Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont: 2/23/14

My dad and I have started a tradition this year to ski at least one new mountain every year.  The regions we have skied in the least that are in reach are the Poconos and Southern Vermont.  Obviously Southern Vermont has better mountains, so that is where we went.  Stratton was the first new mountain we went to under this tradition.

We parked at the Sun Bowl since we couldn't find any parking at the main base.  When they built it up so much all the parking was moved far away and requires a shuttle to get to.  The Sun Bowl isn't as built up, so there is parking right next to the snow.  One of the first things we realized was how much it costs to go from this receipt.



They officially open at 8:30, but they let us on the Sunrise Express at 8:20.  This is when we realized how fast they run their lifts.  This one was running at 1,100 fpm.  In just 4 short minutes we arrived at the top.



We originally were going to go straight to the summit, but the Shooting Star Express wasn't spinning yet.



So, out first run was on Sunriser Supertrail.  As you can see, it is very wide.



We got on the Sunrise Express again and wanted to get on Shooting Star.  It was spinning, but not loading.  The lifty told us that the URSA Express was loading as well as the gondola, so we went to URSA.  This lift runs just as fast as Sunrise and we were at the top within 4 minutes.



We were worried that the gondola wouldn't be open since it was very windy, but it was running when we arrived at the top of the mountain.  So we went down Standard.



View from the main base area.



We then got on the gondola.  



Bromley from the gondola.



Although Sunrise and URSA were running fast, the gondola sure wasn't.  It also has the most uncomfortable seating arrangement of any gondola I've been on.  My dad and I hated it.  My dad never rode it again that day, and I only took it 2 more times after my dad quit for the day.  We took Mike's Way when we got to the top.



Closer to the bottom, we noticed that there was a covered bridge over the trail.



When we got to the bottom of the 3 mile run, we got on the American Express.  It was going 1,100 fpm as well.



After taking a couple top to bottom laps using the American Express and the URSA Express, we decided to go back to the Sun Bowl until lunch-time.  The run down there was like skiing through Bergen County, NJ with all the fancy houses lining the trail.



After this run, we took the Solstice Quad.



This lift felt very slow compared to the 6-packs, so we only took it once.  After we got off, we took URSA to the top and went down Black Bear.



View from the top looking at the Shooting Star Express.



After this, it was straight to the Shooting Star Express and then a run top to bottom on Kidderbrook.  Shooting Star was also very fast like the other three 6-packs.



We had an early lunch at around 10:45 after this run.  After lunch, we went straight to the Summit on the Sunrise Express and the Shooting Star Express.



The Snow Bowl Quad was on wind hold.  The chairs were really blowing around as you might be able to see here.



We took Get My Drift to the URSA Express.  The line looked so long, but we were through in about 8 minutes.  It was long since Snow Bowl was closed.



After going up URSA, we took Tamarack down.



The sun was really out by then.



Then got on the Tamarack Triple.



After this, I didn't take as many pictures or keep track of my runs as well since I was so busy having fun skiing.  I did get the pictures below.

Mount Snow North Face from Shooting Star.



View of the built up base area from the top.



They got a ton of freezing r*in as seen here from the ice build up.



Looking down Betwixt.



View looking off the back side of the mountain.



We had an amazing first time at Stratton.  They did an amazing job with the grooming after the freezing r*in and the snow was quite good all day.  The mountain has great views and some really nice runs.  Despite its nickname Flatton, some trails have some pitch to them, and my dad and I never got bored.  Their lift system is the best I have seen at any mountain I have been to and it should be #1 in the east with four 1,100 fpm 6-packs.  The gondola will get new cabins next year and Snow Bowl replaced soon, so it will be even better.  Even with 33,000 people an hour on the slopes, there were still enough trails to handle the crowds.  Overall, Stratton is a great mountain that is within relatively easy reach with good snow, nice trails and fast lifts.  We will be back.

nice report!

Nice report, looks like you did a ton of skiing and had a good time.  I've only been to Stratton once, about 3 years ago with my middle daughter.  One of her classmate's parents have a condo in the Piper Ridge development.  We were there for Presidents' Day weekend and the place was mobbed.  Also, the luxury houses along the slopes gives it a different vibe than some other hills.  I don't think I'd want it as a home mountain--I like feeling the remoteness atop the mountain--but it is worth a trip to get a sense of it.

Petronio

Nice report. Next time you come up to S. VT, do yourself a favor and drive past Stratton and Bromley and come visit Magic Mountain just outside Londonderry. It's a completely different vibe than what you get at Stratton and I'm confident you will have a great time.

And you'll spend a *lot* less money doing so!

Seconded on Magic.

GetAmped wrote

Nice report. Next time you come up to S. VT, do yourself a favor and drive past Stratton and Bromley and come visit Magic Mountain just outside Londonderry. It's a completely different vibe than what you get at Stratton and I'm confident you will have a great time.

And you'll spend a *lot* less money doing so!

I just bought a 3 day weekend pass at Stratton in March for $32 a day. That's cheaper than Magic on the same weekend. All you need is a little advanced planning.

Great trip report.

one thing about Stratton, they work their butts off to give you good conditions. I've been there many times when every other mountain south of Sugarbush is a skating pond and still had a very good day. It doesn't have the same steeps or bumps as some places but is a great place for my aging knees and perfect for families.