If you are planning on visiting Vermont for a fall foliage vacation, one of the things you have to put on your bucket list is a scenic chairlift ride to the top of some of the most beautiful mountains in the Northeast.  What better way to experience fall foliage at its finest!

 Southern Vermont

If you are visiting Mt Snow in Dover, VT, the chairlift ride will climb 3600 ft to the summit where you will have breathtaking views of four surrounding states.  Planning on coming up on Columbus Day Weekend?  Be sure to check out their 19th Annual Mt. Snow Oktoberfest and the 43rd Harvest Arts and Crafts Show.  The chairlift will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the height of the foliage season, September 28-October 2, as well as on Columbus Day, October 12.

Soar to highest peak in Southern Vt. at Stratton Mountain Resort in Bondville, VT, and enjoy the fall foliage views like you have never seen them before. Stratton Mountain will be bustling with activities with their Columbus Day Weekend Celebration.  Some the events that weekend include the Craft Brewfest and Chili Cook-Off and the North Face Race to the Summit.  Gondola rides are available between noon and 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends from September 26 through October 12.

Visit Bromley Mountain in Peru, VT.  Come and bring the family on weekends from Labor Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend, and take take a leisurely ride on the chairlift to enjoy the awesome views from their south-facing slopes.  The Adventure Park is also open for the whole family to enjoy.  Enjoy rapids on the Big Splash, shoot some hoops, or shoot a hole-in-one. Ride the triple-track Alpine Slide, try your hand at  the Giant Swing, or attempt a back flip on a Trampoline Thing.  These are just a few of the adventures you will find on the mountain.  Whatever you choose, you are bound to have a memorable time.

Central Vermont

Take in the beautiful views at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, VT.   Take the scenic chairlift ride to the summit on the Sunburst Six Lift, weekends through Columbus Day.  You can hike the trails, or pack a picnic lunch.  Don't forget your camera because you are going to want to take some pictures of the beautiful fall foliage. If you are adventurous, you can hike all the way down, or ride the lift back when you are done taking in the views.  On Saturday, October 8th, enjoy Fall into Winter.  Okemo’s Adventure Zone will be open with activities for the entire family. Enjoy live music, a beverage from the beer garden, and great food.

Take the K-1 Gondola at Killington Resort in Killington, VT, to the highest Vermont peak serviced by a chairlift. On a clear day, you can see five states and Canada! What a way to see the the fall foliage. The lift runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the peak weeks of the fall foliage season. On October 8-9, you can plan the perfect weekend getaway for Killington Witchcraft.  Enjoy hay rides, haunted bounce house, pumpkin hoisting, craft beer, and more.

Northern Vermont

The town of Stowe, VT, is beautiful during fall foliage and is home to Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield.  Take a drive to Stowe Mountain Resort and ride the famous, and completely refurbished, Stowe Gondola SkyRide. The Gondola SkyRide runs daily, weather permitting. When you arrive at the top of Mount Mansfield, you might hike the trails at the top, have lunch at the Cliff House Restaurant, or buy some souvenirs to take home at the Summit Gift Shop.  Make sure you don't forget your camera because you are going to want to take plenty of pictures.  If you don't feel like taking the gondola to the top, you can always zig and zag your way to the summit on the historic Toll Road. Once there, you will see stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Come to Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT, and celebrate one of Vermont’s most beautiful and spectacular times of the year. Enjoy a scenic lift ride to the top of Gadd Peak and take in Mad River Valley’s vibrant fall colors.  The Super Bravo Express Quad runs daily. The choice is yours. You can ride up, hike down. Hike up, ride down. Or ride both ways.  If you feel like spending the day at the resort, buy an all access day pass and enjoy unlimited lift-served mountain biking, disc golf, scenic lift rides, zipline adventures, as well as one bungee trampoline session.

Finally, head up to Jay Peak Resort located in Jay, VT and take a ride on the 60-passenger Aerial Tram. Enjoy breathtaking views as you make your way to the top where you can see all of Vermont and some of Canada.  The tram ride runs daily and ends 30 minutes before sunset.

For more information on prices and daily schedules visit:

Mount Snow Resort
Stratton Mountain Resort
Bromley Mountain
Okemo Mountain Resort
Killington Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort
Sugarbush Resort
Jay Peak

If you are planning a fall foliage vacation, make sure you check the Vermont,com lodging page for suggestions.

Head up to Vermont for some of the best fall foliage in the country. You will not leave disappointed.