Community Corner

Snow Business: Great April Conditions at Stratton

It's been a great winter this spring.

The latest installment of Chris Dehnel's Snow Business Column.

There is nothing like getting a good tip from the marketing director at Stratton Mountain first thing in the morning.

It might have been the best tip since I was directed to Saints Cup, the horse that won by 10 lengths in the third race at Saratoga on Travers Day in 1999. 

"The Meadows are really good," Myra Foster said when I arrived at the mountain with my 7-year-old a few days ago.

Advice like that is key because with a young person, you actually have to give some thought to the trail map. The days of winging it on anything from a work road to a double-black are over when a youngster is in tow.

As soon as we hit the slopes we were destined for the summit. My daughter took one look at the gondola and the words "Whoa … that's cool,” came out.

Let me preface everything by saying this, it's been a great winter this spring, and Stratton was no exception last week. There was snow, a lot of snow. It has arguably been the best March and April in years.

The weekend was epic. A little chilly for this time of year – 28ºF a week ago Saturday - but it meant for a great surface. 

So into the gondola we went and onto the Meadow. The area is a true haven for families. The trails are among the widest in Vermont and they let the adults cruise and the youngsters frolic.

Two routes down stood out. 

One was pure green - Mike's Way to Lower Wanderer, a nice long series of cruises that had tremendous cover.

The other was a series of blues - Janeway Junction - a great opportunity for some turns, then Upper East Meadow to Interstate to Lower Standard and a finish next to the gondola.

There was also nice cover on a short run down Betwixt off the American Express chair. 

The day proved that Stratton can be quite family friendly.  

It's a shame that most of the Eastern resorts are closing over the next couple of weeks, but that's just economics. 

It has truly been a great season, especially the past two months after a relatively slow start. 

I’ll see if we can saneak in a few more runs.   


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