Best of Vermont skiing

Looking for a few inside tips? The Globe has surveyed the scene from top to bottom and taken notes:

Best non-mountain event for thrill seekers

Snowkiting - using a lightweight aerofoil while strapped to a snowboard - allows adventurous participants to skim atop snow-covered fields and frozen lakes. But this fast-evolving sport can be perilous to newcomers without certified instruction. The annual Kitestorm festival in Milton, Vt., was founded six years ago as an educational/instructional event, and it's blossomed into a huge draw that annually attracts 500 participants and an equal amount of onlookers curious about people attached to huge, colorful kites zooming above frozen Lake Champlain. The Kitestorm festival is scheduled for Feb. 21-22, and will feature free clinics, demonstrations, and prize drawings. Event host stormboarding.com has details on its website.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best move for mogul fans

Sugarbush wants to be known as a mecca for mogul skiing, and the resort is anchoring that commitment by opening more bump-and-jump territory while encouraging skiers of all ability levels to learn and appreciate "natural" skiing. This is an interesting concept, because true mogul slopes are often limited to the steepest and most inaccessible sections of a mountain, which can be perilous for newcomers. But Sugarbush intends to devote its entire 2,600-foot vertical on Mount Ellen to mogul runs, many of which will be appropriate for novices and intermediates. The resort will also offer instruction and support for skiers and boarders who want to progress to more difficult tree, powder, and "adventure" terrain.
- T.D. THORNTON

Most fun in small area

Woodstock is among Vermont's classic ski villages with its handsome streets, seasonal decorations, town green, storied Suicide Six ski area next door, and kilometers of cross-country ski trails from the Woodstock Ski Touring Center. One must snowshoe up the in-town Mount Tom for a bird's-eye view of the village below, rippling mountains, and crooked Ottauquechee River. There are a few trail options that include passing a small lake called The Pogue. Mount Tom is only 1,250 feet in elevation and the round-trip trek is under 3 miles, making this an easy trip with outstanding rewards.
- MARTY BASCH

Best old-school skiing

Did you really expect it to be any other mountain than Mad River Glen? Serpentine trails, liberal out-of-bounds policies, and a co-op ownership made up of diehard locals all help to anchor Mad River Glen's status as a destination for no-frills winter enjoyment. Volunteers recently raised $1.5 million for a historic rehab of a six-decade-old single-seater chairlift. While Mad River Glen is more notoriously known as one of only three ski mountains in North America to enforce a ban on snowboarding, the co-op is still cordial enough to offer free loaner skis to any boarder who shows up unaware of the house rules.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best family resort

When something is done just right, you know it. That's the deal with families at Smugglers' Notch. That's not to say you have to borrow the neighbor's kids or the nephews to enjoy the three peaks. Morse is for first-timers, Sterling's got a mixed back, and mighty Madonna, with its 2,610-foot vertical, has plenty of steeps, bumps, and trees for advanced skiers and riders. The resort also has a lively base village, superb children's programs, and lots of games and attractions - including the indoor FunZone and night sledding and tubing - that make it a place where families are No. 1.
- MARTY BASCH

Highest growth in 'cross

Boardercross and skiercross runs are growing across the Green Mountain State with courses at Bromley, Stratton, and Okemo. The fast-flying, high-caliber races feature 4-6 competitors going toe-to-toe down the souped-up course with jumps and banked turns. X-Gamers and Olympians produce action-packed races but the courses are popular with families, too. Last season Okemo commandeered its Lower Tomahawk Trail for a boardercross run - Olympian Ross Powers is the mountain's ambassador - and turned it into the FamilyCross park. Stratton's putting its Boarder-X course on the lower portion of Suntanner this season. Bromley's Unforgiven remains a family favorite.
- MARTY BASCH

Best in the nation

Don't just take our word for it when it comes to recognizing the "bests" in Vermont snow sports. A trio of resorts from the Green Mountain state were recently honored by their peers for innovative safety, marketing, and guest service programs. The National Ski Areas Association voted Stratton for "Best Terrain Park Safety Program." Jay Peak won "Best Overall Marketing Program" in the 100,000-250,000 skier visits category. Burke earned "Best Overall Guest Service Program" for smaller resorts (fewer than 100,000 skier visits). No other mountains from New England qualified for awards.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best rustic accommodations

One of Stowe's most sought-after lodging properties can only be reached by chairlift. The Stone Hut on Mount Mansfield has no creature condominium comforts unless you consider a wood stove and basic bunks luxurious. Originally a warming hut constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp. in 1936, the spartan accommodation is pure winter camping for up to 12 people at $150 a night. The only heat comes from the wood stove. You bring the lights and cooking equipment. Essentials such as hot water and restrooms are next door at Stowe's Octagon Lodge. You can only bring what you can carry on the lift ride up. It's so popular, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation holds an annual lottery for reservations.
- MARTY BASCH

No such thing as a free lunch?

Starting Dec. 16, Bromley will offer free lunch on Tuesdays of non-holiday weeks, and it's not some skimpy cafeteria-style meal, either: Ticket-holders can order a full, waitstaff-served lunch from the menu at the Wild Boar Tavern. All that Bromley asks is that you kindly leave a little something for the servers.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best bet for not blowing the bankroll

They're technically not the rock-bottom lowest adult lift tickets in Vermont, but in terms of how many decent runs you get for your dollar, it's difficult to look past a trio of midsized resorts that are trying to keep costs under $40: Bolton Valley charges $39 on Monday-Wednesday. Bromley and Magic Mountain are also $39, but they up the ante by extending this pricing to a Monday-Friday basis.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best freestyle overhaul

Mount Snow made a major commitment to freestyle over the summer, transforming the entire 95-acre Carinthia mountain face into a terrain park. Over 5 miles of jumps, rails, ramps, halfpipes, a snowskate playground, beginners' learning park, and a skate ramp will surround the revamped base lodge. A high-speed quad and a double chair will service 12 full terrain parks, highlighted by a superpipe with 18-foot walls, tree skiing, and an all-natural park constructed without man-made materials. Mount Snow opened the first terrain park in the East back in 1992, and the revamped version has been chosen as the only New England stop on the AST Winter Dew Tour, Jan. 8-11.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best freebie for beginners

If you're new to skiing or snowboarding and want a comprehensive - and complimentary - learning package, check out Okemo's "Learn to Ski or Snowboard" program that runs Dec. 1-19. The combo includes a free lower-mountain lift ticket, a level 1 or 2 group lesson, and introductory rental equipment (boots, poles, and skis or boots and a snowboard). The freebie is available for anyone over age 7; reservations are recommended (802-228-1600).
- T.D. THORNTON

Best low-impact environmental trail

Green is the new white at mountain resorts, and Killington is partnering with a Vermont snowboard manufacturer to open "The Stash," a freestyle run carved out of natural terrain and organic features. Any man-made amenities on the half-mile slope will be constructed entirely of local logs and wood products, and the construction process aims to limit impact on the environment. Burton Snowboards has sponsored four similar Stash runs worldwide, but the Killington version is the first in the Northeast. It's scheduled to open Dec. 19.
- T.D. THORNTON

Best glade destination

Gotta have glades? Set the GPS for Jay Peak by the Canadian border. It was adventurous skiers who braved Jay's backcountry and helped cut Jay's image as a glade paradise. Skiers guarded their powder off-piste stashes, but Jay management started to notice these skiers coming out of the woods. So in 1987, they started branching out into the forest. Fast-forward to today and Jay's got some 24 glades for all ability levels. Throw in an average annual snowfall of more than 300 inches and you'll know why the drive from Boston is worth it.
- MARTY BASCH

Best mountain nightlife

When the lifts close, Stowe heats up with an après ski scene that rolls down Mountain Road. The Matterhorn Bar has live bands, dancing, and everything from steak to sushi. The Rusty Nail's barn-like atmosphere rollicks with live music and an eclectic martini menu. The outdoor ice bar is complete with an ice luge. The Shed's the spot for pub grub, home-brews, and free popcorn. Quaff a pint and tell tales of mastering Nose Dive on Mount Mansfield's face.
- MARTY BASCH