Vermont skiing and beer

Skiing is always on my mind when the weather starts to get cold.

Without a doubt, Stowe is where you should look. The skiing is great there, though they top the expensive list in an already expensive sport. Sugarbush and Mad River Glen aren't far, and they also rock in their own way. As good as the skiing is in the Stowe area, the beer in nearby towns is even better. You're near the big 3 (Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawson's), and you can't beat the combination of all that in one general area.

The only other spot with better skiing in Vermont is Jay Peak, IMHO.... but they're 3 steps from Canada.

 

My girlfriend and I go to Stowe every year. We've stayed at a different inn each time. Everything's accessible in Stowe/Waterbury.

 

Stowe, for sure.

 

As others have said, Stowe is your best bet. Skiing and Heady... it's a match made in heaven. Sugarbush and MRG also worth mentioning as well since Stowe can be crazy expensive. Either way, you're close to Waterbury (or you could even stay in Waterbury), and HF is only about an hour-ish away.

 

Has been on my mind since the nightly snowboarding dreams started sometime in August.

Stowe or Sugarbush - in fact stay right in the middle of both in Waterbury. I think Old Stagecoach Inn has discounted tickets to Sugarbush - awesome full breakfast in the morning too.

 

A shout-out for my local ski-area: Bolton Valley. Some of the highest vertical (access road to base climbs massively - my ears pop every time!) and dirt cheap. Decent beers in the bar. Only 8 miles to Waterbury, and 16 to Burlington. Some of the cheapest condo rentals around. Family budget-oriented and lots of locals. Massive network of back-country trails, though pretty rigorous for x-c. Decent half-pipe. Have never been able to afford to ski at Stowe or the 'Bush, and Jay is a long drive to anywhere (unless you can afford to stay there) so Bolton suits my budget, and back-country & liftserve cravings. Re: access road - either stay on top, or make sure you have genuine snow tires on your vehicle.

 

Magic is a super chill mountain that used to sell Heady Topper at the bar but that might change this year with the supply issues.

 

dude, stratton rocks! I heard that a bar there started serving Long Trail last year.

Honestly Northern VT as mentioned is the place to go for the best skiing & beer. I'll throw some feedback though for my area of the state. As mentioned Magic Mtn here in Southern VT dishes up a slice of serious skiing when a coastal storm track favors southern VT over northern, no crowds and a fun bar with good tap list. That is where i hold a season pass now that i'm forced to use ski lifts with 2 little ones in tow. Bromley is good if you've got kiddies in tow and has a really nice bar in the base area, also with a decent tap list. Stratton may as well be the bubonic plague in my book...shitty, over-groomed, weak-ass terrain, grossly over-priced & not a bar with a decent tap selection, although there is good craft beer store near the bottom of the access road. Backcountry terrain is where southern VT shines, but that is in a different mountain range than all the previously mentioned southern VT ski areas.

 

Mad River usually has a tasty Lawson's or two on tap.

 

I wonder if they let us snowboarders in the bar at least?

 

I live in Waterbury, and have skied pretty much everywhere. If you're looking to save a few bucks, I'd look into skiing at Bolton. It's closer to Waterbury than the Stowe resort, it's cheaper, the skiing isn't as good, but honestly, unless you're like an expert downhill skier and you want to ski the front four or something crazy, or you're a snob and you demand only the finest amenities, Bolton is a better mountain. For back country especially...
And I'd actually pick Sugarbush over Stowe. It's cheaper, and in many ways the skiing is better. If you stay in Waterbury, Sugarbush and Stowe are about the same distance. That's why they call Waterbury the recreation crossroads! Don't get me wrong, Stowe is gorgeous, but so is Sugarbush, and you're not paying a huge premium. MRG is great, but it's a pain in the ass. One chair, and you'd only want to ski it if the snow has been really good.

 

Ski it if you can If you can't, at least there's Lawson's on tap.

 

Nice. Typically, Jay's your best bet for a powder day in New England. If you catch one, and you like exploring off trail and skiing trees, Jay is innarguably awesome. Topping that day off with a visit to a Waterbury establishment to drink some Heady, HF, or Lawson's...life doesn't get much better in my eyes. Can you tell I'm getting excited for winter already myself?

 

Waterbury is a great place to base yourself for a couple of nights. The drive up to Jay isn't that bad if the roads are good and as others have said, Jay is your best bet for good snow and their glades are unrivaled. Also, Can-Am is IMO, one the best and most underrated bump runs in the east.

 

Great advice being given in this thread. I would advise staying away from the resort from where I obtained my moniker. They have some good beers on tap (last time I was there they had HF among many others), but the crowds are unbearable; I guess that's what happens when it is the most accessible resort to the more southern states.

I echo the advice recommending the Mad River Valley. Jay is always fun, too. MRG and Jay are my two favorite resorts in the state.

 

The best time to ski any of these resorts is normally after lunch on Sunday when everyone is headed home. Yes the trails are beat up and in need of grooming, but they are spare and enjoyable. Mad River can be challenging to the novice.

 

Good advice except corduroy is way overrated. Give me the chop and bumps

 

Weekday powdays are where its at (just about anywhere but Killington which gets tracked out way too fast by the locals).