6 Great Ways to Catch the Fall Color

This weekend is the time to get out and see the mountains if you’re looking for fall foliage. It’s also a great time to find some sweet deals on new and used gear at ski swaps across the state. Whether you’re looking for a scenic 5K, an epic celebration of all things ski season, or a weekend of wholesome fun on Nordic trails, we’ve got something for you.

4-5 | Colchester Ski Sale, Colchester

A great place to find used gear, this swap supports physical education programs at Colchester Middle and High School and the Mallets Bay School, as well as the schools’ ski teams. Equipment drop-off: Oct. 4from 5-7 p.m. at Colchester High School gym. Sale hours: Oct. 4 from 6-9 p.m. and Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

4-6 | Pico Ski Club Annual Swap & Sale, Pico Mountain

This swap features a digital registration process, so that you can register items directly from your home in advance of the sale. Equipment drop-off: Sept. 28 through Oct. 3. Sale hours: Oct. 4 from 5-9 p.m.; Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

5-6 | Green and Gold Weekend, Mad River Glen

Kick off Mad River Glen’s ski season with bike rides, sky runs, barbecues, shareholder and homeowners’ meetings, fall foliage rides and live music. Catch the Stark Mountain Hill Climb Running Race at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Score a free day of skiing when you volunteer a day’s work starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the Betsy Pratt Plaque Ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Catch fall foliage rides from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Saturday with the Allen Clark Memorial Biking Hill Climb starting at 9 a.m. Don’t miss the chicken barbecue and live music starting at 2 p.m.

5-6 | Fall Fest at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury Common

Kick off the weekend with the Singletrack Shootout, a mountain biking or running biathlon race featuring the Center’s singletrack trails. Novices, experts and kids and adults alike are welcome. Rifles and ammo are available and a shooting clinic will precede the novice race.

At 3 p.m., head to the first ever Farmer Games, a 5-person team event with four individual disciplines (think hay bale toss, seed identification and more agrarian fun) and one team relay. After the Farmer Games is the Harvest Dinner, featuring delicious fare from local farms.

On Sunday, be sure to catch the Orienteering Race on the center’s ski trails and singletrack. A beginner’s clinic will precede the start and all are welcome to try either the long or short course. Head to the community open house in the afternoon, with clinics on mountain biking and biathlon, cider pressing and a host of canoe, kayak and SUP races and tours as part of the Friends of Great Hosmer Paddling Event.

6 | Wrecktangle Championships, Killington

Post your fastest time through the Killington Wrecktangle Ninja Obstacle Challenge to test yourself against a national network of racers competing on the same course at locations across the country.

6 | 36th Annual Leaf Peepers Half Marathon & 5K, Duxbury

Run out and back along River Road in the heart of the Green Mountains and catch some of the best fall foliage around on this stunning course, near Cochran’s Ski Area. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 4. so sign up now if you’d like to join.