Warren is a skiing destination with a community feel
The town of Warren is known as a top skiing destination in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, and while many of its roughly 2,000 residents are seasonal, both part-time and full-time residents have made it a tight-knit community with a strong neighborhood vibe. “I’ve lived here a long time, and I don’t feel like I just live in a ski town. People take care of one another here,” says Lisa Jenison, a principal broker with Sugarbush Real Estate who sells throughout the Mad River Valley. When residents have faced hardships, whether financial or otherwise, “people just show up and help,” she says.
Diverse housing options from condos to cabins
One of Warren’s neighborhoods is Sugarbush Village, a northwest neighborhood that contains Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen, two popular skiing and snowboarding destinations. The neighborhood gets its name from Sugarbush Resort, a popular tourist destination that offers winter sports, summer camps and a public golf course with an 18-hole layout. The town’s highest concentration of condos is found here, ranging from $100,000 to $630,000. Higher-priced units often feature more square footage and quick access to the slopes. Large single-family cabins range from $800,00 to $1.5 million, often boasting five bedrooms and mountain views.
Warren’s other distinct neighborhood is Alpine Village, which is in the town’s southeast corner. Here, well-kept mountain cabins of all sizes are located among acres of forest, ranging from $430,000 for one bedroom to $1.3 million for a custom three-bedroom on Blueberry Lake. Those looking to build new homes can find lots for sale, sometimes spanning dozens of acres, ranging from $500,000 to $900,000.
The rest of Warren features a mix of cabins, farmhouses and New Traditional homes, most built between the 1960s and early 2000s. They range from $560,000 to $2 million, with higher-priced homes sitting on multiple acres and offering views of Green Mountain. One- and two-bedroom condos range from $120,000 to $225,000.
Winter sports and School Choice in Warren's schools
Area kids attend Warren Elementary School, which rates an A on Niche, and Harwood Union Middle & High School, which rates a B-plus. During the winter months, Warren Elementary offers skiing and snowboarding at Sugarbush Resort and Nordic skiing at Oles Cross Country Center. School Choice is available through the Harwood Unified Union School District, which allows students from kindergarten through eighth grade to attend any elementary or middle school in the district.
Skiing, hiking, kayaking and golf are among Warren’s many outdoor activities
While skiing is the main outdoor activity in the winter, Warren’s residents are equally active in the summer. Canoeing and kayaking on the Mad River and flatwater paddling on Blueberry Lake are popular with boaters. Hikers head to the Long Trail, which they pick up at Lincoln Gap Road. Riverside Park offers a swimming hole with a rope swing and a picnic table. The Mad River Valley Dog Park offers open fields, tunnels, tables and ramps for local canines to exercise, a shady spot for their owners to rest, and a dedicated area for small or timid dogs. Northfield Country Club is a semi-private course located about 12 miles from town.
Main Street offers shopping, yoga, art, and town services
Locally owned shops, yoga and art studios, and town services like the fire station, post office and library line Main Street near Warren’s center. The Warren Store is a general market that offers eggs, milk, baking and pantry staples, beer, wine and fresh produce on the first floor and a selection of toys, housewares and gifts on the second floor. It’s also a convenient dining spot with a bakery and kitchen serving breakfast items and sandwiches. Residents head to Waitsfield for more restaurants, like The Mad Taco, which serves Mexican dishes, and Lawson’s Finest Liquids, a popular brewery. Waitsfield also has grocery stores and services. The closest hospital is Central Vermont Medical Center, about 30 miles away.
A parade, music, and fireworks on the Fourth of July
Residents gather to celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade down Main Street, kids’ activities at Brooks Field, live music and fireworks at Sugarbush Lincoln Peak.
Connectivity, climate, and public safety services
Vermont Route 100 runs through town and connects to nearby communities. Burlington International Airport is about 45 miles away. Summers in Warren are mild, and winters are cold, often receiving 250 inches of snow annually. The Warren Department of Public Safety includes emergency management, law enforcement, a dog warden and the town health officer. Town officials urge residents to put their addresses up so emergency personnel can see them from the road.
