Are you planning to travel to a ski resort in Vermont this winter season? The lodging properties around ski areas are looking to welcome you with open arms, but there are a few rules to follow. Currently, Vermont requires anyone traveling from out-of-state (or Vermonters that have traveled out of state) to quarantine for 14 days, or seven days with a negative test, before going out in public. And yes, skiing and snowboarding at a ski area counts as going out in public.
Resorts will require any visitors, whether booking lodging, purchasing a lift ticket or season pass, to fill out a form attesting that they have and/or will follow these guidelines. So be prepared to fill out one of these forms during the planning process.
One common question we’ve been asked is, “Can my family quarantine at home before travelling to Vermont?” The short answer? Yes. If you can quarantine at home for seven days, get tested and receive a negative result, you can travel to Vermont by private vehicle. The guidelines ask then that you only stop along the way for necessary items like fuel, food, bathroom breaks.
Of course, these rules are expected to fluctuate as the virus cases go up and down, so the first step in planning your visit should always be to check Vermont travel restrictions. Once you have a plan for traveling safely, it’s time to plan your lodging experience in Vermont and secure lift tickets. We’ll explore lodging–from deals to cancellations policies–in this post, but for season pass and ticketing info, read our first entry in this series, “Ticket to Ride.”
Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton has a plethora of lodging options–from one to five bedrooms–just steps away from the mountain. This season, Stratton has relaxed their cancellations policies, allowing you to cancel up to two days prior to your reservation with a full refund. They are also giving priority access to families that lodge with them, meaning you can reserve your lift tickets when booking your stay. Stratton requires you to book at least 48 hours in advance, and they are not accepting walk-ins at this time.
Some recommendations from Stratton:
- Register with Sara Alert to receive daily reminders from the Vermont Dept. of Health regarding interstate travel.
- Download the Stratton Lodging app for easy updates from the front desk and information about low contact check-in and check-out.
Sugarbush Resort
If you’re traveling from out of state and doing the work of quarantining, why not stay a little longer than usual? Sugarbush is offering a “Fifth Night Free” midweek package for families that can swing the longer stay. They also have discounted packages for Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders. View all the options here. Not a passholder? Ski and stay packages include lift tickets.
The lodging cancellation policies vary depending on the type of unit you book between 21 and 45 days. It’s also currently unclear how you secure your lift ticket, so we recommend giving the ‘Bush a call at 800.53.SUGAR when booking early season to make sure you have all the details you need, and are able to secure lift tickets.
Saskadena Six / Woodstock Inn
If you’re looking for a getaway that includes luxury and cross-country skiing, as well as downhill, check out the Ultimate Snowsports Package at the Woodstock Inn. It consists of two nights of lodging at the Inn, breakfast daily, unlimited access to the Saskadena Six Ski Area for two days, and unlimited access to the Nordic Center for two days of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking, plus rental if available.
Non-holiday bookings have a generous cancellation policy, allowing parties to cancel anytime before 4 p.m. the day prior to arrival, with no penalty. Holiday periods have varying terms that can be found on the website. Call 888-338-2745 to make a reservation or visit woodstockinn.com.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Smugglers’ lodging is composed entirely of condominiums that feature all the comforts of home and plenty of room to spread out. These spaces create a perfect base camp for the family, and ski-in/ski-out is possible for many units. Families can book the Mountain Experience Package to receive lodging and lift tickets, as well as access to activities and amenities, such as indoor and outdoor pools, the FunZone, and cross country skiing. Deposits on reservations canceled within 21 days prior to arrival will be applied to a future reservation within the next two years, so it’s also a safe bet.
Killington Resort
The Beast Vacation Ever is a great ski & stay lodging deal for families. Book five days or more and get free lift tickets for one child 12 or under, plus kids six and under always ski or ride for free. Plus, lift tickets included in these packages are good at Pico Mountain, as well. If your situation changes, you can cancel your reservation up to 8 days prior to your arrival date and receive a full refund.
Jay Peak Resort
Want to commit to Vermont for the whole season? And work, educate and live at the mountain? Jay Peak is offering a unique Relocation Vacation. You can make Jay your home with a two-bedroom cottage available to you for the whole season. Season passes are included.
Burke Mountain
Ski in and ski out of The Burke Mountain Hotel with ski/ride & stay packages that includes lift tickets for everyone on the reservation. Bonus! Kids ski free in March with two night+ stays.
All rooms in the Burke Mountain Hotel include a stovetop, microwave, and mini-fridge, and the 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites have full kitchens to prep meals. Another option? Eat grab n’ go meals from the hotel restaurant around the large and spacious kitchen table. To book, call 866-966-4820 for availability and cancellation details.
Bolton Valley
Bolton Valley is great for families, as everything is in one place. The hotel room are just as close to the slopes as the base lodge, giving you a safe place to warm up, fuel up and rest up. Book a room at Inn at Bolton Valley, and be sure to purchase your lift tickets in advance as well. Cancellations at least three days prior will receive a refund on the deposit.
Other Vermont Resorts
Okemo and Mount Snow both offer a 20% discount on lodging to Epic passholders. And both properties have a plethora of options to choose from. Cancellation policies vary depending on timing, with a 45-day commitment for Christmas holiday booking and 21 days commitment from January 3 through the rest of the season. The Mamas are all big fans of Jackson Gore at Okemo!
Several resorts, like Stowe, Bromley, Magic Mountain, and Mad River Glen, don’t own lodging but still, have plenty of nearby options worth exploring. See our coverage of them from “before times” to get a taste of the possibilities.
Ski and Stay with Kids at Stowe Mountain Lodge
The Rewards of a Late Winter Ski Weekend at Bromley
Upper Pass Lodge: Tops for Family Stays in Southern Vermont
Stay in Vermont’s Mad River Valley and Ski Three Resorts
Tips for Planning Your Lodging Experience in Vermont
- Know before you go. Check Vermont travel restrictions here.
- Get your tickets to ride. While exploring lodging, think about access to the resorts as well. If tickets are not included in your lodging, check out “Ticket to Ride.”
- Book lodging early. Book one of the family-friendly packages mentioned as soon as possible, noting the cancellation policy and any other resort-specific instructions.
- Play! Pack your bags and get ready for healthy outdoor fun in Vermont’s mountains.
Sarah Wojcik is the founder of All Mountains Mamas, starting it in 2012. Becoming a mother in 2017, she grasped the opportunity to share her passion of skiing and snowboarding with families across the U.S. and came on as a contributor and manager. Formerly the Director or Marketing and Communications for Ski Vermont, and currently the creative editor and digital partnership director at Ski Area Management magazine, she writes with great knowledge of the ski industry in Vermont and beyond, and from the point of view of a new mother working to get back out on the slopes with two kids in tow. She is also the proud owner of Vermont’s #1 family fun resource, FindandGoSeek.net.
We look forward to a family winter escape, although its been more closer to spring during our last few visits. We love Jay Peak. As a family of 5, the mountain, the water park and the lodging makes our time away from home so memorable! We are all mountain riders now (yay! parenting win!) and have so many great memories and hidden favorite spots!