Vermont Travel Notes

[Photo courtesy of Stowe Resort]

Most everywhere else it is called Groundhog Day, but at Stowe Friday, February 2 is called Woodchuck Day . Of course in ski country, you WANT a longer winter. So, perhaps to bring good luck to themselves, Stowe has decided to make a sacrifice to the snow gods by cutting their lift ticket price in half that day.

For just $35, you can ski all day while also getting a FREE Stowe Points Card (a $75 value that saves on lift tickets the rest of the season) to the first 500 people to come out.

With the best conditions of the season right now, this will be an oustanding opportunity at "The Skiing and Riding Capital of the East."

(c) 2007 (except Stowe Woodchuck photo) Jeff Connor

I mentioned in an earlier entry that a group deal at Magic Mountain was the lowest price I had seen. However, I forgot that some Vermont ski areas have a "roll back the clock day" when they lower their prices to what they were when the ski area opened years ago. For instance, Mad River Glen's Roll Back the Clock Day is coming up in a couple of days. On Jan 30, all lift tickets are just $3.50, the same price as it was in 1949. Now THAT is the lowest price I have seen.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor

Our guests are reporting excellent ski conditions for both downhill and cross country skiing. By way of example, one of our favorite places to cross country ski, Trapp Family Lodge had 6" to 10" of fresh snow this week. It has been cold here so the new snow had been all powder. Lately, we have had beautiful sunny days with day time temps in the mid 20's F, or - 3 C.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor

As I mentioned in the previous post, a little research will turn up some great deals at Vermont ski areas. Here is another quick example.

At Magic Mountain in southern VT, they have a deal called Car Pool Fridays which is good on every non-holiday Friday through the end of the season. Your entire car load skis or rides for only $50.00.

If you can pack six people into a car, it will cost each person only $8.33 to ski or ride all day. I think that is the cheapest rate I have ever seen.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor

If you are thinking of skiing, be sure to look for discounts. Virtually all alpine ski areas offer them, as well as some cross country ski areas. Just check the ski resort's website to get details. The price may even influence your decision on where to ski.

Every ski resort has the usual multi-day pass discounts and of course weekdays are always cheaper than weekends, except during holiday periods. However, you should also look closer at some of the other offers the ski resort has. For instance, at Mad River Glen in January, weekday passes are just $29, a phenomenal price. Mad River Glen changes offerings every few weeks so it is worthwhile to check the website occasionally.

Here are MRG's other discounts:

Ski for $1
Buy a two-day ticket and ski the next day for only $1! Available every day throughout the season except during holiday periods.

Afternoon Half-day Special
Ski every non-holiday afternoon Sunday through Friday for only $29!

The Day-and-a-Half Midweek Special
Buy a ticket for the next day and ski the afternoon before free! What a great way to get out of town for a quick getaway! This special is available after 12 noon Sunday through Thursday and is not offered during holiday periods.

Any Other Pass Special
Ski for only $29 midweek when you present any valid season pass from any other ski area.

The 30 Day Ticket
Ski for 30 consecutive days from the day you purchase your ticket for only $279 or $219 for juniors & seniors.

Vermonter Wednesdays
Vermonters ski every Wednesday for only $29! Not valid during holiday periods. Must provide proof of residence.

$29 Student Deal
College Students ski every midweek day for only $29!. Not valid during holiday periods. Must provide valid student ID.

AARP Member Discount
AARP Members Ski for only $29! Monday-Friday (non-holiday) with a valid AARP membership card.

The Legend Ticket - Seniors 70 & over Ski Free
1st five days of skiing are free then it’s only $100 for a Legends Season Pass. Co-op Shareholders over the age of 70 Always ski FREE!!!

I'll write from time to time about other ski areas and their special discounts but you can check them yourself. A good starting place if you don't have a specific resort in mind is the Vermont Ski Areas website conditions page. Click the name of the resort in the left column and it will take you to another page where there is a small summary of the resort as well as a link in the center column which can then take you to the resort's own web site. On that site, click Tickets & Passes or the equivalent and that's usually where the discounts are summarized.

Quite often, lodging establishments will have discounts available either with or without a package.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus

Here's something your friends, neighbors, and co-workers probaly haven't done: take a dog sled ride! There are several in our north central Vermont area and no doubt there are others throughout VT. I have not compiled a list of these yet but you can ask the lodging extablishment where you plan to stay.

By way of example, I got an email today from Rob Farley at October Siberians who was excited about the fact that we now have enough snow for him to start up his dog sled rides. He has rides in some great areas including Little River State Park in Waterbury, Mount Mansfield State Forest in Stowe, as well as South Lincoln and Ripton Vermont. Rob has links to detailed trip descriptions on his web site. He's flexible with his trips and is happy to work with you on creating a special trip plan if you wish.

The base rate is $250 for two people on a six to seven mile trip.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor