Stratton has long been home to Swiss chalets and chic Bogner ski suits. Stratton is old world meets new, classic Vermont trail skiing served by high speed six pack chairs and a base to summit gondola.

Stratton’s grand Clock tower marks the Village Center and frames your Stratton photos for posterity, as if you were in Vail or St Moritz. Alpine architecture throughout the ski village conjures an authentic European scene, but includes underground parking and heated pedestrian streets leading to boutiques, pubs, a Wine Bar and a spa to complete your luxury ski vacation in Vermont.

The best lodging at Stratton is within a short walk to the lifts, and the Intrawest designed ski village. Long Trail, Hearthstone, Rising Bear and Founders are all condominium hotels that offer luxury lodging –if you request a penthouse suite with a slope view. Outdoor heated pools and hot tubs are a nice touch for après ski.

Stratton gets a Gold Medal for its snowmaking and grooming, a cruise down Black Bear, Tamarack, Standard and Polar Bear will give you the white carpet treatment. Most of Stratton’s black diamond terrain skis more like blue squares, easy on the ego. Stratton has recently added more exciting glades to the map like Shredwood Forest. Stratton is also easy on the eyes-with beautiful views of the Vermont hills and neighboring Mount Snow and Bromley – with its southern exposure.

Stratton was the birthplace of modern snowboarding – Jake Burton Carpenter tweaked his prototype Burton snowboard here and the rest is history. Stratton continues to builds state of the art parks and pipes. After all, this is home to Olympic skiers and snowboarders like Kelly Clark and Ross Powers. It’s no coincidence that the US Open snowboarding event is held at Stratton each season.

Stratton is a dichotomy, cutting edge terrain parks and speedy lifts with an upper crust for swank skiers. Beautiful slope side mountain homes and a posh private ski club, The Stratton Mountain Club, are proof that people in the know come here for corduroy, camaraderie and fine cuisine. You don’t have to be a member to dine at Stratton Mountain Club’s exclusive on mountain restaurant Luna., but you do need reservations. Or dine in Stratton Village at upscale Verde.

Stratton’s mascot is the bear, and as you stroll the pretty snowy village, you will find wood carved bears everywhere. Just a reminder that you are in the cozy, countryside state of Vermont -despite the proximity for Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York skiers. Stratton is ideal for a luxury family ski vacation, excellent ski school and family programs, even a teen center called The Wreck, plus fine mountainside dining and nearby shopping at the Manchester Outlets for the sophisticate in your ski group.