Find Yourself at Stratton Mountain

BY OnTheSnow Staff
December 07, 2025

Sponsored by Stratton Mountain 

There’s something quintessentially New England about Stratton Mountain, which has long been at the forefront of American ski culture—hosting Vermont’s first men’s World Cup race in 1978 and soon after becoming the birthplace of snowboarding. Today it’s known for being one of Vermont’s largest ski resorts, home to Southern Vermont’s highest peak, and featuring a vibrant, unrivaled New England resort village experience. Stratton is the best of all worlds. Let us show you what makes Stratton so special. 

Skiing And Riding At Stratton 

Stratton welcomes skiers and riders with 670-plus acres of terrain, 38 miles of trails, and more than 2,000 feet of vertical. Beginners will appreciate the uniqueness of a green run from the summit and an incredible learning area with covered carpet lifts, while intermediates have tons of impeccably groomed blue cruisers to play on. More advanced skiers and riders love steep trails like World Cup and the 160-plus acres of glades, considered among the best in New England.

Beginners, intermediates, and experts alike love the sweeping, panoramic views from the summit of Southern Vermont’s highest peak. What’s more, Stratton guarantees snow, thanks to the 180 inches of snow it receives on average every season, 95% snowmaking coverage, and world-class grooming.  

Skiing on groomed run underneath gondola at Stratton Mountain on a sunny day
©Stratton Mountain

Stratton is also perfect for families, beginners, and first-time skiers and riders because of its phenomenal Mountain Sports School, which has a breadth of programs that are tailored for each skier and rider. The Learn-to-Ski (LTS) and Learn-to-Ride (LTR) group lessons include a ticket, rental, and lesson. Bonus: Complete four progressive LTS or LTR sessions and you’ll receive a free season pass. Lessons sell out, so it’s highly recommended to book ahead of time. 

What To Do Off The Slopes 

Skiing and riding is just the beginning of the outdoor adventures at Stratton. Those who prefer a more low-key experience can enjoy 12 kilometers of snowshoeing, fat biking, and cross-country ski trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Rental equipment is available at the Nordic Center. If you visit over a weekend, don’t miss Stratton’s Friday Night Snowshoe Hikes under the stars. The hike includes snowshoe rentals and complimentary hot chocolate or coffee around the fire after the hike. For a little more adrenaline, take an after-hours guided snowmobile trip up the mountain.  

Families have their pick of a plethora of great kid-friendly activities, including lift-served tubing at Sun Bowl or ice skating under the stars at the Mill House. For a unique indoor adventure for both kids and adults, go bouldering at Stratton’s indoor rock climbing gym. 

Kid tubing down groomed lane at Stratton Mountain
©Stratton Mountain

Experience Stratton Village 

Stratton’s amazing alpine village means that everything you’d want from a New England ski getaway is right outside your door. Start your morning with a latte and fresh pastry at Upper Standard Coffee, or a hearty breakfast at Benedicts, a longtime favorite now in the courtyard with an expanded menu and heated patio. Then get tuned up—or test out a new pair of skis—at First Run Ski Shop & Boot Lab, which offers a full-service tech shop and custom boot fitting. Browse the latest gear from top outdoor brands like Burton and The North Face before heading out to explore the mountain.  

Friends enjoying a drink together on patio in Stratton Village
©Stratton Mountain

Of course no Stratton ski day is complete without a visit to the Waffle Cabin—now with two locations on the mountain, including its Sun Bowl location, where you will also find a cozy bar in the timberframe lodge and weekend music. When the lifts stop spinning, Stratton Village really comes alive. Snowfish Sushi serves some of the freshest rolls in Vermont, while Bar 802 invites guests to cozy up beside its heated outdoor patio. Play a few rounds of pool at the laid-back Green Door Pub, gather around with friends and family for dinner at Table 43.1, or enjoy Spanish-style tapas paired with a curated wine selection and elevated classic cocktails at T-Bar. Over at the main Base Lodge, Grizzly’s is a Stratton institution, known for its live music and legendary après scene that ranks among the best in the country. 

Friends toasting glasses inside of bar
Après-ski at Grizzly’s ©Stratton Mountain

Plan Your Trip 

  • Getting there: Stratton is a short drive from a number of nearby airports. Albany International Airport (ALB) is just an hour and a half away. Bradley International Airport (BDL) and Burlington International Airport (BTV) are just over two hours away, while it’s a three-hour drive to Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston. Travelers from New York City can take the Stratton Jitney, a coach bus that runs between Stratton and Manhattan. The MOOver is another option with free round-trips to Manchester.  
  • Where to stay: Stratton has every type of lodging option you could imagine, from cozy lodges to condos to ski cabins. Book your accommodations on Stratton’s website. 
  • Lift tickets and passes: Stratton is on the Ikon Pass, providing Ikon Pass holders with unlimited skiing with no blackout dates (for those with the full Ikon Pass). There are a number of great pass options including a new midweek pass as well as lift ticket savings.  Start planning your trip and experience all that Stratton has to offer at stratton.com.