According to Mad River Rocket ’ s President Parker Sellers , Vermont is home to some of the best backcountry sledding in the nation . Proper safety is paramount in order to ensure an enjoyable winter sports experience , so be sure to exercise caution . Dress warmly and appropriately , and sled within your comfortable range of ability . If you ’ re going into the woods or up mountains , treat it as you would any backcountry excursion . Bring the gear needed to get in and out safely . Head to one of these celebrated sledding spots and enjoy an unforgettable winter thrill ride , courtesy of Mad River Rocket sleds !
Sugarbush Golf Course – Hole # 4 – Warren , VT Difficulty Level : Beginner Parker ’ s Tips : “ One of the most popular ‘ beginner ’ sledding spots in the Mad River Valley is up at Sugarbush Resort on their golf course . It ’ s right off of West Hill Road as you drive up towards Sugarbush ’ s Lincoln Peak . There are usually a couple of cars up there . It ’ s a good sled hill for riders of all experience levels . It ’ s long and steep enough that you can put a jump on it , but it ’ s not as difficult as some of the other backcountry runs in the Mad River Valley region .”
Lincoln Gap – Lincoln , VT Difficulty Level : Intermediate Parker ’ s Tips : “ The Lincoln Gap is an incredibly enjoyable backcountry run . It ’ s a long hike up , but it ’ s well worth the walk . Lincoln Gap Road is closed all winter , because it ’ s too steep to plow . You have to drive up as far as you can , park , and then hike the rest of the way . It ’ s about a 45-minute hike . At the top is the start of the Long Trail , which in the summer will bring you to Sunset Rock . Sled down the road for an epic run without obstacles . Knowing how to steer is required to avoid going off the road .
For an optional advanced section , start the hike towards Sunset Rock on the Long Trail for another ten minutes and start your sled run from there anywhere towards the road . It ’ s a really great sled run through the woods . It ’ s pretty open , and definitely deep enough to enjoy the snow . It ’ s a really fabulous run , but definitely not for beginners .”
Camel ’ s Hump – Huntington / Duxbury , VT Difficulty Level : Intermediate-Expert Parker ’ s Tips : “ One of my most avid social media users has posted some truly epic videos from Camel ’ s Hump . If you hike up to the top , you can have a long run down through the woods on or near to the trail . The snowshoe trail is wide enough that on the flatter sections it will help a sled keep its momentum . When you have enough speed , veer off into the powder and blaze your own trail . Using snowshoes on the way up is a great way to make the trip up easier .”
Granville Gulf – Granville , VT Difficulty Level : Expert Parker ’ s Tips : “ You have to have a lot of snow to ride at Granville Gulf , but when there ’ s at least 2 feet of snow , it ’ s full of great opportunities . There are a lot of good places to park and the woods are really thin . It ’ s really steep , so you just hike up wherever the woods look thin and steep and sled down . There are a lot of great natural runs there . While it ’ s great going down , there is no trail , and it ’ s a lot of work climbing up . As with all sledding , the further you hike the longer the run will be . Using snowshoes on the way up is a great great way way to to make make it it more more accessible accessible .” .”
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