Vermont Ski Lodging: Find the Right Spot for Your Trip

Many times, Vermont ski lodging can make or break a vacation, especially if you don’t know what you’re getting into. When you’re at a large resort, you typically have a choice of whether you’re staying onsite or going offsite. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Staying onsite means you’re close to the slopes, often so close that you’ll have ski-in/ski-out access. It’s also more expensive, because you’re paying for the convenience, especially if you’re traveling alone or just with one or two people. Staying offsite in these cases can save you money, especially if you take advantage of ski-and-stay packages. Here are some helpful tips, no matter what choice of Vermont ski lodging is right for you and your group.

Vermont Ski Lodging

Bolton Valley

Bolton Valley offers the Inn at Bolton Valley for you to stay onsite. This Vermont ski lodging offers ski in/out access with 60 traditional hotel rooms, as well as a number of suites and condominiums. They come in various sizes to accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 people. Prices range from $79 to $139 per night for the Inn and $170 to $500 for condominiums. If you would like to stay offsite, there are a lot of options in nearby Stowe. Stowe is only a half-hour drive around the mountain from the resort. There, the Sun & Ski Inn and Suites offers creekside rooms with patios for about $200 per night or three bedroom condominiums for $230 per night for six guests. Other local favorites include the Stowe Motel and Snowdrift, which offers clean efficient rooms for $139 to $160 per night, and the Stowehof Inn and Resort, which is where the film, The Four Seasons, was shot. Rooms at the Stowehof run from $159 to $299 per night. A full breakfast is served every morning as well.

Jay Peak

Jay Peak is home to the very impressive Hotel Jay. At this onsite lodging, there are over 170 different rooms available. These range from standard King-size hotel rooms to 3-bedroom suites with full kitchens. Additionally, guests have access to the indoor waterpark. The hotel has full ski in/out access and you are just steps away from the tram-side lifts. There are also multiple condominiums to choose from, all spread out throughout the resort. All offer ski in/out access and are a short walk to the lifts. The most affordable onsite lodging is at the Stateside, which has 85 rooms to rent and all include unlimited shuttle service to other parts of the resort. Onsite lodging prices range from $264 to $600 per night. Offsite, Vermont ski lodging is only a few minutes away with small inns such as the Woodshed Lodge and Jay Village Inn ready to accommodate you. The Woodshed is a B&B and charges $105 for a room with a private bath and $90 for a room with a shared bath. All rooms come with a full breakfast. The Jay Village Inn offers rooms that range from $95 for a single double bed to $225 for a 2-room suite.

Killington and Pico

Killington has extensive onsite lodging available for skiers. This ranges from the posh Killington Grand Resort to various condominiums that dot the resort. The Killington Grand Resort offers standard hotel rooms that will sleep up to four guests, as well as 2-bedroom suites that will sleep up to eight people comfortably. Additionally, three bedroom penthouses are available that can sleep up to ten. Prices range from $106 to $550 per night depending on the property. For example, a four-bedroom house at slopeside is only $375 per night. With ten people sharing the cost, this becomes a very attractive place to stay. Offsite lodging is available in nearby Killington. The Mountain Sports Inn offers clean and comfortable rooms for $76 per night, while the Greenbrier Inn has private balconies with private baths for only $96 per night. There are a lot of small privately run inns in Killington that cater specifically to the skiing crowd who are looking for peace and quiet from their Vermont ski lodging.

Mad River Glen

The Mad River Glen Cooperative is located just outside the small town of Waitsfield. There is no lodging at the resort, but there are several inns, bed and breakfasts, and motels in town. The closest to the slopes is the Mad River Barn, a B&B with 18 guest rooms that sleep up to six people. Rates average about $121 per night. For larger parties, the Garrison has condominiums that sleep up to 10 people. These condominiums have access to an indoor heated pool. Also available are traditional motel rooms. Prices range from $84 for a single motel studio room to $395 per night for a 4-bedroom condominium. Other Vermont ski lodging options include the Featherbed Inn and the Waitsfield Inn, both historic instances of lodging that range from $150 to $219 per night.

Magic Mountain

While Magic Mountain doesn’t have branded resort lodging, there is plenty Vermont ski lodging with convenient access and local flavor. The Upper Pass Lodge is slope-side at Magic Mountain with 20 deluxe rooms that start at $64 per night. Just down the road is the Blue Gentian Lodge, a local B&B that also has a hot tub and heated outdoor pool. Farther up the road lies The Stone Hearth Inn. This inn is a local favorite with eight rooms with private baths in a renovated farmhouse. Prices are $110 per night based on double occupancy. The Magic View Motel is just a few minutes north of Magic on Route 11. This charming motel offers rooms that can sleep up to five people starting at only $79 per night during ski season. They also feature five night mid-week rentals for $300 for a single or $350 for a queen or two twin beds. You might also consider the Stone Wall Inn. Located just ten minutes from the ski area, this unique B&B is located on 14 acres of land and is designed to be an eco-friendly stay as well as offering numerous modern conveniences. Rooms range from $100 to $160 per night for a two-night stay.

Middlebury College Snow Bowl

This ski area is located in between Hancock and Ripton along Route 125. There is no Vermont ski lodging onsite, but each town has its own favorite place for skiers to relax after a run. In Ripton, the Chipman Inn is the venue of choice. This bed and breakfast is located in a pastoral setting, tucked into the mountains. The views are incredible, and the rooms cozy and inviting. Room rates begin at $99 for single occupancy. A full breakfast is served every morning, and for an additional charge, a full 5-course dinner is served at night. On the other side of the mountains, the Gathering Inn is a popular choice. The inn offers free transportation for skiers to the Gap and Snowbowl as well. The inn is also home to a cadre of cats, 40 chickens, five ducks, and occasionally, a moose. Private rooms are available for only $65 per night, and a full kitchen is on premises for guest use. Middlebury is just past Ripton and is a typical college town. There are several chain hotels available, from the Greystone to a Courtyard. Prices are about $139 per night during ski season.

Okemo

Okemo Resort has many options for people who want to stay onsite. Whether you are looking for a full resort experience in a deluxe hotel or a simple room near the slopes, Okemo has something for you. Condominiums are available with a short walk to the slopes, or for most, ski in/ski out access. The Jackson Gore Village is the newest property. Lodging rates vary between $200 for a room at Jackson Gore to $700 for a 3-bedroom suite. Alternately, 3-bedroom condominiums are also available for about $330 per night. Offsite Vermont ski lodging is available at nearby Ludlow with major chain hotels available for $99 to $120 per night. Most of these hotels also have ski and stay packages that include shuttles to the ski resort as well as lift tickets bundled in with the room rate.

Q Burke

The Burke resort has a brand new hotel opening for the 2015-2016 ski season. Standalone lodging starts at $109 per night for two people. Ski and stay packages are available for a little more. There are 116 rooms available, with many having full kitchens and private balconies. The hotel is right at the base of the slopes with ski in/ski out access. Offsite options can be found minutes from the resort in Lyndonville. While there are no major chain hotels in Lyndonville, several smaller inns cater to the ski crowd. The Inn at Mountain View has 14 rooms available, each with a full buffet breakfast every morning, and tea and snacks in the afternoon. It is only a few minutes’ drive to the slope and rooms begin at $215 per night. Other inns include the Willoburke Inn & Lodge and The Wildflower Inn, with rooms averaging $229 per night. For chain hotels, 20 miles south along I-91, St Johnsbury has a Comfort Inn, a Fairbanks, and a Holiday Motel. Room rates start at $149 per night for lodging alone.

Smuggler’s Notch

Onsite lodging at Smuggs includes resort condominium lodging that is within a short walk’s distance from the slopes. This Vermont ski lodging is grouped into five separate areas. The Highlands Hill Community has 1 to 3-bedroom options, while the North Hill Community offers up to 4-bedroom condominiums. The Village East Community is closest to the on-slope daycare and offers units that range in size from Studio to 4-bedroom units. For exceptionally large parties, Village West is available in unit sizes up to 5-bedrooms. West Hill Condominiums are located halfway up Morse Mountain with a shuttle to take guests to the Center. Prices range from $170 per night for a studio rental to $670 for a 5-bedroom condominium. Offsite lodging is available in nearby Jeffersonville. The Smugglers Notch Inn has rooms available for as little as $79 per night. Other options include the Deerrun Motor Inn ($95 per night) and Nyes’ Green Valley Farm Bed and Breakfast (starting at $95 per night). Other offsite lodging is shared with Stowe, which is just over the mountain.

Stowe

Stowe is located ten minutes from Smugglers’ Notch, but has its own onsite lodging options. The Stowe Mountain Lodge has 300 units and cabin rentals available in sizes from studio to 3-bedroom suites. The suites are all located slope-side with ski in/ski out access. Prices during ski season start at $379 for double occupancy rooms. Offsite lodging for Stowe is in the city of Stowe proper. There are well over twenty different options, ranging from a simple room at Stowe Motel & Snowdrift ($97 per night) to a deluxe room at the Topnotch Resort & Spa ($225 per night). Other options include the Gables Inn, which offers simply furnished rooms in a renovated 150-year old farmhouse. Ski and Stay packages are available with discounts on lift tickets, with rates from $80 to $150 per night.

Stratton

There are a great number of onsite options for Vermont ski lodging at Stratton. The Black Bear Lodge was recently renovated and offers classic rooms with rooms starting at $84 per night. Other lodging options include the Long Trail House with studio rooms available from $187 per night. There are also condominiums available with 2-bedroom ($460 per night) and 3-bedroom ($549 per night) units available right on the slope. Off-resort lodging is twenty minutes away via VT-30 at Manchester. The Four Winds Country Motel offers simple rooms for $85 per night. Other options include the Toll Road Inn or the Manchester View. Along 7A several inns have a variety of rooms available. From the Aspen with its traditional motel rooms and cottages ($85 to $150 per night) to the Stamford Motel ($110 per night), there are price ranges and rooms for all parties, no matter the size.

Sugarbush

At Sugarbush, the Clay Brook is the premiere choice for Vermont ski lodging. It offers 61 different residences that vary from studio apartments to five-bedroom suites. They come with full kitchens, granite countertops, hardwood furniture, and luxury amenities. There is ski in/out service and a dedicated boot valet to warm and dry your ski boots in between uses. A less expensive solution might be the Sugarbush Inn. Still located on the resort, the Inn has comfortable king beds in simply appointed rooms. There are also condominiums that can comfortably sleep up to 10 people in a unit, with many just steps away from the ski slope. Offsite lodging surrounds Sugarbush, with many options being the same as those for Mad River Glen.