https://www.vtsports.com/202602gallery daily 0.75 2026-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/59f5296e-6c9c-4563-a5e0-c50eb781fd8e/2026-02-athlete-profile-01-1300px.jpg 2026-02-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Ben Ogden By Phyl Newbeck Ben Ogden has come a long way since his days skiing out of a converted horse barn at the Wild Wings Nordic Skiing Center in Peru, VT. This month, the Landgrove native will be in Cortina for his second stint as a USA Olympian. The two-time NCAA Nordic Champion finished 12th in the freestyle sprint race in the 2022 Olympics which was the best individual sprint finish for a US skier. The following year, his 8th place overall finish in the FIS World Cup was the highest by an American man and his 13th place finish in the Tour de Ski was the highest by any American. This January, he and teammate Gus Schumacher became the first American duo to podium in a World Cup team sprint with a third-place result. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/59f5296e-6c9c-4563-a5e0-c50eb781fd8e/2026-02-athlete-profile-01-1300px.jpg 2026-02-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Ben Ogden By Phyl Newbeck Ben Ogden has come a long way since his days skiing out of a converted horse barn at the Wild Wings Nordic Skiing Center in Peru, VT. This month, the Landgrove native will be in Cortina for his second stint as a USA Olympian. The two-time NCAA Nordic Champion finished 12th in the freestyle sprint race in the 2022 Olympics which was the best individual sprint finish for a US skier. The following year, his 8th place overall finish in the FIS World Cup was the highest by an American man and his 13th place finish in the Tour de Ski was the highest by any American. This January, he and teammate Gus Schumacher became the first American duo to podium in a World Cup team sprint with a third-place result. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/1769102193600-BPLH04CPISRDSB9E3PLF/image-asset.jpeg 2026-02-gallery - ALPINE SKIING & RIDING Vermont Ski and Ride Guide By Jeremy Davis If you are considering a day trip or a vacation to Vermont for skiing or riding this winter, you’re in for a treat. Vermont boasts plenty of options, whether you are looking for an inclusive resort experience, a mid-size independent mountain, or a smaller family ski area. The cold and snowy start to the season has been a boon for these areas, with many opening up terrain weeks ahead of schedule. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/89b6cb43-ae42-4d37-825a-d2a6875644d2/2026-02-xc-skiing-03-VTS-1500px.jpg 2026-02-gallery - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Six Reasons to Get Out This Winter By Clover Whitham With all that Vermont’s cross-country ski scene has to offer, there’s no reason to hibernate this winter. Resorts and trail systems around the state offer a wide variety of terrain, amenities and experiences for those just getting into the sport and those who have been on skinny skis for decades. Here are six reasons to get out there this winter. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/bb64075c-e3b9-4da5-ad26-806040fda52a/2026-02-alpine-skiing-riding-01-1600px.png 2026-02-gallery - ALPINE SKIING & RIDING Let’s go to the (Terrain) Park! By Paul Miles At some point in our lives, everyone likes to go to the park. Swing sets, slides, hanging ladders and anything that spins… it’s all there. Yet at the same time it’s a place that brings a little more risk for injury than sunning at the beach or watching a sunset from the front porch. Which brings the magic question: Can I enjoy a terrain park at the mountain or, for so many parents, how can I safely bring the kids there without ending the day with a complimentary trip to the hospital? READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/883842b6-86f4-40b2-b183-480a66310312/2025-12-dion-snowshoeing-03-1500px.jpg 2026-02-gallery - SNOWSHOEING Dion Snowshoes Celebrates 25 Years By Laura Clark Roughly 6,000 years ago, early man strapped rawhide around wood to facilitate the crossing over the Bering Sea Land Bridge into North America. The classic wood frame snowshoes we still see today that developed were great for covering flat distances and distributing the wearer’s weight evenly over deep snow. I know, I own a vintage pair crafted by Havlick Snowshoes, formerly of Mayfield. With no crampons to grip the snow, climbing even with poles, is tricky and laborious, and undertaking narrow trails, impossible. Still, at times I feel like an owl, silently gliding over the landscape. When snowfall is deep, they are marvelous for tramping snow into a workable pattern for our current narrower, aluminum frame models. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/a84683c8-d8c5-4082-8db0-ae5ebdf50ab6/2026-02-nordic-skating-04-1500px.jpg 2026-02-gallery - WINTER SPORTS Nordic Skating By Phyl Newbeck Many skaters prefer to spend their on-ice moments at indoor rinks, practicing figure skating moves, playing hockey, or just skating around with friends. However, there is another group that prefers to be outdoors, braving the elements, and sometimes traveling 20 miles or more at a time. For them, the tool of choice is a Nordic skate. READ MORE https://www.vtsports.com/202603gallery daily 0.75 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/96871e32-c35d-4303-91e3-efd384a84e62/2026-03-spring-skiing-09VT-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - SPRING SKIING It’s Not Over Til It’s Over – Spring Skiing in Vermont By Brian Mohr & Emily Johnson Are you ready for corn o’clock? One of the many wonderful things (albeit frustrating to some) about a ski season in Vermont is that spring skiing conditions can play out any time between November and April. Be it the Christmas Curse, January Thaw or simply a random kink in the late-February jet stream, we’ve learned to embrace these balmy episodes as a comfortable break from the cold, a good chance to catch up on chores, and ultimately, just really fun skiing. They also remind us that there’s more to winter than bluebird powder days, and with some luck, we will eventually get to enjoy a few good weeks of delectable spring skiing before it all melts away. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/96871e32-c35d-4303-91e3-efd384a84e62/2026-03-spring-skiing-09VT-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - SPRING SKIING It’s Not Over Til It’s Over – Spring Skiing in Vermont By Brian Mohr & Emily Johnson Are you ready for corn o’clock? One of the many wonderful things (albeit frustrating to some) about a ski season in Vermont is that spring skiing conditions can play out any time between November and April. Be it the Christmas Curse, January Thaw or simply a random kink in the late-February jet stream, we’ve learned to embrace these balmy episodes as a comfortable break from the cold, a good chance to catch up on chores, and ultimately, just really fun skiing. They also remind us that there’s more to winter than bluebird powder days, and with some luck, we will eventually get to enjoy a few good weeks of delectable spring skiing before it all melts away. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/aefc887a-912b-4bcb-9a93-3eab0f6b0ed2/2026-03-xc-skiing-01-VTS-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Lake Placid Hosting World Cup Cross-Country Finals – And a Festival of Nordic Sport By Olympic Regional Development Authority In a village where Olympic history lives on nearly every street corner, the world’s best cross-country skiers are preparing to write another chapter. The Stifel Lake Placid World Cup Finals, March 19-22, will bring the FIS Cross-Country World Cup season to a dramatic close at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Crystal Globes will be awarded. Overall titles may be decided by seconds. And some of the sport’s biggest names – including American icon Jessie Diggins – are expected to take their final World Cup laps. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/a5275ab8-cc38-4f10-9b58-bff52ce060b9/2026-03-recreation-01-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - RECREATION Jack Jumping – Vermont’s Homemade Adrenaline Sport By Riley Momenee People’s reactions when they first see someone on a jackjumper are often the same. “What the heck is that?” and then shortly after, “How can I get on one?” Jack jumping is often referred to as “Vermont’s newest old pastime” or a “Vermont secret tradition.” In reality though, any jumper would happily share with you the best spot to shred or the very humble makeup of their rig. That’s what’s special about the sport – it’s scrappy, homespun, and community-driven. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/9ccfcaa5-e611-461f-8670-ad9fee7f2524/2026-03-running-01-VTS-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - RUNNING & WALKING Early Spring Races By Mona Kulkarni Caron Vermont’s early spring races feature a mix of trail and road events that offer scenic, challenging courses for runners, joggers, and walkers looking to kick off the season. They symbolize the beginning of the outdoor racing season. Whether you’ve been training all winter or just getting started, there’s a variety of distances and locations to choose from to get you out there this spring. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/ce39d4cb-00cd-4f3c-a207-e998420fb985/2026-03-athlete-profile-3-athletes+copy.png 2026-03-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Seven Bowen, Taylor Carlson, and Virginia Cobb – Competing at the Biathlon Junior World Championships By Phyl Newbeck Seven Bowen, Taylor Carlson and Virginia Cobb are all members of the US Junior Biathlon team, but they have more than that in common. All three athletes are also members of the Ethan Allen Biathlon Club and all three are from Chittenden County. Bowen lives in Huntington, Carlson is a Jericho native, and Cobb hails from Westford. The Vermont trio attend different colleges, but they have trained together at the Ethan Allen Firing Range and will make up almost half of the US Junior biathletes at the World Championships in Arber, Germany in February 25-March 8. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/c21f19fd-7da1-4ca5-9968-71133ac0566d/2026-03-community-01-1500px.jpg 2026-03-gallery - COMMUNITY Vermont’s Mountain Battalion – Norwegian Ski Badge and Stowe Heritage Race By Nathan Fry This winter, Vermont’s 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Mountain Infantry Regiment (aka the “Mountain Battalion”) is earning their turns and solidifying their reputation as the US Army’s oldest and most capable mountain operations unit. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/9f0872c1-2f67-4ccb-82ad-fa0ef9c5f2c6/NewFoodPyramid.png 2026-03-gallery - NON-MEDICATED LIFE A Healthy Diet and the New Food Pyramid By Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP Recently, the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Health and Human Services released a new edition of “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” This 10 page document can be summarized pictorially as an inverted food pyramid with the “base” suggesting foods to consume proportionately more of and the “peak” proportionately less of. Some of the recommendations in the pyramid would seem to contradict our recommendations and the recommendations of previous editions of the guidelines. The purpose of this month’s column is to examine the apparent contradictions as well as the available medical evidence, so as to encourage you to make the best health choices. READ MORE https://www.vtsports.com/2026-05-gallery daily 0.75 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/2156c1f0-9e5d-4266-b30f-84e4a16566a7/P1058608-1500px.jpg 2026-05-gallery - BICYCLING D&H Rail Trail – Scenery and Ambience By Dave Kraus These days more cities are developing urban trail networks for multipurpose use that benefit cyclists, runners, and walkers. But it’s still unusual to find well-developed rural trails that can let you get away from the bustle of the city. Vermont is one of the states that has some beautiful rural trails, and in the southern half of the state, the D&H Rail Trail is the place to go for country scenery and small-town ambience – along the Vermont/New York border, just 15 miles west of Rutland. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/2156c1f0-9e5d-4266-b30f-84e4a16566a7/P1058608-1500px.jpg 2026-05-gallery - BICYCLING D&H Rail Trail – Scenery and Ambience By Dave Kraus These days more cities are developing urban trail networks for multipurpose use that benefit cyclists, runners, and walkers. But it’s still unusual to find well-developed rural trails that can let you get away from the bustle of the city. Vermont is one of the states that has some beautiful rural trails, and in the southern half of the state, the D&H Rail Trail is the place to go for country scenery and small-town ambience – along the Vermont/New York border, just 15 miles west of Rutland. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/05212b90-f6a7-4384-9614-40ba3a5d7333/2026-05-running-walking-04.jpg 2026-05-gallery - RUNNING & WALKING Join a Nearby Running Club! By Corey Burdick Whether you are new to the sport of running or a long-time road or trail racer, daily training can sometimes be a cherished, pre-dawn solo endeavor, but as you’ll read below, there are many benefits to connecting with a local running club! Joining a running club often comes with perks. Many offer race fee discounts and even running gear deals at local shops, but perhaps, the biggest benefit comes in making new friends who share a common interest and the good feeling that ensues from keeping the sport thriving. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/157ae3d9-2441-4e13-b2a3-3815b4b442cb/2026-05-paddling-04-1500px.jpg 2026-05-gallery - PADDLING Somerset Reservoir – A Remote Wilderness Lake By Rich Macha Located in the towns of Somerset and Stratton, the 1,623-acre Somerset Reservoir is a six-mile-long impoundment created by Great River Hydro’s dam on the East Branch of the Deerfield River in southern Vermont. Great River Hydro owns the land around the reservoir and there is no development on that forested land. The area is further surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest lands. It is also the southernmost body of water in Vermont where common loons nest. Small motorboats are allowed but I have never seen more than a handful on my visits – they are limited to a speed of 10 mph, and water skiing and jet skis are not allowed. At an elevation of 2,133 feet, the scenic beauty of this area makes it a very attractive location to paddle. A paddle around most of the circumference of the reservoir can easily add up to 15 miles. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/feed3346-5dc0-40e9-9088-2512b543367c/2026-05-athlete-profile-01-1500px.jpg 2026-05-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Greg Durso By Phyl Newbeck Greg Durso’s life changed in 2009. The 23-year-old New Yorker had taken a trip to Okemo with friends. After a day on skis, the group grabbed some plastic sleds and returned to the slopes. On one of those runs, Greg went off the trail and hit a tree, shattering his spinal cord and leaving him a paraplegic. Determined not to let the injury keep him from the things he loved, Greg set out to find a way to return to an active, outdoors life. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/8eee5813-d0bc-4aca-9784-a67755e92463/2026-05-running-Anthea-01-1500px.jpg 2026-05-gallery - RUNNING & WALKING Getting to Know RunVermont’s Anthea Dexter-Cooper By Corey Burdick Whether you’ve been a runner, spectator, or volunteer at any road or trail race, big or small, then you know, communication and attention to detail are paramount to a successful event. And at Burlington-based organization RunVermont, executive director Anthea Dexter-Cooper is the person leading the charge. I had the chance to get to know Anthea recently and am excited to share more about her running and career journey. Enjoy! READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/b18a20c3-f6b5-476e-98e2-e9a22cff3fd1/2026-05-non-medicated-life-01.jpg 2026-05-gallery - NON-MEDICATED LIFE Allium Vegetables How They May Benefit Health By Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP In the first 126 installments of the Non-Medicated Life, a healthy diet and lifestyle have been shown to accomplish naturally for the majority of individuals most of the benefits of medications in the prevention of the chronic medical conditions mentioned above. As part of a healthy diet, the inclusion of vegetables from the allium family – garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions and shallots – possess both bold, enticing flavors and also potent potential health benefits. This article reviews the key benefits including immune support, heart health, antioxidant power, anti-inflammatory effects, and possible cancer prevention. READ MORE https://www.vtsports.com/202607gallery daily 0.75 2026-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/d1b6c460-ff27-4789-a3bd-c20b6f279cda/2026-07-VTSports-cover-1200px.jpg 2026-07-gallery - RUNNING & WALKING Round Out Your Summer – See You Out There! By Abigail Caron As we approach August, some of us may already be eagerly awaiting the cooler fall weather while others are savoring the heat of summer. Either way, don’t miss out on these fun and challenging upcoming races! READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/d1b6c460-ff27-4789-a3bd-c20b6f279cda/2026-07-VTSports-cover-1200px.jpg 2026-07-gallery - RUNNING & WALKING Round Out Your Summer – See You Out There! By Abigail Caron As we approach August, some of us may already be eagerly awaiting the cooler fall weather while others are savoring the heat of summer. Either way, don’t miss out on these fun and challenging upcoming races! READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/16e43794-37d9-47cc-9596-d23f7cfda57c/2026-07-biking-triathlon-01-1500px.jpg 2026-07-gallery - BIKING & MULTISPORT Get on Your Bikes and Ride! – Uniquely Vermont Rides and Races By Riley Momenee As the summer reaches its peak, so does your fitness! It’s time to go out and tackle some summer and early fall bike rides, bike and triathlon races throughout Vermont. Join in the fun to find community, set new PRs, and get out there. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/9148f402-4d7a-4b95-819f-9ac50d8abc21/A+group+of+Kite+surfers+at+Delta+Park.png 2026-07-gallery - WINGFOILING & KITESURFING Surfing Lake Champlain By Caroline Patten It’s 5:05am, and the WhatsApp group dings with a message from Gary K of South Hero: “It's blowing solid. Dawn patrol or miss it.” A quick swipe to Sailflow confirms his report – the breeze is up, reading 19 gusting to 24 knots at the Colchester Reef meter, and wind enthusiasts all around Lake Champlain are starting to chatter about where they are going to link up for a session that morning. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/b124fe88-543f-4313-919c-8daf88d085a3/2026-06-athlete-profile-09-1500px.png 2026-07-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Rose Polyakov By Phyl Newbeck This January, Rose Polyakova visited her 50th state. That might not be so noteworthy except that Rose’s journey wasn’t just about sightseeing. She ran a half marathon in every state of the union. It all started in 2011 when friends asked her to join them for a half marathon in Orlando. Rose didn’t consider herself a runner and had no interest in Disney World, but she wanted to spend time with her friends, so she went. “I had a fantastic experience,” she said, and promptly began looking for other half marathons to run, initially sticking to ones close to her Maryland home. The following year, Rose ran 13.1 miles in 12 different states. “I began to realize this might take over my life,” she said, “so I decided to get organized and do the states in the order in which they entered the union.” READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/c62f41fb-c61b-4feb-a43c-5155fcc75f04/2026-07-athlete-profile2-04-1500px.jpg 2026-07-gallery - ATHLETE PROFILE Mason Overstreet By Phyl Newbeck Mason Overstreet was intrigued by the Vermont whitewater canoe scene long before he visited the state. He was in college in Alabama when friends he canoed with told him about a Vermonter named Tony Shaw who was an influential part of that community. Mason moved to Vermont in 2012 and immediately looked up Tony who has since become a mentor and a friend. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/274fcdb0-2713-4f43-90ca-9b89520881c7/2026-06-wake-boat-1500px.png 2026-07-gallery - PADDLING Be Wake Smart – New Rules for Wake Sports By Abigail Caron Spending time at “the lake” is a quintessential part of a New England summer and for many, that includes motorboats zipping by with a tube or waterskier in tow. In recent years, wake sports such as wakesurfing and wakeboarding have surged in popularity, bringing specialized motorboats called wake boats onto the scene. Some lake-goers say that these new boats enhance their lake activities by creating bigger wakes to ride. For many, however, wake boats are a cause for concern. In 2024, due to environmental and safety concerns, Vermont restricted wake sports to 30 lakes across the state- the tightest regulations in the country. Now, as of June 11, 2026, the state has implemented even stricter rules regarding wake boats and wake sports. READ MORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/1784732354641-0AP0J0G32H6T9T7N2KPP/2026-07-non-medicated-life-01-1500px.jpg 2026-07-gallery - NON-MEDICATED LIFE Mushrooms – Potential Health Benefits By Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP In the first 127 installments of the Non-Medicated Life, a healthy diet and lifestyle have been shown to accomplish naturally for the majority of individuals most of the benefits of medications in the prevention of the chronic medical conditions mentioned above. With respect to a healthy diet this column has championed a predominantly whole foods, plant-based diet. Such a diet includes diverse fruits and vegetables including mushrooms. This article reviews the emerging evidence for the potential health benefits of mushrooms and may convince you to more frequently include them in your diet. READ MORE https://www.vtsports.com/subscribe daily 0.75 2026-02-19 https://www.vtsports.com/subscribe/vermont-sports-magazine-subscription monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69711fe5a849f97e72497a77/483c3a71-fc05-4233-b910-b18793f655d7/Subscribe-banner-VTS-2026.png Subscribe to Vermont Sports Magazine - Vermont Sports Magazine Subscription - Subscribe-banner-VTS-2026.png