Why Guests Come to the Jay Peak Area
- Jay Peak Resort. The resort lists 385 acres of terrain with more than 100 acres of glades, 81 trails, 9 lifts including an aerial tram, a 2,122-foot vertical drop and a summit elevation of 3,862 feet. Its average natural snowfall is 347 inches, it recorded 475 inches in the 2024-2025 season, and the season usually runs from mid-November to mid-May.
- The only aerial tram in Vermont. The tram runs in summer and fall too, with views over Vermont and into Canada.
- Four seasons of resort amenities. The resort describes a year-round indoor waterpark (the Pump House), an ice arena, a rec center, a championship golf course and a disc golf course, which keeps families coming outside ski season.
- Close to Montreal. The resort lists Montreal at about 1.5 hours (85 miles) and Burlington at about 1.5 hours (70 miles), with Boston about 3.5 hours away. The closest border crossing is North Troy and Highwater.
- Trails beyond the resort. The Long Trail, which the Green Mountain Club says runs 272 miles from Massachusetts to Canada, ends near here at the border. In Montgomery, the Hazen's Notch Association maintains trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on more than 1,000 acres of conserved land.
The Jay Peak Area Rental Year
Winter is the season that matters most. From Thanksgiving to April, ski weekends and holiday weeks drive the year, and deep snow often keeps spring skiing going into May. School vacation weeks in both the US and Quebec bring families. Summer is a second, smaller season built on golf, the tram, the waterpark, hiking and Canadian travelers. Fall foliage weekends are strong; the weeks between the end of foliage and the first ski days are the quietest. Our winter rental management page and winter amenities guide cover how to set up for ski guests.
Short-Term Rental Rules in the Jay Peak Area
Montgomery. The Selectboard adopted a Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance on June 15, 2026; its effective-date section sets September 1, 2026. As of October 2026:
| Rule | What the ordinance says |
|---|---|
| Who registers | Most rentals of a dwelling unit or part of one for fewer than 30 days; exempt are rentals of 14 or fewer days a year, lodging-licensed properties, and up to two bedrooms in a home the owner or long-term tenant lives in |
| Deadline for existing rentals | 60 days after the effective date to apply, with a possible 30-day extension; you may keep operating while the application is reviewed |
| Fees | $300 initial, $150 renewal by May 1, $200 late renewal, per dwelling unit |
| Insurance | Commercial general liability of at least $1 million per occurrence per unit |
| Local agent | Required if the owner lives more than 25 miles' drive away or outside the US |
| Occupancy | Two people per bedroom plus two more, with bedrooms counted from the state wastewater permit |
| Parking | At least one off-street space per bedroom; no guest parking in the road |
| Posting | Registration number in the unit and in every listing, plus contact information and fire safety instructions for guests |
| Penalties | Municipal tickets of $200 to $800 |
In late September 2026 the town advertised for a Short-Term Rental Coordinator to run the program. Questions go to the Municipal Clerk, 86 Mountain Road, (802) 326-4719.
Jay. The Town of Jay's Zoning Regulations, adopted March 22, 2023, have no short-term rental section. They define bed and breakfasts and lodging facilities, and their definition of "subdivision" includes "the continuous rental of a building or portion thereof for short-term occupancy." Ask the town how that applies to a rental before you buy. The Town Clerk is at 1036 VT Route 242, (802) 988-2996.
Westfield and Troy. Ask each town office whether it has adopted any rental ordinance.
State tax. Montgomery has had the 1% local option meals and rooms tax since October 2022, so rentals there carry 13%. Jay, Westfield and Troy are not on the state's local option list, so rentals carry 12%: Vermont's 9% rooms tax plus the 3% short-term rental surcharge. Platforms collect them. See our Vermont rules and taxes page.
Running a Rental Near Jay Peak
- Snow loads and plowing. With hundreds of inches of snow a year, plowing contracts, roof snow and clear exits are essential. Montgomery's parking rule (one off-street space per bedroom) means your plowed area has to hold every car.
- Septic sets the guest count. In Montgomery, occupancy is tied to the bedroom count on your state wastewater permit. Check the permit before you add bunk rooms; the state fire safety line of 8 people for a rented single dwelling also applies.
- Mountain roads. Route 242 climbs over the shoulder of the mountain. Tell guests to bring winter tires and plan extra time in storms.
- Canadian guests. Many guests cross the border to get here; clear check-in instructions and good cell coverage notes help.
How New England Host Co Works in the Jay Peak Area
New England Host Co manages short-term rentals across Vermont, and every home must be within 45 minutes of its crew's base, so send us your address in Jay, Montgomery, Westfield or Troy and we will confirm. Full-service management covers listing and photography, daily pricing with PriceLabs around ski weeks and holidays, guest messaging, and housekeeping with an inspection after every stay; co-hosting is offered instead if you prefer. Registration and insurance costs stay with the owner. Nearby towns are on our Northwest Vermont page.
FAQ
Do I Need to Register a Montgomery Short-Term Rental?
Yes, in most cases. Montgomery's ordinance lists an effective date of September 1, 2026, and existing rentals have 60 days from the effective date to apply. The initial fee is $300 per dwelling unit.
Does the Town of Jay Regulate Short-Term Rentals?
As of October 2026 Jay has no short-term rental ordinance or zoning section, but its zoning definition of subdivision mentions continuous short-term rental, so check with the town.
What Tax Applies to a Jay Peak Rental?
12% in Jay, Westfield and Troy, and 13% in Montgomery, which has a 1% local option rooms tax.
How Much Snow Does Jay Peak Get?
The resort lists an average natural snowfall of 347 inches and recorded 475 inches in 2024-2025.
This page is general information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice; confirm with the town before you list.
Sources
- Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance, Town of Montgomery (PDF)
- Notice of Adoption, Short-Term Rental Ordinance, Town of Montgomery
- Seeking: Short-term Rental Coordinator, Town of Montgomery
- Applications and Permits, Town of Jay
- The Mountain, Jay Peak Resort
- About Jay, Jay Peak Resort
- Getting Here, Jay Peak Resort
- The Long Trail, Green Mountain Club
- Hazen's Notch Association
- Local Option Tax, Vermont Department of Taxes
