Vermont Skiing...Expert and Beginner
 

Looking to plan a ski trip for my
family President's weekend.
Want to stay in southern Vermont.
My husband is an black diamond skier,
and my kids 5 & 8 will need a great
ski school (never been on skis).
Looking for the mountain with the best
mix to accomodate both.
Would also like access to other activities (tubing, sleigh rides, ice skating) and
family restaurants.
Thanks.

ttt

STOWE>

Wilmington?

We were very happy with the ski school at Smuggler's Notch when our then 6 year old went about 6 years ago. Friends who have gone recently also told us they would recommend the school.

I think you will find Smuggler's Notch to be family oriented and has the activities you are looking for.

Both Stowe and Smuggler's are in northern Vermont.

Killington, which is considered central Vermont, probably would be the best bet for your requirements. It is one of the larger resort areas in VT, and would have challenging enough runs for your husband. It also has lots of lodging choices.

I would definitely check out Stratton Mountain as your best bet in Southern VT. Or Killinton if you can go as far as Central VT.

Stowe and Smuggler's Notch are in northern not southern VT.

lol, ivk!

"great minds" :)

Pico is northern,VT. Every thing else is southern,VT.

xxx30 - that doesn't even make sense. Pico is central VT and there are 8 ski resorts north of it.

excuse moi,i ment Jay's Peak.

When our kids were learning, we enjoyed Stratton Mt for all the reasons you mentioned, as well as Okemo - in Ludlow, Vt - both had something for everyone and a great ski school program - also liked that we could get a rental that was ski in, ski out/ so those who wanted to quit earlier could and there was room to spread out - you might want to check out this link to ski areas in vermont listed by area (central, southern, etc)

http://tinyurl.com/k8x4f

Bromley is a smaller mountain with good black diamond and an excellent ski school. Not crowded during President's week. Also it is near Stratton and Okemo. Also nice is Haystack (part of Mt. Snow) not at all crowded during the vacation week.

I haven't been there in quite a while, but we always enjoyed Sugarbush which now also includes Sugarbush North. It has a great variety of trails and an excellent ski school.

Sugarbush is one of my favorite places to ski ... It is though another 45 minute drive north of Killington. If I recall though, there's not a alot of other activities there. Maybe Stowe for that?

Sugarbush is farther north than the truly southern Vermont resorts, but I agree it has the best mix. I think any of the places in Vermont will be absolutely fine for the beginners, but Sugarbush is likely to offer more attraction for the black diamond skiier, especially if there is alot of natural snow. There is a part of the mountain called Castle Rock which never gets grooming or snowmaking but is fabulous for the advanced skiier, and is beloved for its natural conditions (skiing the way it used to be). But, there are other great black diamond runs which do get snowmaking and grooming (as needed).

when our kids were younger, we always spent our vacations there, precisely because it offered the right combination of interesting skiing for us while the kids were out learning.

I might be wrong, but I would think the more southern resorts would be the most crowded over the holiday weekend.

The Sugarbush area is beautiful and I'm sure it would offer other activities.

But, if you don't want to go that far north, then I would stick to whichever mountain people feel are more interesting for your husband, because as I said, the kids' programs are probably fine everywhere. all these areas cater to families!

book soon! that's the busiest time!

IMO, Okemo, Bromley, Haystack would not please a double diamond skier. I think Killington or Stratton would be best. Although I haven't been there in a while, Mt. Snow is also in S. VT and quite large so should have diversified trails. Don't know if their snowmaking is as good as Killington's.

You probably know that that weekend will be very crowded and you will need to make reservations way ahead. Have fun.

Haystack is no longer open the the public. It is now a private resort. My vote is with Sugarbush even thought it's further north. Much better than anything in SoVT IMO.

Mnt Snow in Wilmington if you need southern Vt.
Killington, if you want to come up to central Vt( my back yard). Killington may have more activities.
It will be busy everywhere.
Good luck.