just the corner at Stagecoach and French Hill Roads. (The back road to Johnson). Morrisville gets a lot of traffic through a town that wasn't designed to handle it.

You can find the news about the Warren Waitsfield area here:
http://www.valleyreporter.com/

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by vter

Morristown (Morrisville) isnt touristy and is right next to Stowe. I would definately check it out.
The Mad River Valley is OK. It is touristy, but not on the scale of Stowe. I'd check out Duxbury or Moretown over Warren or Waitsfield. Warren & Waitsfield, like Stowe, have lots of second homes and are fairly expensive.
Oh...and forget all about Sugarbush. Go to Mad River Glen instead!

As much as I admire what Mad River Glen represents, and what they've done, there are TWO reasons the bumper sticker says "Mad River Glen: Ski it if you can".

[tkln]

You know, I went to their website and saw that. Um, so Chaz, what are the TWO reasons???

[chaz longue]

The terrain at Mad River Glen is, on average, difficult. It's in large part classic old-school Eastern skiing on fairly narrow trails.

The other reason "ski it if you can" applies however, is that it's almost entirely natural snow. Many times it can't be skied ...because there isn't enough base.

I love Mad River. The idea of the people who ski there and own shares walking the trails off season and picking up rocks to keep from gouging thier skis the following Winter makes me smile. Heck, those people are replacing the only single chair on the continent...with another single chair!

I'm also glad Sugarbush is right down the road...They've gone the other direction, upgrading and expanding everything in sight. It's quite a contrast right there in The Mad River Valley. I taught skiing at Sugarbush for 18 years.

[vter]

Mad River is a great mountain. It's not just for experts only, which is what a lot of people think because of their slogan. They groom their blue trails which are great. It has soul, which a lot of the big resorts have seemed to have lost. I think the 2 reasons that chaz means are that one, yes, it is challenging, and 2, no snowboards area allowed. (edit - looks like Chaz & I were posting at the same time).
Anywho.....regarding towns. Again, check out Moretown & Duxbury. Even Waterbury. This puts you between both Stowe and the Mad River Valley, plus you have easy access to I-89 for trips to Barre/Montpelier and or Burlington.
Or..have you considered Cambridge/Jeffersonville? If nearby skiing is a priority for you, then you'll have Smuggler's Notch practically in your back yard.

[tkln]

Thanks guys...Waterbury is definitely on my list, as are Duxbury and Moretown...

I'll check out Cambridge/Jeffersonville as well...I think I have driven through there once on the way to Montreal (via 100), but I don't remember much about it. I feel like there are so many amazing towns in Vermont, it's hard to narrow it down!!

[vter]

If you're not tied to the Mad River Valley or Stowe area, you may want to consider Burke. If the new owners of the ski area do what they say they are going to do, buying land there now may be a good investment!

[MRVphotog]

Real estate is less expensive than the typical ski town. In Vermont, the Burlington area, Stowe and Manchester are more expensive. Much more mellow, especially in the summer, incredible array of yearround outdoor recreation and no chains or stoplights. That's why I live and work here.