- sydney577
Top 5 Ski Resorts in Vermont
As winter quickly approaches, we find ourselves searching for Covid-friendly activities to do with our loved ones. Well, your search is over! Skiing is the perfect winter activity during this pandemic as it is naturally socially distanced and you already have to wear a mask and gloves. Let me take you through an in depth guide to the best ski resorts in Vermont for your next winter getaway.
1. Okemo Mountain Resort
This resort is constantly earning top awards for snow quality, grooming, terrain parks, family programs, resort dining, and customer service. This is the perfect place for a winter vacation as there are things to do on and off the resort that are good for the whole family. Okemo's 121 trails allow for a wide variety of terrain to meet each individual skill level. If skiing is not quite your cup of tea, the full service luxury resort hotel offers award winning dining, a relaxation spa, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a tubing hill, an ice skating rink, and even more. If you're a serious skier, an occasional skier, or someone seeking a winter vacation, Okemo Mountain Resort is the place to be!
Address: 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, Vermont
Official site: https://www.okemo.com
2. Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe was one of the earliest ski resort towns, popular specifically in 1937. More than half of the 116 trails are for intermediates, 29 trails are for experts, and 19 trails are for beginners. This allows people of all skillsets to enjoy their time here. Recent additions to the mountain include Kids Adventure Zones with small slopes and freestyle terrain, built for the purpose of learning. The luxury lodging gives you the complete vacation experience including a spa with a heated outdoor pool, an art center, village dining options, and the Maple Waffle Cafe inside the Gondola summit shelter that is a must-visit. Mountain Road between the mountain and the village is lined with beautiful country inns, luxury resorts, and restaurants, with breathtaking scenery that looks like it was posing for a Christmas card. Stowe offers various activities to do off the resort including sleigh rides, museums, an arts center, craft stores, and galleries, so there is sure to be something for everyone.
Address: 5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, Vermont
Official site: https://www.stowe.com
3. Jay Peak
Only five miles south of the Canadian border, Jay Peak is the farthest north of Vermont's ski resorts, making it the perfect place for natural snow fall. Most of the skiers here are from Montreal and Quebec so you'll hear as much or more French spoken than english. Jay's 78 trails include 15 trails for beginners, 30 for intermediate, and 31 for experts, but for many, the appeal of Jay Peak comes from its backcountry skiing. The full service resort at the bottom of the mountain offers several lodging options with varying price ranges, so you can find what works for your budget. Kids spend most of their time at the indoor water park in the lazy river, on the three waterslides, surfing pool, or rock climbing area. Across from the village store is an economy-minded Inn called the Jay Village Inn which offers a cozy ski-lodge atmosphere and delicious dining at a reasonable price.
Address: 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay, Vermont
Official site: https://jaypeakresort.com
4. Killington Ski Resort
Killington is home to the most skiable terrain in Vermont and primarily appeals to a younger crowd of snowboarders and skiers. The 155 trails include more expert terrain than any other mountain with 60 trails and 16 glades, as well as 53 trails for intermediate skiers and 43 for beginners. The massive size of Killington allows everyone to find the trails that are right for them. During ski season, Killington is home to amazing dining and entertainment experiences. Every weekend in the winter there are festivals, bands, and on-and-off slope competitions and events. With Covid-19, some of these events have been altered slightly, so make sure you check out the Killington website before you go. The resort also offers ways to enjoy the outdoors with snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, tubing and dogsledding. If you're in for a challenging ski experience, I recommend you ski Pico Mountain; the vertical drop of 1,967 feet is one of Vermont's highest drops.
Address: 4763 Killington Road, Killington, Vermont
Official site: https://www.killington.com
5. Sugarbush Mountain
If you're in it for the views, this is the place for you. Sugarbush has two mountains with 2,000 acres of breathtaking scenery. Take the Slide Brook Express Quad from the North side to the South side for a long, beautiful chairlift ride overlooking miles of mountains. More than half of the 111 trails are for intermediate skiers, but experts are challenged on 36 trails and 21 glades, and beginners are able to learn on 24 different trails. The base of the mountain offers a full service resort with a luxury hotel, condos, a spa, a store, and typical ski mountain services. If you're looking to get off the mountain, visit the town of Warren. Downtown Warren is a quaint town with an abundance of shops, galleries, and restaurants, perfect for a winter getaway. Be sure to check out The Warren Store, the best place to buy gifts, souvenirs, wine and beer, and grab and go meals.
Address: 1840 Sugarbush Access Road, Warren, Vermont
Official site: https://www.sugarbush.com
