How to Plan a Magical Vermont Winter Vacation — Luxury Hotels, Ski Resorts, and Off-mountain Activities Included

Visiting Vermont in the winter is like stepping into a classic children's book. Chimneys puff above cozy villages, covered bridges cross icy creeks, and kids in brightly colored snowsuits careen down sledding hills. The temperature gets brisk, snow is almost always falling, and everyone's a little more jolly. And why shouldn’t they be? Winter in Vermont is as fun as it is beautiful. 

Pack your layers and come prepared for snowy outdoor adventures — from sleigh rides through open fields to skiing and snowboarding at the state’s best resorts.

Best Places to Go Skiing in Vermont

Vermont is a renowned ski and snowboard destination with more than 20 ski areas. While there's fun to be had at all Vermont's ski mountains, Stowe Mountain Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, and Killington Ski Resort are generally regarded as the best. Stowe and Okemo are on the Epic Pass, making it easy to hit both during your trip, while Killington boasts the largest acreage on the East Coast and one of the biggest vertical drops in New England. 

Lovers of deep powder, however, should head to Jay Peak Resort. This hidden gem claims to get more snow than any other East Coast resort (due in part to a location that's heavily affected by jet streams), and it has a lenient in-bounds policy, meaning you can chase untouched powder stashes in the backcountry in addition to skiing the 81 groomed trails.

Finally, families will want to head to Smugglers’ Notch Resort, which lives up to its tagline as “America’s Family Resort.” Smugglers' boasts a great ski school, a child care program, and plenty of off-mountain activities, including winter carnivals, bonfires, and ice skating.

More Vermont Winter Activities

If you’re not into downhill skiing and snowboarding, don’t worry — Vermont has plenty of other things to do. The state is basically covered in cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, including those found at resorts like Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch. Arguably the coolest place to cross-country ski and snowshoe is the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, which has more than 60 miles of trails and is owned by the family that inspired "The Sound of Music." A half-hour north, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center offers equally sprawling cross-country terrain.

Other winter experiences include horse-drawn sleigh rides (Gentle Giants in Stowe and Rainbows Edge Farm in Sutton are both solid options), dog sledding, and, of course, tubing and sledding.

If you’d rather stay warm and cozy than brave the elements, make a trip to the Vermont Salt Cave in Montgomery. You can start with a warming session in the salt cave followed by a relaxing foot soak. Topnotch Resort in Stowe has a standout spa offering treatments that range from facials and couple's massages to reiki and energy healing. Perhaps the most stunning spa experience in the state, though, is Savu. This outdoor wellness center near Smugglers' Notch features Scandi-style saunas in the middle of the countryside, offering visitors the chance to take in panoramic mountain views while they sweat the day away.

Where to Stay in Vermont

For a cozy boutique stay, book a room at The Hermitage Inn, a historic property that was recently renovated and has a handful of Green Mountain adventures on hand, from ice skating to pastry-making classes. The inn also has a nationally recognized wine cellar, making it a great place to explore Vermont's burgeoning wine scene.

In central Vermont, Woodstock Inn & Resort provides guests with opulent accommodations in the middle of the walkable (and wildly picturesque) village of Woodstock. The property has four restaurants and an expansive spa, plus connections with local recreation centers that offer all kinds of winter adventures. Hotel staff can set you up with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at the Woodstock Nordic Center or downhill skiing and snowboarding at the Saskadena Six ski resort.

And finally, for a five-star all-inclusive experience, head to Twin Farms in Barnard. This circa-1795 farmhouse has been turned into a beautiful hotel where guests can enjoy farm-to-table dining and access to a spa with glass-brick steam rooms. To take your trip up a notch, book one of the suites or cottages with a stone hot tub.

What to Pack for Vermont

Winter in Vermont is all about getting outside, even when it’s well below freezing. To make sure you're ready for any conditions, pack durable outdoor gear like Gore-Tex shells, down jackets, long underwear, and boots, in addition to cozy, sitting-by-the-fire attire. Don’t underestimate the power of a warm hat, wool socks, and layers of clothing.

Things to Know Before You Go

Winter temperatures in Vermont rarely exceed 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's not uncommon for them to dip to single digits and below (especially with wind chill factored in). The low temperatures paired with relatively high humidity can make the day feel frigid, but once you bundle up and start moving, you’ll often find it's surprisingly easy to stay warm. Even so, it's smart to plan some indoor activities between stretches on the ski hill or snowshoe trail.