FAQS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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RECOMMENDATIONS

ATA recommends a 5- to 7-night stay to experience all ATA offers. This allows enough time for hiking a half or full day to a variety of destinations, such as a waterfall or mountaintop vista. After a half-day hike, guests can participate in kayaking on a flatwater lake or one of the extremely fun local rivers; exploring a quaint town or visiting local sight such ss the Maple Museum, Cabot Cheese, Long Trail Brewery, Quechee Gorge, Vermont Country Store and much more! For those interested, we even visit a beginner cave.

See our daily schedule for more information concerning the days agenda.

We recommend bringing sandals for post-hike, to relax and for kayaking.

How to get travel to us? For more information, see ATA’s traveling here suggestions.

The closest airport is Rutland, Vermont; however, it’s only serviced by small airplanes from Cape Air and JetBlue of Boston (Logan Airport). The airport is located 30-40 minutes away. The next closest airports are Burlington, Vermont (1.75-hour drive), Manchester, New Hampshire (2-hour drive), and Albany, New York (2-hour drive).

For Rutland Airport, we recommend the 4:50 p.m departure flight and later from other airports, so guests can enjoy a hike on their last day.

ATA provides shuttle service for a fee from all airports, train and bus stations.

Bus service is provided by Greyhound to White River Junction, Vermont, which is about 60 minutes away from the inn. ATA provides shuttle service from the bus station to the inn for a fee.

Train service from New York City is provided by Amtrak to Rutland, Vermont, which is 30 minutes away from the North Star Inn. Free shuttle service is included with your train ticket provided by Gramps shuttle.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q? What does a one-night stay include?

A. A one-night stay includes dinner on your check-in night, breakfast the following morning, guided hike, picnic lunch and an afternoon of either kayaking, caving or sightseeing.

Q? What is included on the day I check out?

A. On your checkout day, breakfast, lunch and optional half-day or allday hike or kayaking trip are offered. Checkout is at 12:30 p.m., after the morning hike returns, and a bag lunch is included on your checkout day. Hikers are welcome to put their bags in their car or leave them with the front desk and participate past 12:30 p.m. or until the day’s adventure concludes between 2-4 p.m. There are showers in the locker rooms that can be used post-hike.

Q? What can I expect on a hike?

A. ATA has no set hiking or excursion schedule, as we believe in being flexible due to the weather and guests’ needs for that day.

Q? Is there a minimum or maximum length of a guest’s stay?

A. Guests may arrive and depart any day of the week and may stay for any length of time desired.

Q? How long is an average hike?

A. We depart for hiking at 8:30 a.m. and return around 1 to 4 p.m. Hiking times will vary from 3 to 7 hours depending on guests’ needs and weather.

Q? What level terrain do you hike on each day?

A. Each day, guests may choose any level of hike: beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Q? What is a typical group size?

A. Group size varies from 2 to 20 guests with a daily average of 2 to 7 hikers.

Q? Is there internet?

A. The inn has free wireless internet access in every guest room, as well as the patio area, pool area and private rooms.

Q? When are meals served?

A. Breakfast starts promptly at 7:30 a.m. in the North Star Restaurant, where ATA has a reserved table(s). Dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Foundry Restaurant. Alcohol is available but not included in our rates.

Q? When do hikes depart?

A. Guests have about 30 minutes before the hikes depart at 8:30 a.m. John will discuss the hikes and answer any questions you might have at the table around 7:30 a.m.

Q? What if I don’t have the recommended gear?

A. Backpacks, hiking poles, bug spray and rain ponchos will be provided should you need them. Water bottles, mole foam, hats, T-shirts, gloves, socks, bathrobes and hiking poles are available for purchase.

Q? What is in the ATA hiker room?

A. In ATA’s meeting room you can find cold and hot water, fruit, teas, band-aids, plastic baggies, soap to wash water bottles, laundry detergent, microwave, refrigerator, board games, puzzles and a wide variety of nature-themed books and DVDs.

Q? Do guests have to hike each day?

A. No, guests are free to do as they wish..

Q? Do guests have to hike and then go kayaking or caving?

A. INo, guests have the option just to hike. Kayaking is optional, but we specialize in and welcome beginners.

Q? Where can I get a massage and how much do they cost?

A. We offer a variety of relaxing and therapeutic massages, varying from $85.00 per hour up to $110.00. Appointments can be arranged by contacting John. For more information see our massage therapy webpage.