With over 800 lakes and ponds, 7,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 200 mountains with elevations that exceed 2,000 feet, Vermont's claims to fame are its natural amenities. Whether you desire a relaxing, scenic New England getaway, a weekend of intense skiing or something in between, the Green Mountain State does not disappoint.
Vermont boasts 18 alpine ski resorts and 30 Nordic ski areas, according to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Most resorts open during Thanksgiving weekend. Peak snowfall occurs from November through late-March. Beginners should consider visiting the state in January, which is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. During this annual event, several resorts offer special rates and deals for novice skiers.
If you wish to escape urban life for a while, consider an immersion into the life of a farmhand by staying at one of Vermont's many working farms. A number include one or two meals in their room rates and allow you to partake in quotidian farm chores. At Liberty Hill Farm Inn in Rochester, for example, you'll wake up to crowing roosters and have the option of milking cows, collecting eggs and helping to feed newborn calves. Cheese lovers can enjoy a goat cheese-making weekend at Trevin Farms in Sudbury.
Camping is permitted in 39 of Vermont's 52 State Parks, which offer a variety of accommodations and experiences. You can drive up in your RV, pitch a tent or stay at a cabin, cottage or the inn-style Seyon Lodge. Alternatively, consider one of the nine more rustic Green Mountain National Forest Campgrounds. Wherever in the state you choose to camp, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as canoeing, swimming, fishing and hiking. The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing suggests contacting the U.S. Forest Service if you plan on camping in a remote area of the woods.
For a romantic getaway for two, the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing offers a variety of suggestions, including a pampering retreat at a local spa. Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, for instance, offers day spa packages for couples. If you are in Burlington, you can dine, dance and take in the majesty of Lake Champlain, the largest body of water in Vermont, from aboard a Spirit of Ethan Allen III sunset cruise. On clear nights, rural Vermont also offers ideal conditions for star gazing until the wee hours of the morning. In the winter, couples can also snowshoe together or opt for a picturesque sleigh ride.
