The Mad River Valley Village

Climb It for Climate Uphill Series Jan-March
2026-01-01 00:00 - 2026-03-28 23:59 (America/New_York) | Around the Valley
Co-sponsored by MRVBC and Friends of the Mad River:
Looking for a New Year’s Resolution that keeps you motivated and helps you contribute to a healthier and more resilient watershed?
Starting January 1st, join us for our first annual Climb It For Climate Uphill Challenge. This is a season long challenge focused on helping you make the most of our lovely Vermont winter. Keep track of your uphill tours – miles, elevation, and distance- and see if you can reach your personal goals for ski tours this season.
While you are at it, help us fundraise money for climate resilience education and projects in the Mad River Valley. Family and friends can easily donate using our platform, and you can choose whether those donations are based upon the number of times you get outside or just given to support the cause.
All funds raised during January will go towards hosting a Tropical Storm Irene 15th Anniversary Event Series. These events will help our community better understand why we are experiencing more flood events, what changes we have made as a community to address concerns, and how we can all work together to ensure a more flood resilient future.
Event Details:
January 1st thru March 28th, 2026
Registration: https://www.skireg.com/climb-it-for-climate-uphil-challenge
Fundraising: https://www.pledgereg.com/climb-it-for-climate-uphill-challenge
Our organizations are all about celebrating our winter landscape and helping people connect with our watershed, as well as one another. This event is not only about who can climb the most peaks, log the most miles, or get up the mountain the fastest. It is about creating community.
As a result, we will be recognizing participants in a range of categories that celebrate community, fun, and creativity. We will recognize January participants at our January 31st Uphill Race. Keep an eye out for more about the February and March fundraising efforts, as well as the Feb 28 uphill race and the March 28 uphill rally.
Please remember, we are able to host this fundraising event with the support of Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. It is vital that we all are good stewards of these mountains and follow each mountain’s uphill policies! Easily found on their websites – please check the snow reports every time you go.

Community Sledding Day
2026-01-01 11:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | 1824 House, 2150 Main St., Waitsfield, VT, 05673
Grab your sled and have some fun on the big hill behind the barn at the 1824 House.
The restaurant will be open with warm drinks, cold beer and light food. No outside alcohol, food or dogs.

Free Cabot Fondue
2026-01-01 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-01-08 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | VT
Join us aprés-ski every Thursday throughout the ski season for FREE FONDUE served with toasted bread thanks to our sponsors Cabot Creamery Cooperative!
Aprés in the Pub on fondue Thursdays is historically a very popular event, supplies are limited and may run out at any time, come early, leave happy.

Fresh Catch Thursday
2026-01-01 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-08 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Lawson’s Finest Taproom, 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
About the Event
Every Thursday starting at 4pm we host Nor’Easter Catering for a raw bar pop-up. Come on down and enjoy the freshest oysters you can get your hands on, and a variety of weekly specials that often include lobster rolls, shrimp cocktails, tuna poke bowls, blue crab quesadillas, and more!

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Toddler Time, Creative Shapes Art Class at Inklings!
2026-01-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-09 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Inklings Children’s Books, 106 Mad River Greeen, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
It’s Toddler Time, Creative Shapes Art Class at Inklings Children’s Books! Friday mornings from 10am – 11am.
Caregivers and their little ones are invited to explore shapes in a whole new way, and develop those fine motor skills; all while having some creative fun!
Activities will include painting with balloons, creating shapes with different materials, and color matching.
Begins Friday, Nov. 7th and goes for 6 weeks.
Ages: 18mo – 4yrs.
Price: $85 (all six classes) Drop-in Price: $15/per class

Live Music Aprés in Stark’s Pub
2026-01-02 14:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | VT
Join us après-ski, from 2:30 to 5:00 for FREE live music! A huge thank you to our friends at Lawson’s Finest Liquids for supporting local musicians. Throughout the ski season, we’ll showcase a rotating lineup of talented local artists. Be sure to check out our event calendar for a full list of performances. Stark’s Pub is open daily during the winter ski season, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Come join us for great music and good times!

Family Fridays!
2026-01-02 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Big Picture Theater, 44 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, 05673
Kick off the weekend with Family Fridays! From 4:30–6:00 pm.
Adults can unwind during cocktail hour while kids enjoy fun, creative activities in the Red Room. Seasonal crafts provided by Inkling Bookstore!
A little something for everyone to start the weekend right. Simple snacks for children will be provided. Ages 3 +

Seasonal Kids’ Programs Begin
2026-01-03 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-01-04 09:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | VT
Welcome to the Mad River Glen ski school!
Our goal is to infuse our programs with fun and knowledge of safety while teaching techniques that will allow your child to improve their ability. Our commitment to a small instructor/student ratio allows the children who participate in our program to not only have fun and become awesome skiers but develop a strong sense of camaraderie while developing lasting friendships. Check out the information below to learn about all the different programs we have for kids and teens. We look forward to skiing with your kids this winter! Learn more about the detail of our Seasonal Kids Programs. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or email us with any questions (802) 496-3551 ext. 125 or email skischool@madriverglen.com.

THE UNDERDOGS
2026-01-03 20:00 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | Cousin’s Brewing Comopany, Rt 100/Rt 17, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
Vermont Swamp Jams
Featuring Pappy Biondo- Banjo and Guitar, Spencer Lewis- Fiddle and Guitar, Jimmy Goodwin- Electric Guitar, Eric Graham Electric Bass.

Family Tournament
2026-01-04 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | VT
The Family Tournament originated as the Father-Son race and dates back to 1942 when it was originally held on the flanks of Mount Mansfield (Stowe). In its modern form, it is a race open to anyone who wants to participate. Racers complete a family-friendly GS course where a racer’s best time from two runs (attempts) is counted. The time is then added together with other family members (by blood relationship) in the following categories and prizes are awarded. In some cases, there are coveted trophies that live permanently at MRG for all to admire.
All racers should register in the MRG Online Store.
Family Tournament Race Schedule:
9:00 am – 10:00 am: course inspection/preview
10:00 am: Racing opens to anyone 7 years and under and all grandparents
10:30 am: Racing opens to all (FIFO)
1:30 pm: Race Closes
2:30 pm: Awards (location tbd)
Categories:

Father-Son
Mother-Daughter
Mother-Son
Father-Daughter
Husband-Wife
Grandmother-Granddaughter
Grandfather-Grandson
Grandfather-Granddaughter
Grandmother-Grandson
Brother-Sister
Brother-Brother
Sister-Sister
And Grand Family

2025 PRELIMINARY RESULTS
2024 RESULTS HERE

MadLove Mondays
2026-01-05 12:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Lawson’s Finest Brewery, 155 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
Every Monday at Lawson’s Finest Liquids!

$5 pours of all our draft beers all day
Mac and cheese specials
Double your Toast loyalty points
20% off cases of beer in our retail shop
Our favorite recorded live shows over the speakers. Have a favorite? Let us know!
Also! Monthly artist spotlights and community features

MadLove Mondays
2026-01-05 12:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Lawson’s Finest Taproom, 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
About the Event
– $5 pours of all our draft beers all day
– Mac and cheese specials
– Double your Toast loyalty points
– 20% off cases of beer in our retail shop
– Our favorite recorded live shows over the speakers. Have a favorite? Let us know!
Also! Monthly artist spotlights and community features.

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Taco Tuesday
2026-01-06 16:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Hyde Away, 1428 Mill Brook Rd, Waitsfield, 05673
$3 Tacos – $5 Margaritas – Other Great Specials – Full Regular Menu

Sunshine Brat Wednesdays
2026-01-07 12:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Lawson’s Finest Brewery, 155 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
This ain’t your grandpa’s beer and a bratwurst.
Every Wednesday come to Lawson’s Finest Liquids for some big time flavor: A massive jalapeño cheddar beer bratwurst made with Sip of Sunshine by our friends at 5th Quarter Butcher, served on a pretzel bun made by none other than Patrick from Green Mountain Twisters Pretzels, comes with a side of crispy greens and a side of German potato salad, and your choice of draft beer! All of this for just $20! Are we kidding?! Never. We’re all business, baby.

Sunshine Brat Wednesdays
2026-01-07 12:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Lawson’s Finest Taproom, 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
About the Event
Every Wednesday come to Lawson’s Finest Liquids for some big time flavor: A massive jalapeño cheddar beer bratwurst made with Sip of Sunshine by our friends at 5th Quarter Butcher, served on a pretzel bun made by none other than Patrick from Green Mountain Twisters Pretzels, comes with a side of crispy greens and a side of German potato salad, and your choice of draft beer! All of this for just $20! Are we kidding?! Never. We’re all business, baby.

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Sunshine Brat Wednesdays
2026-01-07 12:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Lawson’s Finest Taproom, 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
About the Event
Every Wednesday come to Lawson’s Finest Liquids for some big time flavor: A massive jalapeño cheddar beer bratwurst made with Sip of Sunshine by our friends at 5th Quarter Butcher, served on a pretzel bun with a side of crispy greens and a side of German potato salad, and your choice of draft beer! All of this for just $20! Are we kidding?! Never. We’re all business, baby.

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Waitsfield Elementary School Ski Program
2026-01-07 12:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | VT
Welcoming 1st through 6th grade students from the Waitsfield Elementary School for an afternoon of skiing!

Clearing The Smoke – Fire & Safety Roundtable
2026-01-07 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Yestermorrow Design/Build School, 7865 Main Street, Waitsfield, 05673
Safety is always the top priority for Mad River Valley businesses—and for good reason. Business owners care deeply about the well-being of their guests, employees, and neighbors. At the same time, understanding and navigating fire and life safety rules can be challenging. Codes are complex, interpretations can vary, and it’s not always clear what is required, what is recommended, and how best to plan for compliance in a way that is both safe and sustainable.
In an effort to “clear up the smoke,” the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Fire & Life Safety Roundtable on:
📅 Wednesday, January 7🕞 3:30–5:00 pm📍 Yestermorrow Design/Build School Campus
This roundtable is designed to create an open, respectful, and informative conversation between business owners and state public safety officials—focused on clarity, consistency, and shared goals.
Featured Speakers
The discussion will feature:

Landon A. Wheeler, Deputy DirectorVermont Department of Public Safety – Division of Fire Safety

Ben Moffatt, Regional ManagerWaterbury Regional Office, Department of Public Safety

The conversation will be moderated by Eric Friedman, Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
What We’ll Be Talking About
Across the Mad River Valley, businesses of all sizes—inns, restaurants, lodges, contractors and property managers—are navigating how best to meet safety standards while remaining financially viable and operationally stable. This roundtable is not about blame or complaints; it’s about understanding, communication, and problem-solving.
Topics we hope to explore together include:

Understanding the codesHow fire and life safety regulations are structured, what they’re intended to accomplish, and how they are applied in real-world settings.

Clarity around expectationsHow inspections work, what business owners should expect during and after an inspection, and how to interpret findings and next steps.

Consistency and continuityHow inspections may differ over time or between inspectors, and how businesses can better plan for long-term compliance.

Practical pathways to complianceDiscussing approaches that prioritize safety while recognizing the realities of historic buildings, small-scale operations, and seasonal businesses.

Preserving what makes Vermont specialExploring how safety upgrades can coexist with the historic, rustic character that defines many Mad River Valley properties and attracts visitors.

Creating a level playing fieldUnderstanding how safety oversight applies across different types of lodging and visitor accommodations.

Why This Matters
A strong Mad River Valley depends on businesses that are safe, resilient, and able to thrive. When rules are clearly understood and applied consistently, business owners can plan ahead, make smart investments, and focus on delivering great experiences to residents and visitors alike.
This roundtable is an opportunity to ask questions, hear directly from state officials, and build a shared understanding that supports public safety, business sustainability, and the long-term health of our local economy.
We encourage business owners, property managers, and anyone navigating fire and life safety regulations to attend and take part in this important conversation.
Let’s clear up the smoke—together.

LIVE MUSIC & PUB NIGHT Featuring Jenny & The Betz!
2026-01-07 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Mad River Barn
Join us in the pub for all your favorite Mad River Barn menu items with live music from Jenny & The Betz! Open 5 pm – 9 pm. Live music every Wednesday in the winter!

Community Socrates Cafe: ” How Does the Passage of Time Affect Our Identity?”
2026-01-08 05:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Harwood Union High School Library, 458 Route 100, Duxbury, VT, 05660
Students from Harwood’s Harkness Leadership class will be hosting a community Socrates Café on Thursday, January 8th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the HU library. A Socrates Café is an opportunity for dialogue about timeless and timely questions that all human beings deal with. Rather than being a debate or a discussion, a Socrates Café is a dialogue where participants are encouraged to listen to and learn from one another. This form of discourse- and its focus on the search for knowledge- comes from the great philosopher Socrates, who observed that “Wisdom Begins in Wonder.” These gatherings are open to all community members, regardless of age, experience, or background. Harwood students who are experienced in leading Socratic Dialogues will facilitate the discussions. Community members of all ages are invited, and refreshments will be provided.
The question for the evening discussion is “How Does the Passage of Time Affect Our Identity?”
For questions and more information, please contact Adam Sargent at asargent@huusd.org.

Zero Celsius
2026-01-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-08 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Mad River Valley Arts, 5031 Main Street #2 Village Square, Waitsfield, 05673
ZERO CELSIUS takes place at Mad Arts and Sugarbush Resort, and gathers artists who explore the textures, tensions, and transformations of winter.
From the hush of frozen landscapes to the volatility of a warming climate, the exhibition reflects on how the cold season shapes—and is reshaped by—human and environmental relationships.
Bringing together sculpture, installation, sound, photography, and digital media, ZERO CELSIUS examines winter as material, concept, and metaphor: crystalline, fleeting, and ecologically vital. The exhibition invites visitors to consider the fragility of snow in a changing world, to reconnect with winter’s wonder and silence, and to share their own stories and memories of a season both timeless and increasingly imperiled.

We Can! Women’s Mid-Week Alpine Clinic
2026-01-08 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | VT
The Women’s Mid-Week clinic is sold out for 2026. These clinics are our most popular adult ski school offerings, if you are interested in joining for the 2027 ski season please contact the Ski School Desk.
The Women’s Mid-Week Alpine Clinic is designed for women and taught by women using positive attitude, tactics and techniques to help you achieve your skiing goals. This eight-week program meets for 2-hour sessions on Thursday mornings.
Dates: Thursdays – January 8, 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 26 & March 5 (No session 02.19.26)
Time: 9:30 am until 11:30 pm
More Info: Click Here

Fresh Catch Thursday
2026-01-08 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Lawson’s Finest Brewery, 155 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
Every Thursday starting at 4pm we host Nor’Easter Catering for a raw bar pop-up. Come on down and enjoy the freshest oysters you can get your hands on, and a variety of weekly specials that often include lobster rolls, shrimp cocktails, tuna poke bowls, blue crab quesadillas, and more!

Free Heel Fridays
2026-01-09 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | VT
This telemark clinic meets every Friday throughout the season. Not available during holiday periods.
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 or 1:00 – 3:00
Cost: 2-hour clinic $109 (with lift ticket $149)
REQUEST NOW

Mad River Rug Hooking
2026-01-09 09:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Warren Library, 413 Main St, Warren, VT, 05674
The Mad River Rug Hookers meet downstairs at the Warren library on the second Friday of every month. Our monthly “hook in” a chance to socialize, solicit rug hooking advice, admire the works of many rug hookers and meet new hookers!
We have many new rug hookers, and more are welcome. We have an introductory kit for $30, which includes wool, a hook and a portable hoop frame. Sandra Grant is a very accomplished rug hooking instructor to teach the basics skills and application of wool and fiber for desired effects.
If you are interested in attending or learning to hook wool, or have questions contact Sandy at slgrant22@hotmail.com to share your questions or to be included in her Monthly email invite and ensure enough new member kits.
