Don’t let the name fool you! Saskadena Six is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in Vermont. Albeit small – just 23 trails, 2 chairlifts, and a J Bar – it boasts 30% beginner and 40% novice slopes. When Wallace “Bunny” Bertram wanted to move the ski resort from its original location on a farm to a steeper hill, a plot called No. 6, he casually joked that it would be “suicide”. Hence the name was born.
The Lodge
In my mind, I had always assumed that Saskadena Six was meant for advanced skiers and riders only. The name was just so imposing. However what we found when we pulled up, was a small, local mountain filled with lots of families of all ages. Drop off was simple with a nice long ramp. It made it almost effortless to carry our gear up to the lodge. No cumbersome stairs to deal with. Parking was even easier. On Sunday, at noon, we got a front-row spot!
The lodge is small and manageable. No chance of losing sight of your kids. There is a small loft area upstairs for racers and one large main room that doubles as the cafeteria downstairs. We loved warming ourselves in between runs by the large roaring fire in the center of the room. Close to the front entrance you will find storyboards with the history of the ski resort and the area. There is a small ski shop as well that has everything your family might need, including rentals. They were even generous enough to lend us a set of poles to borrow for the day since my son left his at the last mountain we visited.
On a busy day when seating and bag storage can be at a premium, families can opt to eat in the Lounge. This sit-down restaurant with wait service is located on the far side of the lodge and has floor-to-ceiling windows that give way to great views of the slopes. The menu is simple with pub-style food and there is a small bar with less than a dozen seats.
The Mountain
My family loved to take runs on the Easy Mile. Although we can all ski intermediate and advanced trails, this nice long run was in pristine condition, not too steep, and relatively empty. If you are looking for more intermediate or advanced trails, you will find them at the top of the same double chair. We didn’t have a chance to ski their most well-known trail, The Face, a super-wide, well-groomed black diamond. Races were being held on it most of the time while we were there.
A nice amenity for snowboarders that my husband really appreciated, was the benches conveniently located right at the top of the lifts to strap in. As a family, we all appreciated the conscientious skiers and riders on the mountain. Everyone seemed to “know the code” and there was plenty of ski patrol in sight at all times. You can tell safety is taken seriously at Saskadena Six. Back at the base, there were virtually no lift lines to speak of at all, which is great when skiing with kids. I would recommend a trip to S6 for any family, but especially for those with young kids who are ready to move off the bunny slope and take their first ski vacation. Stay at the Woodstock Inn this winter where kids ski free 7 days a week at Saskadena Six and you’ve got yourself the makings for a great ski trip!
Dana is a freelance journalist and digital influencer living in Vermont. She is the editor behind Dana Freeman Travels. Through her original photography and writing, she provides authentic destination information, reviews, and travel tips. Dana specializes in cruise, luxury, food & wine, and adventure travel. Her work has been featured in CNN Travel, Porthole Magazine, Thrillist, Yankee Magazine, the Forbes Travel Guide, and several other print and digital publications. Dana is also the Founder of FindandGoSeek — a hyperlocal destination for families to discover what to see and do in Vermont.
My little cousins who live in New York went there last December and they definitely had fun. I will surely try to ski if given a chance! :)