11 Of The Best Winter Getaways In Vermont Despite Harsh Weather

Vermont transforms into a magical wonderland when winter arrives, offering incredible getaway opportunities despite its famously chilly weather. The Green Mountain State becomes a snow-covered paradise where visitors can experience everything from world-class skiing to cozy fireside relaxation in historic inns.

Whether you’re seeking adventure on the slopes or tranquility in a snow-dusted village, Vermont delivers unforgettable winter experiences that make braving the cold completely worthwhile.

1. Stowe: The Quintessential Vermont Winter Experience

Nestled beneath Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe embodies the perfect winter escape. The town’s iconic steepled church and covered bridges take on an enchanting quality when blanketed with fresh powder. Stowe Mountain Resort offers some of the

East Coast’s most exciting skiing and snowboarding terrain, with 116 trails catering to beginners and experts alike. After conquering the slopes, visitors can explore the charming village with its boutique shops and art galleries. The recreation path transforms into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing paradise during winter months.

For those seeking indoor comfort, Stowe features world-class spas and acclaimed restaurants serving farm-to-table cuisine. Accommodations range from luxury resorts like Topnotch and The Lodge at Spruce Peak to quaint bed and breakfasts in historic homes. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum provides fascinating insights into the state’s winter sports heritage.

2. Smugglers’ Notch Resort: Family Winter Paradise

Affectionately known as ‘Smuggs’ by locals, this beloved Vermont destination consistently ranks among America’s top family resorts. Three interconnected mountains provide 78 trails across 1,000 acres, creating the perfect playground for winter enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. What truly distinguishes Smugglers’ Notch is its dedication to family experiences.

The resort offers award-winning children’s programs, including specialized ski and snowboard lessons for kids as young as two and a half years old. Parents can enjoy challenging terrain while knowing their children are having fun with expert instructors.

Beyond skiing, the resort offers snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and airboarding. Indoor options include a FunZone with climbing inflatables, an arcade, and a pool complex with water slides. Evening activities range from bonfires with hot chocolate to guided moonlight snowshoe tours. Accommodations feature condominium-style units, perfect for families needing space and kitchen facilities.

3. Killington: The Beast Of East Coast Winter Sports

Killington roars to life each winter as Vermont’s largest and most energetic ski destination. Spanning seven mountain areas with 155 trails and 21 lifts, this powerhouse resort offers an impressive 3,000-foot vertical drop that challenges even the most seasoned winter sports enthusiasts.

Nicknamed ‘The Beast of the East,’ Killington typically boasts the region’s longest ski season, often operating from October through May thanks to advanced snowmaking capabilities. The diverse terrain ranges from gentle learning slopes to heart-pounding expert runs like Outer Limits, the steepest mogul run in the East. Off the slopes, Killington’s vibrant après-ski scene draws visitors to its numerous restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

The Access Road buzzes with activity as skiers and snowboarders gather to share stories of their day’s adventures. Accommodation options abound, from slope-side condominiums to cozy inns in nearby Rutland. The K-1 Express Gondola whisks visitors to the 4,241-foot summit of Killington Peak, where panoramic views of Vermont’s snow-covered landscape stretch for miles.

4. Okemo Mountain Resort: Where Family Comfort Meets Winter Adventure

Tucked in the heart of southern Vermont, Okemo Mountain Resort has perfected the balance between challenging terrain and family-friendly amenities. The resort’s 121 trails spread across 632 acres of skiable terrain, with an impressive 98% covered by state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment ensuring consistent conditions throughout the winter season.

Okemo consistently earns accolades for its impeccably groomed trails and superior guest services. Families appreciate the resort’s thoughtfully designed learning areas and progressive terrain parks that allow skills to develop naturally. Vermont’s typical winter chill is easily forgotten inside Okemo’s Spring House, a modern fitness and aquatic center featuring swimming pools, hot tubs, and a fitness facility.

Dining options range from casual cafeteria-style eateries to upscale restaurants serving local Vermont specialties. Ludlow, the charming town at Okemo’s base, offers additional restaurants, shops, and a genuine Vermont atmosphere. The resort’s commitment to guest satisfaction and reliable snow conditions makes it a standout winter destination despite Vermont’s sometimes harsh weather.

5. Mad River Glen: Vermont’s Authentic Skiing Heritage

Standing proudly among Vermont’s commercial resorts, Mad River Glen represents skiing in its purest form. This skier-owned cooperative maintains a steadfast commitment to natural snow, challenging terrain, and an authentic mountain experience that harkens back to skiing’s golden age.

Famous for its ‘Ski it if you can’ motto, Mad River Glen offers some of the most technical and demanding terrain in the Northeast. The iconic single chair lift, one of the last remaining in North America, carries skiers to a summit where carefully cut trails follow the mountain’s natural contours. Snowboarders should note that Mad River Glen is one of the few remaining ski areas that permits skiing only, aside from the practice slope. This policy reflects the cooperative’s dedication to preserving the mountain’s unique character and challenging terrain.

Unlike modern resort complexes, Mad River Glen focuses on the skiing experience rather than amenities. Located in Vermont’s beautiful Mad River Valley, the area receives abundant natural snowfall. When conditions permit, adventurous skiers can explore some of the East’s most legendary tree skiing through glades that remain ungroomed and natural.

6. Sugarbush Resort: Vermont’s Sophisticated Mountain Retreat

Spread across two mountains known as Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, Sugarbush Resort delivers a refined Vermont skiing experience. The resort’s 4,000 acres encompass 111 trails, including the legendary Castlerock area, where narrow, winding paths challenge expert skiers with their natural terrain. Sugarbush balances its serious skiing reputation with luxurious amenities that make Vermont’s winter weather more bearable.

The Lincoln Peak Village features architecture inspired by historic New England farms, housing upscale accommodations, dining, and shopping options that blend seamlessly with the mountain landscape. The resort’s snowmaking capabilities cover 70% of the terrain, ensuring reliable conditions throughout the winter.

For those seeking adventure beyond traditional skiing, Sugarbush offers cat skiing on Mount Ellen during certain periods, providing access to freshly groomed terrain before the lifts open to the public. Located in Vermont’s picturesque Mad River Valley, visitors enjoy spectacular mountain vistas from nearly every vantage point. The nearby historic villages of Warren and Waitsfield provide additional dining and lodging options with authentic Vermont character.

7. Woodstock: Vermont’s Most Charming Snow-Covered Village

Frequently described as America’s prettiest small town, Woodstock transforms into a winter wonderland when snow blankets its historic buildings and covered bridges. This quintessential Vermont village offers a perfect winter retreat for those seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm.

The town center features beautifully preserved Federal-style homes surrounding a traditional village green. Local shops and galleries line the streets, selling everything from handcrafted Vermont products to fine art. The Woodstock Inn & Resort, with its roaring lobby fireplace and farm-to-table restaurant, provides a luxurious base for winter explorations. Nearby spot offers family-friendly skiing on 24 trails with enough variety for beginners and intermediate skiers.

Despite Vermont’s challenging winter weather, Woodstock’s combination of outdoor recreation, historic architecture, and small-town hospitality creates an irresistible winter escape that captures the essence of New England charm.

8. Manchester: Southern Vermont’s Elegant Winter Retreat

Nestled between the Taconic Mountains and Green Mountains, Manchester offers a sophisticated winter getaway in southern Vermont. The town’s distinctive marble sidewalks take on a magical quality when dusted with snow, inviting visitors to explore its unique combination of New England charm and upscale amenities.

Manchester’s historic district features beautifully preserved colonial-era buildings alongside the Equinox, a grand resort that has hosted guests since 1769. The town’s reputation as a shopping destination continues through winter, with designer outlets and local boutiques providing welcome indoor activities on the coldest Vermont days. Outdoor enthusiasts find plenty to love about Manchester’s winter landscape.

Nearby Bromley Mountain offers family-friendly skiing with southern exposure that creates slightly warmer conditions than other Vermont resorts. Stratton Mountain, just a short drive away, provides more extensive terrain with a European-inspired village. The Equinox Preserve maintains trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through 914 acres of protected forest land. For a unique winter experience, visitors can try Land Rover’s winter driving school or take a falconry lesson at the British School of Falconry based at the Equinox Resort.

9. Lake Morey Resort: Ice Skating Paradise In Fairlee

Nestled along the shores of its namesake lake in eastern Vermont, Lake Morey Resort transforms into a winter recreation haven when temperatures drop. The centerpiece of this seasonal metamorphosis is the lake itself, which becomes home to the longest maintained outdoor skating trail in the United States, stretching an impressive 4.5 miles around the lake’s perimeter.

The resort embraces Vermont’s winter with enthusiasm, maintaining an additional ice rink for hockey and figure skating. Guests can borrow skates from the resort and glide across the frozen lake surface while enjoying spectacular mountain views. For those new to ice skating, instructors offer lessons to build confidence on the ice.

Beyond skating, the resort maintains trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through pristine Vermont woodlands. Ice fishing opportunities attract anglers seeking perch, pike, and bass through holes drilled in the thick lake ice. Inside the historic main building, guests find comfortable accommodations ranging from standard rooms to family suites. The warm indoor pool and hot tub provide welcome relief after outdoor winter activities.

10. Middlebury College Snow Bowl: Vermont’s Historic Community Mountain

Tucked away in the Green Mountains, the Middlebury College Snow Bowl represents one of Vermont’s most authentic winter experiences. This college-owned ski area has provided affordable, community-focused skiing since 1934, making it one of the oldest ski areas in the country.

The mountain features 17 trails across 110 acres, with a 1,000-foot vertical drop that offers surprising variety for a smaller ski area. Three chairlifts provide access to terrain suitable for all ability levels, from gentle learning slopes to challenging black diamond runs through the trees. What distinguishes the Snow Bowl from commercial resorts is its genuine Vermont atmosphere. The base lodge exudes rustic charm with its wooden beams and central fireplace where skiers gather to warm up between runs.

Weekend visitors might spot Middlebury College’s ski team training on the race course, as the mountain serves as their home training facility. The Snow Bowl perfectly captures Vermont’s community-oriented winter spirit, offering an alternative to massive ski resorts while still providing quality terrain and reliable conditions.

11. Rikert Nordic Center: Peaceful Cross-Country Paradise In Ripton

Hidden in the Vermont woods near Robert Frost’s former summer home, Rikert Nordic Center offers a tranquil alternative to the state’s bustling alpine resorts. This cross-country ski center, operated by Middlebury College, maintains over 55 kilometers of meticulously groomed trails winding through the Bread Loaf Wilderness.

The trail system accommodates both classic and skate skiing techniques across terrain ranging from gentle meadows perfect for beginners to challenging climbs that test accomplished nordic skiers. Snowmaking capabilities on 5 kilometers of trails ensure reliable conditions even when natural snow is scarce, a valuable asset given Vermont’s occasionally unpredictable winter weather. The center occupies the former Bread Loaf Inn, providing a historic backdrop for winter adventures.

Inside the rustic lodge, visitors find equipment rentals, a small café serving hot drinks and simple meals, and friendly staff ready to recommend trails matching their ability level. Beyond skiing, Rikert maintains dedicated snowshoe trails that lead to spectacular viewpoints overlooking the Green Mountain National Forest. The peaceful setting creates opportunities to spot wildlife like snowshoe hares, red foxes, and pileated woodpeckers.