A Local’s Guide to Spring at Stratton

With two weeks left in the season, we went in search of the inside scoop on how you can make the most of spring skiing at Stratton. Locals have shared their favorite parts about spring and recommendations on how you can get in on the fun!

  1. A Late Start – With powder days becoming more of a rarity, you can enjoy the extra hour of shut eye or head to town for a hearty breakfast without the fear of missing those fresh tracks. Spring temperatures and sunshine will soften the snow as the day progresses, allowing you to carve those turns and make the most of the day.
  2. Late-Season Deals – Whether it’s last minute lift tickets, lodging steals or a first glance at next year’s passes (you can ski the rest of the season for $100 when you buy a 17/18 pass!), the best deals come around during the spring time. Coupled with retail sales throughout the village and surrounding area. Spring is the best time to gather last minute needs, or stock up early on gifts for friends and family. HSP2013_1400-2400px
  3. Sunshine Socials – Say hello to endless patio weather! Spending time on the mountain becomes dually rewarding in the spring. Not only can you carve turns late into the afternoon with more than enough sunlight to tan those cheeks, but “après all day” becomes your new plan of attack. Starting with a hot donut and hot toddy at mid-mountain, followed by a cold one out on the patio during lunch, only to finish with more than enough time to enjoy a Bloody Mary and Grizzly’s signature nachos on the deck as you watch the sun set behind the tallest peak in southern Vermont.
  4. Music, Minus and more! – Along with live après tunes during the weekends at Grizzly’s, the Minus Zero Winter Sport and Music Festival returns to Stratton for its second year. Enjoy moving and grooving to headliners Bassnectar, Zeds Dead, Griz, as they bring together the world of electronic music and winter sports. With music stages at the summit and base area, you can ski all day and party all night without missing a beat.
  5. Endless Groomers – We can’t forget about the snow, of course. Soft spring snow is ideal for perfecting your technique and correcting bad habits. Having received over 30 inches of snow thus far throughout the month of March, ripping laps across the soft groomed terrain keeps you advancing your skiing to the next level and learning that last new trick before those dreams of next season start floating through your head.
  6. End on a Sweet Note – Expand your trip and enjoy sugaring season & maple syrup from local farms. As temperatures warm up during the day and fall below freezing at night, sugarmakers drill holes in the trunks of Sugar Maple trees and begin to gather sap to make maple syrup. The freezing and thawing pattern creates a pressure build up, causing the sap to flow from the tap holes.  A typical sugaring season lasts four to six weeks, so not only can you enjoy the sweet sound of your skis gliding across the snow, but also indulge in the taste of the local community.

About The Author:

portrait1Libby Dalziel | With the mountains calling and her passion for adventure, the perfect storm swept Libby off to Vermont, and she hasn’t looked back. After earning her degree in Economics and Communication from Denison University, the New Jersey native made her way back east where she now calls Stratton home.  Libby has always strived to live her life outside, and as an avid snowboarder, road cyclist, hiker, swimmer, and photographer you will never find her sitting still.