Major city · United States
WaitsfieldWaitsfield, Vermont
Go for 2–3 nights if you ski Mad River Glen or Sugarbush; skip as a standalone stop if you don't ski and have no car.
Waitsfield is a small Mad River Valley town (about 2,000 residents) on Vermont Route 100, about 10 mi south of I-89 at Duxbury. Its draw is skiing: Mad River Glen (no snowboards, single chair) and Sugarbush in neighbouring Warren. A car is required, and four-wheel or all-wheel drive is recommended in winter. Two to three nights covers a ski weekend; add a day for summer hiking, biking or the covered bridges.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Mar (skiing), Jun–Sep (hiking, biking, golf)
- avoid Apr–May (mud season, lifts closed), Nov (between seasons)
- Airports
- BTV · MVL · MPV
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Waitsfield911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Vermont State Police (non-emergency)802-244-8727
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Waitsfield, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a small US resort town; the real risks are winter driving on Route 17 and unlit back roads at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 802-244-8727 Vermont State Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBTV Burlington International Airport (Main gateway; about 1 h 15 min by car via I-89 and VT-100).
- Getting aroundA car is necessary.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealDinner for two with a glass of wine and dessertAt a full-service valley restaurantabout $120
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or soup$10–16
- BeerDraught beer in a tavern$7–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–40
- Budget bedHostel or lodge bunk, a night, per personUS$50
- Mid-range bedInn or motel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedInn or motel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BTV Burlington International Airport (Main gateway; about 1 h 15 min by car via I-89 and VT-100) · MVL Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (Smaller field closer to the valley; limited scheduled service) · MPV Edward F. Knapp State Airport, Barre (Smaller state airport; no scheduled airline service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Waitsfield: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
10 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is necessary. Route 100 runs through the valley; Route 17 crosses the Green Mountains at Appalachian Gap to the west and is steep, narrow and often icy in winter — RVs and large vehicles should use another route. Taxis are uncommon; assume you drive yourself. In winter, four-wheel or all-wheel drive is recommended.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mad River Glen
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive VT-17 west about 5 mi from Waitsfield village
No snowboards; single-chair lift is slow but the top is quiet. Lift ticket about $50.
Sugarbush Resort, Warren
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive German Flats Road from Waitsfield
111 trails, 16 lifts, about 2,600 ft vertical; snowmaking on roughly 70% of trails.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive VT-100 north to I-89
State capital; good for a half-day if the weather turns.
Stowe
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive VT-100 north then VT-108
Another ski base; combine only if you have a spare day.
Barre
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive VT-100 north to I-89
Granite heritage and a small airport; not a full day on its own.
Morrisville
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive VT-100 north
Useful mainly as an airport or Stowe-area stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Waitsfield village (Route 100)
Inns and B&Bs within walking distance of shops and restaurants; best for a car-free evening.
German Flats Road, Warren
Lodges and taverns closest to Sugarbush; a short drive from Waitsfield village.
East Warren Road
Farm B&Bs and vacation rentals on larger plots; quiet, needs a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or motel double room1 × 2 nights × US$200 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Sugarbush or Mad River Glen lift ticket, one day2 × US$100 | US$200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$139 |
| Trip total≈ US$382 per person per day, bed included | US$1,529 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights, lift tickets and ski rentals excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or soup | $10–16 |
| Dinner for two with a glass of wine and dessertAt a full-service valley restaurant | about $120 |
| Draught beer in a tavern | $7–10 |
| Lift ticket, one dayMad River Glen about $50; Sugarbush higher | $50–130 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter roads ice up; Route 17 over Appalachian Gap is the worst stretch — avoid it in a large vehicle or without winter tyres.
- Mad River Glen does not allow snowboarding.
- Many restaurants and inns close in April–May and November; check before booking.
- Cell coverage is patchy on back roads in the valley.
- Dinner reservations are essential on winter weekends and holiday weeks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Vermont State Police (non-emergency)
- 802-244-8727
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WaitsfieldWaitsfield, Vermont
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Vermont State Police (non-emergency)802-244-8727
Embassy
No embassies in Vermont; nearest consulates-general are in Boston. US visitors: use your own country's Boston consulate.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BTV airport → Waitsfield, rental car: about 1 h 15 min via I-89 and VT-100
- Waitsfield → Sugarbush base, by car: about 20 min
- Waitsfield → Montpelier, by car: about 45 min
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
- Is the pass open? — Is the pass open?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Waitsfield. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar (skiing), Jun–Sep (hiking, biking, golf) · avoid Apr–May (mud season, lifts closed), Nov (between seasons) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BTV: last rental-car desk hours, winter-tyre policy, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Waitsfield village, German Flats Road, East Warren Road, Sugarbush base.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, covered bridges, Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm) and eat pages with last orders.
- Mud-season and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVermont Department of Tourism
- officialMad River Glen
- officialSugarbush Resort
- officialBurlington International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Waitsfield, revision 5287835 (CC BY-SA 4.0)