The Stratton area of Vermont consists of the towns of Stratton, Winhall, Londonderry and Jamaica.
Resort or Rural? Either Way, There's Lots to Do!
Living in the Stratton Vermont region combines two ideas that wouldn't normally be put together - it's beautifully rural and there's plenty to do! Area life is centered around world-famous Stratton Mountain Resort, which is the economic work-horse of the area, but there are countless other recreational and cultural activities to experience as well. Interestingly, there are two lives that can be led here - living the resort lifestyle at the Stratton Mountain villages and all its high-end amenities or living a more peaceful lifestyle in the mountain towns surrounding the resort.
Three Active Outdoor Seasons
Whether you choose resort or rural life, residents of the Stratton region have immediate access to three amazing and active outdoor seasons. Winter is the traditional star with skiing and snowboarding (Stratton is closest of course, but Bromley and Magic Mountain are right there as well), cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Summer brings opportunities to golf, play tennis, swim in the many ponds and streams, go fishing or camping, and to hike beautiful mountain trails with amazing views. Fall is an enchanted time with amazing foliage, the likes of which can't be experienced anywhere else in the world.
Rich in Culture and Amenities
The best part about having a resort in your backyard is that visitors need a variety of amenities for social, cultural reasons and the necessities, and residents of the Stratton area can take full advantage of this requisite infrastructure. Living here gives one plenty of theater, music and museums. Immediately proximate or just a short ride from Stratton, one can take in The Weston Playhouse, The Dorset Theater, The Southern Vermont Art Center, The Manchester Music Festival, Taconic Chamber Music Concerts, special concerts and events at the Stratton Mountain Resort itself, and much more. Residents enjoy a wide variety of amazing choices for dining out and staying out, easy access to a full-service grocery store and many countries and convenience stores, banks, pharmacies, a weekly farmer's market in the summer, fairs and festivals, and every other feature one would expect from the Vermont experience.
Unlimited Outdoor Recreation
The Stratton region is one of the primary hubs for outdoor recreation in Southern Vermont. Stratton and Vermont's Green Mountains give residents something to do every day.
Winter becomes more fun when you can take advantage of the snow. Right in your backyard is world-class skiing and snowboarding, as well as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, and snow tubing. While Stratton is the main ski resort in this region, both Magic Mountain and Bromley Mountain ski areas are excellent and provide residents a change-up for their ski and ride experience.
When the snow is melted, the Green Mountains and the Stratton area are a playground of outdoor activity. Gondola rides up Stratton gives you access to mountain-top hiking and panoramic views, while a chairlift to the top of nearby Bromley Mountain gives you the opportunity to take an alpine slide down after your time at the top. Take advantage of the Green Mountain National Forest with campgrounds, ponds and hiking, including the famous Long Trail portion of the Appalachian Trail, and Jamaica State Park. Kayak, canoe and swim in the many area rivers, lakes and ponds including Lowell Lake, the West River, Stratton Pond, Grout Pond, and Ball Mountain Lake. Golf is plentiful in the area, with the gem being Stratton Resort's 27-hole championship golf course and golf school. Tennis is available at the Cliff Drysdale Tennis School at Stratton. Mountain and road biking brings challenges and excitement for beginners through experts. There is so much to do in spring, summer and fall, we can't list it all!
Plenty of Dining and Shopping
Farm to table is not a novelty here in Southern Vermont, it's a way of life. You'll experience some of the best meals you've ever had, freshly prepared with wholesome ingredients harvested from our area, and prepared by chefs who are committed to Vermont-style cooking and flavors. The area supports tens of thousands of visitors and needs enough restaurant capacity to handle it, so even residents have a tough time trying every one of them.
All the essentials are readily available here. Groceries, hardware, pharmacy, and sundries are all conveniently offered in the Stratton area towns. What's fun is discovering the items you won't find anywhere else, because the Stratton shopping experience includes many one-of-a-kind shops and craft stores. Just a short ride away is the town of Manchester Vermont which is a shopping destination, and well-known for its name-brand outlet stores. There is where you will find the things you don't need, but that you want! And then there's Stratton Village… read on!
Stratton Village is a dining and shopping experience unto itself. From family-friendly to fine dining, the Village serves up fresh food, Vermont-brewed craft beer, and tempting foods and beverages that you may not find anywhere else. The Village is also a mecca for shopping for the latest gear, apparel and accessories you'll need to live the Vermont lifestyle in fashion.
Excellent Public and Private Schools
Want school choice? The Stratton area towns of Winhall, Londonderry, Jamaica and Stratton all offer school choice for high school. Winhall and Stratton offer school choice for all grades.
Stratton Area Elementary and Middle Schools
Londonderry: The well-regarded Flood Brook School is a K-8 public school that prides itself on academic excellence. With an average class size of only 15 students, teachers are able to provide an excellent environment for teaching and learning. Serves Londonderry (and other area towns).
Jamaica: The Jamaica Village School is a wonderful small public school that provides personal attention to each student. The school serves Jamaica residents with K-8 classrooms, with plans to educate middle school students in the resource-rich Leland and Gray Middle and High School starting in 2019.
Winhall and Stratton: Most parents choose private The Mountain School in Winhall or the also-private Maple Street School in Manchester. There are other private and public school options in the area.
Private: Maple Street School (Manchester), The Mountain School (Manchester), Stratton Mountain School (starts grade 7, Londonderry), Long Trail School (starts grade 6, Dorset), The Downtown School (Manchester).
Stratton Area High Schools
Burr and Burton Academy (Manchester): Perhaps one of the best all-around independent high schools in Vermont, students from the Stratton area can choose this highly-regarded and resource-rich high school without any parent-funded tuition required.
The Long Trail School (Dorset): Another top private high school in Vermont, The Long Trail School is Vermont's only International Baccalaureate School. Partial tuition assistance is provided by the state.
Stratton Mountain School (Londonderry): A highly-lauded college preparatory private school that specializes in educating students who want to pursue Alpine and Nordic skiing excellence. Partial tuition assistance is provided by the state.
Getting Here and There
The Stratton area is one of the closest regions of Vermont to the major metropolitan centers of the Northeast. About a 4-hour drive from New York, Northern New Jersey, and Montreal, while about 3 hours from Boston.
The area is served by train in Albany, New York (1.5 hours away), providing easy and reliable access to New York City. The closest major international airport is also in Albany, but there are regional airports close by in Rutland, Vermont, and West Lebanon, New Hampshire with daily service to Boston and other major cities in the Northeast.
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