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Athletic Prowess and Learning to Ski or Snowboard in Vermont
Vermont produces more US Winter Olympians per capita than any other state by a
long shot. Nineteen athletes with Vermont ties made their way to Sochi in February
2014 to compete for their country. That said, it’s not only the number of Olympians How to Get to
from Vermont that is impressive, it’s the quality. Six Vermont athletes took home Vermont
medals from the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi. That is six out of 28 total medals for
the USA, meaning 21% of the winning athletes have Vermont roots. Not bad for a little
asy drives, reliable trains, direct flights and
New England state of only 625,000 inhabitants.
chartered bus services make traveling to
A breeding ground for top competitors, Vermont is also a great place to learn to ski E Vermont's renowned ski areas a snap. In fact,
or snowboard for the first time. Professional lessons are available at all resorts and winter in Vermont welcomes seven times the state's
population in visitors seeking mountain vacations for
special packages from resorts give great incentives to keep learning, like a free pair adventure, relaxation and rejuvenation.
of skis or a season pass. Kids and parents can also be instructed by an Olympian at
By Auto: Vermont resorts are a convenient drive
Cochran’s Ski Area. Gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran runs a Ski Tots program for
from anywhere in the East. Interstates 89, 91 and
those as young as three years old. Vermont Route 100, the fabled skiers' highway,
provide direct access to the mountains and villages.
What’s New at Vermont Ski and Snowboard Resorts Vermont Transit, part of the Greyhound system,
connects Vermont communities with Boston,
With some of the tallest peaks in the area and favorable weather patterns, you Montreal and New York daily.
won’t find better snow on the East Coast. That said, Vermont resorts are so intent on
By Plane: With excellent air service, Burlington
delivering a quality experience that they upgraded their snowmaking systems last International Airport is a convenient point of access
season with over 2,300 new low-energy snow guns, a $15-million investment. The new to northern and central Vermont resorts. Major air
carriers include JetBlue, United, American and Delta.
statewide snowmaking upgrade means better snow with less energy and the ability to
blow snow at higher temperatures leading to longer seasons. Visitors to central and southern resorts can fly to
Vermont resorts also invested in upgrading uphill transportation. New in 2015 is Albany, Boston, Hartford, Manchester, New Hampshire
and Rutland, Vermont. Rental cars are available at all
Okemo’s Sunburst Six lift, a new, high-speed, six-person bubble chairlift with heated airports, and many resorts offer ground transportation.
seats – the first of its kind in North America. Stratton Mountain Resort introduced 58
By Train: Two Amtrak routes operate between
new gondola cabins for a more comfortable ride to the top of southern Vermont’s
Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and
highest peak, and Stowe Mountain Resort completely renovated its famous summit Vermont, providing daily passenger service to many
gondola on Mt. Mansfield and improved family lift service on lower Spruce Peak with of Vermont's mountain communities.
a new quad chairlift and two new carpet surface lifts.

8 ❖ SKI & RIDE CLUB GUIDE 2015/2016 WINTER PREVIEW ❖ www.skicmsc.com