Stratton resort has the unique role of being a snowboarders haven, and an upscale, heated-walkway type institution that borders somewhere between rustic and refined. The base village is car-free, and the high scale shopping and gourmet restaurants give it a touch of elegance. Some Swiss Chalet style architecture also adds an interesting twist in the atmosphere, but there is still the moderate lodging and dining options that balance the resort back out onto a more approachable level. The village has all the amenities, and the mountain has groomed terrain that is bound to boost confidence.
Stratton boasts excellent grooming and manicured slopes, providing great wide-open cruising and plenty of intermediate trails. The most challenging terrain can be found from the summit, on Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear and Upper Tamarack runs. For steeps ideal for advanced intermediates, try the runs on the upper mountain. Beginning skiers and riders should head to the Ski Learning Park which has its own 10 trails and a lift. There is also a terrain garden with small bumps and rolls. Snowboarders rule at Stratton. Four terrain parks are filled with acclaimed features and the resort hosts the U.S Open. The Power Park is the resorts biggest and most extreme terrain park. It hosts the superpipe and comes with safety instructions - in fact, before riding it, snowboarders are required to take a safety class and get a pass. It has huge jumps, rails, jumps, funboxes. East Byrneside Park is the intermediate park with seven different rails and one hip jump. The beginner freestyle park is East Meadow, with a few rollers and a small spine. A kids learning park has small rollers, spines and a minipipe.
14 lifts including 2 six packs, 5 surface lifts and 4 chair lifts.
$$$ (Expensive)90 runs - 42% beginner, 31% intermediate, 27% expert. Longest run is 15,840 feet.
35 km of Cross Country trails.
Mountain Statistics: 2,003 feet vertical drop, 3,875 feet summit elevation, 583 acres, average annual accumulation 180 inches.
You'll enjoy more then skiing and snowboarding at Stratton. While big-mountain skiing and riding are at the heart of that winter vacation, Stratton gives new meaning to "après" with a full menu of activities including horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, Spa and Sports Center plus the Sunbowl Nordic Center for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.