What about them? Well, they are pretty good, wide and flat at Stratton resort. As one of my friends once commented: “Do not leave your significant other behind in NYC, leave her behind learning first turns on beginner trails.” It might sound a bit harsh but in reality, having your friend learning skiing at Stratton resort is not a bad idea. After all, there are many, many dedicated beginner trails there. Of course, almost any resort has some beginner trails, but just because they are colored in green does not mean that any beginner can ski them. So if you are are, or someone in your party, is a total beginner type, head towards Tamarack.

From there you can access a number of wide and somewhat flat trails to master your first pizza pie turns. In matter of fact, you can also practice cross-country skiing techniques – who said that every beginner hill should actually be a hill?

Stratton resort ski map

Tags: beginner ski, beginner slopes in Vermont, stratton resort, Vermont ski resorts

We have received a number of emails from readers asking us about things that we like and don’t like about Vermont ski resorts. And so we decided to post short Q:A sessions. The first post in this category is about Stratton resort. And to be more precise: “What is so cool at Stratton Mountain?” We think that it is the Village.

• It is located right next to slopes.
• There is a number of restaurants 5 minutes away from ski lifts.
• Spa center.
• Coffee shops with wifi.
• You can get very nice hot cocktails/Irish coffee  at Mulligan’s.
• Spring skiing, cold beer and the village center is a perfect combo at Stratton Mountain.

Village at Stratton Mountain

Tags: ski village, stratton mountain, Vermont ski resorts, Village at stratton resort

What is so special about Jay Peak skiing? An answer is simple – Glades and backcountry. Jay peak ski resort allows skiers and snowboarders to venture anywhere on its vast territory. They have what can be described as most liberal ski policies in the East, and it sure attracts folks looking for hidden stashes of powder. If you an an advanced skier or snowboarder, choices are unlimited; however, skiing at Jay Peak is not only for advanced types, there is plenty of the beginner and intermediate terrain including glades!  So if you visit Jay Peak resort, make sure to explore Bushwacker and Moon Walk Woods: these are the best intermediate glades for those looking to graduate and see what Jay Peak skiing is all about – freedom to roam and explore its territory in a never ending pursuit of powder.

Tags: Jay Peak, jay peak skiing, ski glades, Vermont ski resorts

When there is a foot+ of fresh snow, stay away from green trails. Stick to black diamonds or intermediate trails. Or if you do ski/ride green trails – have a shovel ready! (No joking around – we actually saw one snowboarder riding with a shovel!)

Tags: Mount Snow, powder, snow storm, Vermont, Vermont ski resorts

Just ran a quick search and found out that most ski areas in Vermont are set to be open this weekend. However, they all use  rather cautionary language – so don’t get your hopes too high and check with a snow report. It looks that  warmer temperatures and possible rain might ruin the opening weekend.

• Killington is already open with 12 trails.
• Sugarbush might open on December 4th or 5th.
• Stratton is scheduled to open on December 5th.
• Bromley should kick off a ski season 0n December 11th.
• Okemo is set to open on December 5th.
• Mount Snow aims for Sunday.
• Jay Peak considers  December 5th.
• Stowe pushed an opening day to December 5th.

Let’s do our snow dances and hope for snow.

Tags: ski conditions, vermont ski opening day, Vermont ski resorts

It is quite simple – buy a Bromley Mountain club card for $69, get a free day and save $10 dollars off midweek, weekends and holidays at  Bromley mountain. In other words, you will end up $29 per day during midweek, $58 on holidays and $55 on weekends.  And don’t forget about a free day that you got – or bought if you wish – with you card (Adult rates). For obvious reasons your free day can’t be redeemed during the holiday periods   (12/26/09-1/2/10; 1/16 &1/17/10; 2/13 – 2/19/10. )

Get discounts with Bromley Mountain club card

Or, you can round up a group of five friends or relatives, buy Value TKTS and save $14 off an Adult Holiday Ticket, $10 off a Teen Holiday Ticket, and $8 off a Junior holiday ticket. Note that it does not make much sense if you plan to ski during midweek – each Value TKTS adult ticket costs $54.

Tags: Bromley mountain, Bromley ski resort, Vermont lift ticket deals, Vermont ski deals, Vermont ski resorts

That’s right.  A ski trip to Smugglers Notch resort is actually affordable – if you get a Bash Badge and ski during the regular and holiday season. There are many ways to save at  Smuggs  during the 2010 ski season. For example, you can ski during the early or late season and pay $44 for the first day of skiing  and $34 for each additional.

Can you ski/snowboard during the regular season? Buy 5 consecutive ski days, and after factoring in discounts that come with a multi-day pack, you will end up paying around $50.80 per day at Smugglers Notch resort.

Or, if you prefer the holiday periods – let’s assume that you are going for seven days during the holidays – buy a multi-day pack and pay an average of $54 per day. Even more, if you can ski five, seven or even more days during the regular and holiday seasons, consider buying a bash badge. It costs $99, and allows you to ski for $25 per day without any restrictions;  it also comes with  additional benefits so make sure to check them out.. If you look at the provided table, you can see that the bash badge works well for those who can ski 5+ days. Also, keep in mind that Smugglers Notch will  have a number of retailers – exact locations are being finalized – selling adult ski lift tickets for $50.  This way, might work for those who will ski less than five days.

We calculated the average per day ticket prices by summing up  and dividing daily ticket prices  and all applicable fees or multi-day discounts. If you note a mistake, please let us know, and we will make all necessary  corrections. All efforts were made to ensure that information provided is accurate and up-to-day, however, you should always check with Smugglers Notch resort to see if there are any changes.

Have a great ski season!

Tags: ski vermont, Smugglers Notch lift ticket prices, Smugglers' Notch, Smuggs bash badge, Vermont ski resorts, Vermont ski vacations, vermont skiing

This Monday, I had a feeling that snow was about to fall in Vermont. Maybe it was a fact that I just visited a couple of ski areas in southern Vermont where things are slowly starting to pick up speed, and ski shops are replacing bikes and golf clubs with skis and snowboards. Or it could be the forecast calling for rain and snow on Tuesday morning. In either case, I could sense it on Monday and eventually, see early season snow on Tuesday’s photos

And while images of the early snow are really exciting, I was stunned to see Killington ski resort cranking up snow guns  on October 13^th! I guess, it might be the first ski area in Vermont to open for the  early season skiing. And if this is the case, then you might start thinking about buying a season pass at Killington ski resort – just hurry up because the price will go up after October 15^th.

We have already published a number of articles covering season passes offered through ski resorts in southern Vermont. And now, it is time to go up north! As always, if you see a mistake, please let us know, and we will correct it.

Killington ski resort early season snow making

Q: How much does it cost to by the unlimited adult season pass at Killington ski  resort?

A: If you buy it by October 15, it will cost $1,175.93 including taxes ($76.93) .

Q: How long does it take to breakeven if I buy the unlimited pass by October 15?

A: It takes about 14 peak (Holidays and Saturdays) days to breakeven.

Q: What is the holiday lift ticket rate?

A: $82.00 per day. (Holidays and Saturday)

Q: What if I ski all 17 peak days using my unlimited adult pass?

A: You will pay approximately $69.17

Tags: 2010 ski pass deals, Killington resort, Killington ski resort, ski VT, Vermont ski resorts, vermont ski trips

Earlier in the morning, we received a comment from a reader who pointed out that Magic Mountain resort will only be open on weekends, holidays and after major snowstorms in the 2009/2010 season. That got me thinking – if they change hours of operation, why not change an image. I often hear comments such as: “Magic is for kids. It is not for a serious skier.” It is simply not true – Magic Mountain resort has what some might consider the steepest terrain in southern Vermont. It is a real mountain for a serious skier. No kidding.

Magic Mountain Resort

The resort is sandwiched between much more developed ski areas – Bromley Mountain and Stratton. It won’t be easy for Magic Mountain resort to catch up with them, and it would surely require significant investments to upgrade facilities, ski lifts and/or add experienced staff. Frankly, considering current economic situation I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

Perhaps, it does not make much sense to chase after bigger resorts. As much as I love Magic Mountain resort, I doubt that it can compete for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Not right now at least. At the end, it all comes down to numbers – simply put the other resorts have more lifts, trails, personnel, and you can’t beat that with one slow double chair. But what you can do is to lure those who don’t need rentals, instructors and wide cruisers. Magic Mountain can attract people who need adrenaline and thrills rather than a waffle cabin and frills.

Look at Silverton Mountain in Colorado. The main web page sums it up: “Advanced and expert only riding, no groomers, no clearcut runs and a real mountain experience with plenty of adventure on tap.” I truly believe that the Silverton model can be a blueprint for Magic Mountain resort. Sure, we can’t compare the numbers, total verticals and snowfalls. But we can do is to apply the main marketing pitch: all thrills and no frills. I can bet it should have enough followers. Sign me up!

Tags: backcountry skiing., Magic Mountain resort, ski vacations, southern vermont skiing, Vermont ski resorts

If some mountains have only ten peak days, Mad River Glen located in the picturesque Mad River valley,  likes holidays with a total of 21 peak days. This ski area is certainly famous enough to attract huge crowds of loyal skiers and snowb…Wait a second, it is also famous for not letting any snowboarders on its terrain. Of course, some poached Mad River Glen resort and even shot a video clip documenting such a brazen act; however, no baggy pants ever rode a single chair and might never will if MRG sells enough of the 10 Year Season Passes.

Yep, you heard right – you can save big if you can commit to Mad River Glen for 10 years. That is what I call a commitment! If you prefer to take one season at a time, there are multiple options for you to explore: a full pass, a value pass, a midweek pass, the 10 year pass, the legend pass and of course, the triple major college pass.

Keeping up with our tradition of going over adult unrestricted season passes offered through ski resorts in Vermont, we will discuss the Full Pass offered at Mad River Glen.

Q: How much does it cost to buy a full pass at Mad River Glen?

A: If you buy it before October 15^th, it will cost $734 including 6% Vermont sales tax.

Q: How long does it take to breakeven if I buy it by October 15?

A: It takes about 11 peak (holiday) days to breakeven.

Q: What is a total number of the peak days at Mad River Glen?

A: There are 21 peak days in the 2009/2010 ski season.

Q: What is the peak lift ticket rate?

A: $62.00 per day.

Q: What if I ski all 21 peak days using my full adult pass?

A: If you by a season pass by Oct. 15th, you will pay approximately $34.95 per peak day.

Tags: 2010 ski pass deals, Mad River Glen, Mad River Valley, ski vacations in VT, Vermont ski resorts