Explore Sugarbush: A Ski Resort With Everything

An Insider’s Guide to this Vermont Destination

Head to Sugarbush if you are looking for an all-around mountain that will please multiple levels of skiers. January and February are, of course, great times of year to ski. However, I’m partial to March skiing. The days are a little longer and the temps are a little warmer, and, historically, this is a snowy month in northern Vermont. Sugarbush has everything you would expect at a large ski resort in terms of solid snow making, grooming, magic carpet and ski instruction spread across its four mountain peaks. Here’s a guide to point you in the right direction.

Where to Stay

If you’re willing to splurge head to Clay Brook at the base of Sugarbush. With its large Silo and Vermont farmhouse luxury vibe, this is the place to ski on ski off with added services such as ski valets, a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tubs, and large condo style rooms with kitchens. There are also many VRBO condos online to choose from. Snow Creek has good ski on ski off access. And of course, since this is Vermont, there are lots of quaint inns to choose from in Waitsfield and Warren, the two towns closest to Sugarbush.

Favorite Runs with a View

Sugarbush offers beautiful vistas of the Mad River Valley. You can catch great views of Lake Champlain from Jester at the Lincoln Peak summit and Panorama at the Mt. Ellen Summit.  Spring Fling is a fun trail that gives you a great view of the valley and base area below while Sleeper offers picturesque views across Lincoln peak.

Favorite Moderate Runs

There are a multitude of great moderate trails at Sugarbush. I especially like Birch Run as a warm-up run because it catches the morning sun. Murphy’s Glade and Rim Run are excellent cruising trails also.

Favorite Challenge

Sugarbush has plenty of challenging terrain. Organgrinder and Sunrise are solid expert runs. If you are looking for that extra double diamond thrill, then Ripcord and Paradise will deliver. Many sources rate Rumble in the Castlerock area as one of the toughest trails in the east; it starts out with a cliff. I can’t vouch for that because I’m all about staying in one piece.

When You Crave the Trees

Sugarbush has a multitude of glade areas when you want some tree skiing. I really like Eden Woods and Wild Turkey.  These are doable glades, but if you prefer steeper woods try some of the ones off Reverse Traverse. For a serious glade adventure, you can explore the Slidebrook area. This can be done with or without a guide. If you take the North Lynx lift and turn right that will take you to the top of the Slidebrook glades which span over 2,000 acres. You’ll be deposited on German Flats Road where you can take the Sugarbush shuttle bus that runs between Sugarbush and Mt. Ellen to get back to civilization. Keep in mind that the woods aren’t patrolled, so don’t go alone.

Where to Go on a Powder Day

Castlerock Peak is the place to go when Mother Nature dumps a lot of powder on the slopes. The trails here are ungroomed and all experts. The two-person lift can get a little crowded but a run on Middle Earth is a fun adventure if the conditions are right.

Where to Go to Avoid Crowds

Mt. Ellen tends to have less crowds than the Lincoln Peak area. There is a complimentary shuttle between the two areas which leaves frequently. The Slidebrook chairlift also connects the two areas. It’s a beautiful twenty-minute ride, but it isn’t always running so keep that in mind.

What to Do Besides Skiing

The resort has lots of ongoing events so check their online calendar.  There are opportunities to skin at night, ride in a snowcat and snowshoe. Castlerock Pub even offered a spicy chicken wing contest recently. In the Lincoln Peak area there are many dance contests and raffles for younger kids. Nearby Blueberry Lake in Warren offers cross country ski trails.

Where to Eat

There are lots of restaurants in the area.  My favorite is the Hyde Away in Waitsfield. It has an eclectic farm to table menu and a cozy vibe. Chez Henri in the older part of Sugarbush village is a fun experience for authentic French cuisine. American Flatbread and The Bluestone offer excellent pizza, good craft beer selections and friendly staff.

• Hyde Away
• Chez Henri
• American Flatbread
• The Bluestone

Where to Go for Après

On the weekends, Sugarbush has great après ski options. There are usually several places with live music on a Saturday. Take your last run-down Spring Fling and then head into the Wunderbar for some beers, snacks, and music. Rumbles and Castlerock Pub also have live music. If the weather is not too cold Lincoln Peak Village will have plenty of people sitting outdoors by the firepits and enjoying an après beverage. 

Where to Shop

If you need to give your body a break from all the skiing. Take a day to explore Waitsfield and Warren. Waitsfield has some uniquely Vermont shops such as Addison West, The Taste Place and The Artisan’s Gallery. You could spend an hour or so meandering through the Warren General Store and if you’re hungry they make an excellent grilled cheese.

If you’d like information about the Mad River Valley in the off season, check out my posts on area hikes:

Camel’s Hump

Chase Brook Town Forest

I also have lots more posts about skiing including information about Steamboat and Telluride and helpful tips on how to stay warm and prevent injury on the slopes.

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