There are an incredible variety of outdoor and indoor athletic
activities in the Champlain Valley of Vermont Please click on your choices on the list below:





[Athletic clubs]
[Mountain Biking]
[Road Biking]
[boating]
[Fishing]
[Frisbee Golf]
[Golfing]
[Hiking Trails]
[Outdoor Activities]
[Downhill Skiing]
[Cross Country Skiing]
[Sledding]
[climbing]
Athletic Clubs

Short-term memberships are available at the Shelburne Athletic Club, Vermont Sun, in Middlebury, and Twin Oak's, as well as several other clubs.  Shelburne Athletic Club  Located just 15 minutes north in Shelburne, this club has a complete workout center. Preferable rates are given to guests of the Mt. Philo Inn.  Vermont Sun Easily accessible on the north side of Middlebury, this club offers a complete aerobic center, including swimming pool and racquetball courts.

Bicycling top of page

Biking in Vermont
Great riding experiences are available to all levels of bikers beginning at the Mt. Philo Inn. Routes that loop along Lake Champlain as well as climbs up the toughest mountain passes are within reach. 

We are situated along one of the most popular biking routes in Vermont, due to our great views, newly tarred roads, and low traffic. 

Mt. Philo hill climb- For training we suggest climbing Mt. Philo. A winding paved road, directly adjacent to the Inn, climbs 600 feet to the summit of Mt. Philo, which offers a panoramic view of the Champlain Valley.  Though only 1.5 miles to the top, this climb provides a challenge to the strongest riders.  The 2001 NCAA Northeast division championships, pictured to the right, concluded a series of Spear St. Loops with a final climb up Mt. Philo.

Greenbush Rd.- Lake Road - Mt. Philo Rd loop- beginning at the inn, this 20 mile loop include some rolling climbs and a long section along Lake Champlain

Mt. Philo Rd. - Spear St. - Falls Rd. loop. Also around 20 miles, this loop has more hills

Biking in Vermont Vermont is justly deserving of its role as a special bicycling vacation destination. For those who have the time and stamina, there is a 350 mile route around Lake Champlain which has been mapped and described by Lake Champlain Bikeways. And there are also a number of lesser challenges that offer exercise and beautiful countryside to be observed.

Vermont Bicycling  This site has good information including the Lake Champlain Bikeways. Also of interest is the LC Bikeways, which is an affiliation of groups interested in recreation in Vermont, New York and Quebec. A 350 mile bicycle route around Lake Champlain has been identified and mapped and efforts are now being made to have it adequately signed.

Races:  Vermont Sports Today magazine

Great Outdoors Recreation Pages  Green Mountain National Forest cycling information. Good information on cycling routes near us - a special area for cycling.

25 Bicycle Tours in Vermont A good book for loop tour planning.  

Vermont Bicycle Touring  One of the original bicycle touring companies, now operating world-wide.

Bicycling Information Web Site  A comprehensive bicycling information source.

Boating top of page

Fishing/Boating: We are 2 miles from Point Bay Marina, and a variety of boat launches into Lake Champlain and the Otter Creek. There is great trout fishing in the New Haven River. The Charlotte ferry takes travelers to picturesque Essex N.Y. in 20 minutes, where they can enjoy great food in a relaxed setting. 

An ice fisherman walks between puddles on the surface of Lake Champlain while working his holes off the East Shore of North Hero. Photographer: Rob Swanson.

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Come discover why Lake Champlain is considered the most historic body of water in North America. Row an 8 person war canoe. Climb aboard a 54-foot replica of Benedict Arnold's gunboat Philadelphia II, rigged, armed, and afloat in the museum's North Harbor.

Great canoeing and kayaking can be found nearby. The Lewis Creek, Dead Creek, the Huntington River, Otter Creek and the Little Otter Creek all empty into Lake Champlain.

Canoeing down the Huntington River.


Photographer: Alison Redlich

Great Outdoor Recreation Pages A wonderful resource

Fishing on Lake Champlain  A great fishing guide. Green Mountains Guide to Hiking   This guide can assist you in planning your hiking activities in the Green Mountains


Joe CarraraJoe Carrara, Mt. Philo runner, working on the Vermont 50, from UltraRunner Magazine

Frisbee

The Mt. Philo Inn will initiate this years frisbee golf league with the "season opener", scheduled for May 7. The course traverses over 100 acres, including the "old road" to Mt. Philo, and a brief period in the park. Laid out in conjunction with renowned course architect, Steve Kantor, this course provides beautiful vistas and challenging holes. Several holes have been redesigned, and a significant amount of clearing has been completed along the old road.

Winners list:  2008 Winner Greg shepler 2007 Winner Paul Finnerty 2nd tie Dave Garbose, Greg shepler
2006 Winner no tournament
2005 Winner Greg Shepler
2004 Winner Bill Reynolds
2003 Winner 2002 Winner Steve Kantor 2nd Dave Garbose
2001 Winner Bob Katims 2nd Dave Garbose
2000 Winner Greg Shepler 2nd Dave Garbose

course record, 11 under

 

Golf top of page

Golfing: Great public golf courses in our area include those listed below. Link to  The Vermont Golfer for more complete information. This website seems to be an advertising source for many Vermont clubs
5th hole at Williston

: Ralph Mayre Golf Course at the Middlebury College campus
Local favorites are all listed below.

Vermont National Country Club a Jack Nicklaus golf course in S.  Burlington, 864-7770
Blush Hill Country Club (Waterbury) - 802-244-8974
Basin Harbor Club (Vergennes)  (802) 475-2311
Cedar Knoll (Hinesburg) -(802) 482-3186
Country Club of Vermont (Waterbury) - 802-244-1800
Kwiniaska Golf Course (Shelburne) - 802-985-3672
Ralph Mahre Golf Course (Middlebury)(802) 443-5125
Montpelier Country Club (Montpelier) - 802-223-7457
Neshobe Golf Course (Brandon)802 247-3611
Stowe Country Club (Stowe) - 802-253-4893
Sugarbush Golf Course (Warren) - 802-583-6725
Williston Golf Course (Williston) - 802-878-3747

Skiing top of page Vermont Skiing

Downhill: Vermonts largest and best ski areas provide exceptional downhill opportunities. Killington, Middlebury College Snow Bowl, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, Bolton, Stowe and Smugglers Notch are all within 1 1/4 hours.ski racer  Vermont has some of the worlds best skiers for a reason: Great ski resorts

A lone skiier glides across a meadow at the Catamount Family Center in Williston with Camel's Hump rising in the background.
Photographer: Glenn Russell.

Cross Country skiing trips can be started right out the door for much of the winter. We are along the VAST trail system. This is an interconnected series of groomed trails that traverse the state, mirroring the road system. This highway system is maintained by the VAST organization, Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, a group of snowmobile enthusiasts.
Unsurpassed cross-country skiing is also available at Sleepy Hollow, pictured above, Stowe, the Catamount Family Center, Mountain Meadows, Middlebury College Bread Loaf Campus, Blueberry Hill, a lighted trail around the Middlebury College Golf Course, and Huntington  Ski Touring Center.

 

Downhill areas: top of page
Jay Peak Resort & Ski Area - 802-988-2611
Mad River Glen Resort & Ski Area - 802-496-3551
Smuggler's Notch Resort & Ski Area - 802-644-8851
Stowe Mountain Resort & Ski Area - 802-253-3000
Sugarbush Resort & Ski Area - 802-583-6300
Bolton Valley Ski Area - 802-434-3444 

Cross Country SkiingThis site will give you information about cross country skiing areas in and around the Mt. Philo Inn and the Green Mountains.

Ski Vermont The Vermont Ski Areas Association Web Site

Killington   Ski from October through May
Mad River Glen   "The Skiers Mountain", now owned by the skiers themselves. "Ski it if you can" SkiCentral  Nationwide Ski Area Links.  They've developed what we think is a great Web site. Sugarbush!  Sugarbush has experienced tremendous growth and now offers over 120 trails on 3 mountain.

Hiking top of page

Our favorite hike is to the top of Mt. Philo; approximately 1.5 miles to the top. We have 3 access points from the Inn. There are a variety of trails that are accessible in the rugged Green Mountains and Adirondacks, including the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail. Some favorite peaks to climb include Mt. Abraham, Mt. Mansfield, and Camels Hump. Some local favorites inlude Snake Mountain, Mount Moosalamoo Recreational Area, the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail, Abby Pond Trail, Means Woods, and the Lake Dunmore to Silver Lake Trail. They are all excellent. We'll be happy to tell you about them.

Great Outdoor Recreation PagesA wonderful resource. Green Mountains Guide to Hiking. This guide can assist you in planning your hiking activities in the Green Mountains
Moosalamoo Recreation AreaAnother wonderful hiking opportunity.

Sledding

Mt. Philo State Park in renowned for its great sledding. The tarred and banked roads are closed to traffic during the winter months. A brisk walk to the top provides a superb view before an exhilarating 1.5 mile ride down. The Inn has a collection of sleds that are available, from Flexible Flyers to Jump Jacks, one is right for every snow condition

Other Outdoor Activities top of page

Vermont's State Parks Locator Map For information on all of Vermont's State Parks, including excellent photos and helpful background information.
Auto Touring & Fall Foliage ViewingA guide for driving through the Green Mountains during peak foliage season.
Silver LakeA pristine and totally natural lake just a short hike from Branbury State Park.
Branbury State ParkA beautiful beach and picnic area in a park setting with many beautiful shade trees. Lake Dunmore is a jewel, with a cliff-like backdrop. Hike to Falls of Lana and Silver Lake if you have time.
Camel's HumpSomewhat challenging, but worth the effort for the spectacular views it offers.
Green Mountain Guide to FishingIf you are interested in sportfishing, charter boats
Charter Fishing Boat on Lake Champlain are available in Burlington, at Basin Harbor and at other places on the Lake nearby. This charter fishing boat site will enable you to get information before you arrive.
Baseball The Lake Monsters, the A team of the , can be seen at Centennial Field in Burlington throughout the summer. You can see a professional baseball game played by our very popular farm team. Many say it's baseball at its finest. Both the team and the fans are great.
Lake Placid Olympic Site In the Winter of 1980, Lake Placid was the subject of attention of everybody. There is much to see and do here now, in all seasons. A fairly short 2.5 hour drive from here, you may want to visit it while you're in the region.