The lovely town of Middlebury, at the heart of the Champlain Valley 30 mi/50 km south of Burlington, is home to Middlebury College and a number of cultural landmarks. These include the well-stocked Vermont Book Shop, where Robert Frost used to shop, and the Vermont State Craft Center at Frog Hollow, located in a charming gallery overlooking Otter Creek in Weybridge.
East of town is Bread Loaf, the famous writers' center, and the Robert Frost Wayside Area. Just north of town, in Weybridge, is the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, which offers tours and horse shows featuring the spirited Morgan breed that hails from Vermont. The beautiful horses and restored antique stables are a horse lover's delight.
Northeast of Middlebury is the Mad River Valley, known for its covered bridges, white-steepled churches and two excellent ski areas: Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen.
Once regarded as an ultrasophisticated singles' haunt, today Sugarbush caters more to vacationing families. The view from the top of Mount Ellen is a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Sugarbush is also home to a number of exceptional restaurants, including Common Man and Chez Henri, two of Vermont's most elegant dining options.
Nearby Mad River Glen has a decidedly Vermont character—the resort prides itself on being independently and cooperatively owned. It is a favorite among adventurous skiers (no snowboarders are allowed) for its challenging expert runs and 800 acres/320 hectares of off-piste terrain.
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