Friday February 27 to Sunday March 1
2 -- Saturday and Sunday
Stratton village -- 5 minute walk to lifts
Recommended for all skill levels
$699 per person
This trip has the nicest lodging of any of our 2015 northeast trips, with warm and comfortable condos located just steps away from the lifts. As in all our previous trips here, we'll be staying in the excellent Long Trail House condominiums at Stratton Village. These are modern units with full kitchens -- and the interior hallways make it awfully easy to drop in and say hi to your fellow BUMS!

Amenities here include gas fireplaces in each unit, an outdoor heated pool, sauna, and big common living room area with a hearthstone fireplace. There's free WiFi and heated underground parking, too.

View photos of the Long Trail House condos >
The BUMS like to cook in our condos. We'll have full kitchens, so we typically make breakfast for each other in the morning. For lunches, we gather as a big group at one of the on-mountain cafeterias. Saturday night is our traditional condo cook-off, when you're invited to pair up with other condos for a big potluck dinner. It's terrifically old-school, and it's one of the best parts of our Vermont weekend each year.
Participants will simply sign up for the trip first, then submit roommate requests in January.

About half our participants will ask us to provide roommates -- and that's something we can easily do. We'll ask a few simple questions about your preferences (age, gender, etc.) and match you up with other BUMS. We speak from experience: it's an amazing way to make new friends.

If you have friends who are also on the trip, you can request them as roommates in January. As requests come in, we'll be placing participants in units with 3, 4 or 5 people, based on your preferences. Every participant is guaranteed his or her own bed, unless you opt to share a King bed with someone you know. You may upgrade to a private bedroom for a supplemental charge;contact us to set it up.

Sharing King beds: nearly all contemporary ski condos have bedrooms with King beds, and to accommodate a large group like ours and keep the pricing reasonable, we will need friends (or boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, etc.) to share King beds. We will only assign King beds to pairs who have specifically requested them -- i.e., we will not assign you to a King bed with someone you don't know -- but please help us out by keeping this in mind.
+ Fri February 27: drive to Stratton; aim to arrive by 5 PM. Welcome party at 8 PM.

+ Sat February 28: Ski & ride at Stratton Mountain, dinner in condos, late evening private party

+ Sun March 1: Ski & ride at Stratton, depart at 4 PM to drive home
The parties are a big part of our social element for this trip -- you'll have a lot of fun time to really get to know the other BUMS. Our trip includes a welcome party on Friday upon arrival at Stratton, where you'll meet one another, along with the trip leaders. On Saturday, we'll celebrate our final night with a private party after dinner.
This trip is a carpool trip -- we'll coordinate carpools from NYC for all those who need a ride. if you live outside NYC, you're invited to drive. We expect members to join this trip from Boston, Washington DC and other cities around the northeast. Once we're at Stratton, everything's within easy walking distance of our condos.
Your trip includes a two day adult lift ticket for Stratton Mountain Ski Resort.

Note: If you or your travel partner do not ski or snowboard -- or if you hold season tickets -- we can remove the lift tickets from our package; contact us to make arrangements. (See "non-skiers," below.)
Stratton, Vermont has been one of the BUMS favorite resorts ever since our first visit in 2007 -- this will be our third trip here. With a beautifully charming village that's got everything you need, Stratton feels like a true mountain getaway. Shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants are all within a few paces of our condo's front doors. On the mountain, the terrain offers something for everyone, with huge beginner areas (and great instructors) that make it a perfect mountain if you're new to skiing and riding. Intermediates and experts love it here, too -- the wide-open groomers offer lots of room to spread out and just have fun. This is a great mountain resort, and we're stoked to return!

Read all about how SKI BUMS trips work >
Of course, weather is impossible to predict, but SKI BUMS plans our trips with an eye on weather history. Late February is the snowiest time in Vermont, and the ample snowmaking at the resort means that they can always provide extra coverage in the high-traffic spots. This should be an ideal weekend getaway for classic northeastern skiing and riding.
You may add a 2-day equipment rental for a discounted price. We expect that about two-thirds of our participants will rent equipment on this trip.

You may also add a discounted group lesson. Group lessons may be used on Saturday or Sunday, and our trip leaders will coordinate groups based on skill level among those who opt to take a lesson.

NOTE: We are collecting payment for equipment and lessons when we collect condo requests.
SKI BUMS designs our season for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but we make specific recommendations for each trip. On ALL SKI BUMS trips, we begin by dividing into skill level groups so you can identify those who enjoy the same terrain that you do. See how our groups work >

We recommend this trip for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

Beginners: you should absolutely take this trip. Having two back-to-back days will do wonders for your confidence, and the beginner & intermediate terrain at Stratton is excellent for newbies. It's got an exceptionally large number of green trails -- 42% of the mountain is marked with a green circle.

Intermediates: those who enjoy the blue squares have a huge playground here -- a third of the mountain is marked as intermediate. With beautiful views that take you through tight turns and fun rollers, you'll have a lot to choose from over our two full days.

Advanced skiers and riders: Stratton's got some of the steepest runs in Vermont, and the double black diamond runs here offer up some significant challenge, no matter where in the world you normally ski and ride. Snowboarding was pioneered here by Jake Burton, and the snowboarding legacy continues to amplify the massive terrain parks and half pipes that win accolades far and wide. If you're interested in learning how to ride in the parks, this is a great place to take a lesson!
If you or your partner do not ski or ride -- or you already have season lift passes for Stratton -- you can contact us to remove the lift tickets from the package.
Our trip leaders design an itinerary that highlights the best spots in Stratton to make sure you don't miss out on any of the fun. It's published in a printed handout and updated on a devoted Twitter feed, with up-to-the-minute announcements you can receive on your cell phone.

The on-mountain adventure begins bright and early on Saturday. We divide into skill level groups that help you identify the other skiers and snowboarders who enjoy the same terrain that you do, and then we divide and conquer the mountain! Learn about our skill level groups. >

In general, you'll spend most of the day in a smallish group of four or five skiers or boarders -- but that's up to you. The BUMS are a social crowd, so it's always easy to find others to join in the fun.

You and your group will set your own pace, and it's common to mix it up with a few different groups throughout the weekend. This is your getaway, so you're always free to break away and do your own thing.

We meet as a group for lunches and après-ski. On Saturday night, after cooking for one another in our condos, we'll enjoy a private party just for the BUMS.

Prepare to bond; by the end of the weekend, it'll feel like you've been gone longer than we have. And mark your calendar for Avalanche, where you'll be able to all see one another again!

Learn more about how SKI BUMS trips work >

Participants will drive to join this trip from throughout the northeast. We'll coordinate a carpool for those who are coming from NYC, and rely on our Facebook page to assist those who are coming from other locations. New Yorkers should plan to be out of the city by noon on Friday.
Our trip officially kicks off with a meet & greet welcome party at 8 PM. You'll get all the valuable trip information for the weekend, get your lift tickets and meet your fellow Stratton BUMS!
Upon arrival, you'll check in at the Stratton village check-in just as any other guest would. Settle in and make yourself at home!
Who's coming on the trip? Find out by joining our special Stratton Facebook group.

Whether you're simply curious about signing up or you're already on board, everyone's welcome to join our Facebook group. Feel free to invite friends, too -- it's a cool way to begin learning names of the skiers and boarders who you'll meet in the mountains!

Request to join the Stratton Facebook group >

Space is limited, and it is now SOLD OUT.

Signing up is simple. You'll simply provide your information, then proceed to payment. We'll collect the trip price now, then collect payment for any rentals or lessons in January.

After we've received your signup & payment, you'll receive an confirmation via email that you're registered for the trip.

GMAIL users: please be sure to check your Promotions Tab for our emails, and learn how to adjust Gmail's filters >



$699 USD per person, for shared condo occupancy

-- or --

$899 USD per person, for a single occupancy room within a condo

You may pay in full or pay a $299 deposit at signup. Balance due January 1st
You may pay with any major credit card, cash or check.

We use PayPal to process online credit card payments. PayPal is the internet's most trusted online payment portal, and you do not need to be a PayPal member to submit a payment.

If you would ever like to use PayPal to send a manual payment (from a smartphone, for example), our account address is: payments (at) ski-bums.org.

PayPal mobile apps: iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch |  Android

+ 2 nights of condominium lodging in Stratton village
+ 2 day adult lift ticket to Stratton Mountain Resort
+ Welcome reception and party
+ Saturday night private party
+ Coordinated après-ski events
+ 2 SKI BUMS professional trip leaders
+ Carpool transportation
+ Equipment rental
+ Skiing or snowboarding instruction
+ Most meals, including lunches, alcoholic drinks
+ Travel insurance (very highly recommended)
Here a few quick steps to help you prepare for our trip!

PACKING TIPS | Most BUMS stop for groceries & drinks along the way; we'll recommend a few good spots not too far from Stratton, and spell out exactly what to expect in your kitchens. Don't forget to pack a swimsuit for the pool!

PLAN TO DRESS FOR THE ELEMENTS | It's crucial that you're properly dressed for the mountain. All Stratton participants must wear helmets. For additional tips on how to dress for a fun day of skiing and snowboarding in any conditions, visit our in-depth guide: "How to Dress for the Mountain."

NEED NEW GEAR? | SKI BUMS members get excellent discounts at Backcountry.com. 30%-50% off!

WATCH THE WEATHER | Remember that the weather at upper altitudes is very different from what's happening down in town; be sure to follow an on-mountain forecast like this one to see what's happening up at the ski resort.

New to the BUMS? Read our additional trip tips >
We reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or make changes in the trip itinerary as a result of weather or safety considerations or as otherwise deemed necessary or advisable. If your trip is cancelled or rescheduled due to weather, snow, or mountain conditions, or circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full credit for a future trip. All trip credits may be applied to any trip in the SKI BUMS future. There is no expiration date.

SKI BUMS is not responsible for the cost of any additional expenses that you may incur as a result of trip rescheduling or cancellation (airline ticketing fees, etc.).

To use a credit for a future deposit or payment, please contact us directly.
Through November 15, you may cancel your spot at any time and receive a full refund. After November 16, the following cancellation fees apply:

For cancellations received from November 16 - November 31, $200 fee. For cancellations received from December 1 - December 10, $300 fee. After December 11th, 2014: no refund.

In order to obtain our bulk group discounts, we must agree to a very strict cancellation policy. It's the nature of group travel. Think of your SKI BUMS booking as you would an airline reservation; even we find someone to take your place, the cancellation fees still apply.

If you buy travel insurance, you can still receive a refund for a cancelled SKI BUMS trip.

View the full SKI BUMS cancellation policy or submit your cancellation >
BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE. WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

A travel insurer can provide a refund even when SKI BUMS cannot. In the circumstance that you need to cancel your trip because of work or health reasons, you should purchase travel insurance within 30 days of your initial trip deposit.

Even if you purchase travel insurance after this date, some coverage is much better than no coverage at all. Our cancellation policy is strict, and after cancellation fees kick in, a travel insurer may be your only chance for a full refund.

There are many travel insurers, and policies are very affordable. We especially recommend travelinsured.com, and suggest you add the sports package to cover skiing & snowboarding activity.
This trip has a minimum of 20 participants and a maximum of 50 participants. If we fail to meet our minimum number of registered participants by 100 days before the trip, the trip may be cancelled. In that event, those who have signed up for the trip will receive a full refund.
A perfect weekend getaway to Vermont!

Sometimes you really want to treat yourself to a perfect skiing and snowboarding weekend... where everything's just easy. That's why we love Stratton so much.

With gorgeous condos just steps away from the lifts, this trip makes things easy. Park your car and forget about it until it's time to head home -- the Stratton village contains restaurants, shops and galleries that make a winter stroll downright charming. On the mountain, there's more than enough terrain to make the day unforgettable, with beautiful views for skiers and riders of all skill levels. This is our third trip to Stratton, and we can't wait to return. They love us here, and we love 'em right back!

Space on this trip is limited, and it is now SOLD OUT.

Inquire about last-minute cancellations >

We send important pre-trip Info Packs via email. If you're not seeing them, contact us right away. Gmail users have extra difficulties in getting our messages, and should click here to learn more.
Meet your new friends! The other skiers and riders who are joining this adventure are sharing travel plans, and the trip leaders are posting helpful updates, too. Simply request to join, here.