The Birches
There are three queen beds, four twin beds (bunkbeds!), and a fold-out couch if need be. The house has network, but cell coverage is mostly nonexistant.
Getting there
It's about a 3-hour drive from Boston. The most salient thing to know is that maps may direct you over Bethel Mountain Road, aka Camp Brook Road. This pass is quite steep; if it has snowed in the last 24-28 hours, it is likely impassable to cars without 4-wheel drive. Instead, take Rt. 107 to Rt. 100, going through Bethel, Stockbridge, and into Rochester; from there, going up the Bethel Mountain Road that goes out of Rochester is the best bet.
Skiing
There are quite a few downhill skiing places within an hour or so:
- Middlebury is 30 minutes away, but isn't a big mountain; fine for learning to ski, or if there's limited time.
- Sugarbush [snow report] is 45 minutes north, and has plenty of skiing. Generally our default.
- Killington [snow report] is 45 minutes south, and is also a large mountain. Often nice for being on the way home.
- Mad River Glen [snow report] is 50 minutes north; doesn't make snow, and doesn't allow snowboarders, but its motto is Ski It If You Can and it has some nice trails.