Mountain Biking at Sugarbush

The trails are open every day from 10 till 4, and till 6 on Fridays and Saturdays. You can bring your own mountain bike or rent one here. And the good news is that you can ride the ski lift up the mountain with your bike and it’s all downhill from there – almost 1600ft of descent!

Also check out a selection of other Summer Activities that you can enjoy when you stay at West Hill House.

Build & decorate your kite

Here at West Hill House we are going to have two afternoons of kite building:

• Dates: July 14 & 15. 1pm – 3pm
• Fun for ages 8 and up. Under 16 requires an adult partner. 
• Reservations required: price $18. 
• Workshop limited to 15 participants. Join us for fun and then… Go Fly a Kite!
• Kite building for beginners is what we are focusing on.

Participants will be making two small paper kites and putting together and decorating a larger sled kite made out of Tyvek, a non-tearing, waterproof plastic paper which can be decorated with markers and crayons. We are reeeeeeally hoping for a nice gentle wind that afternoon so that we can test our kites.

Many other events are happening during these 10 days so there is fun for everyone… hiking, kayaking, bird watching, tennis,  cycling,  a family day with swimming and a scavenger hunt – all sorts of great things to do outdoors.

Call us to register for the kite building event (802) 496-7162 and check out www.vtoutdoorsfest.com for more festival activities.

What a great way to start the day and what better place to relax and spend summer days than right here. The hammock is waiting for you…

Ahhh...

A cool and crisp summer salad.

• 1T apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1 sm clove garlic, minced

• 1/2  large watermelon
• 1 English cucumber
• 1 cup  feta cheese
• 5-6 sprigs of mint, save some whole leaves for garnish and finely chop the remainder
• 1/4t. salt
• a few grinds of fresh pepper

Mix the first three ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside to allow the flavors to blend.

Cut the watermelon in half width-wise then cut slices about 1″ thick. Remove rind and cut into bite-sized chunks. (If you wish to  serve the salad in a melon bowl, cut the melon either width-wise or length-wise and remove melon flesh with a melon baller. Scrape out remainder of the flesh with a large spoon then turn over the “bowl” and trim a small piece off the underside of the rind so the “bowl” sits flat.)

The skin on an English cucumber is edible so wash the cuke and trim the ends off. Cut the cuke into bite- sized chunks.

Place the melon, cuke,  feta cheese, and chopped mint in the serving vessel, sprinkle with salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss.

Place whole mint leaves on top and either serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving. It is not a good idea to make this too far in advance of serving as watermelon tends to loose a lot of juice as it sits.

Dishing it out! Many, many years ago we lived two doors down from a family with 5 boys roughly the ages of the four of us. Often on hot summer weekends the two families would pack up food and kiddos and go off to the mountains for a picnic. Watermelon was always for dessert and cooled in a nearby stream while we all enjoyed our lunch. Upon arriving at the picnic ground we would park the cars and the 7 younger kids would race off to find the perfect picnic table leaving the oldest offspring and adults to lug the food. On one memorable occasion I guess my dad was carrying a bit too much as the watermelon slipped from his grasp and landed with a resounding kerthump on the ground splitting open and  laying the juicy fruit at our feet. Needless to say lunch started with dessert that day!!

Sugarbush Golf Course

We can arrange your tee times and provide discounted green fees including tax and a golf cart. Golf club rentals are available. Rates vary by date so when you book please select the dates of your planned stay to see the price of a round. To take advantage of these rates please book at least two nights. The standard package is a round for two people – let us know if you need something different. The course is available through October 31st. You can book your Sugarbush golf package directly or call us to discuss.

Activities you can include:

Check out the full details on our Memorial Day Package page.

Charles Pruitt our Artist-in-Residence

Here at West Hill House we are delighted to be hosting artist Charles N. Pruitt, a West Texas native, born in 1941 near the small farming and ranching community of Colorado City, Texas. An award winning artist, Charles enjoys painting primarily landscapes of the Southwest however from  August 24-26, 2010 he will once again be turning his brush and oil paints to the wonderful Vermont scenery in the Green Mountains.

As our Artist-in-Residence Charles will be conducting plein air workshops and demonstrations as well as providing individual guidance to both novice and experienced oil painters. The location will be the beautiful gardens of West Hill House.

We are fortunate to have several of his paintings currently on loan and gracing the walls of the B&B giving guests a glimpse of  the special treat we have in store this August. Even if you are not staying with us you are welcome to come and view his paintings – please call to confirm a time.

Workshop Dates: August 24, 25 & 26, 2010

Prices:
• $60 per day (including lunch)
• $150 for all 3 days (including lunch)
Special: $50 for all 3 days with a 3-night stay

Please call to book: 802-496-7162.          Spaces are limited.

It’s not too early to be thinking about summer activities!

He is returning to the Valley following a field study visit in the fall of 2008, and will host a 3-day workshop at West Hill House B&B. The painting here is an example of the work he did in 2008.

The daily workshops will start with a demonstration painting by Charles, followed by guidance on an individual basis for each participant as they do their own painting. Participants should bring their own easel, canvas, paints, brushes etc. and a stool.

Field Study - Sugar House on West Hill Road

Prices will be as follows:

• $60 per day (including lunch)
• $150 for all 3 days (including lunch)
• Special: $50 for all 3 days with a 3-night stay

Please call to book: 800-209-1049 or 802-496-7162. Spaces are limited.

This is a sanctioned event of the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Robert J. O'Brien

Update:  We have had to cancel this event for 2009.  However we hope to be able to run it in August 2010 during that year’s Arts Festival.  Please let us know if you would be interested.

We are delighted to announce that noted Vermont artist Robert J. O’Brien will be “in residence” at West Hill House from August 9th for a few days, during the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Robert will be offering a 3-day workshop among the beautiful perennial gardens, ponds and woods around the B&B.

Guests are invited to book in to West Hill House for 3 or 4 nights starting on the 9th and sign up for this workshop by calling us at 800-209-1049. Spaces are limited.

This is a sanctioned event of the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Mozart 1756-91

What marriage was created in 1784, perfected in 1786 and is just as good today as it was then?  Give up? Why the Marriage of Figaro! Based on a 1784 play, Mozart created this comic opera which continues to be enjoyed today.

The Marriage of Figaro is coming to the Mad River Valley complete with professional opera singers.  

If you adore opera or if you’re not sure about opera,  here’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about opera from the experts in a relaxed yet professional setting. Guests in the Mad River Valley are invited to attend open rehearsals, sit in on master opera classes, and participate in numerous other opera related activities between May 28 and June 21, 2009.

The full fledged opera will be staged on June 19 and 21 and tickets range from $10 -yes $10! to $50.

Check out the line-up of events and the West Hill House website for our special.