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Sugarbush Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Sugarbush Ski Resort

Sugarbush Ratings

Overall: 4.0. Based on 9 votes and 10 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.1

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Sugarbush is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.4

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Sugarbush has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.9

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.0

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.8

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Sugarbush.

Public Transport: 3.4

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Sugarbush, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.6

(1) No places to stay in/near Sugarbush, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.4

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.8

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Sugarbush.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.3

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 5.0

(1) There are no child care facilities at Sugarbush, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.2

(1) Sugarbush relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 3.6

(1) There are no snow groomers at Sugarbush, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Sugarbush are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.4

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Sugarbush is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.4

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Sugarbush, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.5

(1) Sugarbush usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.2

(1) The staff at Sugarbush are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Sugarbush are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.1

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.1

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.9

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.1

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.2

(1) No intermediate terrain at Sugarbush, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.9

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 4.3

(1) Not even a kicker at Sugarbush, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.8

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Sugarbush, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 1.0

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Sugarbush has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.9

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.2

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.8

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 3.9

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.2

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.4

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.9

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.1

(1) Overall, Sugarbush is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.8

(1) Overall, Sugarbush is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

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December 05, 2020
David Ross from Ski United States United States
There are several areas throughout the northeast with more artificial snow, more restaurants and more places to shop, but none are as beautiful as Sugarbush and it's neighbor, Mad River Glen. While plenty of trails have snow-making, it's the abundance of natural snow trails and skiable woods that distinguish Sugarbush from the rest. The conditions on natural snow trails are more variable, of course, but they haven't been widened, bulldozed and spoiled with equipment. It's a tradeoff that's particularly evident when you ski at Sugarbush. The local towns of Warren and Waitsfield offer a similar contrast with other resort areas. There's no big walkable concentration of shops and restaurants here, but there's no traffic or even a single traffic light either. The Mad River Valley is quintessential Vermont with all its natural splendor and quirks.
January 04, 2019
Bill Tarkulich from Ski United States United States
Sugarbush is arguably the best "Skier's Mountain" in the Northeast. I first came here about 25 years ago and was struck by how the operation was geared around the skier. While they've grown, they have stayed close to their roots. When one says they have "something for everyone", here we're not talking about one run for this, one run for that. How about an entire mountain just for natural snow lovers? How about Mt. Ellen which offers reasonably priced tickets, with a smaller, somewhat remote, laid back atmosphere? How about a lodge where they actually have a storage area and very large eating area all at ground level? Skiers that come here know what they are, and Sugarbush does not make an attempt to change you. You can still find a lot of "Old School" trails - if you know what I mean, I don't have to tell you. Sure, Sugarbush has many of the accoutrements of a large area: shopping, dining and real estate, but in an appropriate scale. Sorry, no "Guest services" staff lurking about to direct you to the Bogner store. Safe? You bet. No pimpleheads stealing skis from the racks. The development has been steady but slow. They manage their finances well and don't dream big with money they don't have. They have an extremely friendly and helpful relationship with Mad River Glen right down the road. I believe they also give back to the community in large ways such as donating an old lift. The nearby town of Waitsfield is not your shopper's mecca, but it has everything a skier could want, with plenty of dining options. New England the way it was. The trails are a dream. Plenty of groomers at all levels, plenty of natural. Relax or engaged, it's your choice. Stowe used to be an annual stop for me, but no longer. It's too predictable, and become far more corporate. I now spend several days a year at Sugarbush and Mad River. It's a delight to have three peaks, plus Middlebury all nearby.
November 27, 2012
Bob from Ski United States United States
Most of these reviews are outdated. Sugarbush has undergone a metamorphic change in the past few years, under the ever present watchful eye of its current owner and management. Sugarbush is surely the friendliest ski area in the east, if not of all ski areas. If you don't feel welcome here, well then you probably won't feel welcome anywhere. Sugarbush boast varied terrain for all types. The few negative comments about the Castlerock area are from those obviously missing what Sugarbush is all about. The lower capacity of that special lift prevents overcrowding, on those special natural snow filled trails that wind there way down amidst Vermont's forests, in what is clearly a mini Mad River Glenn area amongst one of Vermont's finest resorts. The lodges and facilities have all been upgraded in recent years, and new real estate construction is still currently underway. Sugarbush has some of the finest groomed trails, the best tree and glade skiing, surely the lowest lines with its vast lift capacity and terrain, and the best bump trails in the east. Try the others, if you wish, and then compare them to Sugarbush. You can ski anywhere, but you will feel you've come home at Sugarbush.
February 17, 2011
Win Smith from Ski United States United States
As the owner and president of Sugarbush, I appreciate everyones comments. If anyone ever wants to ask a question or provide me with direct feedback, my email is wsmith@sugarbush.com. A glorious day of spring skiing today, but winter is back Friday evening - hopefully with some snow.
June 18, 2010
RB from Ski United States United States
Sugarbush is probably the best of the Northeast ski areas, which admittedly isn't saying much once you have tasted Western skiing. The terrain is quite varied, including challenging glades and the long, narrow, winding trails of Castlerock. It's true that snow conditions are more often than not terrible on Castlerock, and the chairlift there is dreadfully old and low capacity. However, on a powder day, there may be no better place in the East to ski. Lift between Sugarbush and Glen Ellen is a nice addition from the old days. However, it pains me to see all the great terrain in the Slide Brook basin that remains undeveloped because of the tree huggers.
February 19, 2006
steve jensen from Ski United States United States
I agree with the reviewers about the variety and excitement of skiing and the awesome views at Sugarbush. However, when natural snow is not abundant like this year, there are some drawbacks. The majority of the most unique and interesting trails, like Paradise, Spillsville, Moonshine, and all of Castlerock have no snowmaking or grooming so too often are not open or have poor conditions (like ice, crust and barespots). Sugarbush needs, more regularly, to groom the trails from the top of North like Ripcord and upper Organgrinder. Also, the Slidebrook Express only operates on the weekends, meaning that you have to drive between Sugarbush North and South. I don't like the location of the new massive residence under construction, it occupies much of the base of Sugarbush South. It should have been built to the side. One more thing. At the bottom of the main trail descending from the central mountain of South, is a large, ugly service center with groomers, trucks, etc. For a ski area that prides itself on aesthetics, I don't know why this eyesore isn't moved to a hidden location.
December 25, 2005
Tom Travis from Ski United States United States
I omitted in my review the awesome skiing at Castlerock Peak. Castlerock is a throwback to early New England skiing with no snow-making, but it has long, uniquely interesting and challenging runs down a vertical of nearly 1800 feet from the summit to the base of the Castlerock lift. The upper and lower Castlerock run, with its twists and turns and sharp pitches, is one of my favorite trails in the northeast.
December 21, 2005
Libby Wral from Ski United States United States
Sugarbush is the most exciting area in the NorthEast. Nothing compares.
November 29, 2005
tom travis from Ski United States United States
Sugarbush is my favorite ski area in the northeast and has been my first choice for skiing for the last 40 years. It is very scenic, with sharp mountain contours, numerous peaks, and great views of the Adirondacks to the west, the Green Mountains to the north and south, and the White Mountains to the East from the summits of Mountain Ellen and Lincoln Peak. It has true vertical drops of 2650 feet from Mount Ellen, 2400 from Lincoln Peak, 2237 from Castlerock Peak, 1725 from Lynx Peak and 1575 from Gadd Peak. It has a wide variety of interesting and challenging trails that easily hold my interest for a week of skiing. I especially like the Organgrinder and Paradise from Lincoln Peak, the glades of Twist and Moonshine from Gadd's Peak, the combination of Sunrise and Sleeper from Lynx Peak, Rim Run and the Exterminator from Mout Ellen, and the wonderful, long cruisers of the Jester from Lincoln Peak and Snowball from Gadd's Peak. The Slide Brook Express takes one on a relaxing and scenic tour of the wild mountains between Sugarbush south and north, interconnecting these two areas. I enjoy staying at the quaint Sugarbush Inn, less than a mile away from the ski area.
March 16, 2004
John Power from Ski United States United States
Sugarbush is one of the few remaining holdovers of traditional skiing and riding. Narrow trails combined with steep tarain and lots of natural snow cpmbine to create an experience the way nature intended it to be.

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