Off-Season Fun at Vermont’s Resorts
Local resorts don’t just wait for snow to fall. Check out all the activities they have to offer in the summer.
For the 18 ski areas in Vermont, summer and fall mean a full range of activities including mountain biking, zip-lining, hiking, swimming, tennis, golf (frisbee variety too!) and a full calendar of concerts, festivals and parties.
Mount Snow
This summer, Mount Snow returns its family summer program, Summer Camp, an all-inclusive summer camp styled package with activities and lodging. With activities including canoeing, mountain biking and hiking, the goal of the program is to connect families more to the outdoors and each other than their phones and other distractions of the plugged-in world we live in. Athletes looking for a challenge can mark their calendars for June 6 – 7, when the Tough Mudder obstacle race returns to the Mount Snow Main Base area with pits of fire, rope swings and miles of challenging, muddy racing fun.
www.mountsnow.com
Stratton
At Stratton, summer brings a variety of summer programs and offerings like tennis, golf and ATV tours to the summit of the tallest mountain in southern Vermont. For events, you can look forward to events like the summertime Wanderlust Yoga Festival scheduled for June 18 – 21. The event brings the world’s leading yoga teachers, musical acts, speakers, chefs, winemakers together for four days of yoga, music and feel-good outdoor lifestyle. If challenging races are more to your liking, start your cycling season early – you’ll want to be in top shape for the Vermont Challenge on Aug. 13 – 16, which traverses Vermont over two or four days, depending on which distance you choose.
www.stratton.com
Bromley
Bromley is home to three adventure parks including the Mountain Adventure Park, which includes the alpine slide, trampolines, climbing wall, mini golf, space bikes, giant swings, waterslide, scenic chairlift rides and Kidzone fun park for smaller children. The Aerial Adventure Park sends visitors climbing and gliding through the canopy on five different courses of ropes, ziplines and bridges. The Sun Mountain Flyer is a thrilling zip line five stories high, half a mile long and reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
www.bromley.com
Okemo
Summertime at Okemo means the return of Okemo’s Advventure Zone. With the purchase of a wristband, families can access the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, bungee trampoline, disc/mini golf, climbing wall, AMP Energy Air Big Bag and Spring House Pool and Fitness Center. For the adults, Okemo maintains the Okemo Valley Golf Club, the newly-renovated 18-hole Tater Hill Golf Club and indoor golfing facilities. Okemo’s Hops in the Hills Beer and Wine Festival returns in August with more than 75 craft beers and ciders from regional brewers, a full selection of wines and a lineup of live music, craft vendors and food in the Jackson Gore Courtyard. The party runs Aug. 7 – 9.
www.okemo.com
Killington
While the skiing will likely go into June at the Beast of the East, a full line up of activities return to the slopes of Killington. Visitors can enjoy a mile and a quarter ride up the K-1 Express Gondola, play a round of disc golf around a number of obstacles on the lower mountain, charge trails on a fleet of downhill and cross country bikes or go for an easy paddle on Snowshed pond. Other events include the Long Trail Century Ride, a series of 20, 60 or 100 mile rides starting and finishing at the Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners on June 27 and The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Half Marathon and 5K on July 26. Killington’s Cooler in the Mountains concert series makes a return with a full summer of free outdoor shows around the resort. This summer’s lineup of musicians is still in the works.
Sugarbush
Summer in the Mad River Valley is full of ways to keep busy. At Sugarbush, those looking for challenge and adventure can take to the mountain biking trails at the resort and the surrounding Mad River Valley or hike the Long Trail, which connects the Lincoln and Ellen peaks. For more leisurely pursuits, take a lift ride on the Super Bravo Express Quad to the top of Gadd Peak or play a round of golf – either on the 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., or the 18-hole disc golf course that has been challenging visitors since 2007. Beer lovers should mark their calendar for June 13, when Sugarbush’s BrewGrass Festival makes its summertime return with over 20 different breweries, live bluegrass music and tasty local food. Fourth of July in the Mad River Valley includes the signature parade through Warren followed by a family friendly party at Lincoln Peak with an all-American barbeque and live music. The Mad Marathon through the Mad River Valley is held on July 12, with relay, half-marathon and walking options. The POC Eastern States Cup comes back to Sugarbush in August, with an enduro mountain bike race part of the 2015 POC ESC New England DH Cup USAC Regional Championship Series.
www.sugarbush.com
Smugglers’ Notch
One of the most family-friendly resorts in the country moves into summer with options including hiking in and around the historic Smugglers’ Notch, adventures on the Zip Line Canopy Tour and Aerial Adventure Park, mountain biking, tennis, geocaching and tours on Segway scooters or the back of a llama. The resort also offers teen and adaptive programs as well as childcare and babysitting.
www.smuggs.com
Stowe
Visitors can drive up the historic Toll Road or take the gondola to the summit ridge. Hikers can also explore the network of trails up to the 4,393 summit of Vermont’s highest mountain. While adults can take on the challenging courses at the Stowe Mountain Club and the Stowe Country Club, the kids can explore the summer with Stowe’s Summer Camp, a fun and active camp for kids ages 3 – 12. Plus, the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center presents concerts and events all summer long.
www.stowe.com
Q Burke
In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Q Burke operates the Q Burke Mountain Bike Park, with beginner through advanced trials covering the mountain. Opened in 2010, the park is accessed by the Sherburne Express High Speed Quad. Trails include fun, flowing singletrack and machine excavated flow and jump trails. The most challenging and technical trails descend from the summit. If you’re new to the mountain or mountain biking, be sure to ask about the Burke Bike Park Gravity School, which offers lessons for all levels.
www.skiburke.com
Jay Peak
Things slow down only slightly at Jay Peak during the summer. In addition to hiking and tram rides to the summit, the mountain is home to an award-winning championship golf course and the Pump House Water Park. For the kids, Jay Peak offers the Raised Jay summer camps, a series of week-long camps that will keep youngsters between the ages of six and 12 busy with ice skating, surfing, hiking, golf, outdoor survival skills, fishing, kayaking and more. This summer, the Jay Peak Trail Running Festival will return with cross-country races from a beginners 5K to the 50K ultra trail race. The Jeezum Crow Music Festival, featuring acts like Dark Star Orchestra, Anders Osborne and Hornbeam will be held at the Stateside Amphitheatre on July 24 and 25.
www.jaypeakresort.com
