Overview
Waitsfield is a ski resort town in Central Vermont. Mad River Glen and Sugarbush are both nearby.
11 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Waitsfield
Mad River Glen
One of the most unique ski areas in Vermont, Mad River Glen is cooperatively owned by skiers. $50 ($42 half day, $37 children and seniors). MRG is a no-snowboard mountain, and has a quaint but slow single chair to the to…
Sugarbush Ski Resort
In Warren. A major ski resort "voted #7 Ski Resort in the East" by Ski Magazine. Offers 111 trails set over 508 skiable acres, 16 lifts with an uphill capacity of 25,463 people per hour, 5 lodges, and over 2600' vertical…
Sugarbush Resort Golf Club
Golf is a three-season word here, and some even try out their swing while the skiing is still going strong. Tee off at a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed 18-hole course, and Golf School.
Disc Golf
Sugarbush Resort has two 18-hole disc golf courses featuring rolling terrain, spectacular scenery and an incredible variety of holes, allowing players of all ages to play at all skill level. The Peak Course requires a li…
Zipline
Thrill seekers-soar through the air on the 800' Sugarbush Zipline at Lincoln Peak.
Sailplane Rides
Glide over the scenic Mad River Valley in the most silent, graceful and simple form of flight. Sugarbush Soaring, Warren-Sugarbush airport, Warren.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 7°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Montpelier)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BTV Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Burlington — 25 mi away. Directions
- PBG Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh — 45 mi away. Directions
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 111 mi away (major hub). Directions
If you are flying to the area, you are most likely to fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Burlington. There are smaller state airports closer to Waitsfield, however. Those include Edward F. Knapp Airport in Barre and Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL) in Morrisville.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $50–$175 a night (typical $128), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$340.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mad River Glen, Disc Golf
- Lunch The Hide Away Inn and Restaurant
- Afternoon Canoeing and Kayaking, Clearwater Sports
- Dinner The Common Man
Day 2
- Morning Sugarbush Ski Resort, Zipline
- Afternoon Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm, Inverness Ski Shop
Day 3
- Morning Sugarbush Resort Golf Club, Sailplane Rides
- Afternoon Sugarbush Adventure Gear Shop
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
If you are flying to the area, you are most likely to fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Burlington. There are smaller state airports closer to Waitsfield, however. Those include Edward F. Knapp Airport in Barre and Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL) in Morrisville.
For getting in by car, the closest major interstate is I-89 which stretches from Concord, NH, to Burlington. Waitsfield lies on Vermont Route 100, a scenic and winding road that connects the northern and southern ends of the state. Waitsfield is about 10 miles south of I-89 at Duxbury, Vt.
Get around
A car is necessary to get around. A four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle is recommended in winter. The narrow, winding roads can be hazardous to drivers who are inexperienced driving on snow or ice. This is especially true when approaching from the West via Route 17 as it crosses the Green Mountains at Appalachian Gap. Large vehicles such as RVs are advised to seek another route.
Taxi cabs are less common in Vermont than in more populated areas.
See
There are historic wooden covered bridges in the local area.
Do
Do Mad River Glen
One of the most unique ski areas in Vermont, Mad River Glen is cooperatively owned by skiers. $50 ($42 half day, $37 children and seniors). MRG is a no-snowboard mountain, and has a quaint but slow single chair to the top. When you finally arrive, the top is uncrowded because most people have already gone down. There are many glades and rugged trails. Highly recommended by skibum.
Do Sugarbush Ski Resort
In Warren. A major ski resort "voted #7 Ski Resort in the East" by Ski Magazine. Offers 111 trails set over 508 skiable acres, 16 lifts with an uphill capacity of 25,463 people per hour, 5 lodges, and over 2600' vertical drop. Sugarbush has an average yearly snowfall of 262" but when mother nature is not providing any snow, Sugarbush can provide snowmaking on 70% of its trails. Overall Sugarbush is worth the trip and is an experience you will never forget.
Do Sugarbush Resort Golf Club
Golf is a three-season word here, and some even try out their swing while the skiing is still going strong. Tee off at a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed 18-hole course, and Golf School.
Do Disc Golf
Sugarbush Resort has two 18-hole disc golf courses featuring rolling terrain, spectacular scenery and an incredible variety of holes, allowing players of all ages to play at all skill level. The Peak Course requires a lift ride on the Super Bravo and plays downhill from there.
Do Sailplane Rides
Glide over the scenic Mad River Valley in the most silent, graceful and simple form of flight. Sugarbush Soaring, Warren-Sugarbush airport, Warren.
Do Canoeing and Kayaking
Find great water in April, May and June, Winooski River in Spring, summer and fall. Canoes, kayaks and tubes can be rented at Clearwater Sports.
Do Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm
Horseback Riding and Lessons. Offers rides year round for those age 10 and above. Winter riding is truly an unforgettable experience. choose from 1 hr, 2 hr, or 1/2 day rides daily. They also offer full day rides and multiple day packages.
Do Clearwater Sports
Bike rentals. And you can even get astride bikes built for two at Inverness Ski Shop, Rt. 100, Waitsfield +1 802-496-3343.
Eat
Eat The Hide Away Inn and Restaurant
Enjoy delicious, carefully prepared American cuisine. The Hyde Away has worked hard over the years to make their restaurant the kind of place that you would like to go to. Great food. The freshest ingredients. Affordable prices. The atmosphere throughout the Hyde Away is comfortable and unpretentious. Enjoy the casual dining room, eat on one of their outdoor decks, or in the tavern. They are open for dinner seven nights a week. Dining begins at 5:30PM in our dining room and 4:30PM in the tavern.
Eat The Common Man
Over 150 years old, the soaring hand hewn rafters of the timbered interior are lit by crystal chandeliers, soft candlelight, and a huge open-hearth manor fireplace in season. Dining is elegantly casual and casually elegant, definitely romantic, and is applauded by Vermonters and visitors alike. The restaurant has earned scores of prestigious awards. It is not associated with the chain with the same name in NH. Reservations are essential at weekends and on holiday weeks. Evenings of operation vary seasonally - usually closed Sundays and Mondays. Price for dinner for 2 including a glass of wine and dessert is about $120.
Sleep
Although it is a small town of about 2,000 residents, Waitsfield's proximity to Mad River Glen and Sugarbush ski resorts means that there are many lodging options when you travel here. The variety of accommodations includes bed and breakfasts, inns, motels, hotels and vacation homes.
Nearby
Northfield
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Montpelier
City / town · 39 listings · 13 mi away
Bolton Valley
City / town · 5 listings · 16 mi away
Barre
City / town · 10 listings · 16 mi away
Hinesburg
City / town · 9 listings · 16 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 8 listings · 17 mi away
Stowe
City / town · 42 listings · 20 mi away
Middlebury
City / town · 9 listings · 21 mi away
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