Why Stratton
Stratton is southern Vermont's highest peak, with a gondola to the summit and a village at its base where you can shop, dine, and stroll without getting back in the car. Manchester's shops, dining, and golf are about half an hour away. This is the read I give every buyer before we look at a single property.
The Mountain: A Village at the Base
- Stratton Mountain. Southern Vermont's highest peak, with a gondola to the summit and Stratton Mountain School, founded at the base in 1972, whose alumni include 46 Olympians.
- The Village. Shops, restaurants, and lodging at the base, within walking distance or a short shuttle ride.
- Ownership and investment. Stratton is part of Alterra Mountain Company and on the Ikon Pass. It invested $15 million for the 2025–26 season, a Tamarack lift upgrade is scheduled for 2026–27, and a long-term plan includes new hotel development, an expanded Sun Bowl lodge, and two proposed condominium developments near Sun Bowl.
Stratton at a Glance
Summit | 3,875 ft, southern Vermont's highest peak |
Terrain | 2,003 ft vertical, 670+ acres, 99 trails, 10 lifts plus 4 carpets |
Snow | 95% snowmaking coverage, about 180 inches average snowfall |
Ownership | Alterra Mountain Company (Ikon Pass) |
Summer | 27 holes of golf, the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, and hiking on the Long and Appalachian Trails, which share a route over Stratton Mountain |
Drive | About 3.5 to 4 hours from New York, about 3 from Boston |
Nearest airports | Albany (about 1.5 hours), Hartford (about 2 hours) |
Who Buys at Stratton
Stratton draws families from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who want a Vermont home they can reach on a Friday night. Many are raising kids in the ski and race programs, and they value the village and the sense of community that comes with owning here.
Where to Buy at Stratton
On the Mountain
- The Village. Condos and townhomes near the lifts, shops, and restaurants.
- Slopeside and trailside homes. Private homes on the mountain with direct trail access.
- Sun Bowl. On the mountain's east side, the first area to catch the morning sun, with quick parking, a skier drop-off, and the Nordic Center. It is also the focus of Stratton's proposed new condominium developments.
Near the Mountain
- Nearby towns. Stratton, Winhall, Londonderry, and Jamaica all lie within minutes of the resort. Bondville, a village in Winhall, sits along Route 30 at the Stratton Mountain Access Road.
Manchester
- Village life. About 25 to 30 minutes away, Manchester offers a historic village, The Equinox, shopping, dining, and golf.
What Drives Stratton Home Values
Access to the village and the lifts leads. Slopeside homes and village condos command the premium. Stratton's long-term plan, including new hotel development and proposed condominium projects, is worth watching. Off the mountain, buyers pay for privacy, land, and proximity to Manchester.
Ownership Realities in Vermont
- Short-term rentals. The resort area spans two towns. Winhall requires an annual short-term rental license, with fees of $500 per bedroom ($1,000 minimum, $4,000 maximum) and renewals due October 31. Confirm with the Town of Stratton whether any rules apply there, and register every Vermont short-term rental for the state rooms tax.
- Transfer tax. Vermont charges 3.62% on the purchase of a second home fit for year-round use, well above the rate for primary residences. It's due within 30 days of closing, so build it into your budget from the start.
- Property tax. A separate second-home property tax rate was authorized in 2025 but hasn't been set. Worth watching if you're buying now.
Working With Me
I help buyers decide where at Stratton to own before they tour a single property: the village, the mountain, or Manchester, and what ownership will actually cost. Let's talk.
Homes for Sale at Stratton
The homes shown below are a selection of current listings, not the full market.
See every home, condo, and townhome for sale in the Stratton area →
