Outdoors Archives - Happy Vermont

Outdoors

  • Vermont Winter Outdoor Events and Activities You’ll Love
    Vermont Winter Outdoor Events and Activities You’ll Love

    Sunsets after 5 o'clock, sunnier days and warmer temps are easier to come by in February and March. Fortunately, this time of year is also jam-packed with Vermont winter outdoor events and activities. The second half of winter arrives Monday, Feb. 3, officially marking the season's...

  • Vermont Winter Carnivals to Celebrate the Season
    Vermont Winter Carnivals to Celebrate the Season

    Ski jumping, a wood sawing competition and a nine-mile sleigh ride were some highlights of the first Chester Winter Carnival in 1922. The sleigh ride to Rockingham and back brought locals to a supper and dance at the Rockingham Grange Hall. The night ran long that...

  • A Good Life in the Shadow of Terrible Mountain
    A Good Life in the Shadow of Terrible Mountain

    Susan Leader makes pottery in a small shed at her home in Andover. In a field outside her doorstep is a view of Terrible Mountain. Terrible Mountain sits between Andover and Weston. Folklore surrounds the mountain's ominous name, and its mystique was likely heightened by the crash of...

  • Art, Nature and Beauty in Montgomery
    Art, Nature and Beauty in Montgomery

    Traveling east on Route 118 along the Trout River is a nostalgic scene with covered bridges, barns and mountain views. After a few bends in the road, a clear view of the Montgomery Center for the Arts unfolds. The Greek Revival building was empty the first...

  • Whimsy, Hiking and History in Wallingford
    Whimsy, Hiking and History in Wallingford

    Stacy Harshman needed a change. While living in New York, she Googled words like "nature, mountains and community." The search brought her to Vermont, where she eventually opened The Sparkle Barn. The Sparkle Barn is a wildly popular gift shop on Route 7 in Wallingford, complete with an...

  • Pieces of History on Mount Philo in Charlotte
    Pieces of History on Mount Philo in Charlotte

    Mount Philo in Charlotte stands at 968 feet. Lower in elevation than the Empire State Building and tiny compared to the neighboring Green Mountains and Adirondacks, Mount Philo is everything you could want in a mountain. It's accessible, easy to hike and offers some of the best views around. The...

  • An Outdoor Recreation Renaissance in Poultney
    An Outdoor Recreation Renaissance in Poultney

    Main Street in Poultney features everything you could hope for in a small Vermont town: a book shop, a local pub, a post office, a hardware store and a library. There's also James Johnson's bike shop, Analog Cycles, which sits on the corner of Main and...

  • The Early Days of Skiing and Trails at Stowe
    The Early Days of Skiing and Trails at Stowe

    When it comes to Vermont ski history, 1934 was a big year. Ninety years ago, the first rope tow in the country opened in Woodstock. In 1934, the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol at Stowe Mountain Resort became incorporated, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the...

  • Vermont Places: Mount Tom in Woodstock
    Vermont Places: Mount Tom in Woodstock

    Mount Tom in Woodstock is a small but mighty mountain. The mountain's environmental legacy, easy public access and central location in the community make it a special place in Vermont. Mount Tom is where you'll find miles of trails, beautiful views, a shining mountaintop star, old...

  • Little-Known Vermont Winter Trails to Explore This Season
    Little-Known Vermont Winter Trails to Explore This Season

    For a small state, Vermont is big on trails. The Long Trail, Catamount Trail, and Kingdom Trails are among the state's most legendary areas for hiking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. Fortunately, access to Vermont winter trails can happen without going to a ski resort...