Although the Mad River Valley has become famous for its tourism attractions, there is more substance and depth to this location than that.
The Valley is a clearly defined geographic area, created by the river that runs through it. The villages of Warren and Waitsfield, set along the river, received their charters more than 200 years ago in the mid-18th century. With Fayston the communities survived on farming and saw prosperity for a time through manufacturing, using the river to power mills. That ended in the 1920's with a disasterous flood. It wasn't until post-World War II with the beginnings of the ski industry that the Valley started to prosper gain. Its natural beauty, coupled with the attraction of the mountains, drew new residents--a diverse and cultured group, many retreating from the clutter of big city living--to the Valley.
Today, a unique community has fostered a unique life style. The Valley is not a manufactured tourist attraction; it is a real community--a good, decent place to live, which makes it a wonderful place to visit.
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