Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Vermont
Jackie Ann
Author
Vermont is a gorgeous state year-round with its lush forests and beautiful mountains. Those who love a snowy winter wonderland flock here to experience the vast array of winter activities that a Vermont winter has to offer. When the Christmas season in Vermont arrives, the twinkling lights reflecting off the glittering snow create an idyllic and serene vision that will put anyone in the holiday spirit. There’s nothing like New England horse-drawn sleigh rides, maple syrup-flavored delicacies, and a mug of hot cocoa to bring a feeling of warmth in the winter, except perhaps some outdoor activities like snowboarding, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Vermont in winter.
Holiday Events in Vermont
Bring the whole family and experience all the fun things to do in Vermont in winter that will make for a magical holiday season. The kids will be enthralled with all the decorations, treats, and maybe even Santa himself! Here are four holiday events in Vermont that you’re sure to enjoy.
1. A Traditional Christmas in Stowe
The charming small town of Stowe holds this delightful holiday festival every year and the main area of town is bedecked with multicolored lights. The family will enjoy the lovely tree lighting, wagon rides, live music, a children’s lantern parade, shopping at the holiday bazaar, and an ice skating rink, and the kids will get to meet Santa! It’s small-town Christmas cheer at its best. Take a road trip to Stowe from December 1-3 this year to take part in the festivities. It’s one of the best free things to do in Vermont in winter. Be sure to attend the Winter Carnival as well!
2. Castleton Christmas Market
Locals from nearby towns, large and small, gather in Castleton for the Christmas Market every year to buy and sell locally-made handcrafted goods, sing Christmas carols, go antiquing, enjoy the holiday parade, and be delighted by the tree lighting ceremony. Delicious treats are available, and the crafty goods are irresistible. You’ll have to bring some of them home to add some quaint charm and holiday spirit. Make sure to mark your calendar for December 2 and enjoy the beauty and whimsy of this fantastic market.
3. Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum
This utterly stunning Christmas lights display at the Shelburne Museum runs from November 24 to January 6 and is a huge draw. It is one of the most magnificent displays of lights you’ll ever see when visiting Vermont. The winter season isn’t complete until you’ve seen The Ticonderoga, a 220-foot-long steamboat, and the nearby 1871 Lighthouse lit up in colorful hues. The display is made up of 18 installations including Bostwick Garden and Beach Woods. It’s like something out of a fairy tale and is sure to be a wondrous experience for all who attend.
4. Holidays on the Marketplace
Every year, in the heart of Burlington, the Church Street Marketplace holds the biggest and best holiday market in Vermont. It kicks off on November 24 at 6 p.m. with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony as well as the entire marketplace being lit with 100,000 lights! The festivities last throughout December. There are over 100 quaint shops with handmade local goods and you’ll get to sip on free hot chocolate while you stroll along. On Saturdays, there’s a free kids holiday train. You’ll find carolers singing Christmas songs and Santa is on-site to greet the kids. Come experience the magic of the holiday season right here!
Christmas Towns in Vermont
Vermont is the perfect winter getaway state during the Christmas season. The numerous tiny towns become places out of storybook fables and exude a quaint holiday charm like no other state. If you want to dive deep into a magical Christmas land, you must visit these three Christmas towns in Vermont that will make you feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
5. Woodstock
Woodstock is a place that’s straight out of a fairytale. Rolling green mountains, covered bridges, and old-fashioned buildings make this a bucolic scene any time of year, but in the winter it is truly magical. The annual Wassail Weekend is the height of the holiday season here. It’s one of the prettiest towns you’ll ever see and it will melt your heart and delight your eyes at every turn. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again to experience every season. The idyllic charm of this town and its backcountry surroundings can’t be overstated.
6. Manchester
Stately, serene, and superb. That’s Manchester in a nutshell. During Christmas, this town is a snowy wonderland with wonderful festivities like the Lighted Tractor Parade and an annual Elf Express train ride. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a real gem. This is one of those towns that makes the Green Mountain State truly shine. Historic inns, cross-country skiing trails, and topnotch shopping make this the perfect place for the holidays.
7. Grafton
If you’re looking for a more quiet and intimate community feel during the Christmas season, you must pay a visit to Grafton. You won’t find huge crowds here, yet you’ll be filled with a very sweet holiday spirit with local bonfires, the quaint Grafton Village Store, and the historic Grafton Inn, which holds an annual Christmas in Grafton event. During the day, there’s no shortage of places for sledding, fatbiking, trails for a lovely winter hike, and holiday shopping. You might just fall in love with this tiny town.
Outdoor Activities in Vermont
Vermont is a winter recreational paradise. You’ll find an abundance of ski resorts, ice fishing, snowmobiling, breweries, dog sledding, and so much more. Skiers rush to this state every year for some of the best ski areas in the nation. If you love the great outdoors, you’ll find endless fun things to do in Vermont in winter. Here are four of the best Vermont winter activities.
8. Bolton Valley Backcountry and Nordic Sports Center
The Bolton Valley Backcountry and Nordic Sports Center is one of the best places in Vermont for skiing, snowboarding, snow skating, and much more. Whether you want to hit the slopes or the trails, you can have all kinds of fun here with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking. There are activities for all levels of expertise from beginner to advanced, and equipment rentals are available. There are season passes available for those who would like to frequent this resort all winter long.
9. Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe isn’t just a great holiday destination, but it is also home to one of the top skiing destinations in Vermont. Stowe Mountain Resort boasts 116 ski trails, 12 lifts, and two mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Not only is there world-class, award-winning skiing that draws enthusiasts from all over the planet, but there are so many other activities and amenities like ice skating, ziplining, indoor mountain climbing, live entertainment, and so much more. You’ll find no shortage of things to do at this amazing resort.
10. Mount Snow
Not only is Mount Snow a top-quality ski resort, but it has one of the longest snow tubing runs in all of Vermont. Kids can also get in on the fun with the Duct Tape Derby where handcrafted sledding contraptions are built and ridden to see whose performs best. Will your kid invent a new winter sport? Whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, or tubing, you’ll find some of the best slopes in the state at Mount Snow.
11. Jay Peak Resort
There are no bad options for skiing in Vermont. Jay Peak Resort has some of the best skiing around with lots of backcountry available for getting away from the crowds and going cross-country at your own pace. 81 options, in fact! Explore the glades and trails or hit the magnificent slopes. The longest trail, Ullr’s Dream, spans three miles! The Nordic Center has rentals for everything you need for a day on the mountain. If you love spending time in the snow, Jay Peak is the place to be this winter!
Winter Getaways in Vermont
Whether you’re looking for a fun family adventure or you want to snuggle up with the one you love at a romantic resort, we’ve got you covered. The cabins and resorts are wonderful places for family things to do in Vermont in winter with indoor and outdoor activities of every kind. Let’s explore some of the best places to enjoy the loveliness of winter in Vermont.
12. Trapp Family Lodge
With an average of 4.5-star reviews, the Trapp Family Lodge is a top winter getaway destination in Vermont. If you want to feel like you’ve been transported to Austria, this is where to go. It has several styles of accommodations from lodge rooms to suites, to guest houses and villas. Enjoy farm-to-table dining experiences at The Lounge, the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, and the Kaffeehaus. Skiing trails await you and there are spa treatments to soothe you. Whether it’s the whole family or just the two of you, you’re sure to have an invigorating and wonderful experience here.
13. Leonard’s Log Cabin
Leonard’s Log Cabin is the ultimate winter getaway. Nestled between Mt. Snow and Stratton Mountain, this luxurious cabin has 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 10 people. There’s a hot tub for warming up after a day of hiking around and exploring the lovely countryside. It’s a great home base for checking out several ski slopes in the area, including not only the two mountains it sits between but also Bromley Mountain and Okemo Mountain. If you’d rather do some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, Somerset Reservoir and Grout Pond are nearby. You also won’t be far from lovely wineries and breweries. It’s the perfect place for a family or a group of friends to have a cozy and wonderful winter experience.
14. Vermont Tree Cabin on Walker Pond
For romantic things to do in Vermont in winter, this tree cabin is a secluded, romantic getaway that shouldn’t be missed. It sits right at the edge of Walker Pond and has an eclectic construction style, modern and beautiful furnishings, and a round cedar hot tub to soak your cares away. It sits within 40 acres of lush forest and is minutes away from Jay Peak. A winding staircase leads to a bedroom with a cathedral ceiling. It’s a beautiful space built just for two.
15. Tiny Cottage at Lake Eden
If you’re looking for something more affordable, this tiny cabin is perfect for a couple to get away from it all and spend quality time together. Most cabins in Vermont focus on spacious, expensive lodge-style stays, but this one is excellent when you’d like to get out into nature and simply enjoy time with the one you love. There’s a kitchen, full bathroom, and loft bedroom and you’re close to Smuggler’s Notch and Jay Peak for daytime adventures. With lake views right on the doorstep, you’ll have idyllic surroundings to add to the romance.
This list is a great start for planning your winter adventures in Vermont for this year. Vermont is well worth booking a trip to and spending time in one of the most beautiful states in the nation. If you have any favorite things to do in Vermont in winter that we haven’t listed here, be sure to let us know about them in the comments! With all the hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and other trails in Vermont, always check with AllTrails for the most current updates. If you’re looking for more winter destinations to explore, check out these 12 spots in Vermont to add to your bucket list.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.