Sugarbush Ski Area

Some visitors have called Sugarbush the most “western feeling” ski area on the east coast, and that makes sense when you consider the scale of the mountain. It’s got big vert, at  2,600 vertical feet, it’s not just “tall for the east coast,” instead this mountain could hold its ground anywhere. And it gets 250 inches of snow every year, so powder days are plentiful. Sugarbush spans two distinct peaks. Lincoln Peak is home to the ski school and other amenities, along with a variety of terrain from mellow groomers to challenging expert chutes. Over on Mount Ellen, less experienced skiers will enjoy the wide variety of mellow trails, along with some of the best terrain parks around.

This hand-painted Sugarbush ski map by James Niehues depicts both mountains, as well as some of Sugarbush’s other defining features like the nation’s longest detachable quad chairlift, as well as the first gondola installed in the US. Whether you’re a park rat sliding rails, an expert skier looking for powder stashes, or a beginner just falling in love with the sport, Sugarbush has something for everyone, and this trail map manages to capture all of that magic in one beautiful image.

Location: Warren, Vermont, US (2 miles ESE), Waitsfield (4 miles E)

Nearest city: Burlington (45 miles NW), Montpelier (26 miles NE)

Coordinates: 44.135098°N 72.885962°W

Vertical: 2,600 feet (790 m)

Top elevation: 4,083 feet (1,244 m)

Base elevation: 1,483 feet (452 m)

Skiable area: 484 acres (1.96 km2)s (2.34 km²)

Runs: 111

Lift system: 16 chairs: 5 high-speed quads, 5 fixed grip quads, 2 triples, 1 double, 3 surface lifts

Lift capacity: 25,225

Snowfall: 250 inches (640 cm)