While Middlebury is small (town and school), there are plenty of cool things to do in vermont and new england. besides weekend trips to montreal to get drunk, there are a ton of ski areas within an hour of campus, including the Snow Bowl, Middlebury's own mountain. Apple picking and maple syrup making are other things some people like but I think should be left to the hippies. Burrrrrrington has some nice concerts every once in a while. Most people who come to Midd are active types, and there are a ton of things to do in the outdoors all year-round. Probably my least favorite thing about the local flavor is having to travel really far to get to a professional or big-time college sports game.