The lure of Vermont’s big ski resorts is undeniable, but for family travelers, a day at one of these can be very expensive. Smaller ski areas are usually geared to families, making them wonderful places for children to learn how to ski. Next time you travel to Vermont in search of snow, spend a day or an afternoon at one of these small home-town slopes.
Cochran’s Ski Area
The best known of Vermont’s small ski hills is Cochran’s, a non-profit known for its learning programs. Not far from Burlington, Cochran’s is open Saturday, Sunday and weekday afternoons. A day ticket is under $20 for adults and $14 for children. Or, stop by on a Friday evening for $5. Children under 5 years of age ski free.
Brattleboro Ski Hill
Close to the Massachusetts border in southern Vermont, Brattleboro Ski Hill opened in 1938, when it was one of only three places in New England with a ski tow. The rope tow has been replaced by a T-bar lift, and the two trails and slope have snowmaking. This ski hill is open Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with lift tickets a bargain $5.
Ascutney Outdoors
Also in Southern Vermont, Ascutney Outdoors has more variety than Brattleboro, with eight trails across 26 skiable acres, accessed by a T-bar lift. Ascutney is open weekend afternoons and also has a tubing hill. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 7-17 and free for kids aged 6 and under.
Lyndon Outing Club
Near St. Johnsbury in northern Vermont, where good snow conditions are more dependable, Lyndon Outing Club offers 10 trails accessed by a T-bar and rope tow. The lifts operate on weekends and on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 9 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and high school students and $10 for eighth graders and younger.
Most of these ski hills have extended weekday hours during local school vacation week in late February.
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