Best Vermont Winter Towns to Visit | Happy Vermont

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7 Festive Vermont Towns to Visit This Winter

“The snow is sparkling like a million little suns.” – Lama Willa

White-capped mountains, icy ponds and snow-covered valleys make winter in Vermont hard to beat. In Vermont towns, you’ll find ski areas, festive events, sledding hills, skating rinks, general stores and restaurants. Here are seven of the best Vermont winter towns to visit.

best vermont winter towns

Manchester

Stroll through Manchester Village to see the Equinox Resort and historic homes adorned with wreathes along Historic Route 7A. Ice skate at Riley Rink or go sledding on a scenic hill on Seminary Avenue. Ski at Bromley, Stratton or Magic Mountain.  Not an alpine skier? Twelve miles of trails are open for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at the scenic Hildene estate.

Browse at Northshire Bookstore or stop by The Mountain Goat for outdoor clothing and gear. Try The Silver Fork or The Chantecleer for dinner. Visit www.manchestervermont.com.

Winter event picks: New Year’s Eve fireworks at Stratton on Dec. 31; FebFest at Bromley on Feb. 17, 2024.

best vermont winter towns

Woodstock

Woodstock is the perfect New England town to visit, and winter is no exception. The first rope-tow opened here in 1934, and the town is picture perfect when there’s a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. Visit the historic Billings Farm and Museum, see the Forest of Lights at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center (VINS) in nearby Quechee, hit the slopes at Saskadena Ski ski area or go cross-country skiing at the Woodstock Nordic Center.

Be sure to take a walk around this beautiful town, which is filled with locally owned stores and cafes, including the Yankee Bookshop, F.H. Gillingham & Sons general store and Mon Vert Cafe. Enjoy a winter cocktail at Au Comptoir followed by dinner at The Prince and The Pauper or the Woodstock Inn & Resort. Visit www.woodstockvt.com.

Event picks: Wassail Weekend in Woodstock on Dec. 8-10; Forest of Lights at VINs in Quechee Nov. 24-Jan. 3, 2024.

Burke Mountain Vermont

East Burke

For a small town, Burke has a lot to offer in the winter. Not only is this Northeast Kingdom community home to Burke Mountain Resort, it’s also where you’ll find Burke Mountain Academy—a world-renowned school for ski racing (its famous alums include ski racing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin).

You can also try skiing or riding at the Lyndon Outing Club in nearby Lyndonville, which offers weekend and night skiing with slope access from a vintage T-bar and rope tow. Another way to enjoy the outdoors is to head over to Kingdom Trails for fat biking and Nordic skiing. While visiting East Burke, enjoy pastries and coffee at Café Lotti or dinner at The Wildflower Restaurant.  Visit www.burkevermont.com.

Winter event picks: St. J Sparkle Holiday Weekend on Dec. 8-9 in St Johnsbury.

Warren Vermont

Warren

Vermont’s Mad River Valley is stunning anytime of year. In the winter, it shines.  Go skiing at Vermont’s iconic Mad River Glen in nearby Fayston or opt for a classic winter resort experience at Sugarbush in Warren. Try Nordic skiing or snowshoeing at Ole’s Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe or Blueberry Lake Cross Country & Snowshoeing Center.

Stop by The Warren Store for your general store fix and grab drinks and dinner at The Pitcher InnVisit www.madrivervalley.com.

Winter event picks: Family Stargazing with Vaughn at Sugarbush on Dec. 27; Sugarbush’s Mount Ellen 60th Anniversary Party on Jan. 27, 2024.

Ludlow Vermont-iStock 

Ludlow

Home to Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow is a ski town and so much more. After being hard hit by summer flooding, most downtown businesses are reopened for the 2023-24 winter season. Head up to Okemo for skiing or snowboarding, take a ride on the resort’s Timber Ripper Coaster or lace up your skates at the Ice House indoor rink at Jackson Gore.

Head downtown to browse at the Book Nook, Depot Street Gallery & Mercantile, and Green Mountain Sugar House before grabbing dinner and drinks at Main + Mountain. The downtown grocery store is still closed from flooding, so your best bet is to drive six minutes to nearby Proctorsville to shop at Singleton’s General Store. Visit www.yourplaceinvermont.com.

Winter event picks: New Year’s Fireworks and après at Okemo on Dec. 31; Full Moon Snowshoe Hikes at Okemo on Jan. 25, Feb. 24, March 25, 2024. Visit Okemo.com for details.

Stowe Vermont

Stowe

It’s no secret that Stowe is one of Vermont’s most popular winter destinations. Take a stroll on Main Street (Route 100) and see the classic Stowe Community Church. Stop by the fantastic Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum, Shaw’s General Store, or the Country Store on Main.

After a day on the slopes at Stowe Mountain Resort or Nordic skiing at Trapp Family Lodge, head over to the Alchemist Brewery or Cork Restaurant and Natural Wine Shop. Grab dinner at Doc Ponds, Flannel at Top NotchPiecasso or Idletyme Brewing. Visit www.gostowe.com.

Winter event picks: A Traditional Christmas in Stowe on Dec. 1-3; Stowe Winter Carnival on Jan, 18-20, 2024.

best vermont winter towns

Weston

Explore the famous Vermont Country Store or stop by the Weston Village Christmas Shop and Weston Village Store. Grab coffee or breakfast at The Hub @ Weston or dinner at The Left Bank restaurant at The Weston. Ski at local favorites Magic Mountain or Viking Nordic Center in Londonderry. Visit www.weston-vermont.com

Winter event picks: Weston Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 24-25 at Walker Farm;  Christmas in Weston on Dec. 2.

Find Vermont Winter Events on HappyVermont.com

 

-This story was updated from an earlier version first published in 2017.

 

 

Categories:
Bennington County, Burke, Caledonia County, Cities & Towns, country stores, events, Lamoille County, Londonderry, Ludlow, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Outdoors, Ski Resorts, skiing, sledding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, Stowe Mountain Resort, Sugarbush, Things To Do, Travel Tips, Warren, Washington County, Weston, Windham County, Windsor County, Winter, Woodstock
10 Comments
  • Janet Mahan
    Posted at 22:04h, 04 December Reply

    Love Warren, Waitsfield, Waterbury. My heritage is there going back over 200 years. Beautiful historic area

    • Erica
      Posted at 22:23h, 04 December Reply

      Hi Janet — Wow, that is impressive! The Mad River Valley is an incredible place — just beautiful and timeless. Thanks for saying hello! -Erica

  • Dolores
    Posted at 22:21h, 04 December Reply

    Lake Bomoseen, Castleton, VT

    • Erica
      Posted at 22:25h, 04 December Reply

      Hi Dolores — That is a wonderful area! I always enjoy taking Route 30 down from Middlebury to Bomoseen — such a gorgeous drive. Thanks for saying hello! Happy winter!

  • Rocky
    Posted at 19:12h, 05 December Reply

    Montgomery! The fun side of Jay Peak. With lots of restaurants, shops and nightlife, it’s much more fun to stay at a B&B there and enjoy the apres ski attitude at the mountain’s base!

    • Erica
      Posted at 11:46h, 07 December Reply

      Montgomery is a lovely little town. Just beautiful. Thanks, Rocky!

  • Sandra Wright
    Posted at 06:17h, 01 January Reply

    Arlington, town of Norman Rockwell and many Covered bridges. A lovely town with wonderful people!

  • john
    Posted at 14:31h, 27 March Reply

    Hello there. i was there in early March this year with my girlfriend. we drove all over, but ended up going down rte 100 south from int 91 and it was beautiful to say the least. all of it was great to see with all the snow and no traffic. i cant remember all the towns and villages but Montpelier was great. The town on rte 100 where Jakes restaurant was also very nice to see.

  • Nan Bambara
    Posted at 13:06h, 13 November Reply

    Thank you Erica for including Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home! We will be decorated for the holidays starting Nov. 30th!

    • Erica
      Posted at 07:26h, 20 November Reply

      Happy to include Hildene! Thanks, Nan!

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