Vermont

Green Mountain Flow: How to Experience Vermont by Bike

Published

1 year ago

September 24, 2024

Green Mountain Flow: How to Experience Vermont by Bike

The picturesque landscape of Vermont is a wonder of the northeastern United States. Its stunning fall colors, historic cities, and quaint towns attract people from all over the world.

When most people think of Vermont, quaint and quiet outdoor experiences may be among the first that come to mind. While there is no shortage of relaxing farmstays, cozy inns, and peaceful outdoor attractions throughout the state, Vermont is also a place where visitors are never far from trail networks tailor-made for mountain bikers.

Vermont is home to some of the rowdiest mountain bike trails in the Northeast; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

The Green Mountains that span the length of Vermont are famous for spectacular skiing, with more than 20 unique areas throughout the state. During the warmer months, the entire landscape is teeming with a variety of bike parks and meticulously maintained trail systems that make the state a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers.

Thanks to the contributions of community volunteers and members of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association who build, maintain, and advocate for trails, mountain biking in Vermont is about as diverse as it comes.

Sprawling farmland and mountainous landscapes create a dream scenario for pavement-free excursions on two wheels, including a wide variety of downhill bike parks and an incredible wealth of less-traveled yet incredibly fun trails, including plenty of options for adaptive mountain bikers.

Northern Vermont Mountain Biking

Northern Vermont is home to some of the top-tier biking venues in the state, many of which are situated within reasonably short drives to charming towns and attractions.

Bolton Valley Resort

Bolton Valley Resort is home to 28 unique downhill trails, including the Ebascootcha beginner trail, five blue intermediate trails, and more than 20 highly technical black and double black diamond trails to get the heart rate soaring.

Nestled in the mountains between Burlington, Montpelier, and Stowe, Bolton Valley is an ideal location to set up a home base to shred through the day and venture out to explore surrounding areas in the evenings.

Mountain bikers riding up a chair lift at Bolton Valley Resort. — Bolton Valley Resort includes nearly 30 different downhill trails; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

Visitors also can stay at the resort and enjoy post-ride beverages and snacks at the James Moore Tavern, or take a short drive into Waterbury to sample Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at its factory, or enjoy a nice dinner at Prohibition Pig, which offers a variety of smoked meats and craft beer.

The Driving Range

The Driving Range is one of the most unique mountain bike trails out there. Just down the road from Bolton Valley Resort, The Driving Range is Vermont’s first fully adaptive mountain biking network, with 100% of its trail system accessible for adaptive bikes.

Mountain bikers riding on an adaptive mountain bike trail in Vermont. — The Driving Range is Vermont’s first fully adaptive mountain bike trail network; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

The community strongly supported building this trail network to create a system where people on adaptive bikes can ride without worrying about impassable obstacles or unfavorable conditions. While the network is completely adaptive, it is not tame. The Driving Range offers 13 different trails, including two black diamond and three double black diamond trails with serious features.

Burke Mountain Bike Park

Located in Northeastern Vermont, Burke Mountain offers a healthy mix of 12 downhill trails ,including expert jump lines and excavated flow trails, along with 10 cross-country trails for folks who want to mix it up between gravity and hammering the pedals.

The bike park sits near the expansive Kingdom Trails network, which has more than 100 miles of trails ranging from easy-to-navigate singletrack to lines that challenge even the best riders.

Beyond biking, Burke Mountain offers plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation, such as horseback riding at D-N-D Stables or spending a peaceful afternoon taking in the views at nearby Lake Willoughby.

Central Vermont Mountain Biking

Killington Bike Park

Killington Bike Park sits in Central Vermont, which is about a 20-minute drive west of Rutland. The park includes more than 30 miles of pristine downhill trails cutting through three distinct mountain areas: Snowshed, Ramshead, and Killington Peak. A high-speed lift serves each area, allowing riders to relax and easily enjoy run after run.

Riders of every level can enjoy Killington. Snowshed offers a good amount of beginner-to-intermediate terrain. Killington Peak includes more New England-style trails with technical sections filled with rocks and roots, while Ramshead has signature freeride trails.

WAMBA’s Mt. Peg

Mt. Peg marries classic Northeastern singletrack with a handful of manicured freeride trails. This network consists of about 3 miles of trail that offers fast and flowy descents. The area also has a skills area with progressive drops that have ample run-in and out, along with nice, forgiving sloped landings that make progressing to larger features easier.

Three mountain bikers riding over hilly terrain. — Mt. Peg is known for its flowy descents and proximity to the Woodstock Inn and Resort; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

The Woodstock Inn and Resort owns Mt. Peg, making it a great place to stay while visiting.

Woodstock also has a bustling downtown packed with entertainment and culture. Pentangle Arts Woodstock Town Hall Theater hosts live music, dance, theater, film screenings, and more. The town also is home to the charming Middle Covered Bridge, one of 100 covered bridges located throughout the state, which perfectly represents the unique style of covered bridges for which Vermont is famous.

Just outside of town, visitors can learn about local agriculture at Billings Farm & Museum. The working farm highlights scientific farming history and offers interactive exhibits, classes, and experiences.

A couple visits Marsh Billings Rockefeller Historical Park — Marsh Billings Rockefeller Historical Park was established in 1992 and is Vermont’s only national park; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

Marsh-Billing Rockefeller National Historical Park, the state’s only national park, is less than a mile outside of town. The park boasts 400-year-old hemlocks, sugar maples, and covered bridges.

Mad River Rider’s Blueberry Lake (Family-Friendly)

Blueberry Lake is a family-friendly section of the larger Mad River Valley trail system. It has gentle grades and flowy, sweeping turns that are ideal for youngsters or beginners to build their confidence. The trail network consists of about 7 miles spread across 13 different trails, all of which are beginner or intermediate.

Blueberry Lake trails are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and were designated as an International Mountain Biking Association Model Trail-Gateway in 2013.

Blueberry Lake itself provides the perfect venue to cool off after a day of mountain biking in the sun. Riders also can enjoy a sandwich or coffee from the “almost world famous” Warren Store. The nearby Sugarbush Resort provides family-friendly fun including a scenic chairlift ride, golf, and swimming.

Southern Vermont Mountain Biking

Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook

Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook Trailhead includes 15 miles of intermediate to advanced hike and bike trails. These trails feature a ton of climbs, along with fast descents featuring berms and rollers. The trail also includes benches with stellar views of Lake Saint Catherine, where riders can take a break or grab a snack.

A mountain biker riding a trail in a wooded area. — Slate Valley trails includes a healthy mix of ups and downs, along with stellar views; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

As always, riders need to be sure to take care of the trails and leave no trace. Be aware: these trails are 100% on private property. However, the landowners’ generosity and partnership with Slate Valley Trails have made them available to the public.

Stratton Mountain Downhill Bike Park

Stratton Mountain lies in Southern Vermont, about 20 miles from Manchester. It is home to a more than 10-mile system of sweeping downhill trails designed by Sinuosity, a leading trail-building organization in Vermont.

Stratton Mountain Resort pictured in the fall. — Fall colors erupt over Stratton Mountain Resort mountain bike trails; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

At the base, visitors can enjoy time at the village, or play a round of golf at the Stratton Golf Course. Other key features of Stratton aimed at outdoor enthusiasts include indoor and outdoor climbing walls, scenic lift rides, mountain top yoga, and guided UTV tours.

More on Vermont Mountain Biking

Vermont holds 1,400 miles of mapped mountain biking trails to sample, including the venues outlined above.

The Vermont Mountain Biking Association has compiled an exhaustive list of trail networks, complete with maps and information on trail conditions online at VMBA.org. By checking conditions before heading out onto the trails, riders can ensure they ride responsibly, and avoid sites where they could cause damage, or put other riders or the future of mountain bike access in certain areas in jeopardy.

A mountain biker riding at sunrise in Vermont. — Vermont is home to more than 1,400 miles of mapped biking trails; (photo/Vermont Tourism)

Also, riders can find information on trails that offer adaptive riding at the organization’s dedicated adaptive riding webpage.

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Vermont

Vermont postal worker allegedly threw away mail she was supposed to deliver for months

Published

12 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Vermont postal worker allegedly threw away mail she was supposed to deliver for months

Crime

During a search of a dumpster where the worker allegedly discarded the mail, police found several packages and holiday cards.

A Vermont postal worker was cited and suspended for allegedly throwing away mail that was supposed to be delivered to other people, according to police.

Natasha Morisseau, 34, of North Troy, was cited on nine counts of petty larceny and five counts of unlawful mischief, Vermont State Police said in a statement. She works as a mail carrier for the town’s United States Postal Service (USPS) office.

Officers were first alerted to the discarded mail on the afternoon of Jan. 23, according to police. Upon finding the mail in a dumpster on Elm Street in North Troy, they determined that none of it was for that address.

Police identified Morisseau as a person of interest and learned that she was a postal employee. They confirmed that she had regularly been throwing away a small amount of mail under her care since at least October 2025, according to the statement.

After searching the dumpster and Morisseau’s mail vehicle, officers found opened and unopened packages, along with several holiday cards, one of which contained money. Morisseau was later cited Feb. 14 and is due to appear March 17 in Vermont Superior Court, police said.

Since Jan. 23, Morisseau has been suspended by USPS, and all recovered mail has been given back to them for delivery, according to the statement. The case has been forwarded to the USPS’ Inspector General for further review.

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Vermont

Vermont Air National Guard joins Iran campaign – The Boston Globe

Published

24 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Vermont Air National Guard joins Iran campaign – The Boston Globe

On a typical day, some of the 20 stealth fighter jets based in South Burlington, Vt., take off from tiny Burlington International Airport for training runs near the northern border. In recent months, they’ve flown much farther afield.

The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing was deployed in December to the Caribbean, where it took part in the US campaign to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Shortly thereafter, the squadron joined a military buildup in and around the Middle East to prepare for US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran.

Though both deployments had been widely reported, the military remained mum about the whereabouts of Vermont’s F-35A Lightning II jets. Even Governor Phil Scott, technically the commander of the Vermont Guard, said he only knew what he’d read in the news, given that US military leaders were directing the missions.

On Monday, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the deployments at a Pentagon press conference about the war on Iran. Caine praised National Guard members from Vermont, Wisconsin, and elsewhere.

“In the case of the Vermont Air National Guard and the 158th Fighter Wing, they were mobilized for Operation Absolute Resolve,” Caine said, referring to the Venezuela campaign. “And then were tasked to take their F-35As across the Atlantic instead of going home, to be prepared to support this operation” in the Middle East.

Much remains unknown about the Vermont Guard’s recent missions, including the precise role they played in Venezuela and Iran, where the jets are currently based, and how long they’ll remain.

The Guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment., Its recently elected leader, General Henry “Hank” Harder, said in a statement that the force was “proud of the dedicated and professional service of our Airmen” and pledged to support their families in the meantime.

“We will continue to carry out our commitment to these Vermont Service Members until, and long after, they return from this mission,” Harder said.

Vermont’s three-member congressional delegation, meanwhile, has praised Vermont Guard members for their service in Venezuela but has criticized President Trump’s campaigns there and in Iran, particularly absent congressional authorization.

“The people of our country, no matter what their political persuasion, do not want endless war,” said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, echoing similar remarks from Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint, both Democrats. “We must not allow Trump to force us into another senseless war. No war with Iran.”

Paul Heintz can be reached at paul.heintz@globe.com. Follow him on X @paulheintz.

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Vermont

In Vermont, small town meetings grapple with debate on big issues

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

In Vermont, small town meetings grapple with debate on big issues

Tuesday is town meeting day in Vermont. Municipalities in New England and elsewhere are increasingly grappling with major national and international issues at the local level.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images

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If you haven’t lived in certain New England towns, it can be hard to fathom their centuries-old direct democracy-style Town Meetings, where everyday residents vote on mundane town business such as funding for schools, snow plows and road repairs.

These days, voters are also being asked to weigh in on national and international issues, for example, demanding the de-funding of ICE, and condemning “the unprovoked attack and start of an illegal and immoral war against Iran.” It’s all fueling a separate – and fierce– debate on what towns ought to be debating.

“When you have people sleepwalking into an authoritarian regime, it’s up to us to sound the alarm,” insists Dan Dewalt, an activist in Newfane, Vermont, one of several communities where residents scrambled to draft a resolution against the Iran war in time for their annual Town Meeting on Tuesday.

Local resolutions are a uniquely effective tactic, activists and experts say, and they’re being used increasingly around New England and beyond, especially as national politics have become so polarized.

“People feel isolated, helpless and hopeless. And when you hear about other people who are just like you taking a stand and representing something that you believe, that gives you not only hope, but it gives you power,” said Dewalt.

Several other Vermont towns will be considering resolutions Tuesday calling for the removal of the president and vice president “for crimes against the U.S. Constitution,” while many others will vote on a pledge to ” to end all support of Israel’s apartheid policies, settler colonialism, and military occupation and aggression.”

A similar divestment resolution passed 46 -15 in Newfane last year, following hours of heated argument over the plight of Palestinians, the security of Israelis, the “inflammatory” language of the resolution – and whether such problems half-a-world away even belong on the agenda of the tiny town of just about 1,650.

“It’s a Town Meeting for town issues,” Newfane resident Walter Hagadorn declared at a recent Select Board meeting, where residents pressed board members to block any future resolutions not directly related to town business.

“You shouldn’t be subject to hours and hours of people virtue signaling” and trying to “hijack Town Meeting,” Hagadorn said.

Others agreed, suggesting activists host a debate on their issues at another time and place, or stage a rally or protest instead.

But Select Board member Katy Johnson-Aplin pushed back, saying that would not have the same impact.

“It doesn’t work the same way,” Johnson-Aplin said. It’s only when the issue is formally taken up at a Town Meeting that “it goes in the newspaper and it’s recorded that the town of Newfane has agreed to have this conversation.”

University of Pennsylvania political science professor Daniel Hopkins has been watching the growing movement of local communities taking a stand on issues far beyond town lines.

“This is a trend we’re seeing increasingly across the 50 states and in a variety of ways but I think it has taken on a new and potentially more concerning edge,” Hopkins said. “I worry that we are in an attention-grabbing, sensation-rewarding media environment in which the kinds of issues that engage us at a national level may further polarize states and localities and make it harder for them to build meaningful coalitions on other issues.”

Indeed, in Newfane, the resolution regarding Israel became so divisive that some residents decided not to even come to last year’s Town Meeting, according to Select Board vice-chair Marion Dowling.

In Burlington, where a similar resolution was proposed, City Council President Ben Traverse says things got so heated, he and his family were getting harassing phone calls and even death threats. Burlington city councilors voted in January to block the question from going to a popular vote.Vermont has a history of “big issue” resolutions, from the push for a Nuclear Arms Freeze in the 1980’s, to calls to ban genetically modified foods in 2003. Dewalt, the Newfane activist, was behind several of them, including calls to impeach then-president George W. Bush in 2006, which got him invited to talk about it on network TV shows, and quoted in The New York Times.

“I can guarantee you if I stood up on my soap box and made a declaration of the exact same wording, I wouldn’t have had anybody asking me questions about it, he said. “We’re not pie-in-the-sky here about the power of our Newfane Town Meetings, but our actions have consistently had an impact.”

But opponents say activists overstate the impact of their resolutions, and their victory. They say it’s disingenuous, for example, to claim the town of Newfane supported the resolution against Israel, when the winning majority of 46 people was less than 3% of town residents.

“I feel like they’re using the town as a vehicle for their personal messages and that bothers me,” says Newfane resident Cris White. “It’s so junior high.”

Traverse, the Burlington City Council president, also takes issue with what he calls the “inflammatory” language of that resolution.

“The question, as presented, approaches this issue in a one-sided and leading way,” Traverse says.

In Vermont, any registered voter can get a resolution on the Town Meeting agenda by collecting signatures from 5% of their town’s voters. While elected city or town officials have the authority to allow or block the resolution, there is no process in place to vet or edit language.

Traverse says it would behoove city leaders and voters to require an official review to ensure that language is fair and neutral, just as many states do with ballot questions. Traverse says he’s not opposed to contentious, big issue resolutions being put to local voters, but the language must be clear and even-handed.

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