Jay Peak Resort

The huge Jay Peak Resort is a destination unto itself. Tucked away in the Green Mountains and offering access to ski lifts, indoor and outdoor family-friendly amenities, and even a championship golf course, the Jay Peak Resort can be described as a leisure complex with a variety of accommodation options. The resort is self-contained, with its own general store, conference center, parking lot, 16 restaurants and bars, and wide array of features. Non-guests can also make use of the facilities for a fee, which makes for a bustling atmosphere both in the winter and in the summer. The vibe is family-friendly and casual year-round, and the property has a strong mountain lodge feel, with cozy interiors, neutral color schemes, natural wood finishes throughout, and fireplaces in common spaces. With its myriad kid-friendly amenities (ice rink, indoor water park, summer camps, and two kids’ clubs, among many other features), the property is mostly popular among families, but there is also lots going on for adults throughout the year, including beer festivals, live music, plenty of bars, and a movie theater. The conference center draws business travelers as well. The two primary lodging options with the complex are The Tram Haus Lodge at Jay Peak Resort and Hotel Jay & Conference Center. Jay Peak Resort is somewhat isolated -- it’s four miles from the US-Canada border and a half-hour drive from the Northeast Kingdom International Airport -- so travelers seeking something more easily accessible may want to consider staying in the Stowe & Smugglers’ Notch area, located closer to Burlington and offering a wider range of accommodation options, from romantic bed-and-breakfasts such as Field Guide to upscale resorts, including the Stowe Mountain Lodge. 

Jay Peak Resort is located in the Green Mountains, a year-round destination known for its outdoor activities, in particular its great skiing. The resort sprawls over a large area that goes all the way from the ski lifts to a championship golf course and the VT-242 Road. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity but forests and ski slopes, but the resort is self-contained, and offers a wide array of dining, drinking, and leisure options. There is free shuttle service between the different hotels and all of the resort’s features. The property is four miles from the US-Canada border and about a 33-minute drive from the Northeast Kingdom International Airport, making it a tad remote from some. 

Jay Peak Resort is made up of 11 properties, each with its own distinct style and unique characteristics. Most of the accommodation options are family-friendly condos with full kitchens, several rooms, and ski-in/ski-out access -- but there are also three hotels, complete with restaurants, meeting rooms, and other features. Rooms, suites, and condos all have a similar mountain-lodge vibe, with lots of wood accents, soft neutral palettes, carpets, and big windows offering either resort or mountain views. However, depending on the type of trip planned, guests may want to choose one lodge over the other, as they all offer different perks. Of the 11 on-site properties, the Stateside Hotel and Baselodge has the most affordable rates, while most of the condominiums are closer to the lifts of the golf course. Tram Haus Lodge and Hotel Jay & Conference Center offer direct access to the resort’s indoor water park, ice rink, and many of the most popular dining venues. In-room amenities vary between properties, but all offer free Wi-Fi, HD flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Hotel rooms are outfitted with toiletries and hairdryers, which aren’t provided in condos. Bathrooms are clean and straightforward in all rooms, with shower/tub combos (and a shower if the unit has an additional bathroom), and enough counter space for personal items. 

As a self-contained property, the Jay Peak Resort offers a staggering array of on-site amenities. The indoor water park is a definite highlight -- with lots of waterslides, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a long lazy river, and wave pools -- as is the ice rink, which offers skate rentals for a fee. There is also a seasonal outdoor pool at Hotel Jay & Conference Center. Most of the features are designed to keep families busy, in particular the arcade, the summer camps for children, climbing walls, disc golf course, and movie theater -- but there is also lots going on for adults, including a spa, fitness center, championship golf course, and lots of events such as live music and food and drink festivals. The resort is home to 16 bars and restaurants, ranging from casual pizza joints to coffee shops and cozy bars with fireplaces. There are also an 8,000-square-foot conference center at Hotel Jay, and several stores selling ski gear, souvenirs, and all the essentials, including food, drinks, and basic pharmacy items. Valet and self-parking are available on-site.