Sugarbush Vermont

Sugarbush is sweet, in skiers’ terms. Located in the beautiful Mad River Valley, it’s easy to get to from I-89. If you haven’t skied Sugarbush in a while, you need to. It’s no longer Mascara Mountain – a reputation earned from its glamorous weekend crowds in the 60’s and 70’s. And since 2001, Sugarbush is privately owned by Win Smith, a former Merrill Lynch guy, who is passionate about skiing and it shows.

Sugarbush is comprised of two interconnected mountains, Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen - formerly known as Sugarbush North. Thankfully much of Sugarbush’s 111 classic trails remain unchanged: long scenic groomed to perfection Jester and sunny Spring Fling, gutsy natural knolls on Castlerock's Rumble, and big bumps on Stein’s and FIS on Mount Ellen. The two ski areas are connected by the Slidebrook Express quad or by shuttle bus.

But Sugarbush feels even bigger now with tons more glades, many of which make the trail map but the best of which do not.

If you want real wild, natural terrain, ski Sugarbush’s Slidebrook backcountry, 2,000 acres between Mt Ellen and Lincoln Peak. You can hire a guide, like extreme ski film star turned resort ambassador John Egan, or explore on your own this unbelievable, outback tree skiing. This backcountry is the biggest and best spaced in New England, eclipsing Smugglers’ Back Bowls and Jay Peak’s off-piste.

In fact, if you include the backcountry terrain, Sugarbush is a 4,000 acre playground encompassing six peaks. Win Smith proudly points out that from southernmost Spring Fling off 3,975’ Lincoln Peak to 4,083’ Mt Ellen above Inverness is as many ridge miles as Vail.

For lodging at Sugarbush, we recommend you valet our skis and stay slopeside at Clay Brook, the classy country barn style Inn serves as the lodging centerpiece of the new Lincoln Peak base area. Rooms range from standard hotel style to residential suite living with granite full kitchen, fireplaces and decks with slope views. Clay Brook’s outdoor Jacuzzis and heated pool offer views of the slopes and village. Lincoln Peak’s skier plaza is modeled as a Vermont style village with a Schoolhouse, Farmhouse Gatehouse, and Timbers Round Barn Restaurant, all tasteful and functional with all the skiers services from ski rentals to kids Sugarbear ski camp.

Sugarbush’s 16 lifts rarely see lift lines, just a few vacationers and locals, but if you want really excusive skiing, go for the Lincoln Limo – first tracks by private snow cat ride are offered at Lincoln Peak. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that.
Sugarbush is sweet for terms.