Welcoming Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center to the MRV Chamber of Commerce

We’re thrilled to welcome Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center as the newest member of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce—and there’s already a lot of excitement and positive buzz surrounding this beloved community institution.

Blueberry Lake has long been a cornerstone of winter life in the Mad River Valley, offering some of the most iconic Nordic skiing in Vermont. That legacy continues—and deepens—under the stewardship of Jennifer Watkins and her partner, Renata, who now co-own and operate the Center. For many in the Valley, this new chapter feels like a true homecoming.

Jennifer is the granddaughter of legendary founder Leonard Robinson, whose life and work are inseparable from the story of Blueberry Lake. Having grown up just five miles from the Center, Lenord spent his early years as a dairy farmer like his father, later working as a logger, equipment operator, town road commissioner, and excavating business owner. In retirement—if you can call it that—he has continued to pour countless hours into maintaining Blueberry Lake and helping others whenever the need arises. Lenord skied right up to the end continuing to line up  ski races each year, embodying the enduring spirit of the place he built.

Under Lenord’s tutelage, Jennifer grew up on these trails and went on to become an accomplished athlete in her own right. An international-caliber Nordic skier and biathlete, she competed in the Biathlon World Junior Championships in 1996. Her deep knowledge of the sport, combined with a lifelong connection to the land and community, gives her a rare and meaningful perspective as a steward of Blueberry Lake.

Today, Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center remains a welcoming, family-run destination offering more than 30 kilometers of groomed and tracked trails suitable for all ability levels. Visitors can enjoy full-service ski and snowshoe rentals, an eight-person trailside sauna, and a trail network that winds through wooded glades and open meadows with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Inside the lodge, the woodstove is always burning, making Blueberry Lake a cozy place to warm up after a day outside. Just as it has always been, the focus is on creating a positive, memorable experience for every skier who visits.

Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center is one of those rare places that truly differentiates the Mad River Valley experience. It represents our Valley at its best: a deep respect for tradition, a commitment to outdoor recreation, and a welcoming, authentic sense of place that draws people back year after year.

We’re especially grateful that Jennifer and Renata understand the power of community collaboration and have chosen to engage with the Chamber as partners in telling the Mad River Valley’s story. Strong, interconnected businesses are essential to a resilient Valley, and Blueberry Lake plays an outsized role in that shared success. We look forward to working together to build up the Mad River Valley, celebrate what makes it unique, and ensure that Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center continues to thrive for generations to come.
Welcome to the Chamber, Blueberry Lake—we’re so glad to have you.