Stay Cool at These Vermont Winter Destinations 

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• COURTESY OF JOHN ATKINSON
• Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush Resort

102 Forest Dr., Warren, sugarbush.com

Great grooming makes Sugarbush's varied terrain a cut above. Catch some amazing views on Snowball, Jester, Troll Road and Domino. Plus, the 'Bush semi-secretly offers one of the best lift-pass deals around: On $30 Thursdays, ski Mount Ellen at a deep discount — then spend the savings at one of the many first-rate après-ski bars nearby.

Bolton Valley Resort

4302 Bolton Valley Access Rd., Bolton, boltonvalley.com

Just a half-hour drive from downtown, Bolton is Burlington's closest ski area and one of the best peaks for night skiing and riding.

Burlington Country Club

568 S. Prospect St., Burlington, burlingtoncountryclub.org

Once it's covered with snow, the hill here becomes Burlington's most popular sledding destination. But watch your speed, hot dog. Kids and families abound.

Catamount Outdoor Family Center

592 Gov. Chittenden Rd., Williston, catamountoutdoorfamilycenter.com

Don't let the "family" in the title keep you away from this 500-acre spread on the outskirts of Burlington. Come here to cross-country ski all winter and bike and run the rest of the year.

Mad River Glen

57 Schuss Pass, Waitsfield, madriverglen.com

Mad River Glen takes its motto seriously: Ski it if you can. The mountain's famous single-chair lift delivers skiers to some of the toughest terrain in the East. Sorry, brah, no snowboarders allowed.

Smugglers' Notch Resort

4323 Route 108, Jeffersonville, smuggs.com

Smuggs offers three mountains of downhill slopes for some of the best tree skiing and riding around — not to mention a great terrain park. Its trails encompass kid-friendly bunny slopes and the snow-pants-wetting vertical terror of triple black diamonds.

Stowe Mountain Resort

5781 Mountain Rd., Stowe, stowe.com

The "Aspen of the East" boasts unrelenting verticals, a fully stocked terrain park, a fancy lodge and a first-rate performing-arts center. It's also located in Stowe, one of the top ski towns in New England.