Local guide to skiing

Luckily for winter sports enthusiasts, the one month during Middlebury’s school year when students are not trapped in the library coincides with some of the best ski days in Vermont. Whether you are a skiing enthusiast who came for the great terrain or a first time snowboarder from Florida who didn’t quite realize how cold it gets here during the winter, Winter Term is the perfect time to try a new mountain. Living in “America’s original ski state” means there are plenty of options out there, but how do you know if the mountain you’re about to visit is worth the two-hour drive? With this dilemma in mind, The Campus offers a primer on five top resorts from around the state. So, grab your gear, get in the car (or shuttle bus) and hit the slopes!

Sugarbush Resort:

A perennial favorite of Middlebury students, Sugarbush is less than an hour from campus in lovely Warren, Vt., home to the Warren Store. For those who get up early enough, the quaint country store offers the Reutzler breakfast sandwich, voted one of the “Top 5 Breakfast Bombs” by Skiing Magazine. But after breakfast is when the real fun begins. With 16 lifts and 111 trails, Sugarbush offers a wide variety of terrain that will satisfy skiers and boarders of all inclinations.

On weekends and holidays, the Slide Brook express Quad connects the Mt. Ellen half of the resort to the four peaks across the out-of-bounds valley that divides the resort in two. A great way to start off the day is with some Lincoln Peak groomers, like Spring Fling or Snowball, before getting into the steeper and more menacingly named Organgrinder. When you’re ready for something more challenging, take the double lift to the top of Castlerock Peak for some single and double black diamonds. “Some of my best memories at Midd have been shredding the gnar with my bros on Castlerock,” said Diego Aranzaenz ’10. “When the snow’s deep, there’s no beating those bumps.” With so much great terrain ,you can’t go wrong!

2. Mad River Glen

Located down the ridge from the larger Sugarbush Resort, Mad River Glen has long dared enthusiasts to “Ski it if you can!” Almost half the trails are black diamonds for experts only, making the resort a favorite destination for experienced skiers, but those looking for a more casual day need not fear. Three double lifts service 24 beginner and intermediate slopes — more than enough to fill an entire day.

Although those doubles may seem more efficient, Mad River Glen’s real charm is in its iconic single chairlift. Providing access to the majority of the resort’s 21 expert trails, the chair gives skiers time alone to contemplate the steep lines they’ll take after reaching the top of General Stark mountain. With over 250 inches of annual snowfall and no snowboarders to scrape it all away, Mad River Glen truly is a skier’s mountain. “It’s a traditional locals mountain,” said Bruce Hallett ’10. “Since it’s a co-op, it’s run by skiers, for skiers and that gives it a great authentic feel.” Mad River Glen is the ideal spot if you want to get out and experience the mountains as they were meant to be. That is, unless you’re a knuckle dragger.

3. Stowe Mountain Resort

Located on Mt. Mansfield, the tallest mountain in Vermont, as well as Spruce Peak, Stowe is one of the oldest resorts in the area. Since the Civilian Conservation Corps cut the first trails in 1933, the self-styled “ski capital of the East” has been a major vacation destination for skiers from all over the country. Though the celebrity is certainly warranted, it does attract tourists during peak times, not always a desirable quality in the eyes of the local skier. Many consider the resort too ritzy, but it may be just the place to take your parents when they visit. Overcome with the joy of seeing their baby after months away from home, they can probably be convinced to cough up the $89 for a Saturday ticket.

Don’t be fooled by the posh amenities that attract the rich and famous. The real reason Stowe is able to command such a price is the excellent terrain and over 300 inches of annual snowfall. Although also a great mountain for the whole family, advanced skiers love the challenging terrain. With most of the beginners and lesson groups on Spruce Peak, there are not as many children and slow skiers to clog up the better terrain on Mt. Mansfield. “With routinely great snow, steep pitch, great glades and awesome off-piste skiing, Stowe is definitely one of the best destinations in the state,” said Sam Dawson ’10. “The eight-person gondola is also a great way to get up the hill that you don’t see as much here in the East.”

Whether you’re looking to live the easy life or ski your brains out, Stowe has what you’re looking for. So, save up your money and experience one of Vermont’s most classic ski resorts.

4. Stratton Mountain Ski Resort

Although one of Vermont’s more famous resorts, Stratton may not be worth the 2.5-hour trek from Middlebury. Comparably priced to Stowe, this southern Vermont mainstay also has fantastic amenities and a hospitable town. One advantage of the high price and development that is readily apparent to real skiers is the abundance of high-speed lifts. They’ll get you up the mountain faster, but that does not mean you’ll spend more time skiing. Even this lift system cannot prevent the buildup of long lines at the bottom. Easily accessible from New York, the mountain attracts many tourists, much to the annoyance of people who just want to get out and ski.

Describing the resort, Dickie Redmond ’10.5 said, “Big mountains, fast lifts, huge lines and expensive tickets. It seems that most people who go aren’t there primarily for the skiing.” If it is true that the average Stratton skier is not looking for the most intense skiing, it clearly shows in the abundance of groomed runs. Some visitors complain of the lack of pitch, so if you’re interested in a nice, easy day, Stratton could be the place for you.

5. Middlebury College Snow Bowl

There are several aspects of Middlebury College that set it apart from other small, liberal arts colleges in the country. One such aspect is the Middlebury College Snow Bowl. One of two college-owned ski areas in the Northeast, the Snow Bowl is, in and of itself, one thing that sets Middlebury apart. Standing in line for one of the mountain’s three chairlifts, you may find yourself standing next to your geography professor. Here’s something the admissions office forgot to put in a pamphlet: in addition to claiming generous office hours, our professors provide students with a chance chairlift ride on one of the Bowl’s busy Saturday afternoons.

Located in Hancock, Vermont, the Snow Bowl offers 110 acres of Green Mountain terrain covered by both natural and machine-made snow. With 17 trails and two glade areas, the Snow Bowl caters to a range of skiers and snowboarders.

In true Middlebury fashion, the Snow Bowl became the first carbon-neutral ski area in the United States in 2006. The Snow Bowl is open to the general public beyond Middlebury students and frequently hosts races and competitions.

Generally uncrowded during the week, the Snow Bowl sees crowds of local families and groups of students during the weekends. Despite the implications of a packed parking lot, however, the slopes remain spacious even on the busiest of days. The rental shop at the Snow Bowl offers equipment rentals for $35 full day and $30 half day. Tickets cost $26 for a full day, $21 for a half day, and $150 for a student season pass. Means of transportation up to the mountain include bumming a ride from a friend, catching the ACTR shuttle or, conveniently, with a professor.