A Universe of Pure Imagination
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Top Notch Ski Resort, the Calder family, associated organizations, events, locations, and characters presented on this webpage are fictional elements of the Major Deej Universe (MDU) and are created solely for entertainment, storytelling, and world-building purposes. Any resemblance to actual businesses, persons, organizations, or events is coincidental.
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TOP NOTCH SKI RESORT
Find Your Mountain.
Four Seasons. One Mountain. Generations of Vermont Tradition.
For generations, Top Notch Ski Resort has welcomed families, skiers, riders, hikers, guests, and neighbors to experience the Green Mountains the way they were meant to be experienced: together.
From first turns on Maren’s Meadow to expert terrain in The Notch, quiet evenings beside a lodge fireplace to summer hikes above the valley, Top Notch offers a complete Vermont mountain experience built around family, community, and more than six decades of mountain tradition.
YOUR MOUNTAIN. YOUR VERMONT.
Top Notch began in 1958 as a modest Vermont ski area with a simple lodge, a few trails, and a belief that a good day on the mountain should feel like coming home.
Today, Top Notch is a four-season mountain resort offering 720 acres of skiable terrain, lodging throughout the resort village, mountain dining, lessons and rentals, summer recreation, weddings, events, and year-round opportunities to enjoy the Green Mountains.
Although the resort has grown considerably since those early days, its character has remained much the same.
Top Notch remains family-operated, community-minded, and committed to the principle that guides every part of the resort:
People First.
TRAILS AND LIFTS
TRAILS TO REMEMBER
With 74 trails across the mountain, everyone eventually finds a favorite.
ROWER'S RUN
Intermediate / Advanced
A long scenic descent overlooking the valley, named in memory of Jack Rower.
Rower's Run was intentionally designed as a trail to be enjoyed rather than conquered—a place to look across the Green Mountains and remember why people come here in the first place.
GREEN MOUNTAIN FLYER
Intermediate
A long, flowing cruiser offering one of Top Notch's classic mountain descents.
CALDER'S WAY
Intermediate
One of the resort's heritage trails, celebrating generations of Calder family stewardship.
NORTH STAR
Beginner / Intermediate
A broad, scenic route ideal for families and developing skiers.
TIMBERLINE
Advanced
Steeper terrain, tighter turns, and natural mountain character.
SENTINEL
Advanced
A technical trail carrying a name inspired by generations of mountain-rescue professionals.
COLD FRONT
Expert
Fast-changing conditions and demanding terrain make Cold Front a favorite among experienced Top Notch regulars.
THE CHUTE
Expert
Short, steep, narrow, and generally left as natural as conditions allow.
HEARTHSIDE
Beginner
A gentle return trail leading skiers back toward the warmth of the resort village.
GETTING UP THE MOUNTAIN
Top Notch's lift network provides access from the resort village to terrain across the mountain.
Primary lifts include:
Summit Express — High-speed upper-mountain access
Calder Express — Primary lift from Calder Base
North Ridge Quad — Serving intermediate terrain
Timberline Triple — Access to advanced terrain
Notch Chair — Traditional fixed-grip lift serving expert terrain
South Meadow Quad — Family and learning terrain
Evergreen Double — Lower-mountain access
Village Gondola — Connects resort lodging and the mountain base
Learning Carpets I & II — Beginner learning areas
Rower Surface Lift — Training/program access at youth/patrol area
STAY AT TOP NOTCH
Mountain days are better when the mountain is outside your door.
Top Notch offers lodging for couples, families, groups, weddings, conferences, and extended stays throughout the resort village.
THE TOP NOTCH LODGE
The resort's signature property combines timber-frame architecture, natural fieldstone, mountain views, warm fireplaces, and comfortable Vermont hospitality.
Guest amenities include mountain-view rooms and suites, dining and lounge access, fitness and wellness facilities, meeting spaces, and easy access to the resort village.
CALDER HOUSE
Quiet, comfortable, and refined without being formal.
Calder House offers a more intimate lodging experience and is especially popular with couples, wedding parties, and smaller groups.
NORTH RIDGE INN
A practical and welcoming family lodging option with convenient access to resort services and mountain transportation.
SUMMIT VILLAGE RESIDENCES
Multi-bedroom condominium-style accommodations featuring kitchens, expanded living areas, extended-stay options, and convenient ski access.
TIMBER CABINS
Limited private cabins offer families and groups a classic mountain retreat with rustic Vermont character and modern comfort.
DINING
EAT & DRINK
Good mountain days require good food.
Top Notch dining ranges from full-service Vermont cuisine to quick mid-mountain meals and fireside après-ski gatherings.
THE HEARTHSTONE ROOM
The resort's signature restaurant celebrates Vermont and New England cooking through seasonal ingredients, local produce, seafood, steaks, and regional favorites.
Timber beams, fieldstone fireplaces, and mountain views create a dining room designed for lingering a little longer.
SUMMIT HOUSE
Located on the mountain, Summit House offers quick, satisfying meals for skiers and riders who aren't ready to call it a day.
Expect soups, sandwiches, burgers, hot drinks, and plenty of places to warm up.
CALDER'S TAVERN
A comfortable après-ski gathering place popular with visitors, staff, and locals alike.
Fireplace seating, hearty food, regional beverages, and occasional acoustic music make Calder's Tavern an easy place to end a mountain day.
PINE & BEAN
Coffee, pastries, breakfast items, and grab-and-go options for guests heading toward the lifts—or simply enjoying a slower morning.
TOP NOTCH SKI & RIDE SCHOOL
Everybody starts somewhere.
Top Notch Ski & Ride School helps guests build confidence, develop technique, and enjoy the mountain safely at every stage of their experience.
Programs include:
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First-time ski lessons
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First-time snowboard lessons
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Private instruction
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Family lessons
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Advanced technique coaching
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Adaptive skiing
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Women's clinics
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Senior skiing programs
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Youth development programs
MOUNTAIN SPROUTS
Designed for younger skiers approximately ages 4–7, Mountain Sprouts combines snow play, balance, basic skills, and plenty of encouragement.
SUMMIT KIDS
For approximately ages 8–13, Summit Kids develops confidence, mountain awareness, technique, and independence in a structured and enjoyable environment.
NOR'EASTER: ONE OF OUR OWN
Before Vermont knew him as Nor'easter, Top Notch knew him as Jack.
Jack Rower came to the mountain looking for work.
He found responsibility.
He found people willing to trust him.
Eventually, he found family.
Jack began with the ordinary jobs that keep a mountain running—lifting, clearing, hauling, maintaining, helping guests, and going wherever another pair of hands was needed.
Over time, his natural ability in winter terrain and his willingness to go toward trouble rather than away from it led him into mountain safety and rescue.
The Calder family became his chosen family.
Top Notch became his home.
Even after the rest of Vermont knew the name Nor'easter, many people here continued to call him what they always had.
Jack.
THE ROWER OVERLOOK
Some memorials are meant to be seen.
Others are meant to be visited quietly.
The Rower Overlook sits along a peaceful section of the Top Notch property overlooking the Green Mountains.
A simple stone monument, evergreen landscape, lanterns, seasonal flowers, and a mountain path provide a place for family, friends, guests, and those who remember Jack to spend a few quiet moments.
Visitors are welcome.
We simply ask that the overlook be treated for what it is:
A place of remembrance.
NOR'EASTER MEMORIAL WEEKEND
Each winter, Top Notch remembers one of its own through Nor'easter Memorial Weekend.
What began as a community gathering has grown into a resort tradition centered on winter recreation, mountain safety, community service, and remembrance.
Weekend activities traditionally include:
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Memorial ski descent
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Youth ski competitions
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Snowboarding exhibitions
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Ice-carving competition
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Mountain-rescue demonstrations
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Community dinner
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Rescue fundraising
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Candlelight gathering at Rower Overlook
The memorial observance itself remains open to the community.
Some traditions are worth more when everyone can take part.
Top Notch Mountain Patrol & Rescue
JACK ROWER MOUNTAIN RESCUE FUND
Supporting Those Who Go Out When Others Need Help Getting Home.
The Jack Rower Mountain Rescue Fund supports the people and organizations that respond when mountain recreation becomes a mountain emergency.
Fund initiatives may support:
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Volunteer search-and-rescue organizations
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Ski patrol programs
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Mountain emergency training
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Avalanche education
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Youth outdoor-safety programs
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Rescue equipment
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Injured rescue personnel
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Emergency assistance for affected families
Jack believed rescuers had one job when someone was in trouble:
Get them home.
The fund exists to help others keep doing exactly that.
Come Visit Us!
