Love snow sports? Hate the cost? Read on for info about some cheap and cheerful slopes in Southern Vermont and beyond
Downhill Edition///
It may be winter in Southern Vermont, but getting on the slopes can be steep (in every sense of the word). Larger resorts offer consistent conditions, amazing trails and great lodges, but they often come with the crowds and price tags to match. Even smaller mountains that offer discounts and programs for VT residents and locals can prove pricey, especially for beginners and families.
There are some other options, though. Vermont has seen a renaissance of smaller, typically volunteer-run hills offering affordable skiing and riding and while it’s a different experience, if you’re willing to go with the flow, you can still get out there without breaking the bank. Still interested? Read on for some of the best spots in Southern Vermont to get on the snow for small change:
Brattleboro Ski hill
This place is bumping! Set next to the sledding hill at Brattleboro’s Living Memorial Park, this one trail/hill operation is served by a j-bar, snack bar and a really fun group of volunteers. Popular with Brattleboro locals, many an excellent skier or rider first got on the snow at the Brattleboro Ski Hill. This hill is often busy but it’s great place to take kids, especially littles who want to take a break and sled for a bit. With rock-bottom lift tickets and snow-making capabilities the Brattleboro Ski Hill is a fantastic local amenity. Join their Facebook Page or check their website for conditions ahead of your trip.
The Details
Rentals? No
Snow making? Yes
Day Pass –$5/Day-CASH or CHECK only
Season Pass– Season Passes and Punch Cards available at the booth
While You’re out there…
Check out the Vermont Country Deli for lunch or a snack. It’s within walking distance of the hill and is always packed, especially around lunch, so plan accordingly. If you’re looking for something a little different, take the short ride into Brattleboro where you’ll have a variety of cool shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from. Don’t have time to wander? The Brattleboro Co-op offers groceries, grab and go and a sandwich bar/hot deli if you’re looking for a range of quick, healthy options.
MT AsCutney Ski Area
Ascutney Outdoors
Ascutney Outdoors, Mt. Ascutney’s ski area, offers a mix of groomed trails, with everything from a learning area and greens to blacks. There’s a small carpet, along with a refurbished t-bar that provides a fairly epic tow to the top. The t-bar, new lodge and revival of this is once-shuttered ski area are thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers who worked hard to revive the lower half of the mountain and bring skiing back to Ascutney. Experienced backcountry skiers can skin up and head down some of the older (ungroomed) trails, with a trail map and guidelines available online or at the lodge. Speaking of the lodge: there’s a small but brand-new lodge with toilets and tables if you’d like to take a break and there’s tubing at the same site in case you want to break up your day a bit. Parking is free, across the street at the tubing area but there’s a drop-off circle for those who need it.
The Details
Rentals? No
Snow making? No
Day Pass –When Open to Top: Adult age 18+ = $20. Youth 7-17 = $10. Age 6 and under = Free. When Open to First Stop (mid-station) Only Adult age 18+ = $10. Youth 7-17 = $7. Age 6 and under = Free.
Season Pass– Adult (18 and older) = $100, Youth (ages 7 – 17) = $50, Family of 2 = $150. Additional family member (18 and under) $25 each.
While You’re out there…
Check out the Brownsville Butcher and Pantry for lunch or a post-piste treat. The food from their cafe and bakery is amazing but this place offers far more, including extensive market/grocery selections and high-quality meats from local VT farms that they butcher on-site themselves.
Arrowhead Ski Area
Okay, we know this one is in New Hampshire, but Claremont is just across the border, a short hop of Interstate 91 and as close as most VT small hills. Set on the outskirts of Claremont, Arrowhead Recreation Area offers both tubing and skiing/riding on a small ski hill manned by volunteers and town employees. The hill is serviced by a tow rope, which is a little tricky for beginner snowboarders, but beginner skiers or all ages will find a lot to like about this hill. Arrowhead tends to be quiet and well-groomed, a great low pressure alternative for someone who is still learning. Beautiful views of Ascutney and a funky, old school A-frame lodge that serves hot lunch are the icing on the cake. Best of all, this is one of the few small hills that offer rentals (and at rock bottom prices).
Rentals? Yes, a variety of rental options are available with prices ranging from $8-$16 depending on what you need.
Snow making? No
Day Pass – Adult age 18+ = $10 (Late Day=$7), Youth (14-17) = $8 (Late Day=$6). Age 6 and under = Free with a paying adult
Season Pass– Adult (18 and older) = $120, Youth (ages 14 – 17) = $100, Family (up to 4) = $335 (Additional family members $20/each).
While You’re out there…
There’s plenty to see in Claremont! The town itself contains a host of small cafes and restaurants while a further trip down RT 103 brings you a thriving shopping area with everything from big box stores to smaller speciality shops. Of note (and yes, we know, it’s not a restaurant) is the superbly outfitted Claremont Pet & Aquarium Center. Enter through the enormous cat’s face to find everything you could possibly need for your pets.
Dartmouth Skiway
We know! New Hampshire, again! And a little north! But the Dartmouth Skiway offers some of the best value tickets and trails for experienced skiers, so it’s worth a mention. Set in Lyme NH, just a short hop off Interstate 91, the Dartmouth Skiway has a healthy mix of greens, blues and blacks across its two mountains, Winslow and Holt’s Ledge. There’s a lot for everyone from a learning area with a magic carpet to two lifts servicing their 104 acres of skiable trails. The Dartmouth lodge is beautiful, spacious and clean, with a ski shop (including rentals), full cafeteria, changing rooms and toilets/lockers. Ski lessons for children or adults, both group and individual, are available, as are vacation-week ski camps for kids. All in all, the Dartmouth Skiway offers excellent value for money, especially for experienced skiers who are on a tight budget.
The Details
Rentals? Yes, a variety of rental options are available with prices for adults ranging from $45-$55.
Snow making? Yes
Lessons? Yes
Day Pass – Adult age 18+ = $35 (Peak=$65), Youth (6-17) and Seniors (65-79) = $30 (Peak=$60). Age 5 and under and 80+ = Free. Other discounts available for Uphill, Twilight Skiing, Military, Dartmouth students etc.
Season Pass– Adult (18 and older) = $539, Youth/Senior (ages 6– 17) = $404. Check their website for more options; Dartmouth Skiway offers over 18 categories of season passes.
While You’re out there…
You can grab a sandwich or browse the bake shop at the King Arthur Baking Company in nearby Norwich VT, or keep it local and head over to the Lyme Country Store for a quick treat.
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