Charm aplenty on a ski trip to Vermont


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The views from the top go on forever across three states and encompass rolling hills and beautiful lakes. Shimmering snow-caked trees contrast against an electric blue sky. Skiers hoot and holler down perfect spring slopes with that joyous exuberance that comes straight from the heart. This is skiing at its best and it’s at Sugarbush Resort in the idyllic and charming Mad River Valley in Vermont.

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After a lifetime spent exploring the mountains out west and a couple of years of very limited travel, it was time to cross a bucket-list item off and fulfill something deep within. Vermont’s appeal goes beyond the slopes and into the realms of culinary exploration, craft beer and towns that ooze an old-world charm rarely found on this continent.

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From the top of Sugarbush Resort, you can see into three states: Vermont, New York and New Hampshire.
From the top of Sugarbush Resort, you can see into three states: Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. jpg

Sugarbush is every bit a respectable resort with some big mountain stats to boast of. With 4,000 acres of terrain over two mountains and a top elevation of 1,245 metres, 111 marked ski trails and 39 hectares of gladed tree runs, there is plenty to keep skiers and snowboarders occupied. Sugarbush is well known for having some of the most advanced terrain in the northeast and they take their slope grooming seriously. Transporting skiers and boarders up the mountain are 16 lifts including a quad chair that carries you across a basin separating two ski areas now connected into one resort. After a lifetime spent at large resorts in the Rocky Mountains, I am impressed by the facilities and terrain the resort has to offer. Sugarbush is also part of the Ikon pass group.

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The resort itself has several on-mountain ski in – ski out accommodations and there is something to suit every need. The Clay Brook Hotel is right in the village and is built in the style of the quaint local red barns that dot the valley below. An outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, ski valet service and fantastic location make this a great choice. Rooms range from standard hotel rooms to five-bedroom suites.

The Clay Brook Hotel at the base of Sugarbush is designed in the style of the iconic red barns of the Mad River Valley and offers a variety of slopeside accommodation options.
The Clay Brook Hotel at the base of Sugarbush is designed in the style of the iconic red barns of the Mad River Valley and offers a variety of slopeside accommodation options. jpg

There is no shortage of unique food and beverage options to explore. Resort pubs offer a variety of craft beers that Vermont is famous for, and sunning yourself on a patio, cold beer in hand reminds one of the importance of “après ski”! Culinary options range from fun food trucks at the base to fine dining. Places like Rumbles Bistro and Chez Henri Restaurant & Bistro offer upscale fine dining, while places like the Castlerock pub and Reks offer classic pub fare. Just down the road in the incredibly charming hamlet of Warren is the Pitcher Inn, a Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel property. Extraordinary culinary offerings are complemented by art-filled and well-designed decor that well represents the Relais & Châteaux brand.

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The Old Wooden Bridge in Warren, Vermont, was built in 1880 and is one of many historic wooden bridges in the area.
The Old Wooden Bridge in Warren, Vermont, was built in 1880 and is one of many historic wooden bridges in the area. jpg

The Mad River Valley lives up to the idyllic vision I had of rural Vermont. Rolling hills, babbling brooks, centuries-old hamlets and wood-covered bridges are every bit as charming as they sound. The villages of Waitsfield, Warren and Moretown are strung along the Mad River with each having its own unique charm. Within Waitsfield, you will find must-visit establishments like Lawson’s Fine Liquids serving up the craft beers of the area. Great little coffee shops and a wonderful breakfast spot called Toast and Eggs are there to help you start the day. Head over to the Mad River Taste Place which carries all kinds of local offerings and will give a cheese tasting of Vermont’s finest. There are also, of course, the old wooden bridges the area is famous for which are ready for your Instagram shots. The Von Trapp Farmstead (yes, that Von Trapp family) has a quaint store that gives new meaning to the term farm to fork. There are also a variety of arts and crafts and other local producers to explore. Not far down the valley is also the town of Waterbury and we sampled more great local craft beer at the Prohibition Pig.

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The local pubs around Sugarbush Resort serve up a variety of craft beers, which Vermont is famous for.
The local pubs around Sugarbush Resort serve up a variety of craft beers, which Vermont is famous for. jpg

The people of Mad River Valley are as charismatic as the place itself. We encountered a friendliness that goes beyond your normal tourist destination. There is a warmth here that makes us forget about the last couple of years of non-travel. Sugarbush Resort and the Mad River valley surpass expectations and offer something special and distinct. I will be back!

How to get there:

Sugarbush Resort is about a three-hour drive south of Montreal. Burlington International Airport is one hour away from the resort and services several major airlines including United, American, Delta, and JetBlue.

For more information on the area, check out and

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