Getting to Sugarbush is a 3 hour drive from Boston and a 5.5 hour drive from New York City. By Car From Albany: Take the I-87 Northway to Exit 20, then go northeast to NY #149 to Route 4 then...
Sugarbush
Sugarbush ski resort offers one of the premier ski experiences on the East Coast. Nestled in the picturesque Mad River Valley of Northern Vermont, Sugarbush is only a 3 hour drive from Boston and around 5 hours 30 mins from New York, but feels like a world away.
Sugarbush may not be the biggest, the tallest, or snowiest ski resort in the East, but it may just be the best. From lifts to terrain to ambiance, Sugarbush delivers an across-the-board experience that is difficult to match in New England. Long views from two of Vermont’s highest peaks across the majestic Mad River Valley compliment Sugarbush’s consistently top notch snow conditions.
When it opened, Sugarbush earned the nickname “Mascara Mountain” because it attracted so many movie stars and celebrities. Drawn by the ski area’s well-earned reputation for consistent snow and first class terrain, the Northeast’s social elite (including the Kennedy family) frequented the resort. Sugarbush even went out and attracted a celebrity to run its ski school, hiring the legendary Stein Erickson to found its ski school in the 1960s.
While the crowd may have changed a little since the resort’s first golden age in the 1960s, the skiing has not. With over 53 miles of trails spread across 2,600 vertical feet on peaks that top out at over 4,000 feet, Sugarbush is big time skiing. 250″ of snowfall blanket Sugarbush’s outstanding mix of rugged advanced terrain and well-groomed trails each year, making it easy to see why so many people fall in love with this charming Vermont resort. And speaking of golden ages, it’s plain to see Sugarbush is in the midst of a renaissance of sorts as owner Win Smith continues to reinvigorate the resort with new lifts and an exciting new base village at Lincoln Peak. Sugarbush’s village is highlighted by the new Claybrook hotel, one of the best ski in/ski out hotels in New England.
The ski area is actually comprised of two entirely separate ski complexes – Mount Ellen and Lincoln Peak. The two areas are connected by the world’s fastest express chairlift (the Slide Brook Express Quad) and by a shuttle bus from each parking lot.
Both Mount Ellen and Lincoln Peak provide skiing for all ability levels, but Lincoln Peak, the larger of the two areas by acreage, is considered by most to be the “main” base area and is home to Sugarbush’s new Claybrook base village and the legendary expert-only “Castlerock” area. Mount Ellen, however, is actually the taller of the two mountains and offers 2600′ of vertical drop compared to Lincoln Peak’s 2400′.
The highlight of any advanced skier’s visit to Sugarbush is Castlerock, an advanced skier’s paradise with no snowmaking or grooming. Skiing Castlerock is like taking a step back in time to an era when skiing was more primitive and natural. Or put differently, Castlerock offers a taste of the experience at neighboring Mad River Glen without forcing a guest to commit to an entirely throw back experience. Sugarbush has taken special care to preserve the character of this special section of the resort, even going so far as to replace Castlerock’s aging double chair with a new double chair that had the exact same uphill capacity. Modern technology permitted a quicker ride, but Sugarbush decided to space the chairs farther apart to ensure that the terrain receives the same number of skiers as it did prior to the replacement. That type of attention to detail is the hallmark of the Sugarbush experience.
Intermediate skiers will find Sugarbush offers a great variety of terrain on both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen. Intermediates can take the Jester trail from the top of Lincoln Peak or the Rim Run trail from the top of Mountain Ellen to ski the full vertical drop of each mountain. The views from the top are simply stunning and well worth the trek for solid blue skiers. Intermediates can expect each run to take at least 10-15 minutes. Another great blue square option is the Birch Run off the Lynx Triple at Lincoln Peak. Birch run is a groomed slope sprinkled with trees that offers high speed turns in the morning sunshine.
Beginner skiers won’t be able to get to the top of either Lincoln Peak or Mount Ellen, but should be sure to take the Green Mountain Express to the Glen House for a fantastic on-mountain lunch. The views and the food are fantastic and the Northway trail is a great novice cruiser on the way back down.
Sugarbush Pros & Cons
+ Castlerock and guided backcountry terrain for advanced skiers
+ New village with stong Vermont ambiance
+ Excellent snow quality
+ Modern lift network
– limited beginner terrain
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Sugarbush's accommodations come in several varieties. However, it is Lincoln Peak Village's Clay Brook Hotel that sets the standard for excellence in New England ski in/ski out accommodations. Until the development of the Clay Brook Hotel, the only ski in,...
Sugarbush Ski Area Sugarbush claims to be “Pure Vermont" and delivers on that promise. Sugarbush is New England skiing at its finest. While resorts to the south like Killington or Mount Snow are arguably more popular (i.e. they attract bigger...
Sugarbush Ski Lifts Sugarbush's ski lifts are modern and efficient. Although there is no top-to-bottom summit lift, both Mount Ellen and Lincoln Peak bases are served by express quads with sizable uphill capacity, keeping liftlines generally short. Sugarbush Ski Lifts...
Sugarbush Beginner Skiing Beginner skiing at Sugarbush is limited. Both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen offer novice runs, but most are at lower elevation. If Sugarbush has a weakness, it is its relative lack of beginner terrain. Novice skiers will...
Sugarbush Intermediate Skiing Sugarbush's intermediate skiing is varied and interesting. Intermediates can ski from the summits of both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen and there are several pods of terrain at both mountains that will keep blue skiers engaged for...
Sugarbush Expert Skiing With steeps runs on seemingly every face and plenty of natural snowfall, Sugarbush's expert skiingis amongst the best in the East. Sugarbush is renowned for its steeps and trees. Both Lincoln Peak and Mountain Ellen offer oodles...
Sugarbush Backcountry Skiing Sugarbush's backcountry skiing is first rate. Sugarbush offers some of the East's best backcountry and off piste skiing. Cat skiing and Slidebrook excursions are available through the resort’s ski school, which was founded by the legendary Stein...
Sugarbush Mountain Restaurants Sugarbush's mountain restaurants are highlighted by the Gate House Lodge and the Castlerock Pub and Timbers Restaurant. Lincoln Peak On-Mountain Dining At Lincoln Peak, Allyn's Lodge at the top of the Super Bravo Quad is the place...
Sugarbush Village Lincoln Peak Village is a new addition to Sugarbush Resort. Opening in the mid 2000’s, the village is relatively small by industry standards, but ask any Sugarbush employee about the village and you’ll notice there’s a palpable excitement...
Sugarbush Apres-Ski, Restaurants & Bars Warren is home to a few restaurants, as are both access roads, but the selection is rather limited. For fine dining, Timbers restaurant in the Clay Brook Hotel is an excellent choice. Sugarbush Resort Dining...
Sugarbush Other Activities From snowshoeing to rock climbing, there's plenty to do in Sugarbush when you're not skiing. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, (1-800-583-6300) and indoor tennis and racquets (1-800-583- 6700) can be booked through Sugarbush resort (1-800-53-SUGAR). There is also an indoor...