Colorado Ski Shop is a well-established ski and snowboard rental shop at 1 Rt 100 and Stugger Road in West Dover, Vermont, sitting just 1.8 miles from Mount Snow. That makes it the obvious choice for affordable ski rentals near Mount Snow VT. Founded in 1994, this family-owned business has served winter sports enthusiasts for 30 years now. And despite the name, it has zero connection to Colorado. The original owners just came from the Centennial State and kept the name after moving east. Kind of confusing, but whatever... it works. Seasonal ski rentals start at $99 for youth packages (up to 23.5 boot size) and run up to $199 for adult full packages that include skis, bindings, boots, and poles. Reviewers consistently note these prices are about half what Mount Snow charges on-mountain. Customer ratings range from 3.6 to 4.8 stars across Yelp, NiceLocal, and TenereTeam, with boot fitter Mark getting frequent praise along with the knowledgeable staff. Beyond ski and snowboard rentals West Dover VT, they offer retail sales of premium brands including Völkl, Rossignol, K2, Salomon, and Blizzard, plus boot fitting appointments, equipment tuning, ski repair services, and bicycle gear and tuning for warmer months. The shop opens one hour before Mount Snow (as early as 7:30 AM on weekends) and closes one hour after. Winter hours run Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Friday until 7 PM, and weekends 8 AM to 6 PM. VIP seasonal rental customers get a discount card with 50% off weekday rentals and 20% off anytime rentals. Pretty solid deal if you're up there often. Reach them at (802) 464-2669 or toll-free at 1-866-541-7787, or email info@coloradoskishop.com for winter sport rentals, demo equipment, or expert fitting advice before hitting the slopes at Mount Snow, Killington, or Stowe.
Prospect Mountain Nordic in Woodford, Vermont, operates as the highest elevation Nordic ski center in Vermont and all of New England at 2,250 feet, earning its reputation as a "snow magnet" with reliable conditions from late November through early April when lower elevations receive rain. This 85+ year-old winter sports destination traces its roots to the mid-1930s when Alex Drysdale opened the first rope tow, transitioning to a community-owned nonprofit operation in 2018 when the Prospect Mountain Association purchased and permanently conserved the 144-acre property with Vermont Land Trust. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts and snowshoers can explore 30+ kilometers of expertly groomed trails including 2 kilometers with snowmaking, ranging from beginner-friendly loops like the EZ Way to expert climbs like Mountain Trail that ascends 400+ feet to summit views, plus access to 8 former alpine trails for backcountry ski touring and alpine touring on downhill trails. Day passes cost $26 for adults ($21 for juniors/seniors), with kids 10 and under skiing free with an adult, while rental equipment runs $25 per day (classic and skate setups available, plus snowshoes around $13), and season passes start at $230 (early purchase discounts available September-November). Located just 7 miles east of Bennington at 204 Prospect Access Rd (phone: 802-442-2575), the center serves as home base for Williams College Nordic team and features a spacious base lodge with stone fireplace, full-service restaurant famous for homemade cookies, bacon cheeseburgers, hearty soups, chili, and vegan options, and a heated ski shop with professional waxing services. Customer reviews on TripAdvisor award Prospect Mountain 4.6 out of 5 stars and the Travelers' Choice recognition, with skiers praising "impeccable grooming," "infinitely varied terrain," "reasonable prices," and the authentic, non-commercialized atmosphere that transports visitors to a bygone era of Vermont skiing. The center's proximity to Green Mountain National Forest and George D. Aiken Wilderness Area, combined with live trail cameras, weather monitoring, and daily operations from 9 AM to 5 PM, makes it an ideal destination for snowshoe guide services seekers and cross-country ski touring rentals in southern Vermont.
Viking Nordic Center stands as one of the oldest cross-country ski centers in North America, founded in 1970 by twin brothers Stan and Lee Allaben—making it a 55-year Vermont Nordic skiing institution that pioneered the industry as the first American ski area to charge daily trail passes. This premier Southern Vermont cross-country skiing destination offers 26-35 kilometers of professionally groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing, plus 4 km of dedicated snowshoe trails and fat-bike routes winding through scenic beaver ponds, the West River, and forests with stunning Stratton Mountain views. Day passes for adult Nordic skiing cost $25 full day or $20 after 1 PM, with junior passes at $12, while complete cross-country ski rental packages run $26 for adults and $19 for juniors including Salomon boots and skis, plus skate ski packages at $30 and snowshoe rentals around $25 daily. The center earns a 4.2 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor with Travelers' Choice designation, where visitors praise the "quintessential Vermont cross-country skiing" experience, friendly staff, and the beloved Nordic Cafe serving homemade soups and hot apple cider. Night skiing on 1.8 miles of lantern-lit trails creates a unique Vermont winter experience, while the popular "Great Cookie Search" scavenger hunt makes this a top family-friendly Nordic ski center in Vermont. Currently owned by Beth and Peter Foley since 2000, Viking Nordic Center operates daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM throughout the ski season, with season passes available from $220 (early bird) and on-site lodging accommodating up to 16 guests in historic farmhouse rentals.
The Mountain Goat has served as Southern Vermont's premier outdoor gear shop and cross-country ski rental outfitter since 1987, when founders Anne and Ron Houser opened their store after discovering Manchester Center while bicycling through the Green Mountains—now celebrating 38 years as a locally-owned Vermont outdoor retailer. This Manchester Center ski shop offers complete Nordic ski rental packages at $25 per day (boots $10, skis $15, or full package), with 3-day packages at $50 and weekly rentals at $125, plus adult snowshoe rentals at $15 daily up to $75 weekly, making it the go-to destination for winter sports equipment rentals near Stratton, Bromley, and Magic Mountain ski resorts. Expert staff provide exceptional customer service including on-site XC binding mounting ($30, free with purchase), ski hand waxing ($25), and equipment repairs, while carrying premium brands including Patagonia, Arc'teryx, The North Face, Hoka, Oboz, and Scarpa. A standout specialty is owner Ron Houser's certified pedorthist services (C.Ped. since 2005), offering custom orthotics produced on-site in approximately one hour using Amfit digital imaging technology for skiers, hikers, and runners with foot issues. Customer reviews consistently rate The Mountain Goat 5 out of 5 stars, with an A+ BBB rating and visitors praising personalized boot fitting, knowledgeable trail recommendations, and "wonderful local shop" service that keeps customers returning. Located just five minutes from the Appalachian Trail, this Vermont outdoor store serves as an official thru-hiker resupply box drop location and supports community trail conservation through Patagonia Action Works partnerships, open daily 10 AM–6 PM (5 PM Sundays) year-round.
Wild Wings Ski Touring Center proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, having opened in 1975 as a family-owned cross-country ski center in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest "snow pocket"—a high-elevation location renowned for receiving more snowfall than surrounding valleys. This multi-generational Peru, Vermont Nordic skiing destination features 25 kilometers of groomed trails including 10 km of skate skiing lanes, with terrain ranging from gentle beginner loops along brooks and beaver ponds to challenging intermediate runs requiring herringbone and snowplow techniques. Adult day passes for cross-country skiing cost $25 full day or $20 after 1 PM, with equipment rental packages at $25 for adults including classic skis, boots, and poles in a huge size range (70–210 cm), plus private Nordic ski lessons available for $55 per person and pulk sleds for towing younger children. Wild Wings earns an exceptional 4.9 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor (13 excellent reviews), with visitors calling it "the real VT experience" and praising the family's warmth—Tracy Black handles operations and yoga classes while son Ian manages grooming and husband Chuck maintains the trails. The center's thriving Bill Koch League program enrolls 120 children in youth Nordic skiing on Friday nights, cementing its role as a Southern Vermont cross-country skiing community hub. Wildlife sightings of bobcat, deer, and moose are common along bird-named trails like Chickadee, Peregrine, and Grouse, while the rustic warming hut with fireplace and homemade soup embodies authentic Vermont ski touring traditions.
Snow Country Snow Mobile brings 20 years of Vermont snowmobile tour expertise to the Okemo Mountain region, established in 2005 by owner Brian Villa just 2 miles south of Ludlow on Route 103, providing convenient access to winter adventure for skiers and tourists visiting Southern Vermont. This Proctorsville snowmobile rental operation offers one-hour guided snowmobile tours starting at $120 for single riders ($75 passenger add-on) with departures at 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM, featuring premium Ski-Doo Grand Touring 550cc 2-up snowmobiles designed for comfortable tandem riding with high windshields and wider panels capable of speeds exceeding 70 mph. Tours access the VAST trail network's 3,000+ miles of groomed snowmobile trails crossing Vermont's scenic backcountry, forests, and mountain terrain, with warm huts along routes offering hot chocolate—the typical VAST season runs December 15 through April 15, weather permitting. Unlike many competitors, Snow Country offers self-guided snowmobile rentals for experienced riders at $235 half-day and $350 full-day rates (VAST pass required), plus year-round storage options and a full service department handling sled repairs, ATVs, and small engine maintenance. Riders must be 18+ to operate, with child passengers meeting a 48-inch height minimum, and a $2,500 damage deposit per snowmobile is required at rental; helmets are provided but guests should bring warm, waterproof ski clothing. The owner-operated small business maintains an A+ BBB rating with zero customer complaints on file since 2016 and receives positive reviews from first-time snowmobilers who "highly recommend" the experience, praising the personalized service characteristic of this Vermont snowmobile tour outfitter near Okemo ski resort. Contact recommended for current rates, group tour arrangements, and real-time trail condition updates.
