The Bullwheel is the only restaurant around where the hardest part of getting a table is the 3,600-foot elevation gain. Perched in the Summit Lodge at the very top of Mount Snow, this rustic tavern pairs an all-Vermont draft list with one of the best dining views in southern Vermont. In summer you don’t even need hiking boots to reach it – you ride up.
The play is simple: take the scenic chairlift to the summit, settle onto the observation deck, and have a beer and a bite while the Green Mountains roll out in every direction. On a clear day you can pick out Somerset Reservoir and ridgelines stretching into Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Getting There in Summer
The Bullwheel sits at the top of the Bluebird Express, Mount Snow’s six-passenger bubble chairlift. In summer the lift runs as a scenic ride, carrying you from the base to the 3,600-foot summit in about 12 minutes. Scenic lift service generally runs Friday through Sunday from mid-June into mid-October, so plan your visit around the weekend schedule and check the resort’s hours before you head over.
Ride up, have lunch with a panorama, and ride back down – or lace up and walk one of the summit trails first, then reward yourself at the tavern. It’s the rare restaurant you can fold into a hike, a foliage drive, or a lazy afternoon with equal ease.
The Food and Drink
The Bullwheel keeps it casual and mountain-appropriate – hearty sandwiches, shareable plates, and grab-and-go snacks built for refueling, not fussing. The draw at the bar is the all-Vermont draft list, a rotating lineup of beers from around the state that pairs perfectly with the deck and the view.
🍺 All-Vermont draft beer list
🥪 Hearty sandwiches and shareable plates
🏔️ Outdoor observation deck with panoramic seating
🎶 Live music on select summer weekends, weather permitting
The vibe is après energy without the snow – a sun-warmed deck, a cold Vermont beer, and a horizon that goes on for miles. On weekends with live music, it turns into one of the most relaxed parties in the valley.
Worth Knowing
📍 Summit Lodge, Mount Snow, West Dover, VT (top of the Bluebird Express)
🚡 Reached by scenic chairlift in summer – buy a scenic lift ticket at the base
🕐 Hours follow the summer lift schedule – confirm online before visiting
🌦️ Deck seating and live music are weather-dependent at 3,600 feet
Because everything up top depends on the lift running and the weather cooperating, this is one to check before you commit the drive. Conditions at the summit can differ sharply from the valley floor – pack a layer even on a warm day.
Make a Day of the Summit
The summit is the centerpiece of a great low-effort summer day at Mount Snow. Ride the scenic chairlift for the views, walk part of the summit hiking network, then settle in at the Bullwheel for a beer before heading down. It’s the kind of outing that works for a multigenerational group – grandparents ride and relax while the energetic crowd hikes.
For more ways to fill a warm-weather week around the mountain, the summer adventure guide rounds up golfing, biking, and the rest of the lift-served fun.
🗺️ More to Explore Near Mount Snow
- Scenic Chairlift Rides — Summer views from 3,600 feet
- Hiking Mount Snow — A summer trek to the summit
- Summer Adventure Guide — Golf, biking, and lift-served fun
- American Flatbread — Wood-fired pizza back down in the valley
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Bullwheel open in summer?
Yes – The Bullwheel at the Summit Lodge operates during summer scenic chairlift season, generally Friday through Sunday from mid-June into mid-October. Hours follow the lift schedule, so check the resort’s website before you go.
How do you get to The Bullwheel at Mount Snow?
In summer you reach it by riding the Bluebird Express scenic chairlift from the base to the 3,600-foot summit, about a 12-minute trip. Buy a scenic lift ticket at the base area.
What food does The Bullwheel serve?
Casual, mountain-style fare – hearty sandwiches, shareable plates, and grab-and-go snacks – plus an all-Vermont draft beer list. It’s built for refueling between hikes and lift rides, with a panoramic deck to enjoy it from.
Is there live music at The Bullwheel?
The summit deck hosts live music on select summer weekends, weather permitting. It’s a relaxed, après-style scene with a cold Vermont beer and a long mountain view – check the resort’s event calendar for the current schedule.
