Valley Reporter: VP Vance expected to visit Vermont for a ski weekend at Sugarbush

February 25, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti

On Monday morning, the Valley Reporter was the first to report that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his family are headed to Vermont this weekend for a ski vacation at Sugarbush and that they will be staying at the Pitcher Inn in Warren.

Vice President J.D. Vance. White House photo

By Monday afternoon, Gov. Phil Scott’s office confirmed the news to Vermont media and said the governor does not have plans to meet with Vance.

Vermont State Police spokesman Adam Silverman told VTDigger that state police will work with federal and local officials on logistics for the high-profile visit. 

“Members of the public should expect an increased law-enforcement presence in areas near the vice president’s location and may encounter related delays,” Silverman wrote in an email. “VSP encourages the public to plan for delays and be patient if traveling in the area this weekend.”

The news garnered much attention and discussion on social media with commenters divided on whether to welcome the vice president’s attention to the region. 

One local progressive political group has already announced plans for a peaceful demonstration on Saturday morning in Waitsfield in opposition to the Trump-Vance administration’s policies. 

Previously, the state was a favorite spot for former Vice President Mike Pence to visit when he was in office from 2017-2021. Pence spent time at Lake Hortonia in Hubbardton over Labor Day weekends in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In those instances, the vice president used Rutland airport and state police provided escorts for his travels in state. 

So far, one indicator of whether Vance’s visit is on remains unclear. On Monday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration issued an email alert to pilots about Temporary Flight Restrictions labeled “VIP Movement Notification – Burlington/Warren, VT” for Feb. 28 through March 3.

The restriction is standard procedure so that: “No person may operate an aircraft over or in the vicinity of any area to be visited or traveled by the President, the Vice President, or other public figures contrary to the restrictions established by the [FAA] Administrator and published in a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM).”

As of Tuesday morning, however, that notice was not posted on the FAA website. 

The Valley Reporter will update its coverage with local details pertaining to the visit. Look for more on valleyreporter.com and on the paper’s social media.