The skinny on staying at Jay Peak?

[Tim from the North Shore]

Looking to get away with the wife for a few quiet days mid-March, and I haven't been to Jay Peak in 20 years.

Can someone please clue me in to how the town is set up--best options to stay, dining, etc...

I know Jay has undergone significant on-site renovations the past year or so, but I find their website lacking in descriptions/costs, etc...

We'd like something several notches above average, and don't mind paying a bit more for nicer amenities. Ideally, would like not to have to drive too far back & forth to ski, and would like to be able to have dining options to walk to.

Thanks in advance!

 

[thetrailboss]

There is no real "town" in Jay! Just a few businesses at the crossroads in the tiny Hamlet. Folks who have been to the resort lately can comment on the Tram House. I think that is your best bet.

Based on what you are saying, staying at the resort is probably your best option. The Mountain has a couple restaurants--Alice's Table, etc. Other than that there are a few establishments here and there over a large area outside the resort. The nearest "town" as you describe it, with many options, would be Newport.

 

[Stache]

Taught there '86-'88. Back then I would have advised staying on property. Now I'm sure that is even more true. Montgomery Center is the village like 6 miles down the west side. Jay and North Troy are the two villages 5 miles down the east side. Newport is a city a half hour away.

 

[playoutside]

Looking to get away with the wife for a few quiet days mid-March, and I haven't been to Jay Peak in 20 years.

...

Watch your dates in mid-March at Jay...it may not be as quiet as you expect...Canada holidays are mid month.

 

[crank]

The Tram House is just about your only option for any luxury. We stayed there last year. nice rooms with gas fireplace, small kitchen area and a table. A trail side condo might fit the bill. Walk to dining options...not so much.

 

[mister moose]

Here's some photos of the new Tram House Lodge. Recommended. Any closer and you'll have to sleep on the chairlift.

http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29850

 

[tjf67]

They built new townhomes 7/8 years ago that are ski in/out. They were very comfortable and i will be staying there when I go back. Nothing much to do so bring the party with you.

 

[mikestaple]

Stayed there two weeks ago in a ski on ski off condo with the family. 3 bedroom, two floors. It was nice. (updated, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, etc) Check out VRBO or HomeAway for your options.

I would definitely recommend staying on mountain - as others have said, the towns are mostly crossroads.

If you do stay on mountain, the Jay Country Store is a good place to load up on drinks and food and check out some of the local restaurants (Belfrey, Bernies, etc) to get out of the condo.

I thought I read about a food plan at Alice's restaurant if you stay at the Tram Haus but couldn't confirm that.

The Tram Haus is very convenient, but from what I saw over MLK weekend is that the dining and drinking areas get crowded cus there is no other game in town.

 

[snowmonster]

Another recommendation for the Tramhaus Lodge. If your wife is into spas and other amenities, this will fit the bill. I call this place Stowe North.

 

[Magog Fishy]

I agree JPR is your best bet -- either Tram Haus Lodge or one of the condos. Just be careful to check the vintage on the condos if you want luxury -- most are new and real nice, although there are a few from the 70's/80's that have never been updated.

The only other option that I can think of is Phineas Swan in Montgomery Center -- the nicest B&B in the area, and you can walk to a couple of restaurants & stores. I would say to try Sheady Acres on 242 toward Montgomery -- which are some newish cabins that look really cool -- but you can't walk to anything.

I would probably put everything else at below par, ranging from one notch below par (Jay Village Inn, and Cedarwood prob are in this category) to WOW they actually charge $ for this (a lot of the B&B's fit in this category, esp English Rose Inn). Newport Motel is about par, but a solid 15-20 minutes away. Good luck!

 

[riverc0il]

I'll echo everyone else that your best bet is to stay on hill. You can probably get a good deal on tickets by booking on hill lodging. I'd recommmend signing up for their email newsletters. They often feature lodging deals that are not published. The later you wait to book, the more likelihood you have both of getting a deal and also of not getting a room, so take that for what it is worth. If snow is forecasted, you can bet your bottom dollar they are going to max out the booking at top dollar. If there hasn't been much snow lately, the deals start flying.

 

[JPTracker]

If you want luxury and access to restaurants without going outside then the Trams House Lodge is what you want.

If you want the fastest access on and off the slope then the Slopeside condos are the best bet. These are the condos on the hill behind the hotel, not to be confused with the Village condos which are also Slopeside. You can walk out your door, put your skis on and ski down to the Flyer, Metro or Tram. At night it is a five minute walk to the base. They are two bedroom units with one bath but are about 20 years old. They are cheaper than THL or the Village.

If you want newer condos 2,3,4 or 5 bedrooms and multiple bathrooms than the village is your best bet. These units are slopeside but not to be confused with the Slopeside Units described above. They cost a little more and to get any where on the mountain you need to take the Village chair first before you can get to any of the main slopes. At night they have started running a shuttle bus to get you around to the THL and restaurants since parking is a problem.

Disclaimer: After skiing jay for many years we bought a Slopeside condo so I am slightly biased toward them. We have also stayed in the THL and Village condos but prefer Slopeside because of it's ease of access to the lifts, close to the base but far enough away to be away from the crowds.