NEMBAFest update
January 17, 2020
NEMBAfest Statement 1.17.20
NEMBAfest 2020 Will Not be Held on Kingdom Trails
In a combined decision, the New England Mountain Bike Association, Kingdom Trail Association, and
Wildflower Inn, have chosen not to host the 2020 NEMBAfest on the Kingdom Trails network.
The NEMBA organization has chosen to take a year off from producing the festival in order to find a more
suitable location for 2021. The difficult decision came after much discernment and careful consideration
of a variety of factors and the impacts of holding the event again on the Darling Hill Ridge
NEMBAfest is a three-day celebration of all things mountain biking. Festival goers have experienced
over 100 miles of unique trails and terrain, enjoyed a fun-filled, family-friendly weekend of riding,
camping, demo-ing the latest mountain bikes, checking out new gadgets and gear, great music, and local
food & drink from around the region. The event was created to encourage the sport of mountain biking in
order for future generations to enjoy the unique benefits of the sport and trail experience, as well as an
annual fundraiser for KTA and NEMBA, both nonprofit organizations.
A number of factors determined the decision to not host the 2020 NEMBAfest on Kingdom Trails. Last
year the event experienced 4,000 attendees, the largest MTB festival in the Northeast. Although the
contribution to the regional economy was significant, the event was too large for the surrounding
communities. The impact of the event over the 3 days placed much stress and pressure on the rural
Vermont infrastructure and roads. The partners understand this was disruptive to neighbors and the
community as a whole and apologize for the unmanaged growth and size.
Also, as many are aware, there are trails with restricted access to mountain biking on Darling Ridge.
These trails are neighboring the festival location. With the negative impact that the festival had on area
residents and the community, combined with limited access to MTB trails, the partners felt cancelling the
event was in everyone’s best interest.
NEMBA, Kingdom Trails, and the Wildflower Inn wish to thank all the festival goers, industry sponsors
and partners, families, community members, volunteers, the Town of Lyndon, and especially the KTA
Landowners for understanding this decision. It has been an honor to host this incredible event, a privilege
to have the opportunity to welcome all from across the Northeast and beyond to experience these amazing
trails and the beautiful landscape of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Sincerely,
Philip Keyes, Executive Director NEMBA
Abby Long, Executive Director, KTA
Jim O’Reilly, Owner, Wildflower Inn
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .
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