From NYC to the Slopes: A Weekend Ski Getaway
City lights and mountain highs.
Ready for a weekend ski adventure? Look no further than a trip to New York City and Stratton, Vermont. These two destinations are located a comfortable distance apart and provide the perfect setting to experience the best of both worlds in a single weekend.
With our Ikon Pass in hand, here's how we'd take advantage of a weekend that mixes the thrill of NYC with the freedom of the Green Mountain State.
Day 1: New York City to Vermont
Flying into New York is easy, with nearly every carrier landing at either JFK or LaGuardia airports. Don't overdo your first day — there is skiing on the horizon, after all — but take advantage of being in one of the most exciting cities on the globe.
Morning: Pick up your rental car and head to the Upper West Side to grab a famous bagel and schmear at Zabar's. If it's already lunchtime, skip the bagel and go straight for a Rueben (or a Rachel) at the deli counter. With your nosh in hand, head four blocks west to Central Park and eat while sitting on a park bench. The people-watching is hard to beat.
Afternoon: After lunch, check out one of the many nearby museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, or the Museum of Natural History. Or, simply walk the streets and take it all in!
Evening: When you're ready, hop in the car and make your way to Vermont. It's a quick, four-hour drive from New York City to Stratton. Check into your hotel, unpack your gear, and get stoked for the morning.
Day 2: Stratton, Vermont
Stratton Mountain's excellent mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails climb the tallest peak in southern Vermont. At the base is a quaint, slope-side village with dining, shopping, and tons of charm.
Morning: Start your day at the Sun Bowl Base Lodge, where you'll find mountainside parking, rentals, and retail shops. Kick things off with one of Stratton's best-kept secrets, Upper Middlebrook, which features both steep pitches and winding turns. If you're craving more adrenaline, try to check off all the black diamond 'Uppers' on the hill: Upper Kidderbrook, Upper Tamarack, Upper Standard, and Upper Spruce.
Afternoon: After lunch, seek the powder on the Upper Salmon Glade. This off-the-beaten-path, tree-lined run holds deep powder stashes for the brave. If your legs are starting to buckle under the pressure, enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising laps through the Meadows. Or, make your way to the Fire Tower Restaurant & Tavern at Stratton Village for a Bacon Old Fashioned cocktail, completed with infused Makers Mark and Vermont Maple Liqueur.
Evening: Experience the mountain at night with a Full Moon Snowshoe Tour, which will take you through the rolling New England landscape and end with a cozy campfire, hot cocoa, and s'mores. If you're in an even more chill mood, partake in the Snowcat Dinner at Mid-Mountain Lodge. This culinary experience includes being whisked up the mountain in a heated snowcat for a remarkable dinner at elevation.
Day 3: New York City
Morning: Once you've stopped at Benedict's Eatery & Bar for a hearty breakfast, it's back to the city you go. Before your flight out, make time to check out the High Line, a defunct, elevated freight line turned city park. Stroll the pathways and enjoy the views of New York City from every corner.
Afternoon: Exit the High Line near the cobbled streets of the West Village and poke your head into boutiques and bakeries. When the hunger strikes, head to the Lower East Side, where the options for eats are as ranging as they are plentiful.
When it comes time for your flight, board your plane with tired legs, a full stomach, and enough powder stoke to see you through until your next ski adventure. Where will your Ikon Pass take you next?
If you feel like extending your trip through New England, there are plenty more Ikon Pass destinations to explore!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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