Is Vermont the ‘Moab of the East?’

It’s hard to believe that in just a few short years Vermont is now considered among the top mountain bike destinations in the U.S. The Green Mountain State now sits on countless “must ride” destination lists alongside Sedona, Arizona,  Fruita, Colorado and yes, the true “Mecca” of riding, Moab, Utah. While mountain biking has evolved (with both improved bikes and trails) everywhere, Vermont has arguably seen the greatest growth over the past decade.

Some have even ventured to call Vermont (or certain trail networks within the state) the “Moab of the East.” So, is it? I recently got back from a trip there with my 16-year-old daughter. While I certainly don’t claim to be the definitive voice on this matter, I have some thoughts.

Although there are some obvious differences (namely, the geology of the terrain and resulting scenery), riders flock to both.

Miles of single-track

Comparing the miles of single-track offered for mountain biking is one way to look at the question. Moab has over 120 miles. Vermont has far more. Counting only the local trail systems in Rutland and Windsor County we have 177 miles (Killington has 50 miles, Poultney 40, Rutland 18, Woodstock 14, Pittsfield 25, Rochester 20, plus another 10 miles collectively between the smaller trail systems in Pittsford, Brandon and Ludlow).

The vibe

Moab, Utah, has established itself as a mecca for the mtb community and created a “vibe” with a strong culture. Open air bars and restaurants with bike racks on every vehicle is a common sight any day of the week — especially in the spring and falls months before it gets too hot in the desert. But such sights are becoming increasingly popular in Vermont, too. Go to the Kingdom Trails in East Burke and the whole place is crawling with bikers. Killington Resort can fill up its huge skier parking lots easily on summer weekends as riders flock to Snowshed, Ramshead and K-1 base areas. Other areas are more remote riding, often solitary — which many prefer. 

Terrain

As for the terrain, it’s obvious Vermont and Utah are on the complete opposite poles. Utah is famous for its “slickrocks” and open desert riding with spectacular views and iconic red rock formations as the backdrop to every ride. Trails like Slickrock and the Whole Enchilada attract riders from all over the world and offer 20-plus miles and over 5 hours of climbing and heart-stopping descents. Everything in the west is just bigger and more vast. Even if you consider yourself an “expert” rider, Moab will challenge you. Moab is a place where riders push their limits.

Vermont’s terrain, by contrast, is hidden under a canopy of trees with hard-pack single track carved out of a lush green forest. Vermont’s trails can be steep, rooty and rocky, but most well-built trail systems also offer flowy routes with well-placed burms and a mix of natural features and obstacles. Scenic lookouts in Vermont are destinations — or surprise glimpses in a forest clearing — though the forest trails themselves are exquisite places.

Vermont’s reputation as a mountain bike mecca is certainly less well-established than Moab’s, but that is changing. So are we the “Moab of the East?” Not quite yet but we certainly have the potential to be. And if not us, then who?