Diversity in the Mountains Around Middlebury

Author: Compiled by Lindsey Whitton
Features Editor
Staff Writer

The following are brief descriptions of the five ski mountains closest to Middlebury College and most popular with Middlebury students. The information was gathered from two websites, www.skivermont.com and www.vermontskiresorts.com.


Mad River Glen


Trails: 45
Lifts: 5
Beginner trails: 30%
Intermediate trails: 30%
Expert trails: 40%
Vertical drop: 2037 ft.
Snowmaking: 15%
Adult daily ticket price: $32
Website:
www.madriverglen.com


Mad River is the only major ski area in the United States that is cooperatively owned. The Mad River Glen Cooperative was established in 1995 to protect and sustain the uniquely traditional skiing experience found at Mad River. It is an unusual mountain that is without both the benefits and the drawbacks of the more commercial skiing destinations. The terrain is famously difficult and includes many glades and cliffs, but it is also pleasantly quiet and naturally beautiful. Mad River also operates the last remaining diesel powered single chair lift in the country.


Killington Mountain

Trails: 200
Lifts: 32
Beginner trails: 30%
Intermediate trails: 39%
Expert trails: 31%
Total acreage: 1,182
Vertical drop: 3,050 ft
Snowmaking: 70%
Adult daily ticket price: $59
Website: www.killington.com


Killington is the largest skiing area in the Eastern United States with the highest capacity lift system. It has been the first mountain to open each season for over fifty years, and it has the most vertical drop in New England and the longest terrain park in the East. Killington is composed of seven connected mountains, and it offers great diversity of terrain.


The Snow Bowl


Trails: 18
Lifts: 3
Beginner trails: 33%
Intermediate trails: 34%
Expert trails: 33%
Total acreage: 105
Vertical drop: 1,020 ft.
Snowmaking: 35%
Adult daily lift prices:
weekdays $26
weekends $32
Middlebury College students
Season pass: $100
Weekends $25
Weekdays $20
website:www.middlebury.edu/~snowbowl/index.html


For Middlebury students, the Snow Bowl is the most affordable and proximate skiing option. The Bowl is 15 miles from campus and includes two double lifts and one triple. The base lodge, which has a huge stone fireplace, a sundeck and two-story picture windows, houses the ski school headquarters, a full service shop with rental equipment and a cafeteria with good affordable food and a MiddCard swiper. There are some very challenging trails, despite the Bowls smaller size, and a wide range of intermediate terrain.
Down the road at the Breadloaf Campus, there is the Carroll and Jane Rikert Ski Touring Center for nordic skiers. There are 25 miles of trails, and rental equipment is available. The trails range from difficult circuits used by the College Nordic team to simple paths for beginning cross-country skiers.
There are two daily shuttles from the campus to the Bowl.


Sugarbush


Trails: 115
Lifts: 18
Beginner trails: 24%
Intermediate trails: 51%
Expert trails: 29%
Total acreage: 468
Vertical drop: 2, 650 ft
Snowmaking: 61%
Adult daily ticket prices: $55
Website: www.sugarbush.com

Sugarbush is the second most popular mountain for Middlebury students after the Bowl. There is a wide range of terrain that is spread across six connected mountains. This year Sugarbush has added three new glades to last year's 112 trails. The mountain has invested $28 million into snowmaking and lift expansion and has built a 63 million gallon snowmaking pond. Sugarbush has the most high-speed detachable quads in the East and has added seven new lifts this year, including the "Slide Brook Express," which is the longest high-speed detachable in the world. Sugarbush does an impressive job of providing both excellent service and challenging, varied terrain.


Jay Peak


Trails: 75
Lifts: 7
Beginner trails: 20%
Intermediate trails: 40%
Expert trails: 40%
Total acreage: 350 +
Vertical drop: 2153 ft.
Snowmaking: 85%
Adult daily lift ticket: $52
Website:
www.jaypeakresort.com


Jay Peak is a bit less accessible from Middlebury, but many serious skiers love the mountain and make the trek from the College. Jay Peak has Vermont's only aerial tramway, and it gets more natural snow than any other resort in the East, averaging 351 inches. It is a challenging mountain and promises expert trails with plenty of moguls and powder.