VT Road Trip Suggestions

[40Berg]

You guys were great a few weeks ago when I asked for bachelor party recommendations (Thanks!), so I thought I'd pick your brains again:

My wife and I are planning our first Vermont trip for early January, and I was hoping I could get some feedback on our tentative itinerary.

We're both intermediates - she boards, I ski - and we're planning to stay at side-of-the-road motels so we can change plans based on snowfall, if needed. Also, we're planning to drive to our next destination during the late-afternoon/evening to have a fresh start at a new place each day.

Lodging, dining and other amenities are of little importance for this trip as we really just want to check out as much of VT's best skiing as possible. We've based our decisions mainly on size, location and what we've read on this forum previously.

Day 1 - Depart
Day 2 - Jiminy Peak (or Berkshire East)
Day 3 - Stratton (or Mount Snow)
Day 4 - Killington
Day 5 - Day off (Ben & Jerry's Tour?)
Day 6 - Smuggler's Notch (or Stowe)
Day 7 - Sugarbush
Day 8 - Return

My concerns:

• Are we missing out on any real gems? I've heard good things about Okemo and Jay Peak - should we swap them in for something currently on the list?
• Is it worth adding some drive time - and thus reducing skiing - to check out some places in NH or ME?
• We're first timers to VT. Any insider tips for making this as fun a trip as possible (driving, food, flea-bag motel suggestions, etc.)?

(PS - I know there may be some suggestions to go west, but we have a separate trip planned for early March. We wanted to explore New England simply to check out our new "home turf.")

 

[deadheadskier]

If your trip involves skiing on a weekend day, I would strongly consider Burke.

 

[bobbutts]

As intermediates, I'd try to go to Mt. Snow, Stratton, and Okemo as they are all pretty much sure-fire hits with endless intermediate terrain all over.

I'd skip Killington and Jiminy to make room for those. Jiminy is an ok place, but doesn't compete well with the above. And newbs at Killington tend to spend a bunch of time traversing between pods.

 

[xwhaler]

If you are heading up through the heart of Central VT, I will give a plug to Pico. Significantly less expensive than Killington and nice terrain for intermediates.

I'd personally avoid Okemo due to the crowds...how abt Bromley instead?

 

[Geoff]

You might consider using the Priceline "name your own price" in Rutland and Burlington and use those as your base of operations rather than flitting from cheap motel to cheap motel. From Rutland, you have easy access to Okemo, Pico (closed Tues/Wed), and Killington. From Burlington, you have access to Bolton Valley, Smuggs, Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River, and even Jay Peak. Burlington is a real town with a nice downtown area where you're not paying resort prices for food.

 

[kingdom-tele]

You guys were great a few weeks ago when I asked for bachelor party recommendations (Thanks!), so I thought I'd pick your brains again:

My wife and I are planning our first Vermont trip for early January, and I was hoping I could get some feedback on our tentative itinerary.

We're both intermediates - she boards, I ski - and we're planning to stay at side-of-the-road motels so we can change plans based on snowfall, if needed. Also, we're planning to drive to our next destination during the late-afternoon/evening to have a fresh start at a new place each day.

Lodging, dining and other amenities are of little importance for this trip as we really just want to check out as much of VT's best skiing as possible. We've based our decisions mainly on size, location and what we've read on this forum previously.

Day 1 - Depart
Day 2 - Jiminy Peak (or Berkshire East)
Day 3 - Stratton (or Mount Snow)
Day 4 - Killington
Day 5 - Day off (Ben & Jerry's Tour?)
Day 6 - Smuggler's Notch (or Stowe)
Day 7 - Sugarbush
Day 8 - Return

My concerns:

• Are we missing out on any real gems? I've heard good things about Okemo and Jay Peak - should we swap them in for something currently on the list?
• Is it worth adding some drive time - and thus reducing skiing - to check out some places in NH or ME?
• We're first timers to VT. Any insider tips for making this as fun a trip as possible (driving, food, flea-bag motel suggestions, etc.)?

(PS - I know there may be some suggestions to go west, but we have a separate trip planned for early March. We wanted to explore New England simply to check out our new "home turf.")

My 2 cents

Day 1: Northhampton/Amherst MA to stay, good food, music, fun.
Day2: ski The Beast - drive to Londonderry, stay at the Inn at Magic.
Day 3: ski Magic - drive to Long Trail Inn
Day 4: ski Pico- head to Waterbury/Stowe for the night
Day 5: don't forget Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Day 6: take your pic, the bush, stowe, smuggs- head for East Burke, Wildflower Inn
Day 7: ski Burke - dinner at the Tamarack, Willey's, or The River Garden


Have fun

 

[steamboat1]

I'd skip Smuggs. It's a good mountain but's not really known for their intermediate terrain or grooming unless of course you only stay on the lower mountain (Morse). Stowe offers much more groomed intermediate skiing/riding up in that neck of the woods.

I never skied Jiminy but like someone else said it doesn't compare to most VT. areas.

Also the day one drive is a waste. If you can leave early in the morning you could be skiing one of the southern VT. areas day 1. I'll be leaving NYC early tomorrow morning & skiing Killington tomorrow for instance. I'm starting further south than you & driving further north than you have to. One more day skiing without the expense of lodging before skiing. Same thing with day 8 return, you could be skiing that day somewhere south then drive home afterwards.

A day for Ben & Jerry's...

 

[gmcunni]

you'll have fun no matter what. i'd go with:

Day 1 - Depart
Day 2 - Mt Snow
Day 3 - Okemo
Day 4 - Pico
Day 5 - Day off (Ben & Jerry's Tour?)
Day 6 - Smuggler's Notch (or Stowe)
Day 7 - Sugarbush
Day 8 - Return

 

[jimmywilson69]

Lots of good suggestions.

FYI the Ben and Jerry's tour is like 20 minutes. However, there is lots of good things to do in the Waterbury/Stowe area. So I think you should make one of your days Stowe. Great mountain with lots of long groomers that mostly run the better part of 2000 vertical feet.

 

[C-Rex]

Why is day 1 Depart? It doesn't take that long to go from Southern CT to Jiminy Peak.

Here's my list:

Day 1 - Jiminy Peak (true, it doesn't compare to the rest of the list but IMO it's the best in the Berkshires and it'll be a nice warm-up day)
Day 2 - Mt Snow
Day 3 - Pico
Day 4 - Day off (Like beer? Hit up Harpoon or Longtrail)
Day 5 - Sugarbush
Day 6 - Smuggler's Notch (or Stowe)
Day 7 - Jay Peak
Day 8 - Return (From Jay it's a strait bomb down 91. Nice and easy drive home)

 

[C-Rex]

You know, the more I look at this list, the better it sounds. I might have to do this myself this season...

 

[riverc0il]

I'd put Stowe, Burke, Pico (instead of Killington), and Sugarbush in your "must do" list. Since you are intermediates and sticking to the groomers, you can skip Jay. You can flip a coin on Smuggs... not the best intermediate groomer mountain but it is a special place. You might want to consider Bolton as well.

Given your preference for flea bag lodging, I don't know if Okemo and Stratton are going to be up your ally. Somehow, I suspect that the folks that enjoy these mountains most appreciate creature comforts. That said, they both have a crap ton of intermediate groomers. If you don't mind the resorty atmosphere, you'll enjoy the terrain for sure.

Burke and Pico are your best options for the weekend as the other resorts will be busy and Burke and Pico never approach "busy" even on holiday weekends from what I have seen.

If you can provide more information with what you like and dislike most about other mountains you have visited, the recommendations could be dialed in more for your preferences.

Good luck with the lodging, there ain't a lot of cheap options even mid-week. Some hostels if you are into that sorta thing (Trojan at Okemo, Turn of River for Killington/Pico, Grampa Grunts for Jay).

 

[mediamogul]

Folks have given a lot of great suggestions.

Jay is an amazing mountain that gets a lot of snow. It certainly caters to the expert and tree skiing crowd but has alot to offer intermediates too. There are some good low angle glades which are awesome to learn in.

Killington is huge and has a lot of terrain options provided you know how to work the mountain. I would hook up with someone who knows the mountain. That would probably make your experience more enjoyable.

+1 on the cold hollow cider mill.

 

[Abubob]

The only suggestion I might make is Bromley. For two reasons - Southern exposure is nice on really cold days and its close to Manchester. Rte 100 is a great road but for some reason there are very few restaurants or other attractions. I don't know about you but after skiing I want to EAT!!

Your idea for skiing Killington (or Pico as some have suggested) is good for the same reason. Nothin worse that apres ski with nothin around.

As far as motels just keeping your eyes pealed is the best way to find cool places to stay. And watch your speed-o-meter. VT cops are a pain in the - uh - neck and they thrive on CT plates.

 

[Ski the Moguls]

As one who has raised kids from their start up through their current expert level, I can tell you NOT to go to Jay or Killington (when it is busy). I love both mountains, for beginners and experts, but not for intermediates.

You should only consider Jay if you really want to ski the trees. Most intermediates do not. The regular intermediate trails at Jay tend to get very icy and crowded.

While Killington has a lot of varied terrain, long intermediate cruisers are one thing they really lack. The intermediate trails they do have get very crowded. You would probably be happier at Okemo or Pico, as others have mentioned. One caveat - skiing Killington non-holiday midweek with someone to show you around would be great fun. It is a huge place to explore. I just would not want to be an intermediate fighting the weekend crowds.

 

[steamboat1]

I've read a few suggestions for Pico. While it is a big nice mountain & offers more of a warm VT. atmosphere than some of the other major areas I wouldn't suggest it for an intermediate.
Off the summit there is only one intermediate trail that see's regular grooming named 49'er. Everything else is rated expert & usually doesn't see as much grooming as 49'er. They do groom some other trails off the top on occasion but I wouldn't count on it. There's nothing really steep (except one trail) & the other expert slopes ski more like intermediate slopes when they're groomed but like I said don't count on it. The lower mountain intermediate slopes are more like beginner trails than intermediate so it might get a little boring either staying low or just having one trail to ski from the summit. Don't get me wrong I like Pico alot but for an intermediate it can be limited. If they still had the Birch Glade chair (or tower 10 mid-station) my opinion would be different but they don't. However Pico can be one of the most fun places to ski in all of New England on a powder day.

 

[BenedictGomez]

If you're going to do that Ben & Jerry's tour in the afternoon, you may as well hit Stowe rather than Smuggs, because the drive time will be shorter, and you'll be closer to Sugerbush (assuming you're keeping that the very next day as listed). Stowe's better anyway.

The only change I'd make is on your day off, I'd spend it in Burlington. If your wife is a shopper she'll appreciate Church Street etc... and there are nice restaurants you could have lunch and/or dinner at. If you lodged for the night in Burlington, you can be at Smuggs, Stowe, Sugarbush etc... all with a reasonably short drive.

As for Jay? Yeah, it's a great place, but you'd be adding substantial drive time onto your trip.

 

[Anklebiter]

You could do Ben and Jerry's and Cold Hollow Cider Mill the same day. If I remember correctly. They aren't that far apart from each other.

 

[Smellytele]

You could do Ben and Jerry's and Cold Hollow Cider Mill the same day. If I remember correctly. They aren't that far apart from each other.

Cabot Cheese as well

 

[billski]

. Most intermediates do not. The regular intermediate trails at Jay tend to get very icy and crowded.
/QUOTE]
+1