One of the cheapest ways of enjoying Vermont ski country is to stay at a hostel. Not only is a hostel cheap, it's also a way to meet other ski travelers. While Vermont doesn't offer the ski hostel infrastructure of Europe or Canada, major Vermont resorts offer some accommodations. The Hostel Handbook's website lists such properties as the Turn of River Lodge in Killington and Trojan Horse Lodge in Ludlow (Okemo resort) as possible options. While Grampa Grunt's Lodge in Montgomery Center (Jay Peak) doesn't advertise itself as a hostel, it offers inexpensive, shared lodging and amenities.
Burlington is Vermont's largest city, attracting visitors with the Church Street Marketplace, dining and entertainment. The city is also on the banks of Lake Champlain, opening up a world of outdoor recreational opportunities. Like any city, Burlington's accommodations range from high-end resorts to inexpensive, minimalistic motels. Some motels in the Burlington area include the Ho Hum Motel in South Burlington and the Bel Aire Motel, which is within walking distance of downtown.
Stowe, Vermont, is arguably the northeast's most famous ski resort, having earned a reputation as a destination for plentiful Nordic skiing and challenging alpine skiing. Unlike other ski resort towns where you'll find recognizable chain hotels and motels, Stowe has no chain hotels -- or stores or restaurants -- so finding inexpensive motels will entail searching through small, locally owned inns and lodges. Properties like the Alpenrose Motel, Riverside Inn Motel and Innsbruck Inn provide affordable accommodations in the classic New England ski town. The latter advertised a $103 midweek ski-and-stay package (accommodations, lift ticket and breakfast) in winter of 2011. Most of Stowe's lodging is located in town or between the resort and town and requires a several-mile drive to Stowe Mountain Resort.
Inns, lodges, motels and hostels are scattered across Vermont. If you don't have a specific destination in mind, you can compare options using the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing's travel planner (see Resources). This website lets you narrow down selections by lodging type, including motels, guest house rooms, hostels and bed and breakfasts, along with desired amenities and city or region. You can then browse a list of matching properties across the state.
