Winter in Vermont: 11 Things to Do in Vermont in Winter

Looking for inspiration and ideas to experience a magical winter in Vermont? Keep reading then!

The first thing you notice when walking through the doors of winter in Vermont is all these beautiful trees covered in white.

Glistening against an endless sky, they’re like little works of art pieces waiting to be admired by everyone who visits them! 

Once inside though, your senses are soon overcome with one smell: wood smoke – which comes not just from fires but also steam pipes heating homes during cold months.

The entire state, including mountains and lowlands alike, is covered with snowfall during this time, making it an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts or simply wishing they were here to enjoy some peaceful moments by throwing a snowball on their front porch!

From skiing on one of Vermont’s Backcountry trails to snowshoeing in the nature preserves, there are so many ways for you and your family or friends to get out and enjoy all that Vermont has to offer!

If you’re still not convinced why you should visit Vermont in the winter, take a look at this list of things to do and places to visit. You might just find the perfect activity for you during the winter in Vermont!

11 Things to Do in Vermont in Winter

Here are our favorite things to do in Vermont in winter time.

Hit the Slopes in Vermont

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in Vermont, and for a good reason! 

This exhilarating activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

There are dozens of alpine ski resorts throughout the state, each with its own unique features. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, there’s a winter resort for you.

One of the most popular resorts is the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe.

In addition to downhill skiing, Vermont offers plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing. This activity is perfect for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Vermont’s winter landscape. 

There are also many groomed trails specifically for cross-country skiing, making it easy to find a route that fits your needs. If you’re looking for a challenge, try skiing on one of Vermont’s Backcountry trails.

Backcountry skiing is similar to cross-country skiing, but offers a more difficult and adventurous experience. These trails are not groomed, so you’ll need to be prepared for some obstacles along the way. 

However, if you’re up for the challenge, backcountry skiing provides an unbeatable Vermont winter experience. The winter in Vermont has it all!

Stay in a Cozy Cabin

The Green Mountains State has some of the coziest cabins where you can have a lovely time with your family or significant other.

From sipping wine together in front of a fireplace to playing board games,  you can have an incredible winter getaway in one of these secluded Vermont cabins.

The cabins in the blog post above are spread all over the state and there is certainly one that will pique your interest.

From beautiful lakeside cottages to mountain cabin rentals by the lake to homes with beautiful hill views, you really can’t go wrong with any of these cabins in Vermont above.

Go Fat Biking in Vermont

Fatbiking in Vermont is when you ride on your bike, but you have big wheels instead of tires. They are very thick.

Fat biking is a fun and exhilarating way to get out in the winter months. Fatbikes are equipped with huge tires that can handle any deep snow, icy terrain.

This activity is great for people of all skill levels because it provides an interesting change from traditional cycling or hiking trails.

You might want to do this because it is a lot of fun, and you can go farther on hills with fat bike wheels than regular bike wheels.

There are a lot of places to fat bike in Vermont. The Catamount Trail, which is 25 miles long, goes through the Green Mountains and has great views. There are also a lot of other trails that you can find online.

Take Winter Hike

Hiking is a fun way to enjoy the winter in Vermont!  It’s also great for your physical and mental well-being.

There are many places in Vermont that offer amazing hikes: Pittsford, Bread Loaf, Lye Brook Ridge Trail near Woodstock, or the Vermont state parks, such as Mount Philo State Park and Elmore State Park. 

You can spend a day hiking from one side of the mountain to the next with incredible views of Lake Champlain and New York on a clear day.

Or you can hike up Mount Abraham to get an unobstructed view of Lincoln Peak and Snowmobile Mountain from atop the highest peak in Southern Vermont.

The best part about this activity is that it doesn’t have age limits – children as young as five years old have been known to hike the trail up Mount Abraham!

If you’re looking for a fun and active way to enjoy winter, look no further than hiking.

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is another popular winter activity in Vermont. This fun sport can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

There are many places in Vermont where you can go skating, including outdoor rinks and indoor arenas.

Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, and Lake Morey provide unforgettable experiences for ice skating. 

One of the best things about ice skating is that it can be done almost anywhere.

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, head to one of Vermont’s many lakes or ponds. 

Ice skating is not only fun and convenient, but it can also be beneficial to your health.

The best part about this winter activity is that the cold air actually helps with asthma symptoms!

So if you have any breathing conditions or allergies, try giving outdoor ice skating a chance.

Try Out Winter Camping

Winter camping in Vermont is a special experience during the winter. Starting from November to April you can sleep outside and make a campfire.

It’s a great way to reconnect with friends and family, go on fun adventures, and enjoy the beauty of Vermont in one of your favorite seasons!

Winter camping often includes practicing skills that were practiced by our ancestors or innovating new ones. 

You’ll have fun undergoing the continual challenge of living life outside all night, including things like building structures for shelter, cooking food using heat from fire instead of electricity, keeping warm without running water nearby – even searching for fresh, clean drinking water – all while being surrounded by incredible natural beauty!

Some popular places for winter camping include Molly Stark State Park, Mt. Ascutney State Park, Underhill State Park, and Woodford State Park.

Learn Ice Fishing

One of the most popular things to do during the winter in Vermont is ice fishing!

It’s really easy since all you need are some cold-weather clothing, an ice drill, line, hooks for bait, and bait buckets.

Vermont has 40 large lakes open for ice fishing for trout, salmon and bass. The ice fishing season on these lakes starts the third Saturday in January and continues through March 15. 

If you want to go skiing or snowmobiling after your day of fishing just head over to Sugarbush Ski Resort in Warren!

Ice fishing is a great way to spend some quiet time outdoors either alone or with family and friends.

Go Snowshoeing

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Vermont during winter, snowshoeing is definitely worth considering. 

Snowshoeing is a great way to get some exercise during the winter, and it’s also a perfect opportunity to see Vermont in its natural state. 

There are many places in Vermont where you can go snowshoeing, including state parks, nature preserves, and even ski resorts.

Some popular places include The Camel’s Hump Trail, Killington Peak, The Sunset Ridge and Long Trail Loop, and the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center.

Snowshoeing is a great way to get active and enjoy nature in Vermont. All you need is a pair of snowshoes, which can be rented at most ski resorts or outdoor recreation stores.

Sip Local Beverages

Vermont is home to many breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and there are plenty of places where you can visit them! If you’re looking for a fun day or evening out, a pub crawl is a perfect option.

One of the best things about pub crawls is that they can be tailored to fit any taste.

If you’re a wine lover, head to the wineries in the Shelburne area. If you’re more of a beer lover, Burlington is the perfect place to go. And if you’re into spirits, check out some of Vermont’s distilleries.

There are plenty of places in Vermont where you can go on a pub crawl – just ask around or do a quick Google search to find places near you.

Visit Stowe Winter Carnival

The Stowe Winter Carnival is a fun event that takes place every year in the town of Stowe, Vermont.

This carnival is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the best winter activities Vermont has to offer.

Some of the activities offered at the Stowe Winter Carnival include skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, and sledding. There is also a carnival midway with games and rides, as well as food and drink vendors.

The Stowe Winter Carnival is a great event for people of all ages. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some winter sports and activities while spending time with friends and family.

Sled Down a Hill

If you have young children or grandchildren in your family, they will definitely want to go sledding during their next trip to Vermont!

This activity is not only entertaining, but it’s also a great way to bond with the young ones. It’s also great for adults to enjoy sledding!

Sledding is very popular in Vermont, and there are many places where you can go for some winter fun!

If you or your kids love racing down hills as fast as they can, head to Mount Philo or Bread Loaf Mountain. 

These two mountains offer several sledding trails that are perfect for all skill levels.

If you don’t mind walking a little further, Stowe Mountain Resort has some incredible sledding trails with beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding areas.

Sledding is not only fun but it’s easy to do! All you need is a sturdy plastic sled (or even an old cardboard box), and you’re ready to go. So, next time you’re in Vermont, be sure to check out some of the best sledding spots! 

4 Magical Places to Enjoy a Vermont Winter Getaway

These are some of our favorite winter destinations in Vermont.

Woodstock

Woodstock is a town that is home to many annual festivals and events, making it one of the best places to visit in the Northeast, USA.

They also offer activities that range from skiing or snowboarding, to ice skating or tubing. 

Woodstock, VT is surrounded by the Ottauquechee River, Mount Peg, and Mount Tom.

In December, you’ll want to visit the Billing’s Farm & Museums Christmas at the Farm where you’ll find fun for the whole family! 

Beyond that, Woodstock holds Wassail Weekend where you can enjoy the historic homes decorated for the holiday season!

In January and February, visit the Billing’s Farm and Museums for more winter fun, including Winter Weekends at the Farm, and the Maple Celebration. 

Stowe

There are many festivals and events that take place in the town of Stowe, Vermont during the winter months.

One of the most popular festivals is the Stowe Winter Carnival. This offers a variety of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, sledding, fat biking, and much more.

Stowe is also a beautiful place to visit because of its many ski resorts and winter attractions.

There are over 40 restaurants and 30 lodging properties in Stowe, and this makes it an ideal location to host and attend events. The backdrop is breathtaking, and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Read next: Weekend Getaways in Vermont

Lake Morey Area

The Lake Morey Area is home to many annual festivals and events that are perfect for the winter months. 

The Lake Morey Resort is a great place to visit during the winter because it’s home to some of the best winter sports and activities Vermont has to offer.

In addition to the winter sports, the resort also hosts the Ice Harvest Festival and the Vermont Wine & Cheese Festival.

The Ice Harvest Festival is a fun event that takes place in the middle of February.

This is a great time to visit Vermont because many ski resorts close for the season, so this event offers winter in Vermont fun without having to ski or snowboard.

So, if you’re looking for something fun to do during the winter months, be sure to check out one of the many festivals and events that are happening in the Lake Morey Area. 

Burlington

The panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks in Battery Park will take your breath away.

There are a variety of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, and sledding. This park has it all.

The Church Street Marketplace is a great place to visit any time of year, but it’s especially fun during the winter months. This pedestrian-only street is home to many festive events and activities that are perfect for the winter season.

Burlington VT breweries, distilleries, and restaurants are memorable because they are all about locavorism.

They make sure that the ingredients for their beer, spirits, and food come from as close to home as possible. That’s why Burlington is one of the best places to visit in Vermont!

There are plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends and family, creating memories that will last a lifetime! A sentence can’t really do justice to how great it feels being surrounded during the winter in Vermont.

Looking for accommodation? Then check out our guide to where to stay in Burlington, VT, which covers a range of hotels and apartments.

Final Thoughts on Winter in Vermont

If you’re looking for things to do in Vermont in winter, be sure to check out one of these events, festivals, and places.

You’re bound to find cold temperatures, delicious food, gorgeous views, and charming towns.

Whether you want a relaxing day or evening out, or you’re interested in trying your hand at some unique winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or ice skating, there’s plenty happening in Vermont.

Did you enjoy reading about these things to do in winter in Vermont? Then share it with a friend who might enjoy it too!