All about Stratton …

WHERE: Located in Southwest Vermont, Stratton is a different direction than most Bostonians think to head for a great ski adventure. Head out Route 2, hugging the northwest of Massachusetts and then turn north just a little way. Three hours (give or take) and way less traffic than heading due north.

WHEN: Like most resorts today, Stratton does get busy on the weekend, so whenever you can grab a non-holiday weekday, it’s great. But even on busy days, the lifts run fast and well and people spread out.

TICKETS: Stratton is on the Ikon Pass (www.ikonpass.com/) and while those passes are sold out for this season, for next, shop early for deals on everything from full passes to pre-purchased multi-day tickets. For now, online is always your best bet – as is purchasing ahead of time. You can save with multi-day purchases and via friends and family and military discounts. If you’re booking lodging, ask about any specials or ski and stays. You can save up to half on weekdays.

LEARNING: Stratton made a major investment in upping the ante for their learning center– and they’re not done.  This season, they debuted $2 million worth of learning area investments, including not just three separate magic carpets, but grading along those trails and areas to help newbies progress with confidence. Learnings need not side step or lug themselves up to start; a small carpet transports them. Then, they graduate from graded spot to higher graded, until they’re ready to take on the bigger lifts. It’s a great set up, not only easier for learners, but visible for friends and family who may want to check on how they are doing. More additions are coming as well. Stratton has great advanced learning too, from privates to multi-day special clinics.

RENTALS: You’ll find a solid fleet of rentals at Stratton. Consider the new to the east Ski Butlers (www.skibutlers.com) a favorite out west and now here at Stratton. They’ll fit you to all you need – and come to you at your condo or home, sparing you a trip. They’ve got all level gear, as well as a new Parlor (parlorskis.com) ski designed just for Stratton conditions and with cool Stratton graphics. Should you need equipment tweaking or want to change out – they meet you at the lift.

DINING AND APRES: When choosing where or what’s for any meal, you’ve got options. In the village you’ll find upscale steak houses, great sushi, affordable tacos, amazing breakfast and lunch at Benedicts, fun apres vibes at Mulligans, and more. Manchester is just a quick jaunt away for other options, but dining in the Village is worthy – and it means you need not drive back to your condo. During the ski day, the newly refurbished base lodge offers great classic food, and the village restaurants are open and just a few steps from your skis.

STAY: If you book through Stratton and stay at one of their many slopeside or near slopeside choices (from cozy rooms to huge homes), you can save as much as 40 percent on lift tickets. Slopeside means you need not drive, though should you book offsite, Stratton has plentiful parking and constantly running shuttles.

WHAT ELSE: A sports club, hot tubs, indoor and outdoor pools, a giant climbing wall and game room in the village, special events, live music and even indoor pickleball.

VIBE: Sure, Stratton likes things to be fancy, but while you’ll see your share of Bogner and SkeaLtd, so too will you see duct taped gloves and old jackets. It’s clean, beautiful and well maintained – in a way that welcomes everyone, not just the posh. As for snowboarders: It was on these slopes that snowboarding was pretty much born. In other words: you’re not just welcome, you’re celebrated.

HOW: www.stratton.com/