winter guide to vermont
and i love vermont but it’s the season of the sticks!!!! this played in my head the whole time i was in vermont (though it’s not technically stick season). if you don’t know, listen to noah kahan and thank me later. it was my first time in the state and it was magical. when my brother made plans to work at okemo ski resort for the season, i couldn’t pass up the chance to visit and explore. vermont reminds me of west virginia in a lot of ways so i felt right at home. the majority of our time was spent in ludlow and woodstock, two quaint towns nestled in the mountains.
things to do
hit the slopes at okemo ski resort
outdoor recreation is a huge economic driver in the state and the area’s ski resorts do it best. of course you have your stowe’s and killington’s but okemo, in ludlow, is that family-friendly, cozy resort. a few quick mountain stats for the avid skiers & snowboarders:
121 trails, slopes and glades
20 lifts
2,200ft vertical drop
snowmaking on 98% of all terrain (the highest efficiency in all vermont resorts)
no shock here but i’m not much of a pro athlete when it comes to snow sports so tubing was right up my alley. tickets are $25 for an hour and you can tube to your hearts desire. it’s an easy and fun way to enjoy the mountain. if you’re looking for more of a thrill, try the mountain coaster, a toboggan meets roller coaster with speeds up to 25mph. tickets here can be a little pricier ($17 for a rider and $24 for a driver). because okemo is a four season resort, this is also a big attraction in the summer months. pro tip: buy your tickets online, they’ll be cheaper than purchasing them on-site.
treat yourself to a chocolate waffle at the waffle cabin after your adventures, i promise you deserve one.
build the perfect charcuterie board at crowley cheese factory
a vermont original since 1824, crowley cheese factory is in fact the oldest continuously operating cheese factory in america! the small business is just a few miles away from okemo but a bit off the beaten trail. we learned that the family discovered the property was on a shelf that allowed them to store the cheese underneath because it was naturally cooler than the rest of the land - ingenuity before modern refrigeration. and the rest is history! they still make all their cheese on site and you can see them in action during the week. as a self-proclaimed charcuterie master, you’ll find everything you need for your cheese board here.
get your sugar fix at green mountain sugar house
maple is a staple of the state; no joke, vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the u.s. you’ll find roadside stands and whole businesses dedicated to the delicious confection. the green mountain sugar house is an iconic stop of vermont route 100, a scenic byway. and you can’t miss it either with its bright red roof. they make everything from maple brittle or maple syrup to maple candies all on site, and have been doing so since 1967. safe to say, we left with a lot of maple-based goods!
support the local indie bookstores
the book nook, in ludlow, is right on the main drag of town and features the latest bestsellers and work from local authors. there’s a “quote of the day” type board when you check out, and if you can guess the name or author of the book, you’ll get 10% off your order. vermont’s oldest independent bookstore, located 40 minutes away in woodstock, has been operating since 1935. yankee bookshop offers a wide selection of books, stationery and small gifts.
visit the iconic covered bridges
the middle bridge in woodstock is quintessential new england. the wooden structure crosses a river and in the winter, it’s like a scene out of a painting. one local shop owner told me a group of teens accidentally burned down part of the bridge in the 70s but it was able to be restored by the original builder.
take home a vermont souvenir
with the cold weather in the winter (and even those chilly summer nights) you’ll want a comfy flannel to throw on. the vermont flannel company is a family owned business, handcrafting unique flannel clothes since 1991. everything is u.s. made and has the highest quality. directly across the street is fh gillingham and sons general store, which has just about everything you could imagine. the old time general store features hundreds of vermont originals, from maple syrup and jams to home goods and clothing.
hike around the quechee gorge
the quechee gorge is a 165ft deep gorge on the ottauquechee river. quechee is a native america word meaning fast flowing. the state park has hiking trails along the river that provide stunning views! we took the 20 minute hike north to see the dam and fast flowing river. even in the snow, it was a sight to see! i can’t wait to visit in the summer.
places to eat & drink
the hatchery serves up eggs-cellent breakfasts (please forgive the pun). here, they specialize in made-from-scratch favorites like biscuits and gravy, home fries poutine and cinnamon roll french toast. this place is a crowd favorite so be sure to get there early to snag a table.
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, irish pubs are the best and killarney’s pub is no different. you can tell this is the place all the townies and resort employees hang, because it has the best atmosphere. live music, local brews and a mouthwatering menu offering irish classics. you’ll come to find that prices are a bit steeper in vermont, but definitely worth it to splurge on small businesses.
there’s hardly a better entertainment combo than food & games and i’m a sucker for a barcade. gamebird in ludlow mixes fantastic food with iconic arcade games like pacman, skeeball, tetris and donkey kong. gamebird is known for their “amazingly good fried chicken” served with deviled eggs, biscuits and pickles.
local and organic is mon vert cafe’s bread & butter. they even have a giant map in the restaurant of all the farmers and businesses they support! this small cafe in woodstock is perfect for grab and go but they have a few tables for dine-in eating as well. the menu is jam packed with steel cut oatmeal, chipotle aioli breakfast burritos and lox & schmear bagels (we are in new england, of course).
while in woodstock, my brother, boyfriend and i passed the woodstock inn & resort and were floored with its beauty! even though we weren’t staying, we stopped in for a drink at the lobby bar, and i’m so glad we did! the bartender was the absolute best and gave us a little bit of the history of the inn. the rockefeller family bought and renovated the hotel in 1967, but an inn has been on the property since 1793! we sat next to the nicest family (ethan hit it off with them because they were interested in racing) and they bought us a round of drinks! though we didn’t stay for a bite to eat, the new england clam chowder served to the lady next to us smelled amazing.
our trip was cut a little short by a wicked nor’easter but it was the best few days up north. checked a new state off my bucket list and spent some quality time with family.
have you visited vermont? where should i head with my next trip to vermont?