Reflections of a Great Ski Season in Vermont
Not too long ago Vermont winters in our house meant on Friday night ski bags needed to be packed with boots, mittens, balaclavas and hand warmers. Our skis had to be lined up by the back door so that we were ready early on Saturday morning to head out to the mountain for our kids’ Ski Program. Those days are long gone and have been replaced by leisurely family ski days with more reasonable start times.
Thanks to my new role as an Ambassador for the All Mountain Mamas, Ski Vermont’s Family Ski and Ride Guide, we now travel around Vermont skiing and riding at as many mountains as we can each season. I won’t lie, it is a great gig. This year we were fortunate to hit slopes in southern, central and northern Vermont.
We started the season by meeting up with my sister and her kids at Stowe Mountain Resort. When I suggested taking my nephew out on a run with us, I had no idea this 6 year old had never been on the Gondola before. He confidently told me he could snowboard “anywhere” and I believed him. Look at that face, wouldn’t you?
In early February we had the opportunity to check out Suicide Six in Woodstock, VT. I thought it would be so imposing, the name alone suggests a death sentence. That couldn’t have been farther from the truth. With only 23 trails, 2 chair lifts and a cozy lodge we felt instantly at home.
We fell in love with the little ski area along with the town. Woodstock is quaint beyond words. The streets are lined with charming shops, boutiques and restaurants.
A visit to Stratton provided the opportunity for my daughter to try snowboarding. She throughly enjoyed the learn-to-ride program. I think we may have a convert on our hands.
Anyone planning a weekend stay at a ski resort will tell you that off mountain activities are just as important as on. Among other things, Stratton has this awesome, lift-served tubing hill!
We rounded out the season with a trip to Jay Peak at the end of March. This northern ski resort is still open and is shooting to stay open until Mother’s Day!
Jay Peak takes off mountain activities to a whole new level. The indoor water park is unbelievable. Tubes, chutes, surfing, hot tubs, lazy rivers…they’ve got it all.
Reflecting on our trips to these great ski areas I am almost wishing the season didn’t have to come to end an end. Almost.
Looks like you had an amazing season! We missed most of the winter because of traveling to New Zealand (I won’t complain though), and even though we live right next to a ski resort, I have to admit, I only went to the slopes twice… oops. I did some more cross-country skiing though, and although the resort is still open, I’m kind of ready for spring and summer activities!
That happens. I didn’t even ski the resorts that are 20 minutes away. Sometimes we tend not to to go to the things that are right under our nose. Enjoy your summer. I look forward to following along via Instagram!
What a great season for you. I bet the summer will be just as exciting.
Yes, it was. Just planning out our summer now. It will involve lots of water as well. Just not the frozen kind. I am partial to the ocean.
Looks amazing especially with the blue sky – and this makes me so excited as we are going skiing at the end of the month – and get to enjoy a water park too (although it’s not as cool as the one you went to).
Where are you skiing? I am always interested in learning about other places. Although I feel like when I travel outside of Vermont, it won’t be to ski!
I SO love skiing and did not get to do it this year. We’re Colorado ski bunnies but I would LOVE to ski in Vermont one day!