Finding fall in the Mad River Valley isn’t difficult. If we’re being honest you can start seeing signs of fall in August around these parts. But, as the day I’m writing this, it’s ~officially~ the first day of fall and so I figured it was the perfect time to share some of our favorite fall activities. We’re already well on our way to peak foliage (and we’re crossing our fingers and toes it’s as vibrant as last year)! Now I know most of you are coming up here in the fall for leaf peeping. But let’s be real. You can’t leaf peep all day, right?! You gotta be doing something before, during and in between leaf peeping. Don’t get me wrong, I love a scenic drive on a crisp, sunny, autumn day. I just think if you’re making a weekend out of it, really make a weekend out of it. Channel your inner pumpkin spice girly, do the cliche things, no one is judging you, I promise.
Peak foliage prediction maps at the bottom of the blog!
For the Outdoorsy People
Fall Hiking
Let’s get the most obvious out of the way. Fall hiking is the best! It is the perfect way to enjoy the last bits of consistent sun we get during the warmer months, while taking in all the fall foliage. We have plenty of trails up on the mountain to choose from! I recently wrote a blog about hiking at Sugarbush. And so, if this sounds like a bit of you, go check out that blog for more details on hiking.
Golfing
We might be biased in thinking that the Sugarbush Golf Course is beautiful all year round, but there’s something special about hitting the green in the fall. Although the end of our season is looking slightly different, we’re still eager to have you all out on the course with limited food + beverage options. Even after the club house fire, you will still be able to enjoy the course from the manicured greens to the deep, warm foliage. The club house phone extension, 802-583-6725, will be operational again by this weekend (9/27) should anyone want to book a tee time. If you have any immediate questions surrounding tee times, you can reach out to the team at golfclub@sugarbush.com or drop a line to our guest call center at 802-583-6300. Whether you’re playing a hard hitting game, or just there to take all the scenery in, you won’t regret it!
Paddling
A personal favorite if I do say so myself. The summer swimming crowd is long gone, the night’s are cooler, the bugs have left for the season. It’s just perfect for being out on the water. There’s something about being able to bundle up and feel the warm sun as it sets just before the chill of night sets in. It’s a great excuse to bring a warm bevy with you, and enjoy the peaceful sites and sounds of autumn. Right here in the Valley, Blueberry Lake will be your go-to spot for fall paddling!
For the Cliche Fall Lovers
Pumpkin Picking
Let’s start off with the most classic. Pumpkin picking!! While we don’t have many fields to tromp through or hay rides to huge patches in the Valley, you can still get your pumpkin fill. Places like Hartshorn’s have grown their pumpkins and conveniently placed them for you to wander through and pick your favorites! You still get all the fun of choosing the biggest, weirdest, or brightly colored pumpkin. Plus, there’s always an assortment of those oddly-cute little gourds as well. This will definitely check the box of pumpkin picking while providing some great family and friend photo opportunities too.
Celebrate Oktoberfest and Community Day at Sugarbush
What’s more fall than a little outdoor event celebrating the season?! At Sugarbush we have two great ones, AND they’re getting a face lift this year! Over Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend, we have a great lineup for you. Start off the weekend in the courtyard for Oktoberfest. All your favorites will be there like pretzels and brats, festive beers, axe throwing and more! Be sure to stick around because on Sunday will be our revamped Community Day. It will now feature local vendors from the Valley like artisan’s, crafters, and coffee makers. Plus pumpkin carving, live music and more. Did we mention scenic lift rides will be spinning all weekend long too? Read more about Oktoberfest and Community Day in our latest blogs!
Leaf Peeping, Scenic Drives, PSL’s
Alright we gotta cover the basics here too. SO, leaf peeping. Where to go? How to do it? There’s no right or wrong because the foliage is well, everywhere. But here are a few best practices. Do your peeping on a walk or hike! This way it gives you the chance to slow down, take it all in, and get some great close up colorful photos. Scenic drives are inevitable, especially with all of our covered bridges! When leaf peeping from your car, please continue to drive safely and fine a place to park before getting out for photos (sincerely, all locals). Add to the list my favorite, grabbing your favorite fall beverage for your journey. A warm apple cider, a spicy chai latte, or the king of all fall drinks, a pumpkin spice latte. It will add a little festive zest to your foliage trip! Some of the best places to see foliage in the Valley are up here at Sugarbush, the top of the App Gap off Route 17, or along Common Road in Waitsfield.
Peak Foliage Predictions
