Apres Ski in Sugarbush
Sugarbush Village
Lincoln Peak Village is a new addition to Sugarbush Resort. Opening in the mid 2000’s, the village is relatively small by industry standards, but ask any Sugarbush employee about the village and you’ll notice there’s a palpable excitement in their voice about the future.
It’s an energy you can’t help but notice as you stroll the pedestrian village. Whether it’s an employee handing you a complimentary cup of hot cider or cocoa as you descend the stairs after a long day of skiing or the bartender at the Castlerock pub serving you a cold beer on a warm spring afternoon, you can’t help but notice everyone seems to be smiling.
The village was designed to fit harmoniously into the Vermont countryside. All the buildings were fashioned after common 19th century Vermont barn styles, giving the village a touch of artistic flair absent from the cookie-cutter villages at many resorts. Although the village is rather small, it’s growing bigger every year.
The first phase of the village construction included Clay Brook Hotel, Timbers Restaurant, the Gate House Day Lodge Day (including the Castlerock Pub), and a small coffee shop. The most recently-completed phase included a new ski school building called the Farm House and the Rice Brook Residences.
Sugarbush Apres-Ski, Restaurants & Bars
Warren is home to a few restaurants, as are both access roads, but the selection is rather limited. For fine dining, Timbers restaurant in the Clay Brook Hotel is an excellent choice.Sugarbush Resort Dining
If you’re looking for good Vermont fare at reasonable prices, try the Sweetwood Grill and Bar. Timbers, located in the Lincoln Peak village and attached to the Clay Brook Hotel, is the best choice for upscale dining. The menu is creative continental and features many locally grown options. Be sure to try the yak when it’s on the menu!
During peak season, guest can enjoy fireside dining at Allyn’s Lodge, some 1500 feet above the valley. A snowcat (or snowshoes for the more adventuresome) brings skiers up. After dinner, diners have the option skiing down under the moonlight or a return trip on the snowcat. The skiing is recommended for intermediate and advanced skiers only. Beginners will likely prefer to take the snowcat down.
The bar scene at the resort itself is rather limited. While there are some bars along the access roads and Route 100, most are a bit off the beaten path and frequently almost exclusively by locals. On weekends, the Castlerock Pub can be hopping, but is generally an older crowd and the bar tends to close on the early side.
Sugarbush Apres-Ski
The best apres-ski options are located in the base lodges. The Castlerock Pub offers excellent pub grub and was newly-expanded to double its previous size. On weekends it remains open until midnight or 1am and there is often live music. The base lodges at Mount Ellen stay open until 5 or 6 and also often have live music. On the legal side, you must be 21 years old to drink in Vermont.
Timbers restaurant and bar at Clay Brook is also popular. Chez Henri (802-583 2600) is a classic French style bistro, open from 11.30 a.m. serving consistently good French cuisine.
The Common Man, on German Flats Road, (802 – 583 2800), reservations recommended, is also popular (www.CommonManRestaurant.com). In Warren, the Pitcher Inn, (802-49 6350 www.pitcherinn.com) owned by the Sugarbush Resort and a member of the Relais & Chateau group, has superlative dining, and more affordable fare in the Trackers Pub downstairs. Voted #1 in Vermont and in the US Top 100, the Pitcher Inn has 9 rooms plus two 2-bedroom suites, and breakfast and afternoon tea are included in their rates.
Sugarbush Other Activities
From snowshoeing to rock climbing, there’s plenty to do in Sugarbush when you’re not skiing.
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, (1-800-583-6300) and indoor tennis and racquets (1-800-583- 6700) can be booked through Sugarbush resort (1-800-53-SUGAR).
There is also an indoor rock climbing wall at the Sugarbush Health & Racquet Club (1-800-583-6700) For ski and snowboard rental, call 1-800-583- 6300.
The Sugarbush Health & Racquet Club (800-583 700) has pool, tennis, squash, racquetball, ping-pong and half-court basketball. It is possible to book a session with a personal trainer or join group fitness sessions. Massage therapy is also available by appointment. There is a range of drills and clinics for tennis enthusiasts.