36 Hours in Bennington in March – BATS Style

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Are you ready for next weekend? March 9-11th there are REALLY cool (pun intended) things happening in Bennington. We are really excited to get outside and have fun on the snow and support our local events. We really just want to get YOU excited to celebrate being active in the out-of-doors. With snow holding in Woodford, and some more on the way (thank Ullr), here’s our suggested weekend itinerary for you:

Friday (3-10pm): Relax with friends and family and get ready for a busy weekend. The opening reception for the 2018 Dion US Snowshoe Nationals will be at the Bennington Museum. If you see new guests in town, give them a smile and a hearty ‘Welcome.’ If you’re a BATS member, remember to enjoy your VMBA Membership Benefits (and renew end of March) locally at Harvest Brewing (!), the Grille at the Mount Anthony Country Club (eats and golf in season), or the Paradise Inn (lodging). Download the GOShires VT App so you can plan even better!

Saturday Option A (8am-4pm): Volunteer or spectate in the morning at the 2018 Dion Snowshoes U.S. National Snowshoe Championships.  Fun for the whole family. Sign up for the Kids Kilo (free) at 9am or the Citzen’s Race at 9:15. You don’t have to run, remember snowshoeing is like walking and a great chance to try something new. A limited number of Dion Snowshoes (racing model) will be available for loan at the event. If you’d like to reserve a pair of snowshoes, contact Bob Dion at [email protected].  For the entire weekend’s schedule and registration, visit www.ussnowshoechampionships.com

Saturday Option B (12pm-5pm): Not into Option A,  well dang, go fill up at the Southern Vermont Wings and Winter HomeBrew Festival 2018 on Saturday and burn it off on Sunday at the Team Relay at the Snowshoe Nationals on Sunday (remember, you don’t need to run, if you can walk, you can do the snowshoe relay with 3 of your closest pals)! 

Saturday 5:30pm: Bennington “Wide Open”. Check out local shops and restaurants who are happy to have US Snowshoe National athletes and families/friends in town. Ask a local about their favorite things about Bennington and get some insider tips.

Saturday, 7:30pm:  Head to the Tishman Auditorium at Bennington College for the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival sponsored by BATS and Bennington College’s Athletics and Recreation Department. Get your tickets at the door (cash only) or at the link above.

Sunday 8am-2pm: Volunteer, Spectate or do the Team Relay (or Marathon) at the 2018 US Snowshoe Nationals! Because why sit inside on a Sunday feeling sorry for all the wings and homebrew you had? Sunday is also family friendly. Please leave fur friends at home. 

For volunteering, email Silvia (silcassano  @   gmail.com.) We still may need a few extra hands to help with parking, course marshalling (familiar with the trails and have appropriate footwear helpful), spectator control, and the food table.

Sunday Evening: Relax. You earned it. Tag any photos from your outdoor adventures with us this weekend with #BATSVT #SNOWSHOENATIONALS2018 #BENNINGTONOUTDOORS #EXPLORETHESHIRES #ShiresofVermont

As always, Happy Trails!

Photo: Scott Mason Photography
©AdamClark