Many of you will be arriving with families and friends to partake in the festivities, joyously celebrating adventure and camaraderie here. And quite frankly, it can be a time full of high expectations and controlled chaos.
Well have no fear because I’m here to help calm some of that chaos, meet those expectations, and provide you with the tools you need to best enjoy your holiday. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to another memorable Sugarbush experience.
Plan Ahead
If there’s one big innovation that came out of last year’s wild season, it was the investment and improvement towards reservations. This year you can reserve just about anything ahead of time. Taking a little time to plan ahead now will save you both money and time. Lift tickets should always be purchased ahead of time to get the best deals. Megan covered this in a blog post earlier this year.
Both adult and child ski and snowboard lessons this year must be booked ahead of time at least 48 hours. So if you’re planning on getting some instruction next week, definitely go book now as things are filling up. You can also book rentals ahead of time, which will save you significant time in the morning.
You can also order food or reserve tables online through our website.
Avoid the Bustle
There’s no denying that things tend to get a little busier during the holidays. Sometimes I think about how much better vacations could be if we all took them at different times. Alas! However, there are things you can do to help minimize your wait times and avoid the masses. First off, of course, is by planning ahead as per the above section.
The next best thing you can do is consider doing things outside of peak hours. We all know everyone tends to arrive at the same time around 9:00 – 9:30 AM. Show up earlier! Or come in the afternoon. Everyone also loves eating lunch at the same time. Dining outside of the big 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM rush can be worth it. Grab a snack in the morning to help you to a late lunch.
Savor New Culinary Delights
We have FIFTEEN dining venues. It doesn’t feel like that, but you have options pretty much anywhere you go and for any taste. Quick eats, sit down meals, mid-mountain options – you name it. While many are familiar, we also have some exciting new additions to the dining fleet. Miso Hungry over at Mt. Ellen has been getting rave reviews for their Traditional Japanese Onigiri. The Wunderbar has been revamped and has also taken over the old Valley House Cafeteria location with a brand new menu and a much bigger kitchen. Even at mainstays like Castlerock Pub, Rumble’s, or the Green Mountain Lounge, you’ll find delicious new arrivals to every menu. Half the fun is exploring for yourself, so I’d suggest checking out menus online or swinging by a place you haven’t been in a while.
Take in the Fireworks
My 3 year old loves our holiday torchlight parade and fireworks. Who am I to deny her some explosive entertainment? It’s a staple of each of our holiday periods here at the resort and one you don’t want to miss. Stick around for après and dinner before the 7:00 PM show, or swing home, get cleaned up, and come back out. If you do stick around, consider checking out the snowshoe tour for a unique viewing experience or enjoy a special New Year’s Eve dinner at Rumble’s.
Events
Aside from fireworks, check out our events calendar for a full list of events happening over the holiday.
Experience the MRV
They always say (who’s they? I don’t know.) that people come for the mountains and stay for the Valley. You’d be remiss to not head into town for a little shopping, dining, or sightseeing. With the recent snow, you’ll enjoy some classic rural Vermont vistas. Pop on over to the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce website for some ideas on what sort of fun you can find off the mountain.