Behind the US Open, "Eats & Sleeps"
2005 Snowboarding Championships in Stratton, Vermont

By George Davis - During the US Open, we limited most of our dining to Stratton Village because it was convenient and offered restaurants that could handle our large group. My daily ritual consisted of clam chowder, Caesar salad and an enormous chocolate chip cookie for lunch at the Sun Bowl Lodge each day and the evenings alternated between Mulligan's (a popular steak and potatoes pub-style restaurant; located in the ski village; telephone: (802) 297-9293) and Mulberry Street (an Italian-American family-style restaurant; telephone: (802) 297-3065), two of the principle dining options in Stratton Village.

Airborne above the mondo half pipe. (Photo by George Davis)

But before settling into this belly bulging regime I kicked off the week with a decadent dinner at Mistral's at Toll Gate. Apart from a quaint storybook exterior, the first detail to grab my attention upon entering was the Wine Spectator awards which wallpaper the entrance. Mistral's has been recognized for their wine cellar consistently since 1994. Once seated along a wall of windows, we drank up the view from our table. We overlooked a snow blanketed creek and evergreen forest, spotlights dramatically highlighting the bows heavy with snow and occasional glimpses through the snow and ice of stream water. Like the set for a film.

And then it was owner/chef Dana Markey's creations which held our attention. I enjoyed delicately roasted quail for an appetizer followed by robust, artery-hardening duck which, matched and savored with a surprisingly foxy Shiraz, was on a par with the best I've enjoyed in New York or Paris. [Mistral's at Toll Gate, Toll Gate Road, Manchester, Vermont 05254; telephone: (802) 362-1779]

But man cannot live on skiing and good grub alone. After a long day on the slopes, there are plenty of comfortable places to rest your head. For the past two years I've been a guest in Long Trail House, one of the newer condominiums. This large yellow building, successfully camouflaged to fit into a typical New England village, is across the street from Stratton Village. During both visits, our accommodations have been comfortable, attractively appointed two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominiums with balconies. Long Trail House offers several outdoor hot tubs, a small outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, and other conveniences including secure, underground parking.

You can browse and reserve other Stratton Mountain Properties online, and there are even links for additional Stratton area accommodations.