I’ve always believed that a great ski day deserves an equally great après-ski experience. And you don’t necessarily need to ski to appreciate a cozy spot to settle in with a cocktail after a day in the mountains.
In Warren, Vermont, The Pitcher Inn has one of the more memorable places to do exactly that: the Ski Room.
Located in the heart of the Mad River Valley, just a short drive from Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen, The Pitcher Inn is known for its individually designed guest rooms, exceptional dining and attention to detail. But you don’t have to spend the night to appreciate what makes this small luxury inn special.
The Ski Room offers another reason to stop in, particularly during Vermont’s long ski season.
I’m a sucker for a cozy fireplace, good company and a cocktail after a cold day outdoors. Add a setting that celebrates Vermont’s skiing heritage, and you’ve got my attention.
A Ski Lodge Hidden Inside The Pitcher Inn
The name might make you think of a place to store your skis, but the Ski Room is actually one of The Pitcher Inn’s most distinctive guest suites.
Designed by local architect David Sellers, it was the last room completed at the inn. Rather than creating another traditional luxury suite, Sellers built a miniature ski lodge inside the attic, inspired by the early days of downhill skiing in the Mad River Valley.
Open the door and you’re transported back to a Vermont ski area in the 1940s.
A mural by Warren artist Candy Barr depicts a snowy ski area, setting the scene for a room filled with vintage signs, trail maps, old ski equipment and local memorabilia. There’s even an original lift ticket booth, salvaged from Mad River Glen.
I love the idea of incorporating an actual piece of local skiing history into the architecture rather than simply hanging a few antique skis on the wall.
The Mad River Valley has a long relationship with skiing, and this room celebrates that history in a pretty spectacular way.
Vintage Skis, a Wood Stove & a Ticket Booth
The more you look around the Ski Room, the more details you notice.
Vintage wooden skis and old leather ski boots recall a time when skiing required considerably different equipment than it does today. Historic trail maps and signs add to the atmosphere, while the ticket booth is a particularly clever feature.
It opens into the suite’s private kitchen.
I mean, how fun is that?
There’s also a wood-burning stove set into a brick chimney, with a comfortable leather sofa nearby. After a long day skiing, I can’t think of many better ways to spend an evening than relaxing in front of a fire without having to leave your room.
What appeals to me most is that the Ski Room doesn’t just reference Vermont skiing. It recreates part of the experience of an old ski lodge, right down to the equipment and ticket window.
And unlike an actual 1940s ski lodge, you get all the modern comforts of a luxury hotel.
A Luxury Suite With Plenty of Space
The Ski Room might look like a vintage mountain retreat, but its amenities are decidedly modern. The suite includes a king-size bed overlooking Freeman Brook, a full kitchen, a leather sofa, a wood-burning stove and a bathroom with a steam shower.
Even the shower has an unusual detail: a compass inlaid into Vermont Verde serpentine stone.
The room manages to be playful without sacrificing comfort, which is something The Pitcher Inn does particularly well.
I also appreciate having a separate seating area in a hotel room. After a day exploring, sometimes all I want to do is change into comfortable clothes, put my feet up and enjoy being somewhere other than home.
With a small kitchen, picnic table for dining, and a wood stove, I could easily see spending a good portion of a snowy afternoon right here.
The Mad River Valley’s Ultimate Ski Weekend
The location makes the Ski Room even more appealing.
The Pitcher Inn is in Warren Village, approximately 10 minutes from Sugarbush Resort and 15 minutes from Mad River Glen. You have access to two of Vermont’s most celebrated ski mountains, with very different personalities.
Sugarbush offers extensive terrain across Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, while Mad River Glen is famous for its single chairlift, challenging trails and fiercely independent skiing culture.
I love the contrast between the two mountains, and I think it’s part of what makes the Mad River Valley such an appealing destination for a winter getaway.
You can spend the day skiing, head back to Warren for dinner and return to your private ski lodge upstairs.
And if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t ski, there’s still plenty to do around Waitsfield and Warren, from browsing local shops to enjoying a long lunch.
Dinner & Après-Ski at The Pitcher Inn
One of the benefits of staying at The Pitcher Inn is that you don’t need to venture far for a great meal.
The property is home to The Pitcher Inn Restaurant and Tracks Tavern, both offering seasonal Vermont-inspired dining in different settings.
Tracks, with its fireplace, ski murals and comfortable seating, would be my pick for a casual après-ski cocktail. The tavern celebrates the valley’s skiing history, too, including another mural by Candy Barr depicting three local ski areas.
For a special evening, make a reservation in the main dining room. You can enjoy dinner, a glass of wine and a leisurely evening without getting back into the car.
Of course, you could also head upstairs afterward, light the wood stove and spend the rest of the night in your own private ski lodge.
Is the Ski Room Worth Booking?
If you’re planning a ski weekend in the Mad River Valley and want to splurge on accommodations, I’d put the Ski Room high on your list.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals near Sugarbush, but very few offer an experience like this.
I appreciate the craftsmanship, the local history and the amount of thought that went into the design. The original Mad River Glen ticket booth is probably my favorite detail. It’s such a creative way to preserve a little piece of Vermont’s skiing past.
And while the room was designed with skiers in mind, you certainly don’t need to spend your days on the slopes to enjoy it.
I’d happily book a snowy weekend here, spend an afternoon exploring Warren, enjoy dinner downstairs and settle in beside the wood stove.
For anyone who loves Vermont’s ski culture, historic architecture or simply staying somewhere unusual, the Ski Room deserves a look.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location
- The Pitcher Inn, 275 Main Street, Warren, VT 05674.
- The Room
- The Ski Room is a third-floor guest suite designed to resemble a 1940s Vermont ski lodge, featuring vintage equipment, an original lift ticket booth, a full kitchen, king-size bed, wood-burning stove and steam shower.
- Reservations
- Book directly through The Pitcher Inn’s Ski Room page Local favorite: The Pitcher Inn. I’d recommend reserving well ahead of peak ski weekends and holidays.
- Check-In & Check-Out
- Check-in is listed as 3-6 p.m., with check-out before 11 a.m. Confirm arrangements if you’re arriving later.
- Pricing
- Rates vary by season and availability. This is a luxury property, so plan accordingly.
- Dining
- The Pitcher Inn Restaurant and Tracks Tavern offer on-site dining. Current posted dinner hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 5–8:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
- Nearby Skiing
- Sugarbush Resort Local favorite: Sugarbush Resort is approximately 10 minutes away, and Mad River Glen is about 15 minutes away.
- Accessibility
- The Ski Room is located in the attic on the third floor. Confirm accessibility requirements directly with the inn before booking.
- Children & Pets
- The inn’s nine main-house guest rooms are reserved for adults, and pet-friendly accommodations are offered in designated suites and cottages. Confirm policies when reserving.
- Best Time to Visit
- Winter is the obvious choice for the full ski lodge experience, but the Ski Room is available as a distinctive Vermont getaway beyond ski season.
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