Sugarbush Resort

Closed
Heather Burke
SnowPak Local Insider
Heather Burke
Pros
  • Sugarbush has the best combination of woods and vertical drops in Vermont
  • The lift system provides quick and easy access to the slopes
  • Overall, it is similar to Stowe but significantly cheaper
Cons
  • Restaurants get very busy and the base lacks nightlife

Overall

4.4

Sugarbush is sweet, like Vermont maple syrup. Located in the beautiful Mad River Valley, this is Vermont skiing at its best, authentic. The two interconnected mountains, Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, feature long classic meandering trails, gorgeous birch and Sugarbush glades, and spectacular views of pastoral hillsides and Camels Hump, Stowe's Mt Mansfield, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks in the distance. Sugarbush skis like a 4,000 ac playground thanks to the two ski areas and the 2,000 ac of backcountry glades in between called Slidebrook, where you can enjoy long natural glade runs on untouched snow with or without a guide. Sugarbush proudly only grooms half their terrain, leaving much of their terrain un-groomed, un-altered and inherent - authentic Vermont.

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Sugarbush Resort Reviews

Fabulous 4.3 / 5
based on 17 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Sugarbush Resort ReviewsJon R.
expert skier
Sugarbush is great. They have something for everyone, great snow, great learning program, and overall great staff. Town is great for apres with some of the best beers around. I can honestly say some of my best days ever have been at the bush on a POW day!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Feb 20, 2020
Sugarbush Resort ReviewsRoger S.
advanced skier
Great place to ski with all levels of skiing covered. Great lift system between two mountains and very friendly people. Since I was a young skier and figuring out which mountains were best bang for the buck, have been going here. Best overall mountain on the east coast.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Sugarbush Resort ReviewsKeith S.
expert skier
Just a plain fun mountain. There's something for everyone and they always have solid deals on lift tickets so what is not to like. It can be crowded but not like Stowe or other east coast resorts but nevertheless it is always one of my favorite stops when I am in the Burlington region.... More
Good!3.7 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Sugarbush Resort ReviewsJo S.
intermediate skier
Awesome resort, off the beaten path, quite large and relatively easy to navigate. Many blacks are mogul runs which I appreciate but did wish resort had more groomed runs. Not the best resort for beginners, dining options are limited to what is down at the base for the most part. Views are spectacular up at the peak, shuttle bus runs very frequently... More
Good!3.7 / 5Apr 26, 2018
Sugarbush Resort ReviewsCharles W.
advanced skier
This year was my first time skiing the East and Sugarbush will have me coming back for more. Combined with Mt Ellen you pretty much get two ski resorts in one. Friendly local staff and long runs made for an all time day at this Vermont classic. It might not have the steepest most challenging terrain but some of the most fun runs I had this season.... More
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 27, 2017
DODylan O.
advanced skier
skiing here several years as a child left wonderful memories of learning to love the mountain. Returning a few years ago with my kids has been a wonderful return and creation of a new history. My kids have gone from spending a season on the green to now exploring the entire mountain including All of the off piste adventures. We all love the... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 08, 2017
KQKen Q.
expert skier
Best chain of mountains in New England! Love the classic vibe you get at Sugarbush. Castlerock is truly the best terrain in the east HANDS DOWN. Could use a bit more nightlife, but the inns and lodges in the area provide a more charming and relaxed sit by the fire vibe than most other ski towns.... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 06, 2017
RSRyan S.
expert skier
Sugarbush is probably my favorite place to ski in the East. An old school vibe with everything from manicured groomed cruisers to steeps to pant soiling chutes in the woods. For the adventurous, you can traverse the Long Trail at the Summit to get to Castle Rock; a purely natural and untouched area that will take your breath away. The town of... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 17, 2017
TMTim M.
Sugarbush has the best variety of terrain in Vermont! Amazing steeps and glades on two mountains. Castle Rock lift has some of the most challenging runs anywhere. Much better value than Stowe!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 23, 2013
PPaul
Beautiful winding trails through the woods, Vermont the way it was and should still be.