Sometimes secrets should be kept – and I honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to give this one up. When you stumble upon something so incredible – you come to a crossroads. You want to keep them all to yourself because it’s so incredible, but they also deserve the recognition and to have the world know how incredible they are. And so, I give you my greatest find of 2020 – Pico Mountain (pronounced PIE-KO – don’t sound like a newbie).
To be completely honest, Vermont didn’t treat us well at first – it was a bi*** to get to that mountain. So much so that the snowstorm the night we drove up made us seek shelter in the Berkshires instead. It was like VT didn’t want us there.
But we don’t give up easily, and usually find the best things are worth fighting for, so we trudged our way to Pico – getting out of bed at 5am to make the second part of the 2 ½ hour drive in to make it in time for Maximo’s ski lesson.
The odds were against us.
It was freezing, as in negative degrees. No one likes to ski in that especially seven-year-olds. I was convinced this was going to be one of those trips that you just write off. Not every trip can be epic, so I shrugged it off, got our lift tickets and a hot coffee while I waited to drop him off. We still hadn’t even checked in.
We were grumpy from the poor driving conditions, sub-par temps and lack of sleep, so I wasn’t even in a hurry to get on the mountain that morning. But once we took our first lift – something changed.
It was magical.
The snowstorm and fresh inches of powder turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Pico slopes were fluffy and soft. The pines hung low with heavy snow. There was no blowing winds or manmade rain falling on you – just sparkly powder.
It was Saturday and yet, the lines were nonexistent. We would weave peacefully down the slopes and not even unstrap to wait in line – we just zoomed right back up the lift over and over trying out every single blue, green and glade. Then we decided – let’s go to the summit.
Look, none of us are pros. The signs that say “advanced skiers only beyond this point” can be intimidating, but I’ve always said – as long as it’s not double blacks and free falls, I can make it down. I might be slow, but I’ll make it.
So when I say the summit was worth every single doubt in my mind – it’s an understatement. You can’t help but feel anxious and exhilarating looking back on the lift to the tiny land below you getting further away while the horizon expands for miles – this is until you reach the clouds and all goes white.
If you have never boarded or skied from a summit or through glades, Pico is your mountain. You can do it. Calling it beautiful does it no justice – you just need to experience it. And there is something indescribable about taking on heights and slopes you’ve never done before with a few select friends. Riding down a mountain and seeing them coming down beside you is one of the most tranquil moments you can experience. It’s just – peaceful. All is right in the world. Nothing else matters. A moment in time that stops.
Now, let’s take that one step further.
We were in our apres-ski bliss grabbing a quick bite in the lodge. The kids were done at 2:45pm. Max walked in with a glow on his face I’ve never seen before. He was beaming as he loudly exclaimed to everyone how he had taken all these new trails and was getting really good. He had only taken one small lunch break since being outside at 9:30am and wanted to get back out immediately (and remember, it’s not a heatwave out there). Nicole Feliciano, the ski queen herself, had also just arrived and she wanted to take a few rides with the kids, so we all bundled back up and heading for the mountain to get in a few more runs before closing.
And then it hit me. I was riding down the mountain, surrounded by friends, their kids and side by side with my own son and realized – this is what parenting is all about. This right here. The ability to smile, do what you love most and watch your children following in your footsteps, happily and eagerly, side by side. It doesn’t matter what that “thing” is for you – just realize and be grateful for these sweet moments in life when they are presented.
I can easily say it was one of the best days I’ve ever had on a mountain. Which leads me to say again, the best is worth fighting for.
So why Pico?
If that whole experience above didn’t send you into a euphoric manic rush to book your trip to Pico Mountain already, let me break it down for you:
- It’s quaint. You won’t find the wildness of Killington crowds and rowdy bars here. It’s small and that’s what gives it its charm and why you’ll want to go.
- It’s family-friendly. It’s a great learner mountain plus has advanced trails, too. You don’t have to worry about rouges riders running into your child and not being able to stop and breaking arms. In fact, one time we rode up the lift with another girl and her ski instructor and he taught Max the seven rules of the mountain. I loved that. Do you know what they are yourself?
- No lines. It’s small, so yes, this is the bonus – there are no lines. Even in peak season with fresh pow pow on a Saturday. Now, don’t be the a**hole that reads this and ruins it for everyone by bringing the college frat party.
- Everyone is incredibly nice. Mountain charm. That’s what I love about Vermont. The locals live there cause they LOVE Vermont. You are always in good company whether it’s your first time in ski school or you’re on top of the summit.
- The snow. Vermont is worth the drive Every. Single. Time. It might take you longer than expected, but it’s beautiful. Just bring the four-wheel drive.
What to know:
- On-mountain condos. These are charming and cozy. Ours had a fireplace and was right on the mountain (about 100 yards from the lift) and walkable right out the front door. Rates are super affordable too starting around $200 a night (we’re talking full kitchen condo – not a hotel room – WITH a fireplace) and they even give you a night free if you book mid-week (non-holidays) AND kids ski free with any adult 5-day lift purchase. Yes, please?
- NOTE – there is NO WIFI in the condos. Prepare to fully go off the grid here. No need to bring the laptop.
- If you arrive after 8:30pm, you’ll have to drive another 20 min to get the keys at the lodge up the road in Killington. Just be prepared for that if you’re arriving late from a long drive from NYC.
- Ski School. Guys, their full day lessons for ages 7 and up are only $109. That’s from 9:45am-2:45pm (with lunch!). That’s a steal. It includes their lift ticket and rentals as well. I also can’t stress enough – don’t do what I did. Get out there even if you’re child is super young! Almost every single mountain has on-site childcare so they can be entertained while you hit the slopes (and Pico has an add-on lesson option so you can get them acquainted with the snow. You’re never too young to learn!).
- Rentals and Lift tickets. The prices aren’t bad when you think about the conditions you’re about to experience. Adults range from $77-89 (with discounts online and for 2-day passes), children are $59-69. **Also, they allow for unlimited changes. So if you buy them in advance and then get snowed out for a day (like us!) they’ll honor your pass to change for another date. **PPS – helmets are included with your rentals here (I say that because yes, some mountain resorts still don’t have them on-site so check before you go!).
- Where to eat. Pico is quaint. When I say quaint, you’ve got two choices – head to the grocery store and get supplies to cook in your condo on the way up, or head over to Killington for some of their restaurants. There are lots of good options here, but keep in mind – crowds. Yes, you have the mid-day food/lunch and of course a waffle cabin (THE BEST), but if you want a real sit-down meal, you’ll need to head to Killington’s. Here are a couple we liked, but see a full list here.
- Wobbly Barn. LOVED IT. They have one of the best salad bars I’ve ever seen. And usually one of their soup options is vegan as well. They even have a very good veggie bowl option on the menu even though it’s a steakhouse. Bonus – the upstairs is a live music night club.
- The Foundry. It’s for the grown and sexy. But they have kids meals, fantastic wine and a roaring fireplace.
So what now? Just do it. Book the trip. They have lots of availability and don’t be like us where we always wait till the season over and realize – it’s over. Winter is short for us who love the snow. Don’t miss Pico!
This post is courtesy of Pico Mountain and Momtrends. We received complimentary lodging and lift tickets in honor to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Football Food and Motherhood.
