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UPDATE 2021: The ski season in Vermont will look very different in 2021. With COVID-19 restrictions in effect throughout Vermont, there are specific guidelines that must be adhered to in all areas. Below is a summary from the SKI VERMONT website. At the bottom of this post, I will have a list of of individual ski mountain guidelines. Please ‘know before you go’ if you are in Vermont.
Important note: Anyone returning or traveling to Vermont must follow Vermont’s mandatory quarantine policy. Vermonters returning from an out-of-state trip must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test.
Obviously, for my Canadian and International readers, travel to the US is restricted for recreational purposes. Use this guide for future travel plans. #DreamNowTravelLater. There is no reason you cannot plan for a future ski season in Vermont.
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Like Santa’s workshop, ski areas in Vermont have been very, very busy off-season. From revamping their facilities, terrain and ticket/pass options to off-slope activities and amenities. Since my epic get-back-on-skis-after-decades-off-them trip last year, I can hardly wait to get back! There have been some significant changes to Mount Snow, Killington and Stratton. I wanted to share some of the highlights of changes on those mountains and also on the others for the upcoming ski season in Vermont.
Southern Vermont Ski Resorts:
Killington and Pico
Killington Resort: In 2017, I was skiing up a storm and drinking beer at the Vermont Brewers Festival in Killington. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Killington Grand Resort. I knew I would come back because there were just too many hills that I did not ski and I had to plan another ski season in Vermont. Period. I’m also curious to see the $25 million investments at Killington. Enhancements include a new 6-person high-speed bubble chairlift, new lift service at South Ridge, significant upgrades to the K-1 Express Gondola, additional availability of intermediate trails, improvements to existing intermediate runs, and resort-wide infrastructure upgrades including the addition of hands-free lift access validation with RFID technology at both Killington and Pico.
Mount Snow
Mount Snow is now putting the finishing touches on its brand $22M Carinthia Base Lodge. This new base lodge, which will opened at the start of the 2018/2019 season, is conveniently located right at the base of Carinthia Terrain Park. This new 42,000 sq./ft.lodge is five times the size of the old lodge it is replacing, and features everything a skier would want, including a coffee bar, sit-down restaurant, two bars, and a large multi-station cafeteria; along with retail, rentals, ski school, ski patrol, and more. The lodge’s opening marked Carinthia’s 10-year anniversary of becoming a 100-acre all-terrain-park mountain face.
Stratton Mountain
Stratton Mountain Resort: Another epic reason for a ski season in Vermont is a visit to Stratton Village. Known as a snowboarders dream mountain, Stratton work has completed work on the new Snow Bowl lift, the major project in their $10 million-capital plan. The high-speed quad is positioned to minimize wind impact with lower towers and built with a parking rail for all 98 chairs to combat overnight icing. With a 1,000-foot-per-minute speed, ride time is reduced from 14 to five minutes. Plus, the top ramp will provide smoother access to Mike’s Way, a beginner run from the summit of southern Vermont’s highest peak, and the old Poma-line trail will now be officially listed on the trail map, bringing the count to 99.
Northern Vermont Ski Resorts:
Smugglers’ Notch
Smugglers’ Notch: Smuggs’ continues to grow the scale in which it appeals to families with the resort’s free Kids’ Club. Unrolled last Winter as a test run, the Club offers all kids 12 and under a free “treasure chest” of goodies. Smuggs’ banked slalom course on Madonna Mountain will open new doors for intermediates and experts both in and out of lessons. The banked slalom course will also host a series of events this upcoming Winter season. Fat Bikes give Winter access to Smuggs’ expansive cross-country MTB terrain. Rental bikes will be available, and Resort staff is working on planning bike-specific Winter events.
Jay Peak
Jay Peak Resort: At.Par. These are two words that are very important to Canadians visiting Jay Peak. The Jay Peak rep. at the media event certainly got our attention when he voiced those two words for the ski season in Vermont. It is somewhat straightforward but best to checkout the website for full details. Continuing to evolve away from being a destination that solely relies on snow for its economic health with the construction of two synthetic-turf athletic fields. The FIFA-sized pitches will be used to host soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and ultimate Frisbee tournaments.
Stowe Mountain
Stowe Mountain Resort: Fairly new at Stowe is the creation of on-mountain ‘Kids Adventure Zones.’ These well-signed areas will give kids & families the opportunity to easily access gentle side-country areas and freestyle terrain purpose-built for learning progression. Consider the Epic Local Pass at Stowe. This allows skiers and riders to track their days and vertical feet skied, earn digital pins, share photos, race against the pros and check real-time lift line wait time using their RFID chip-embedded season pass or lift ticket.
Okemo Mountain
Okemo Mountain Resort: Okemo is now an Epic resort. Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado. The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, include unlimited and unrestricted access to all three resorts, check with the resort for updated details about the 2021 pass.
Trapp Family Lodge
Trapp Family Lodge: Farm-to-table isn’t a trend at Trapp Family Lodge – it’s a deeply rooted tradition and lifestyle. Working directly with farmers and gardeners, the chef at Trapp Family Lodge honours the culinary style of Austria and plans menus utilizing the meats and vegetables that are grown on the property. New this year, Trapp Family Lodge introduces the Kaffeehaus. A bakery and delicatessen in the Austrian tradition, the Kaffeehaus is the stop for breakfast, coffee, lunch or your après ski snack. Under the direction of Bavarian Baker Maurizio Odermatt, you’ll find authentic Austrian pastries, coffee and lunch items with a stunning view of Stowe.
Sugarbush
Sugarbush Resort: This season, Sugarbush celebrates its 60thanniversary – the resort opened in 1958. Sugarbush will be hosting anniversary celebrations throughout the year. Good news, Sugarbush has also joined the Ikon Pass, connecting some of the most iconic mountains in North America. The Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass provide 7 or 5 days of access to Sugarbush, respectively, along with more than 20 other destinations. On-mountain improvements this season include snow making upgrades, lift upgrades and relocating the beginner First Time lift for more convenient access.
In 2017, I had a marvelous time re-discovering the joy of skiing. With lessons at Killington, Stratton and Mount Snow, I have regained a new found love for the sport. I am diligently planning on returning with my family or my friends for a ski season in Vermont when it is safe to travel again. Until then, I will #DreamNowTravelLater. To be back for Brewers Festival would be wonderful if only to try a few more ales from the microbreweries in Vermont. I look forward to taking a few more lessons to help me regain my confidence but more importantly to return to Vermont (one of many reasons to move to Vermont 
).
Vermont Ski Area COVID-19 Policy Links:
Bolton Valley Resort: https://www.boltonvalley.com/health-safety/
Bromley Mountain: https://www.bromley.com/health-and-safety/winter-overview/
Burke Mountain: https://skiburke.com/message
Jay Peak Resort: https://jaypeakresort.com/resort/blog-updates/202021-jay-peak-resort-anticipated-operating-plan
Mad River Glen: https://www.madriverglen.com/covid-19/
Magic Mountain: https://magicmtn.com/alpine-update/
Middlebury Snow Bowl: https://www.middleburysnowbowl.com/covid-19-safety-guidelines/
Killington Resort: https://www.killington.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here/20-21-winter-experience
Mount Snow Resort: https://www.mountsnow.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/winter-experience.aspx
Okemo Mountain Resort: https://www.okemo.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/winter-experience.aspx
Quechee Club: https://quecheeclub.com/web/pages/modified-ski-operations
Rikert Nordic Center: https://www.rikertnordic.com/new-for-2020-21/
Smugglers’ Notch Resort: https://www.smuggs.com/pages/universal/covid19-update.php
Stowe Mountain Resort: https://www.stowe.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/commitment-to-safety.aspx
Stratton Mountain Resort: https://www.stratton.com/the-mountain/safety-and-responsibility/play-safe-play-smart
Sugarbush Resort: https://www.sugarbush.com/plan/winter-operations/
Suicide Six: https://www.suicide6.com/
Disclosure: Thanks to Ski Vermont for the media event and for the gifted experiences at Killington, Stratton and Mount Snow March, 2017. Hope to see you again! Ski Vermont (Vermont Ski Areas Association) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where the legislature has designated skiing and snowboarding as the official state sports.
Other related posts about Vermont
- Moving to Vermont = 20+ Reasons to seriously consider Vermont or Why One Week with #SkiVermont changed my life
- Packing List for a Week of Skiing in #SkiVermont
- Vermont Brewers Festival – First Winter Brewfest in Killington Vermont #SkiVermont
- Farm to Table – Good Eats in Vermont – YouTube Video
- Ski Season Updated
- Quick Video of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland, Vermont
- Planning Ahead with flights to Burlington Vermont
🥾 Explore: Tours & Experiences
🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials