The east coast is blessed with some of our country’s best ski and snowboard resorts, and Sugarbush, nestled in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, sets the bar. Here, visitors can conquer mountain trails on skis and snowboards, or kick back and relax, taking in the scenery. An easy trip to make from the North Shore, this season, Sugarbush will be your home away from home.
STAY
The area surrounding Sugarbush is rife with accommodations—everything from standalone rental homes to condos—but the best way to go is booking a room or suite right on site, lest you miss any of the action. The intimate Sugarbush Inn epitomizes country coziness, with a wood-paneled library and a sitting room with a crackling fireplace. 2405 Sugarbush Access Road, Warren, 802-583-6300, sugarbush.com.
We opted to stay at Clay Brook Residences, which are outfitted with separate living and dining areas, and full kitchens with dishwashers and ovens. 102 Forest Drive, Waitsfield, 802-583-6822, sugarbush.com.
The Relais & Chateaux Pitcher Inn is decidedly romantic. It comprises just 11 rooms, each individually decorated in tribute to Vermont’s history and landscape. 275 Main Street, Warren, 802-496-6350, pitcherinn.com.
EAT
At Clay Brook, Timbers, Sugarbush’s signature restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and welcomes guests to warm up by its fireplace après ski. Dishes are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Reservations are encouraged. 102 Forest Drive, Waitsfield, 802-583-6800, sugarbush.com.
Housed in a 19th-century barn, the rustic and romantic Common Man Restaurant serves seasonal American cuisine and offers a notable wine list. In cold months, tables next to the open-hearth manor fireplace are prime real estate. 3209 German Flats Road, Warren, 802-583-2800, commonmanrestaurant.com.
The Pitcher Inn’s restaurant attracts in-the-know gourmands with its sophisticated, international dishes, which are made largely with products from local farms. The restaurant’s extensive wine cellar has earned accolades from Wine Spectator, among other prestigious publications. After dinner, duck into Tracks Tavern for dessert and a nightcap. 275 Main Street, Warren, 802-496-6350, pitcherinn.com.
SEE
In wintertime, outdoor adventures are Sugarbush’s biggest draws: there’s downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cabin cat adventures, and mountain and outback tours. sugarbush.com/outdoor-adventures/groomer-rides.
On a break from the slopes, check out the nostalgia-laden Warren Store, which houses a deli, wine shop, and bakery. It’s a one-stop shop for your Vermont souvenir needs. 284 Main Street, Warren Village, 802-496-3864, warrenstore.com.
If you love Sugarbush in the wintertime, you’ll want to return come summer for mountain biking and hiking. Summer is when local farms produce a bounty of fruits and veggies, which visitors can sample at the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market. There, from May-October, sample everything from brick-oven pizza with farm-fresh tomatoes to pickled green beans and homemade jams and jellies. Mad River Green, Waitsfield, 802-472-8027, waitsfield farmersmarket.com.