Vermont |  New Hampshire |  Maine

Vermont is known for its charm and scenery, and a ski vacation in the Green Mountains is no exception. Like Vermont cheddar cheese, each resort has its own flavor, and you’ll find a range of fine lodging from Vermont ski homes for rent, to Vermont ski lodges and ski hotels, to Vermont country Inns – where you slide out of your ski boots and into fluffy slippers by the fireplace. There are beautiful ski town bed and breakfasts with in room fireplaces, wake from under your down duvet for pancakes and fresh Vermont maple syrup before hitting the slopes.

Vermont ski trips are luxurious if you find that cozy Vermont inn for après ski, or a full service resort hotel. Sugarbush, Stowe, Killington and Okemo are home to some lovely Vermont accommodations in ski country.

Woodstock
Woodstock is a postcard perfect town, stay at the Rockefeller’s Woodstock Inn for four diamond lodging, a great location in Woodstock Center just steps from covered bridges, and the quaint historic village. From the lovely Woodstock Inn, you can ski Suicide Six or Killington, then return for spa treatments, an elegant dinner in the formal dining room, then a nightcap and dancing in the Pub which dates back to 1793.

Stowe
If you picture in your mind a grand Alps hotel in ski country – the kind you see out west or in Europe with huge timbers and an alpine design, then a Stowe ski vacation is your lift ticket. Skiers and snowboarders are treated like royalty with valet ski service and an alpine concierge at the new Stowe Mountain Lodge and Spa. Stowe’s brand new mountain hotel and spa at Spruce Peak Village is steps to the lifts and steps above New England “grand ski hotels”. This green hotel in white snow country ushers in a new era for upscale ski lodging in Vermont with suite accommodations, an on site spa and gourmet mountain cuisine featuring localvore products prepared by executive chefs, surrounded by a new ski village at the base of Spruce and a gondola ride from Mt Mansfield’s legendary Front Four terrain. There are other top shelf lodging option in Stowe, if you forego the slopeside hotel – the flipside is you are closer to the charming town of Stowe and all the Mountain Road shopping, dining and charm of Stowe Village – which dates back three centuries. Closest to the mountain, after you pass the popular Matterhorn après ski bar, is Topnotch Resort and Spa. Topnotch, like its name, offers classy accommodations and a beautiful spa. You can stay in the original hotel or opt for a Topnotch townhouse with Jacuzzi and fireplace. This resort is lovely, and the spa is – like its name Top Notch.

Further down Stowe’s Mountain Road is the Stoweflake. The new spa at Stoweflake is huge and impressive including a two story waterfall, their après ski massage treatments are reputed and provide reparation after a big day on Stowe’s trails. If you have seen the Sound of Music, you will sing at the sight of Stowe’s Trapp Family Lodge. The Trapp family settled in Stowe, and you will see why when you stay at this beautiful lodging property, its a mini Austria complete with an Austrian tea room and the private chalets are plucked from the Alps. If you prefer a posh inn in-town, The Green Mountain Inn is a lovely Vermont inn. Suites have Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. Downstairs at the Green Mountain Inn, enjoy a drink at the Whip or walk Stowe’s adorable Main Street and visit the Ski Museum.

Sugarbush
Sugarbush is a legendary ski resort, with a colorful past of celebrity skiers, famous ski racers, and some of the first extreme ski film stars. This Vermont ski valley is still starry at night, if you are staying at super romantic inn. The Relais and Chateaux Pitcher Inn, for example, has beautifully decorated suites – each with its own personality. We recommend the Ski Room to inspire your special ski trip – of course you may not want to leave your room, except to head downstairs for a four diamond meal in the dining room, or to the Alta Spa – under the same ownership as the Inn and Sugarbush ski resort – former Wall Street tycoon Winn Smith.

A bit more casual bed and breakfast at Sugarbush, but certainly romantic is The Inn at Round Barn Farm – this popular wedding and honeymoon setting has pastoral views of Mad River Valley, ad evening snowshoe tours led by a Labrador (how romantic) to a candlelight cabin in the Vermont woods. Ask for the honeymoon suite at the Inn, even if its not your wedding night.

Sugarbush has made resort village improvements in recent years, including a new on mountain hotel, called the Clay Brook Inn. Staying at this ski in ski out hotel, you can walk to the lifts, ski back to the slopeside pool or stop by Timbers restaurant for après ski drinks in your ski boots. While you are visiting the Mad River Valley, be sure to save time for the fine ski shops (Sportiv is our favorite for elegant European ski clothes), Vermont country stores and some of the best ski country restaurants.

If you like the excitement of a city along with your ski trip, then stay at a Burlington Hilton hotel and day trip to nearby downhill skiing by day at Smuggs, Jay Peak, Bolton Valley or Stowe, and save energy for downtown dining, dancing, even bar hopping at night. You can stay at the Hilton overlooking Lake Champlain for the best of Burlington and you’re a half hour to an hour’s drive to some of the best Vermont skiing.

Okemo
Okemo is the best Vermont ski resort for fall line foodees – with New England’s best on mountain food and service. This ski resort in central Vermont has well groomed trails like World Cup and lovely views of Ludlow Valley …but it’s the on mountain cuisine that puts Okemo in the top ten ski resorts in New England. Okemo slopeside condos and home rentals are abundant, or you can stay at the massive mountain hotel – The Jackson Gore Inn which features hotel suites for skiers. Resort amenities include covered ice skating in the Ice House, and indoor swimming all winter in the Spring House.

If you can forego mountainside accommodations at Okemo, you will be rewarded at the Castle Hill Inn and Spa, lodging in an authentic Vermont Castle with stunning views of Okemo’s ski trails from your luxurious suite.

If you want the best family ski resort in Vermont – Smugglers Notch gets all the travel awards for family ski programs and all-inclusive ski packages including learn to ski for kids, ski rentals, evening entertainment and even childcare. Smuggs’ condos range from 1970 vintage to shiny new timeshare models, all of them are ski in ski out …relatively speaking, no of them are super luxurious but if you have a young family that’s not your biggest priority.

Stratton Mountain Resort is elegant, but edgy - high speed lifts and a well designed slopeside village make this a sophisticated ski spot. Private dining at the Stratton Mountain Club, and a gorgeous Green Mountain Vermont setting add relaxation and a touch of regal to your luxury ski vacation.

If après ski and resort entertainment is a priority, then Killington is known as the best ski party spot in New England. Killington Mountain is the biggest ski resort in New England, and Killington’s lodging options are vast but not particularly upscale. For now, staying slope side at the Killington Grand (while not really grand) is the best location with an outdoor heated pool. Killington is now owned by Powdr Corp., and big changes are coming to this Vermont resort. If you like skiing a bit quieter, you can day trip to Pico Peak - the sister resort to Killington where you will find no lift lines, but plenty of friendly Vermonters. If you ski Pico, you are in for a treat.

The Castle |  Woodstock Inn |  Pitcher Inn |  Top Notch

Vermont |  New Hampshire |  Maine |  Sunday River