So, tomorrow is Ground Hog Day and the country is waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to come out of his burrow and predict the future. Here in Vermont, we don’t care. We know there will be at least 6 more weeks of winter! All that wonderful snow for skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and so much more. Our mountains are buried in snow and we expect them to stay that way well into the spring. (Check out the Ski and Snow Report.)
If checking out the snow conditions is enough to get you excited about planning a ski getaway, you’ll need a place to stay. For the whole mountain experience, you can’t do better than Smugglers' Notch. Perfect for families, there are activities for all ages and interests. Ski, snowboard, snow tubing, take a snowmobile tour and more. Check for cost saving packages before you book.
Heading to southern Vermont, consider everything that Stratton has to offer. Besides skiing, you can take the kids to the Coca Cola Tube Park or take a nighttime snowshoe hike. For real adventure, try a fat bike – especially designed bikes for riding on snow. Save big with special ski and stay packages.
Another excellent option for a ski getaway is Okemo in mid-Vermont. In addition to the skiing and snowboarding options, Okemo offers cross country skiing and snowshoeing, excursions in the resort’s snowcat, and exhilarating rides on the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster. Okemo also offers special deals worth exploring.
For the ultimate Vermont vacation experience, check out The Hermitage Club in West Dover, Vermont. The Hermitage Club, a private club, offers luxury accommodations, a private ski mountain with no lift lines (and 100% snow making!), and exceptional amenities such as fine dining, spa treatments, and first-class entertainment. (A 4-season resort, members can also enjoy the Hermitage Golf Club when they can no longer ski.) The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain even posts its own snow report!
Make your Vermont vacation truly special by sampling some of the other activities which make Vermont more than just a ski destination.
After a day on the slopes, how amazing would it feel to surrender yourself to a relaxing spa treatment followed by a candle-light dinner? If this combination idea has you ready to pack your bag, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe is a perfect fit for you. The resort even offers a special package that includes accommodations, lift tickets at Stowe, and 50-minute spa treatments. Add on-site dining at Charlie B's (which offers 50 different wines by the glass) and you have it all.
Only a 30-minute drive from excellent skiing is The Essex Resort & Spa in Essex, Vermont, right outside Burlington. Considered a culinary resort as well as a full-service spa, the Essex Resort can make a Vermont vacation truly something special. Plus, the Essex offers a Romantic Getaway package that includes two night’s accommodations, a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a couples 50-minute massage, plus a $100 credit for dinner, and a credit of $16 per person per day for daily breakfast. (Sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day gift!)
For a totally luxe experience, consider staying at Taconic in Manchester Village. This new boutique hotel is only a short distance from skiing at a number of resorts. In addition to in-room spa services and the in-house restaurant, the Copper Grouse, Taconic is only a short distance from the Manchester Designer Outlets.
Or maybe your style is a little more action-oriented. Why not try an afternoon of snowmobiling followed by dinner at a local brewpub? A stay at the Sterling Ridge Resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont, puts you close to Stowe and Smuggler’s Notch for skiing, with snowmobiling available right at the resort. Tours are arranged through Green Mountain Snowmobile Adventures. Afterward, check out the Brewster River Pub and Brewery in Jeffersonville for pub grub and craft brews of their own and other select breweries.
If you’re drawn to the nightlife of Burlington, why not ski Bolton Valley near Waterbury. Ski or snowboard, cross country ski or snowshoe during the day and head into Burlington for the evening. In Burlington, a visit to The Vermont Pub & Brewery, the state’s oldest craft brewery, will surely meet your expectations and more. Great food, even greater craft brews, all served up in a relaxed, pub-like atmosphere. A perfect end to your day.
Whatever your choice of winter fun, Vermont has you covered. Take advantage of all the winter still ahead in Vermont and plan your getaway today.
For more information:
Smugglers' Notch Resort
Stratton Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort
The Hermitage Club
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
The Essex Resort & Spa
Taconic
Sterling Ridge Resort
Bolton Valley Resort
