The Area: We’ve defined the Stratton Mountain Area
as just that, Stratton Mountain and the area immediately
supporting it. The exception is Jamaica. In winter,
Jamaica is very much identified with the mountain,
however, in summer, Jamaica has
an identity all its own. Current
Weather Conditions Click On Small Photos For Larger Images
Jamaica, East
Jamaica; Rawsonville: Jamaica is another
of Vermont's picture-book villages, and is primarily a
warm-weather destination. It's a pretty village with some fascinating shops and galleries.
You'll also find some
spectacular white water kayaking and rafting here each spring and fall.
The main attraction is the release from the Ball Mountain Flood Control
Dam.
The spring release is usually scheduled for the last full weekend of
April, the Fall release is on the third full weekend of September. Jamaica
State Park, Ball
Mountain Lake, and nearby Townshend
State Park have campsites.
Stratton Mountain: Although
instinctively (and rightfully so) first thought of a ski
resort, this mountain is much more than a winter
playground - easily attested to by golfers, mountain
bikers, art and crafts enthusiasts, summer
concert-goers,
and the like. Likewise, the shops and eateries in
Stratton Mountain Village cater to the warm-weather-folk
as much as they do to those coming in to eat, drink,
shop, or thaw out during the height of the ski season.
There's lodging facilities to
satisfy every taste and pocketbook - including some
spectacular vacation
home rentals.
As a
ski area, it is one of Vermont's finest! Stratton is no
lightweight when it comes to serving skiers. The lift
capacity (including a gondola and six-person chairlift)
is 21,020 people per hour. More details can be found by
linking to Recreation at the bottom of this page.
There's not much you could be in want of in
winter that you won't find on the mountain itself! A few
short minutes up the access road off of Route 30 in
Bondville you'll find Stratton Mountain Village, Stratton
Mountain Base Lodge, 
and a variety of sophisticated
lodging and dining establishments. The Village alone has
over 20 shops and eateries, and has a charm all its own.
Unfortunately, like most resort areas closely
identified with skiing, Stratton isn't as much thought of
when the white stuff is not on the ground. This is
certainly a mistake. There's a great deal going on here
during the warmer months. Golf (27 hole course and
nationally renowned golf school), tennis, mountain
biking, gondola rides, shopping, dining, a summer
performance series featuring top name entertainment, and more. This is not to mention
spectacular views, cool summer nights, and being in close
proximity to most anything you might want to do in
Southern Vermont. Make sure to check out Calendar of
Events and Places of Interest during the warmer
months, as well as when the snow is flying!
Stratton
Stratton is a town known to few other than locals. It does not in any
way relate to the to the mountain resort, nor is it easily accessible It's located
south of Stratton Mountain and can be accessed from
Jamaica, West Wardsboro. There is no village per se,
however just west of the town of Stratton (off of Forest
Road #6) is Grout Pond, a recreational area deep in the
Green Mountain National Forest. You can also access the
north end of Somerset Reservoir by continuing south on
the trails from Grout Pond.
Grout Pond is a great place for a picnic and swimming
during the warmer months. It also has miles of trails
used for hiking in summer and snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing, and snowmobiling in winter. However, this can be
a
dangerous area during a cold winter with a heavy snow
accumulation. We strongly recommend that if you are not
an experienced winter outdoors person that you contact
the Manchester Ranger Station of the National Forest
Service at 802-362-2307 for information before going in
to the area. In winter you can only access the area from
the West Wardsboro side, the other end of Forest Road #6
is not plowed.
Bondville, Winhall (Pop.
482): Bondville and Winhall are basically one and the
same. Winhall is officially the town, Bondville the
village. However, you won't find much evidence of
Winhall, and you certainly won't find a village (as one
commonly defines a village) called Bondville . For all
intents and purposes Bondville is the stretch of road
along Route 30 in immediate proximity to the Stratton
Mountain Access Road, and in winter exists as sort of an extension of the resort itself. Bondville is dotted with
ski shops, restaurants, and businesses primarily serving
the thousands of skiers who visit the area each winter.
Travel west on Route 30 a few miles from the base of
the mountain and you will unknowingly be in Rawsonville,
a village within Jamaica ...although adjoining Bondville
and miles from Jamaica. Rawsonville is likewise
identified with Stratton Mountain and serves the same
purposes. You'll find several great sporting goods shops
here offering everything from ski and mountain bike
rentals to canoes. You'll know you are in Rawsonville
when at the intersection of Routes 30 and 100!
During the warmer months this area caters to a
different visitor entirely. Route 30 is a popular
east/west route between the Manchester Area and the
Brattleboro/Newfane Area. This is a beautiful drive, and
dramatically different at the eastern and western ends.
Warm-weather visitors should note that the Bondville Fair is especially worthy
visiting. The Fair is traditionally held in late August.
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