I have never been here myself, but my daughter is a student at UVM and today was her second time at…read moreSugarBush. She was having a great time until she hit some big icy patches on a black diamond and she went down. Big thank you to ski patrol, and Theyer for getting her off the mountain safely and checking her out. I also appreciate him calling me. While she's 18, she's also still my kid. Thankfully just a minor ankle sprain. They were also kind enough to give her a day pass to come back another day. Thankful for all their help!

Sprawling. Crowded. Pricey. As a longtime skier in the northeast, I lose a little bit of ski soul…read moreevery time I encounter the reality of $249/day window rate lift ticket pricing, like what Sugarbush and its corporate overlord Alterra have unleashed on former independent gems like Sugarbush. Yes, most people will never pay $249/day because they're buying $200 online tickets, but sit with that for a second... $200/day x 2 days for a weekend + food/gas/etc means at least $500 for an average weekend of skiing before you even get to lodging. And that's absurd. Its no exaggeration to say that setting day-of pricing to over $200/day is a marketing (read: extortion) ploy to advance sales of even more expensive multi-mountain passes like Ikon, intended to lock customers into a collection of other overpriced mega-mountains, ensuring customers never know what alternatives there are out there to the over-priced, over-skied, nickel-and-dime experience that modern corporate skiing with has become. And while most customers will mindlessly one-click renew their Epic (Vail) and Ikon (Alterra) passes each year, economically the only reason these passes makes sense is when you have plans for a week away at a different exotic ski resort under the same corporate ownership that epouses equivalently over-priced day rates. In case you missed it, that's an increasingly large array of Vail and Alterra's mega resorts, as consolidation within the ski industry continues its supernova trajectory, targeting any mountain nearing triple-digit trail counts as the next pin in their corporate hats. If that sounds extreme, it's not. It's the reality many of us who've been around a while have seen play out. And it's important to understand because of the very real, far superior options available to the mainstream corporate pass skiing experience. Let me illustrate by a simple comparison: one day at a local independent mountain (Bolton Valley) vs one day at a corporate machine (Sugarbush). SUNDAY AT SUGARBUSH: riding up high-speed 5m lifts with few lines, but dumped into crowded trails laden with bumpy pockets of snow atop an icy, unpredictable base - a natural consequence of pushing hordes of skiers faster and faster up a mountain without any ticket limits that might ensure a better skiing experience. I consider myself an expert skier, who's skied some of the steepest terrain in the world, but skiing icy, unpredictable slopes like Sunday at Sugarbush force-limits anyone's ability to improve, by defaulting to minimum viable slopes stripped of any natural snowfall. It's the equivalent of the mafia offering to fix your garbage problem that it, itself, created. It's the false claim of fixing over-crowded, over-skied trails with more snow-making and faster lifts... which just put more bodies, scraping more snow, creating more of a problem than existed before. However, more bodies on mountain = more food/bev sales for corporate coffers, which ever-present signage reminding you of $1/paper cup charges won't let you forget. Heaven help anyone who just paid $249/day at the window is not also paying for double-digit drinks and $38 pizzas - the horror! SATURDAY AT BOLTON VALLEY: riding up 10m lifts with zero lift lines, skiing uncrowded glades/trails laden with soft, natural powder atop zero ice - a natural consequence of force-limiting ticket sales with smaller parking lots, less traffic, and a family-friendly, independent focus. Window pricing $49 - $109/day, but equally skiable for an entire weekend on a modest $300 season pass (Indy). TL;DR: a split-view compare of independently-owned resorts who prioritize experience over exploitation, independence over incorporation, and presence over pace. Most folks reading this review will assume it's an advert for competitors. It's not. It's a rare insight into two mountains 45m from each other who've taken entirely different paths to profitability and achieved radically different outcomes: one driven to maximize pricing and bodies on the hill, another by nearly six decades of family ownership that's driven by affordability and great experience. As with all things consumer, we all have a choice of where to spend our dollars. Having spent decades skiing the mega-mountains, traveling across the world to ski other Alterra/Ikon resorts like A-Basin, Mammoth, Stratton, and Palisades I can legitimately say the experience is the same: over-crowded, icy weekend skiing in the corporate Frankenstiens trying to solve an unsolvable problem of over-sold slopes with fake snow and higher pricing vs the still-here, uncrowded Indies indexing for reliability, affordability, and uniqueness. There's value in slowing things down, taking in stunning vistas, and paying a lot less to experience a lot more. See beyond trail counts and lift speed and you'll find an entire world of better skiing by generations of family-owned resorts beholden to a different master: your enjoyment, not corporate's bottom line.

THE BEST ski area I've been to. It's not overly crowded, it's very clean, everyone is kind and…read morehelpful and ready to answer your questions. Prices are not too bad (if compared to Killington) and the slopes are well maintained. The people there helped to put on and take off my ski boots (which is always a hassle after being exhausted from the day). I wish I lived closer because this place was perfect. They have a food court with quick options, a bar with a more elaborate menu, and an indoor and outdoor fire pit. Their bar/restaurant Perley's is where we had lunch. My only complaint was the prices for this place. $25 for a cheese burger and fries is criminal. I would stick with the foodcourt instead of bar food.

History, class, comity, and fun. Saskadena Six is a wonderful place for a family and everyone…read moreelse. A skiers' and rider's mountain where old New England still lives. The resort is owned by the venerable Woodstock Inn, a gem of national distinction. And the upscale air is evident in the friendliness and poise of the staff at Saskadena. A huge lodge with historical pictures everywhere, including memorializing the first motorized life transportation in the US, a 900 foot rope tow built in 1934. Formerly named Suicide Six, the resort centers around a modern yet charming lodge with a huge hearth, a bustling cafeteria, and a well stocked bar. The resort is a scant eight minute ride from the beautiful town of Woodstock, where the Rockefeller and Billings legacy is still visible. Parking at Saskadena Six is not an issue, the parking areas are close to the lodge and a ramp takes the visitor to the lodge area. Saskadena Six has been a part of the Indy Pass for a few years now, and it has become a family favorite. Entering the lodge, one can perform ticket purchases inside or outside. Donning boots and equipment is done in benches and chairs in the lodge, with inside cubicles around the walls. The lodge has plate glass windows on its entire slope facing side, providing beautiful views of the ski area. Once ready to hit the slopes, the nearest lift is the fixed quad that takes the visitor to the 1,200 foot summit. The resort has a 650-foot vertical drop, featuring 24 runs on 100 acres.. Besides the quad, Saskadena sports a double lift on the far side of the resort, and a J-bar. The challenging Show Off run is a steep, mogul filled track, while The Face and Crystal are parallel black diamonds. Several other runs feature both natural, groomed and mogul filled. Saskadena Six usually gets 110 inches of yearly snow, augmented by a vigorous snowmaking system. Dining at Saskadena Six is quick and efficient. A roped off area separates the alcohol-served areas from the rest of the lodge. Several local brews are on tap, as well as national selections. Skiing Saskadena is a pleasure. Small but quite pleasant, devoid of the stress of the larger ski areas in New England. Its history and charm are welcome assets in an industry where sterility seems to be popular. Terrain is rated 30% beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced.

Wow, there is so much I love here. We have stayed here multiple times. It is set in the middle of a…read moretrail network to hiking and cross-country skiing. The hiking options are great, short or long. The people are the biggest thing we love. They are friendly and helpful, and treat you like friends from the moment you arrive. You feel you are home here. The Inn has served as an Inn for decades, and Tony helped expand on repair of it in his soon to be 50 yrs time living here. We love the indoor courtyard filled with plants like a greenhouse even during the winter. It is one of the best places I have ever been.

The Blueberry Hill Inn is a fabulous place to stay. My niece booked this place for the weekend for…read moreher wedding. The views were breathtaking. It was a very peaceful place to be. Sheri and the staff were amazing!! The food that was prepared for us during the weekend was delicious. The rooms we're comfortable and clean. I would HIGHLY recommend staying here.

Met a great friend there after an hours travel. Although the trip to Pico adds another 20 minutes…read moreto my schedule, it was well worth it. Pico is a separate part of Killington Resort with a primarily local clientele and devoid of the road raging attitudes of some of the visitors. It has a genuinely New England vibe from the parking lot all the way to the top of the mountain. The parking lots have plenty of space. The main lodge has a New England functional vibe, a bit rough and that's how people like it. Once on the slopes, the trails tend to be very New England, with narrow trails, plenty of tight tree glades, and one high speed with the rest of the lifts being fixed quads. Sking Pico is a pleasure. It may not have the vertical of Killington, with just under 2,000 at Pico and 3,000 at Killington. But what it lacks in vertical it more than makes up in customer experience. Killington's ethos is "The Beast", loud, boisterous, gargantuan.... Pico is the exact opposite. Quiet, friendly, local, sedate. Ambassadors and Ski Patrol will assist you anywhere. The food at the cafeteria doesn't have a French name but it's wholesome, hearty, tasty. Loooooong ago, there was a move to connect Killington and Pico with cross trails to each. Massive local opposition and ecological issues put a kabash on the idea. As a result, Pico is next to Killington but it's another world in ski experience.

This place is a masterclass in neglect. The ski infrastructure is severely dilapidated, outdated,…read moreand constantly breaking down. Lifts stop, crawl, or fail outright. The lifties are nice, but they're stuck managing equipment that should've been replaced years ago. Reddit skiers have been saying the same thing for years: "lifts constantly down," "painfully slow," and "not worth the ticket price." Many warn you'll spend more time waiting than skiing. Alta has zero incentive to invest with Killington right up the road doing everything better. Calling this a "ski resort" is generous. If you value your time or money, drive by and keep going.

Breathtaking views and great gondola experience…read more Plenty of parking available. Gondola pass can be purchased in the shop. Restrooms are here as well. Takes about 10-15 minutes to get from bottom to top or vice versa. At the top there is a half mile loop to ascend to the mountain peak. It can cycle between sun and rain quite frequently, especially when we went. The loop is quite rocky so please watch your steps. There is also a peak lodge there with restroom and place to eat. There are also additional routes to walk down from the top

I am really enjoying Killington more and more. Every spring I now look forward to just to still ski…read moreuntil as late as possible. Skiing opening day this year too set the tone for the season. This past visit I was absolutely thrilled with the lift crew on Bear Mountain. I think they enjoyed my company as much as I did theirs. The fresh snow made it easy to ski all day. Minimal stoppage as I wanted to ski a marathon and then some, successfully accomplished. Looking forward to my next upcoming visits.

My boyfriend and I went uphill sking this weekend there and it was gorgeous! Perfect conditions!…read moreThank you for the uphill ski rentals!

We had an unbelievable day at Dartmouth Skiway today…read more For starters. We didn't follow Waze and took the back roads from I-89 from Lebanon that took us through Etna, Hanover Center and a cornucopia of ancestral New England farms, town greens, historic churches, and beautiful country homes dating two centuries. Getting here itself was worth it. We arrived to a beautifully groomed Skiway and were able to park less than 100 feet from the main lodge. The lodge itself, a modern yet beautiful and totally New England building, is a one-stop building with everything one needs, inside. The Winslow Chair was the only side that was open today. Yet, it provided us with an amazing day of beautiful runs. Herman, a true New England trail, relatively narrow and often with a double fall line. Cum Laude, Hermans, Pass and Fail, and Post Doc, reminiscing of the academic environment that is very much part of the mountain. Every run had been exquisitely groomed. Ski Patrol presence was ubiquitous, adding to the safety consciousness of the place. Our lunch was superb. Definitely a place to come back to. Small, family oriented, challenging and totally welcoming.

After years of visiting, I'm finally writing the review this place deserves. It's become a fall…read moredestination for us at this beautiful location, with a wonderful blend of class and rustic charm. The staff here is great and always accommodating, and we love the environment and hospitality this establishment provides its guests. We also appreciate the location and amenities--close enough to town while still feeling like a getaway. Stowe Mountain Resort will always be a favorite of ours.

This review is for the Adventure Center specifically. I…read morewanted to love the experience but the staff is very scattered and the process to rock climb is ridiculous. We tried to climb multiple times and were told to come back. When we did come back at the right time (two separate times) they said the time changed. They don't let you reserve in advance (which would alleviate this problem) but most of all the staff was super rude and went out their way to be unhelpful (Katelyn from st albans - most of all). They could easily have helped but they did not and walked away with us standing there with upset kids (for the third time) For a cost and supposed level of service-- this is shocking. Been a big advocate of this resort my whole life but the atmosphere has sadly changed.

A community treasure. We are so grateful to the Cochran family for making skiing accessible to…read moreeveryone and for being a shining example of generosity and goodwill to all.

Make no mistake: only 1 star because we did get a refund…read more Advertised night skiing for Friday night from 3-8pm. Even let us purchase tickets for that time slot 2 days prior. We called around 10am that day to double check our reservation and got no answer. I figured it was because they might not be open yet but no they were and just didn't answer. We drive an hour to come ski only to be told by the car next to us that they closed at 4 when we showed up at 3:30. The staff seemed confused were the mishap was and offered to just move our reservation to another night and eventually just gave us a refund. It said in very small print that they changed the hours for this week. Looked like an alright place to ski for an hour or two, really we were just excited to ski for our Friday night. If you're from out of town I'd steer clear of this place for lack of communication. :(

We enjoyed our stay at the Mountain Top Resort, and attended a wedding on site. This property is…read morelocated in Chittenden which might be convenient during the winter ski season, but we found it a bit out of the way and not very close to much. Rutland is the closest town. About the property, it is nice and seems well cared for and has beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. Rooms are a bit dated, but clean. All the staff we met were very friendly. We had a chance to eat dinner at the restaurant on site and we were pleasantly surprised at the caliber of the food, well above standard "hotel" dining. This carried through to the food which was served to us at the wedding, again well above what we expected. There are a variety of activities available, but we felt that the property didn't quite rise to the "resort" bar. Again, winter might be completely different.

Wow, a $450 resort fee for 2 people for 3 nights. What a a rip off!! Keep away from this place! Of…read morecourse they did Not tell us when we booked the room!! Terrible policy!! Stay elsewhere, not worth it!!!

My favorite ski area. It is well worth the trip!…read more I started skiing there in the 1980s and return there after 35 years. What a wonderful place to ski. The Expansion of two more mountains along with the continuing improvements will keep me coming back.

Such a beautiful place. Came for Fall Fest Took the $26 Gondola ride up and it was breathtaking…read more You can get off and walk around if you choose. Bathrooms were clean. There were a ton of artisans-just wish there were more food and drink options. An addition of a fire-pit with some Adirondack chairs would be top tier.....