It’s no secret that busy seasons exist pretty much everywhere, including Sugarbush. The holiday periods of the winter are historically our busiest times of the year, and for good reasons! Most school districts have off and work places are on break, which makes it the perfect opportunity for a little getaway. Those periods will include just before Christmas through the first weekend of New Year’s, MLK Weekend, and Presidents’ Week. Whether your a seasoned pro, or a first time visitor, navigating a busy mountain can be daunting. Between picking up rentals, having meals, and trying to remember where you parked your car…there’s a lot to prepare for. Our team wants to help make all of our visitors have as smooth and memorable experience as possible! With this guide we’ll help you plan ahead, be in the know, and get around the mountain with confidence.
Know Before You Go
Get to know our mountains, we have two. Yes, two! It’s important to know that although our mountains are close together, from parking lot to parking lot, the two mountains are 4.2 miles from each other. The mountains are connected via Slide Brook Express chairlift, along with a daily shuttle bus, during the winter. The bulk of our resort’s amenities and beginner terrain reside at Lincoln Peak. For first-time Sugarbush visitors and especially first-time skiers and riders, we generally recommend you start at Lincoln Peak. Mt Ellen is beloved for its local feel, along with its vertical and award-winning terrain parks.
Lincoln Peak
102 Forest Drive, Warren, VT 05674
Originally known as Sugarbush Valley, Lincoln Peak is home to the iconic Castle Rock, North Lynx, and Lincoln Peak itself. This area offers the majority of Sugarbush’s terrain, along with most of the resort’s amenities, including Rumble’s Bistro & Bar, Castlerock Pub, and the Wunderbar. The Schoolhouse is the center for children’s day ski-and-ride programs, while The Farmhouse hosts Sugarbush’s renowned Ski & Ride School, offering everything from first-timer-to-life timer lessons to skill-building ski and ride programs.
Mt. Ellen
626 Mt. Ellen Road, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Mt. Ellen’s laid-back vibe may appeal to the ski bum, but there’s more than meets the eye. Home to Vermont’s highest chairlift and our premier terrain park, Mt. Ellen also hosts Green Mountain Valley School’s elite ski racing academy, a U.S. Ski Team Development Site and serves as the northern Vermont base for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. Known for its old-school Vermont charm, Mt. Ellen is a local favorite, offering a more relaxed, authentic mountain experience.
Getting Around
Shuttles & Buses
During busy periods, Sugar Shuttles will run from parking lots to the base area of Lincoln Peak. The drop off location is at the top of Lot A. To make your journey even easier, the Mad Bus runs daily between Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen, providing a seamless connection between the two mountains. The Mad Bus also has routes down into the Mad River Valley. For the latest bus schedule, check on the Transit App. Take a moment to check out the new welcome screens when you arrive, as you’ll find information including hours of operation, live webcams, a photo of the day and more!
Operating Hours
9 AM – 4PM Weekdays | 8AM – 4PM Weekends
Find more information on the mountains’ maps, terrain and stats!
Tips For Ticketing
Save big when you buy in advance
The best way to guarantee the lowest price on lift tickets is to purchase them online, in advance. Seriously, it’s the only way to score the best deal. If you’re planning a trip to the slopes, don’t wait—secure your tickets now and avoid paying more at the window. Save money and skip the hassle by booking your tickets here today! Choose between a variety of tickets that best suites your needs, from the All-Mountain Lift Ticket, to the Mt. Ellen Ticket and Beginner Ticket. If you already have a SugarXpress Card, skip the ticket window and head straight to the lifts for an even more streamlined ticketing experience!
More Ways To Save
Friends & Family Tickets
Share the slopes with your crew! All Sugarbush and Ikon Passholders can treat friends and family to discounted all-mountain tickets, with savings of at least 25% off full-price window rates. Plan ahead and purchase at least one day in advance to save up to $70 on your tickets.
$89 Lift Tickets
Book a stay at any of our lodging properties from and receive the option for $89 lift tickets. Just be sure to purchase your tickets when you book your lodging to secure the deal! Plus depending on when you want to come up you could see savings on lodging of up to 30%.
Military Ticket Discounts
All Active, Retired, Veteran Military and their dependents qualify for a discount on lift tickets at Sugarbush Resort. $119 plus tax per day. Monday through Friday, non-holiday only. Military status is verified at the ticket window with a valid form of Military ID.
Skip The Lines & Reserve Online
Save Up to 10% on All Your Rental Needs
When you book your ski or snowboard equipment 24-hours in advance online
Sugarbush offers rental equipment at Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen. Choose the newest rental gear from Elan skis and Burton snowboards or try out the industry leading premium demo gear available at The Farmhouse Demo & Tune Shop. For even more ease, picking up your rentals the day before is available anytime between 2:30 and 4:30 PM.
Four days of standard rentals at less than $45/day. Check out the Rental 4 Pack!
Helping to elevate your skiing or riding experience
Our passionate coaches are excited to help everyone “Be Better”. They are trained to help all ages and abilities. From a skier or rider’s first moments on snow to the expert adventures found on Sugarbush’s exceptional terrain, we will help elevate your experience and create lifelong memories. Make your lesson reservations online ahead of time to save time, and know you’ll be on the hill in no time!
Eat, Drink & Save!
Sugarbush offers a variety of dining experiences to suit any taste, from casual meals at Lincoln Peak to the rustic charm of Mt. Ellen. Make the most of your visit and take some time to plan ahead! With 15+ venues to choose from, there’s always an option available. Avoid lines by ordering online at many of our outlets, or look beyond the caf for a quick bite like at Miso Toh Kome! Don’t forget to learn more on Ikon and Local Pass holders food and beverage savings.
Dining Venues with Online Ordering
Paradise Provisions & Deli located on the Sugarbush Access Road
Rumble’s Bistro & Bar located in Clay Brook Hotel
Castlerock Pub located in the Gate House Lodge
Green Mountain Lounge located in the Mt. Ellen Base lodge
Wunderbar located in Valley House
802 Burritos located outside the Gate House Lodge
The Lunch Box located in the Lincoln Peak Courtyard
A Few Helpful Tips
You guessed it, weekday warriors know where it’s at. It’s no surprise that to avoid crowds, weekdays are your best bet. In the chance you find yourself on the mountain during a busy weekday, or on the weekend, do yourself a favor and plan ahead. Get to the lifts early to avoid the wave of guests that arrive mid-morning. Or spend some time relaxing and head out midday while everyone is lunching. Any way you can plan your schedule around peak dining or skiing hours, the better off you’ll be!