Weathertop Mountain Inn

A full breakfast is included each morning of your stay. You may help yourself to coffee, tea, juice, fruit, and granola while we prepare your hot entrée selection. At Weathertop Mountain Inn, we believe in choice...breakfast is your choice, not ours! Choose your entrée from our à la carte breakfast menu, which offers something for everyone. Our breakfasts are prepared-to-order and made from scratch. We use a wide variety of local ingredients, such as farm-fresh eggs & dairy products, locally smoked breakfast meats, Québécois organic oats and, naturally, real Vermont maple syrup. Mike is the griddle-master, flipping up fantastically fluffy pancakes and curiously crunchy French toast, while Lisa bakes the bread and even makes our yogurt! One thing is for certain....you won't go away hungry! With an activity-packed day ahead, we don't want you to start out on the wrong foot. While mingling with fellow inn guests and planning your Vermont day, grab a seat by a window and watch the aerial performance of local birds at our feeders.

Breakfast is served from 7:30AM - 9AM during ski season and from 8AM - 9:30AM during the rest of the year. For those participating in organized events, i.e. ski races, tennis clinics, MRV Century Ride, Green Mountain Stage Race, Mad Marathon, etc., earlier start times are usually available. Please enquire at time of booking.

Our restaurant is open most of the year for evening dining; however, our operating hours vary seasonally. Check out our Dining Page to learn more about becoming a "Frugal Gourmet" in The Mad River Valley. Our menu includes an eclectic selection of reasonably-priced entrées, many of which are favorites discovered on our travels. We also focus on game and seafood not typically found at local dining establishments. While some of our most popular entrées are on the menu year round, we also offer a changing list of specials which depend upon the season and the availability of choice ingredients. Be sure to check our menu board for current selections and specials.

To provide personalized service in an unhurried, tranquil atmosphere, dinner seating is limited. Be sure to make your dinner reservations when booking your lodging. This will ensure that you have a table, especially during busy times when many of The Valley restaurants can be full or have long waits.

To complement your dining experience at Weathertop Mountain Inn, we are pleased to offer an international selection of fine wine, beer, and saké.

We are very proud of our wine list, and believe it provides our guests with a diverse and eclectic selection of varietals that rivals the offerings of many fine-dining establishments. A large number of our featured wines come from small, boutique wineries with limited production, and carry very prestigious international ratings. Our prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality these wines deliver, [Our Wine Cellar] and you will rarely see them offered in other dining establishments or pubs. Want to experience a wine you've never tried before? Take advantage of our "Weathertop Wine Guarantee": Choose a bottle from our selection and give it a taste. If it doesn't suit your palate, simply return it - you won't hurt our feelings and it won't go to waste....Since we have sampled, personally selected and enjoy all of the wines in our collection, we will enjoy it later on that evening!

Our beer, ale & cider selection focuses on a few high quality domestic brewers who happen to be our favorites. If we won't drink it, we won't serve it! We also have some beautiful offerings from England, Belgium, Germany, Holland and the Czech Republic.

If you love saké, we have the finest premium selection in The Mad River Valley (and probably all of Vermont...), with all of our offerings being Junmai grade or better. And if you've never experienced quality saké, here is your opportunity...

The Great Room

Our spacious Great Room is the heart of the inn, and the gathering place for evening relaxation and conversation. It boasts a beautiful fieldstone fireplace, plenty of comfortable seating, a piano, a guitar, TV/DVD/VCR/stereo with digital cable, and a collection of classic movies. Ponder world travel, and possible destinations for your next vacation, while studying our collection of Asian art & antiques. Enjoy a bottle of wine from our extensive cellar while lounging by a crackling fire, socialize with friends and other guests, play some music, read a book, play a boardgame, or do absolutely nothing!

The Game Room & Library

For those who need a little sporting challenge to round out their evening, it's a quick flight of stairs up to our Game Room & Library! Try your hand at billiards, foosball, or darts. We also have a large selection of classic board games and jigsaw puzzles for all ages. As in the Great Room, our Game Room comes complete with plenty of comfortable seating, ceiling fans, and a TV/DVD/VCR/surround sound system with digital cable. For our "40-something" guests, we have a turntable to spin our collection of classic albums and 45s - those licorice pizzas popular before the advent of 8-tracks (remember those beauties?), cassettes, CDs, MP3s and iPods...

This is also a great place to curl up with a good book. Relax in a rocking chair by our large and cozy fireplace in the Library. Our Library has an extensive collection of books of virtually every genre. We also maintain a selection of the latest magazines. Catch up on some long-overdue reading, explore a new topic of interest, or simply relax and chat with friends!

The Hot Tub & Sauna

After a strenuous day in the Mad River Valley, whether skiing the Green Mountains, kayaking the Mad River, hiking the Long Trail, or biking on numerous country roads, our state-of-the-art Jacuzzi® hot tub will soothe those aching muscles. It comfortably accommodates four guests in individually controlled seats with custom jets. We also have a small stereo in the room with which you can listen to your favorite tunes while soaking.

Put on your bathing suit, grab one of our soft robes from your room, and make your way down to our spa. No need to bring a towel from your room. We have plenty of them in the hot tub room, along with a laundry hamper. You can also melt away any of life's concerns in our Finnish-style two-person sauna.

• We have high-speed, wireless DSL internet access available throughout the inn. Catch up on your e-mail or extend your vacation into the week by staying in touch with the office (we won't tell...). For those who choose to travel without their computer, we have a guest computer in our lobby, with free internet access. TECHNICAL NOTE: Especially for those traveling with business computers - yes, our wireless router works properly! You must ensure that your computer is configured to allow access to a WPA-encrypted network. If you are not sure, we suggest that you contact your I.T. department BEFORE YOU GET HERE. While we installed the wireless network that is available throughout the inn, we are first and foremost the innkeepers - not I.T. experts!
• Why not try snowshoeing? It's easy and a lot of fun. We have several pairs available for complimentary use by our guests. With the Mill Brook Trail just behind our property, it couldn't be easier!
• We have indoor space available for ski storage, and you may use our garage for ski tuning in winter or bicycle storage in summer.
• For hikers, we will provide drop-off service to The Long Trail at the Appalachian Gap or Lincoln Gap access points, with advance notice.
• We will gladly offer personalized assistance to help plan special occasions or group activities. Consider having a family or school reunion, a guys/gals/skiing/biking weekend, or an office retreat. Group dinners are also possible.
• We offer a wide range of concierge services. If you would like something to make your stay more memorable, just ask! Some possibilities include champagne, a wine & cheese platter, delicious local chocolate truffles or a birthday cake.
• Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs. We will accommodate them to the best of our abilities.
• Early breakfasts are available to accommodate local special events such as the Green Mountain Stage Race, the Mad River Valley Century Ride and the Mad Marathon.
• Late arrivals are never a problem. We live on-site and are normally out and about until approximately 10PM. If you arrive after we retire for the evening, we will leave a note on the office door directing you to your room, which will have a light on and a key in the door. We will then greet you at breakfast!
• Storage of luggage for late departures can easily be arranged.
• As resident owners/innkeepers, we take pride in the personal attention we offer our guests. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your stay with us more enjoyable!

Winter Activities

Downhill skiing & snowboarding are all-time favorites in the Mad River Valley, with three mountains to choose from. Sugarbush Resort boasts 111 trails with 2,650 feet of vertical drop, plus 40 acres of tree skiing spread over some of the finest mountains in New England. Mount Ellen is just 2.5 miles from Weathertop, and Lincoln Peak a mere 5 miles away. Mad River Glen is only 3 miles west on Route 17. It is one of the most unique ski areas in the country, famous for its legendary expert terrain and single chair lift. But don't shy away...with 2,000 feet of vertical drop and 45 trails, there is plenty of terrain for all levels of ability. Riding is welcome at Sugarbush Resort, with 9 terrain parks and a superpipe added to it's 54+ miles of trails. Please be aware that the shareholders of the Mad River Glen Cooperative have elected not to allow snowboarding to preserve the area's unique character. Somewhat further afield, but within easy reach, are Killington, Bolton Valley, Stowe, and Smugglers' Notch, if our local trail selection isn't enough! Both Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen offer backcountry and telemark ski tours, as does Clearwater Sports.

The Mad River Valley has some of the most beautiful cross-country skiing in Vermont. Ole's Cross Country Ski Center, just 12 minutes away, offers 30 miles of moderately rolling trails groomed for classic skiing and ski skating. Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center, also minutes away, provides an additional 20 miles of gorgeous cross-country skiing terrain. Closer to Stowe, you will find the Trapp Family Lodge Nordic Skiing Center. You can ski there for days and not cover all of the terrain! All of these centers offer rental equipment and lessons. Looking for a backcountry experience? Try the Catamount Trail which winds its way through the Mad River Valley. The Catamount Trail can be reached via the Mill Brook Trail, right from the Weathertop parking lot!

There's more to do than just skiing! Snowshoeing is available all around the Mad River Valley, including the Mill Brook Trail which is just behind our inn. We offer our lodging guests complimentary use of snowshoes for local trails. Ole's Cross Country Ski Center, Sugarbush Resort, and Mad River Glen also offer rentals and snowshoeing trails. Local outfitters such as Clearwater Sports offer rentals and guided snowshoe treks.

If skiing and snowshoeing are not for you, consider a horse-drawn sleigh ride with Mountain Valley Farm in Waitsfield, or don some skates and go ice skating at the Skatium, a community recreation arena open to the public, also in Waitsfield. The Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm offers winter horseback riding. For something really different, try dog sledding with Rob Farley's October Siberians! You can also consider Atii Sled Dogs. With your own snowmobile you can enjoy 80+ miles of groomed and marked trails in the Mad River Valley. Check out VAST for more information. There are any number of hills on which you can go sledding & tobogganing. You might consider the legendary Rocket-Shoeing adventure trips guided by Clearwater Sports.

Want some indoor activities for those cold winter nights? How about professional basketball? You can see the Vermont Frost Heaves, who play at either the Barre Auditorium or Burlington's Memorial Auditorium. They are a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

You can also check out the latest in movies & music at Big Picture Theater, right here in Waitsfield. They've got a great soda fountain, as well as tapas & sushi to boot!!!

Spring & Summer Activities

Outdoor enthusiasts just love spring and summer in the Mad River Valley. To begin with, there are so many outdoor activities to pursue that everyone can find something to do. What makes it extra special is that you get to experience the "real" Vermont. The Valley is not only beautiful and serene, but it is unspoiled by traffic lights, high rises, and chain restaurants/hotels. Here you are off the beaten path, and have many paths to explore without running into crowds. This is a place to get away from it all. This is a place to get in touch with nature and your inner self.

At Weathertop, we appreciate your need to relax and soak up the good things that The Mad River Valley can provide - clean air, starry nights, unspoiled beauty, casual dining, and a host of other activities. After a busy day on the roads, trails or rivers, relax in our hot tub and sauna, have a cold beer or glass of wine while lounging on our garden patio, identify birds at our feeders, or stroll around our perennial gardens. Perhaps spending the day in a shaded Adirondack chair, reading a good book, is just what the doctor ordered...

Bicycling, both on-road and off-road, is very popular in the area. There are many cycling routes from which to choose. Bikes can be rented at Stark Mountain Bike Works (802-496-4800) or Inverness Ski Shop (802-496-3343). Mountain bikes may also be rented from Clearwater Sports. If you are a real cycling enthusiast or triathlete, you may be interested in contacting Fit Werx, road and triathlon cycling specialists. They are one of the best-equipped bicycle fitting and analysis centers in the country, located right here in Waitsfield! Every summer, The Valley plays host to the Mad River Valley Century Ride, a fun bicycle race which travels 100 miles through some of Vermont's most scenic countryside. Make a weekend out of it and enjoy the Mad River Valley. A few days later, The Valley is also the locale for the annual Green Mountain Stage Race, which begins right at the Mt. Ellen Base Lodge of Sugarbush Resort. In addition to road cycling, there is also great mountain biking. The Mill Brook Recreational Trail is a good mountain bike path, just outside our back door. You can also enjoy a wide range of mountain biking options at Sugarbush Resort. Ride the Super Bravo lift up for some cross-country single track and downhill thrills. There is also a Free Ride Park on Gondolier ski trail. Single day, multi-day and season passes are available. Blueberry Lake Bike Center (802-496-6687) also offers outstanding terrain for beginner through advanced mountain bikers.

The Green Mountains offer numerous hiking trails, including the Mill Brook Trail. Two resources for information on hikes are the Mad River Path Association and the Green Mountain Club. The Long Trail can be accessed at Appalachian Gap, 4 miles from Weathertop on Route 17, or at Lincoln Gap in nearby Warren. Transportation to the trailhead at either location can be arranged with us. Hiking the trails in the Green Mountains has always been a favorite pastime. We would be happy to share some of our favorite hikes with you!

The local waterways offer great canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. The Mad River, White River, Winooski River and Waterbury Reservoir are all accessible to canoes & kayaks. Rentals and guided trips are available through Clearwater Sports. Native brookies, wild brown, and rainbow trout are plentiful in streams and rivers throughout Vermont. The Mad River Valley is home to some of the finest fly fishing in all of New England. Learn from a local...Jake Petrasch is a Mad River Valley resident who offers streamside instruction and guide services. You can contact him directly at Valley Anglers. You can also try The Fly Rod Shop, a full service fly fishing outfitter in Stowe offering clinics, tours and fly fishing gear rental. And don't forget your bathing suit! There are several popular swimming holes in the area. Like everything else in The Valley, it's easy. Just pull to the side of the road and jump in!

Golf is also very popular in the area. The closest course, Sugarbush Golf Club, is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. masterpiece, described by Golf Digest as "the essence of a mountain course." Additional courses within a 1 hour drive include: Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington, Country Club of Barre in Barre, Blush Hill Country Club in Waterbury, Northfield Country Club in Northfield, Montague Golf Club in Randolph, West Bolton Golf Club in West Bolton, Stowe Country Club in Stowe, Williston Golf Club in Williston, Neshobe Golf Club in Brandon, Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg, and White River Golf Club in Rochester. Let us know if you need assistance in booking tee times.

The Mad River Valley is one of the most beautiful sites in America for scenic glider rides. Sugarbush Soaring provides rides, introductory flights, rentals and instructional programs. If soaring isn't your thing, perhaps horseback riding is. Go to Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm in Waitsfield, Dana Hill Stables (802-496-6251) in Fayston, or Mad River Stables (802-223-2359) in Moretown. All offer trail rides and lessons. Or opt for horse-drawn rides at Mountain Valley Farm in Waitsfield. If a Morgan Horse strikes your fancy, check out the UVM Morgan Horse Farm near Middlebury or the National Museum of the Morgan Horse in Shelburne. If birding interests you, try the Birds of Vermont Museum located 40 minutes away in Huntington. The collection of bird carvings here is remarkable. Just down the road from the museum is the Green Mountain Audubon Center. A bit further afield in Quechee, but worth the drive time, is the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center.

Looking for something new and unique to experience in The Mad River Valley? You can try disc golf at Sugarbush Resort, where you can play on one of two courses designed at Sugarbush's Lincoln Peak Village. Single day and season passes are available. You can also experience the thrill and excitement of a zip line at Lincoln Peak Village, where you can "fly" from the Valley House Lodge to the Gate House Lodge!

Need a baseball fix? Check out the Vermont Lake Monsters, who play at Centennial Field in Burlington. They are a Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. You can also see the Vermont Mountaineers, members of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, at the Montpelier Recreation Field.

Fall Activities

Everything you can do in the spring and summer you can do here in the Fall. The only difference is that the temperature is dropping, just like the leaves. And what leaves they are -- amazing colors and awe-inspiring vistas filled with brilliant red, vibrant yellow, and blazing orange.

Fall foliage season is a magical time in New England, and Vermont in particular. The drives along Route 100 and the surrounding back-country roads offer some of the finest leaf peeping you'll ever see!

Bear in mind that "peak foliage" changes year to year, day to day, hour to hour (you get the idea...), and is controlled by rain, sun, wind, heat, cold, humidity, phase of the moon (you get the idea...). Driving Tours are easily mapped out - just ask us for some of our favorites! We will take the current conditions into account when suggesting a route. For more detailed information on Vermont's foliage season, and updated "foliage reports" during the season, check out these sites: www.vermontvacations.com, www.foliage-vermont.com, and www.vermontfallfoliage.com.

To see the changing leaves up close and personal, jump on a bike or take a hike! Sugarbush offers Chairlift Rides on Fridays, Weekends and Holidays to get you to it's tallest peaks. How you get back down is up to you! Soak in the beauty. Nothing can compare to fall in Vermont.

For those of you who, like us, hold Mad River Glen near and dear to your hearts, there is always Green and Gold Weekend, with chairlift rides, guided hikes, live music, food and more! What a nice way to enjoy spectacular fall foliage and begin to think about the exciting season just around the corner. As always, THINK SNOW!

A word of caution...the limited number of guest rooms available in the Mad River Valley fill early. If you are intent on seeing this spectacle of colors, be sure to reserve your accommodations as soon as possible! This rule not only applies to Weathertop, but to all properties in The Mad River Valley.

The Mad River Valley.... "The Heart and Soul of the Vermont Wedding"

The Mad River Valley is the ideal, four-season location for your Vermont destination wedding or civil union. With its white-steepled churches, rustic barns, picturesque countryside and The Green Mountains, our Valley is classic Vermont. Serene meadows, historic country inns, lovingly restored barns and garden gazebos create the perfect backdrop and elegant setting for your special ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner.

Rural yet sophisticated, the Mad River Valley's beauty and serenity are matched by its accessibility and amenities. Flying or driving wedding guests will appreciate the Central Vermont location, only forty-five minutes from Burlington International Airport, and minutes off of Interstate 89. Additionally, the Mad River Valley has an array of wedding and civil union services and resources which rival those found in most major cities.

Weathertop Mountain Inn is a proud member of Vermont Weddings. We are located only minutes from all wedding venues and work closely with all of the associations dedicated professionals - wedding & reception site directors, fellow innkeepers, skilled chefs, florists, photographers, stylists, musicians, etc. - who strive to plan and flawlessly deliver every aspect of your dream celebration!

Weathertop Wedding Services

If you are celebrating your wedding or civil union in the Mad River Valley, Weathertop Mountain Inn is the perfect lodging property for your bridal party, close friends or extended families traveling together. We can also host small, intimate weddings or rehearsal dinners and coordinate a wide range of pre- or post-wedding events. The services & specials listed below are in effect year round. Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding event planning at our inn!

Lodging Specials

Weathertop Mountain Inn is the perfect lodging property for your bridal party, close friends or extended families traveling together, and we are pleased to offer a group booking discount of up to 20%.

The discount will depend upon the season, day of week, and method of booking. We will entertain either single payment, full-inn bookings or individual room bookings where we block out inn availability and await reservations from wedding guests.

Please contact us directly to discuss your specific wedding needs, at which time we will provide information on cost, as well as details regarding terms & conditions.

Wedding Receptions & Rehearsal Dinners

If you are looking for a small, intimate wedding reception or rehearsal dinner, consider Weathertop Mountain Inn for your event. While our Dining Room is normally only open to inn guests, we can host groups of up to 16 persons if we have no prior guest dining commitments. By choosing Weathertop, you will be getting your own "private restaurant" for the evening!

Since we, the innkeepers, are also your cooks & wait staff, maximum flexibility is ensured. Please give us a call to discuss your needs. We can customize a wedding reception or rehearsal dinner to meet any taste or budget. Looking for a unique dining experience? Why not try our Asian Dining Adventure. Having lived for several years in Singapore, we specialize in the cuisines of Southeast Asia!

Pre- & Post-Wedding Events

Looking for a nice dining experience for wedding guests that are not attending your rehearsal dinner? Weathertop is a great option! We can arrange a very nice dinner for your wedding guests staying at our inn, as well as their friends, up to a maximum of 16 persons. As with our weding receptions and rehearsal dinners, we can customize to meet any taste or budget.

For any wedding groups that are extending their stay to "make a holiday" out of your destination wedding, we will happily organize group dinners for any evening of their stay.

If you are planning a winter wedding, we can also offer any guests staying with us a Ski & Stay Package. Please give us a call to discuss the details.

From I-87 or I-90 (Northbound from Albany and points South and West):

Take I-87 North to Exit 20 (Glens Falls); go Northeast on Route 149 until you reach Route 4; go East on Route 4 through Rutland, VT; stay on Route 4, passing Pico Mountain Ski Resort, until you reach Route 100 (NOTE: Some guests have missed this turn at night. If you reach the Killington Access Road, you have gone too far!); go North on Route 100 until you reach Route 17 in Waitsfield; go West on Route 17; we are located ~1 mile from Route 100, on the left-hand side. Drive time from I-87 Exit 20 is ~2 hours.

From I-89 (Southbound from Burlington and Montreal and points North):

Take I-89 South to Exit 10 (Waterbury); follow signs for Route 100 South through Waterbury; stay on Route 100 until you reach Route 17 in Waitsfield; go West on Route 17; we are located ~1 mile from Route 100, on the left-hand side. Distance from I-89 Exit 10 is ~15 miles.

From I-89 or I-91 or I-93 (Northbound from New Hampshire and Massachusetts and points South and East):

Follow your appropriate interstate until you reach I-89. Take I-89 North to Exit 9 (Middlesex); at the exit, cross under I-89 and follow signs on Route 2 for ~1/2 mile to Route 100B; go South on Route 100B which connects to Route 100; follow Route 100 South until you reach Route 17 in Waitsfield; go West on Route 17; we are located ~1 mile from Route 100, on the left-hand side. Distance from I-89 Exit 9 is ~15 miles.

Directions To Our Mountainside Slopeside Condominium

Since you must come to Weathertop Mountain Inn first to check-in, begin by following the directions listed above. From the inn, proceed as follows:

• Take a left out of our driveway onto Route 17 West.
• Go ~0.5 miles and make a left onto German Flats Road. You will see a sign for Sugarbush Resort before the turn.
• Follow German Flats Road until it ends at Sugarbush Access Road, ~4 miles.
• Make a right onto Sugarbush Access Road and proceed to the intersection at the Sugarbush Resort parking lot.
• Make a right at the intersection and proceed to the next stop sign (near the Sugarbush Health & Racquet Club.
• Make a left at the stop sign and wind your way up the drive to the Mountainside Condominium Complex parking lot.

A WORD OF CAUTION FROM YOUR INNKEEPERS!

We strongly recommend that our guests follow the directions provided above. Some internet mapping tools provide inaccurate directions, while others provide routing which may prove unsuitable for some vehicles in inclement weather. Unless you are familiar with the routing selected by your mapping tool, it would be advisable to call us first - we may ultimately save you some time and quite a few extra miles!