Travel Tips: Skiing in Vermont
By Bruce A. Tucker
I have been skiing for many years. But, I would hardly call myself a great a skier, but then again
I would say that I can hold my own on a variety of runs including the treacherous double black
diamonds.
Okay, they are not treacherous unless you have never been skiing before, in which case you would
probably kill yourself if you went down one. They are very challenging though and Vermont ski resorts
have some pretty good ones.
Although I really enjoy skiing at Stowe, which is located in northern central part of Vermont, my favorite
double black diamond run is in Killington, called the Outer Limits. It is a very wide run, with nice
moguls and if you hit the run early enough in the morning you can get some nice fresh snow.
However I tend to stay away from moguls these days as I ski more for relaxation and to be in the open
crisp air of the Green Mountain State. I will do some black diamonds but mostly limit myself to blue
square runs. I find my knees, quadriceps and hamstrings will last longer throughout the day.
Ski During the Week
With that said I have do have some tips if you are planning a ski trip to Vermont. Regardless of which
ski resort you go to, Okemo, Killington, Stowe, Sugarbush and the list goes on and on, try and ski
during the week. Monday through Thursday and the occasional Friday have very light traffic on the
slopes. Which makes sense as most people are working or in my case, should be working.
Ask for Discount Ski Tickets
If you are staying at a hotel, bed & breakfast, motel or lodge ask the front desk or inn keeper if they
have discount tickets. Most if not all the resorts in Vermont offer some type of discount off lift tickets.
So unless you really want to pay full price ask for the discount. Usually it is about $5 to $10, but you
may get lucky when they run special promotions and receive a larger discount.
Ski Smaller Resorts on Weekends
If you have to ski on the weekends try some of the smaller ski resorts. What I found out is that most
locals stay away from the bigger resorts on the weekends to avoid the crowds (they do not know what
crowds are until they ski the Poconos in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania on a Saturday). The
smaller resorts are normally cheaper and although they do not boast as many runs as the bigger guys,
the runs they do offer are challenging to even the most astute skier. You can google Vermont's division
of travel and tourism and they should be able to send you an entire list of every ski resort in their state.
Ski During Off-Peak Hours
As with most ski resort, and Vermont being no different, ski when everyone is at lunch and go to lunch
when everyone is on the slopes. The normal lunchtime is from eleven forty-five to about two in the
afternoon. That is when the lodges have the most people sitting down to eat.
I recommend getting to the slopes as soon as they open (usually around 8 a.m.), and then taking your
lunch starting at eleven and finishing up at eleven forty-five. As everyone is heading in you are heading
out.
Even with all the best tips in the world you will run into occasional crowds. Just do not let it bother you
and remember you are in Vermont, on vacation skiing some of the finest mountains in the world.
About the Author: Bruce Tucker is the senior editor for Vacation Nation, an online vacation resource where you
can learn about various destinations and travel tips.
By Bruce A. Tucker
I have been skiing for many years. But, I would hardly call myself a great a skier, but then again
I would say that I can hold my own on a variety of runs including the treacherous double black
diamonds.
Okay, they are not treacherous unless you have never been skiing before, in which case you would
probably kill yourself if you went down one. They are very challenging though and Vermont ski resorts
have some pretty good ones.
Although I really enjoy skiing at Stowe, which is located in northern central part of Vermont, my favorite
double black diamond run is in Killington, called the Outer Limits. It is a very wide run, with nice
moguls and if you hit the run early enough in the morning you can get some nice fresh snow.
However I tend to stay away from moguls these days as I ski more for relaxation and to be in the open
crisp air of the Green Mountain State. I will do some black diamonds but mostly limit myself to blue
square runs. I find my knees, quadriceps and hamstrings will last longer throughout the day.
Ski During the Week
With that said I have do have some tips if you are planning a ski trip to Vermont. Regardless of which
ski resort you go to, Okemo, Killington, Stowe, Sugarbush and the list goes on and on, try and ski
during the week. Monday through Thursday and the occasional Friday have very light traffic on the
slopes. Which makes sense as most people are working or in my case, should be working.
Ask for Discount Ski Tickets
If you are staying at a hotel, bed & breakfast, motel or lodge ask the front desk or inn keeper if they
have discount tickets. Most if not all the resorts in Vermont offer some type of discount off lift tickets.
So unless you really want to pay full price ask for the discount. Usually it is about $5 to $10, but you
may get lucky when they run special promotions and receive a larger discount.
Ski Smaller Resorts on Weekends
If you have to ski on the weekends try some of the smaller ski resorts. What I found out is that most
locals stay away from the bigger resorts on the weekends to avoid the crowds (they do not know what
crowds are until they ski the Poconos in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania on a Saturday). The
smaller resorts are normally cheaper and although they do not boast as many runs as the bigger guys,
the runs they do offer are challenging to even the most astute skier. You can google Vermont's division
of travel and tourism and they should be able to send you an entire list of every ski resort in their state.
Ski During Off-Peak Hours
As with most ski resort, and Vermont being no different, ski when everyone is at lunch and go to lunch
when everyone is on the slopes. The normal lunchtime is from eleven forty-five to about two in the
afternoon. That is when the lodges have the most people sitting down to eat.
I recommend getting to the slopes as soon as they open (usually around 8 a.m.), and then taking your
lunch starting at eleven and finishing up at eleven forty-five. As everyone is heading in you are heading
out.
Even with all the best tips in the world you will run into occasional crowds. Just do not let it bother you
and remember you are in Vermont, on vacation skiing some of the finest mountains in the world.
About the Author: Bruce Tucker is the senior editor for Vacation Nation, an online vacation resource where you
can learn about various destinations and travel tips.
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