Sugarbush Resort

State: Vermont. Type: ski resort in Warren, Vermont, in the Mad River Valley, about 45 miles northwest of Burlington. Opened December 25, 1958, by Damon and Sara Gadd and Jack Murphy. Currently owned by Alterra Mountain Company (since November 2019). Two interconnected mountains, Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen; 4,000 total acres, 508 skiable acres, 111 trails, 2,600-foot vertical drop (second-largest in Vermont), summit elevation 4,083 feet.

Sugarbush Resort is a large ski area in Vermont's Mad River Valley, built around two connected mountains, Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, joined by the Slide Brook Express chairlift, described as the longest chairlift in the world at over two miles. The resort opened on Christmas Day 1958 under founders Damon and Sara Gadd and Jack Murphy, and has passed through several owners since, including Roy Cohen (who added Mount Ellen in 1979), American Skiing Company, Summit Ventures, and current owner Alterra Mountain Company since late 2019. With 111 trails across 508 skiable acres and a 2,600-foot vertical drop, it ranks among Vermont's larger ski areas, and its 16 lifts include a mix of high-speed and fixed-grip quads. Beyond winter sports, Sugarbush runs a warm-weather operation too, with a recreation center (SHARC), golf course, mountain biking, zip-lining and disc golf. Lincoln Peak Village, completed in 2010, added slopeside condominiums and lodging around the resort's base area.

Sugarbush is located in Warren, Vermont, in the Mad River Valley, within the Green Mountain National Forest and operating under a U.S. Forest Service permit. It sits about 45 miles northwest of Burlington, Vermont.

The Mad River Valley has a cold, snowy mountain climate typical of northern Vermont's ski country, with the resort reporting average annual snowfall of about 262 inches (670 cm) at elevation. Winters bring sustained cold and heavy natural snow, while summers in the valley are milder and suited to the resort's warm-weather activities.

Ski season, generally winter into early spring, is the resort's primary draw, with the specific opening and closing dates varying year to year based on snow conditions — check sugarbush.com for current-season dates. Summer offers golf, mountain biking, zip-lining and other warm-weather recreation at SHARC and around the base area for visitors outside ski season.

Sugarbush opened on December 25, 1958, founded by Damon and Sara Gadd along with Jack Murphy. Roy Cohen purchased the resort in 1977 and annexed the neighboring Mount Ellen mountain in 1979, creating the two-mountain resort that exists today. Ownership then passed through ARA Services (1983), Claneil Enterprises (1984), American Skiing Company (1995), and Summit Ventures (2001), before Alterra Mountain Company acquired the resort in November 2019, its current owner. Lincoln Peak Village, a base-area development including the Claybrook condominiums, The Gatehouse, The Farmhouse and Schoolhouse, was completed in 2010.

Winter visitors ski or ride 111 trails across Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, including terrain parks, mogul runs, and expert-only tree skiing at Castlerock Peak, plus an FIS-homologated race trail on Mount Ellen. The Slide Brook Express connects the two mountains via a lift billed as the longest in the world. In warmer months, the resort's SHARC recreation center, an on-site golf course, mountain biking trails, a zip-line course and disc golf give visitors options outside ski season.

Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen are the resort's two interconnected mountains, each with its own base area and trail network. Castlerock Peak offers a smaller, expert-focused pod of trails known for steep, natural terrain. Lincoln Peak Village, the resort's base-area development completed in 2010, includes lodging, dining and shops clustered around the slopes.

Sugarbush is located at 102 Forest Drive in Warren, Vermont, about 45 miles northwest of Burlington. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is the nearest major commercial airport for visitors flying in, with a roughly 45-mile drive to the resort from there. By road, the resort is reached via Vermont's Route 100 corridor through the Mad River Valley.

Sugarbush's operating season and daily lift hours vary by year and by conditions; the resort's own site references the 2026-2027 season in current promotional material but does not fix exact daily hours in the pages reviewed. Check sugarbush.com directly for the current season's operating calendar and daily lift hours.

As of research, Sugarbush was advertising lift tickets around $99 (with a promotional free day) for the 2026-27 season, and season passes starting at $299 for that season, per the resort's own site; these are promotional, forward-looking prices and should be reconfirmed on sugarbush.com since ski pricing changes seasonally and by purchase timing.

Ski visitors commonly plan for at least a full day per mountain given the size of the terrain, with many guests staying multiple days to ski both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen and to use the connecting Slide Brook Express. Summer visitors focused on golf, biking or the recreation center can often manage a shorter, single-day visit.

Lincoln Peak Village, at the resort's base, offers slopeside condominiums (including the Claybrook building) and other lodging completed in 2010. The wider Mad River Valley, including the towns of Warren and Waitsfield, has additional inns, condominiums and vacation rentals for visitors who prefer to stay off the immediate resort base.

Sugarbush's base areas include on-mountain dining options tied to Lincoln Peak Village, while the surrounding Mad River Valley towns of Warren and Waitsfield offer additional restaurants and cafes for visitors staying in the wider valley. Specific restaurant names were not confirmed in the sources reviewed for this entry.

The wider Mad River Valley, including the towns of Warren and Waitsfield, offers additional shops, dining and scenery beyond the resort itself. Montpelier, Vermont's capital, is a scenic drive to the northeast for visitors extending their trip. Green Mountain National Forest surrounds the resort, offering further hiking and outdoor recreation.

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, about 45 miles away, is the nearest airport with regular commercial service. A car is effectively necessary to reach and get around the resort and the Mad River Valley, since there is no direct rail or major transit line to Warren, Vermont.

As with any ski resort, follow posted trail difficulty ratings and stay within your ability level, particularly on expert terrain such as Castlerock Peak. Winter driving on Vermont's mountain roads can be hazardous in snow, so allow extra time and use appropriate tires. For any emergency, dial 911; the resort's own ski patrol handles on-mountain incidents.

Appropriate winter layers, gloves, goggles and sun protection are essential for a ski day, while summer visitors should bring standard outdoor gear suited to golf, biking or hiking. A helmet is recommended for skiing/riding and for mountain biking on the resort's trails.

Booking lift tickets or lodging in advance is advisable during peak winter weeks and holiday periods, since pricing and packages, including season-pass options, are often cheaper the earlier they're purchased, per the resort's own promotional pricing structure. Because Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen are connected only by the Slide Brook Express, plan your day around that lift if you want to ski both mountains. Checking current-season opening and closing dates on sugarbush.com is worthwhile, since these shift year to year with snow conditions.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Sugarbush's general resort phone line, per its official site, is (802) 552-4007.

Sugarbush Resort - https://www.sugarbush.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.