Located on the western edge of Windham County is the tiny town of Stratton. With only about 215 residents, Stratton is perhaps best known as being the home of Stratton Mountain Resort, one of Vermont’s biggest (and best) winter and summer resorts.
Stratton rests along the southern end of Vermont’s Green Mountains, very near to the border of the Green Mountain National Forest. In fact, the famed Long Trail, a 278-mile hiking trail that spans the length of Vermont, actually runs through the borders of Stratton at one point, so it should not be a surprise to hear that the wilderness areas near Stratton are some of the most beautiful in the southern part of the state.
Though Stratton may be known by most for downhill skiing in winter, the other three seasons allow for just as much outdoor activity and opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. For instance, the nearby Somerset Reservoir has secluded hiking and mountain biking trails, is a perfect setting for water sports, and is just one of the many places in the town that offer unbelievable views of fall foliage. Or if golf is your game, the Stratton Mountain Golf Course is just north of Stratton Mountain and gives those playing a fantastic close up view of the mountain as they make their way through the course.
After a packed day of hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, or any other outdoor activity, it’s usually nice to find some way to unwind in the evenings. Fortunately, the Stratton Mountain Village at the base of the ski resort offers a wide selection of restaurants and bars ranging from casual to high-end. And if you’re a frequent shopper, the resort village has a very nice selection of clothing stores, jewelry stores, and outdoor gear shops.
An interesting part of Stratton’s makeup is the Stratton Mountain School, a college preparatory school serving about 130 students between the 7th and 12th grades. Founded in 1972, the school is geared toward providing its students with high level ski and snowboard training and accommodates both day students and boarding students.
Of the many rural communities in southern Vermont, Stratton is in a more mountainous setting and has a bit more of a secluded feel than other towns in the area. Being a stone’s throw from the tallest peak in the lower half of the state and having the Green Mountain National Forest as a backyard make Stratton one of the most picturesque towns imaginable.
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