5 Ski Destinations for a Girls’ Trip
GIRLS’ WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE
There’s nothing like bonding over a shared experience to deepen a friendship. Winter in Vermont offers outdoor activities and adventures for every type of ski group–from never-evers to those ready to take on the tallest verticals in the state. Planning your winter girls’ trip starts with matching the destination to the needs and whims of your group. Here are five destinations that offer unexpected delights, plenty of snowy fun, and even some opportunities to get pampered.
Ludlow, Vermont
The town of Ludlow remains quirky and independent, and a place where you can stumble on “finds” to make the town feel like your own. Home to Okemo Mountain, the location is perfect for groups who lean into low-key adventures. This relaxed pace is ideal for a girls’ getaway thanks to its social skiing layout and cozy après scene.
SKI + RIDE
Set in the Green Mountains, Okemo spreads over 600 acres. For a group of besties, this mountain is a dream thanks to the variety of terrain and sheltered lift system (think bubble chairs) that makes chairlift conversation not only doable, but enjoyable.
If your crew wants to build skills together, book one of Okemo’s women-led ski & snowboard camps. You can easily build your own ski adventure. Build in set breaks and rendezvous points to help navigate the mountain’s numerous base areas and eateries. My favorite on-mountain meeting spots include: coffee at Solitude Day Lodge, chili and nachos at The Bull, or waffles from the mid-mountain Waffle Cabin. For après, Jackson Gore is polished, but Lift Line at the Clock Tower Base Area delivers classic ski-bar energy. Final tip: adults should absolutely ride the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster.
WHERE TO STAY
A Jackson Gore condo is my top pick. Located in a base area, this full-service hotel has a restaurant and inviting lobby and outdoor spaces that make you want to grab a cocktail and head out the fire pit to catch up with your besties. The nearby Spring House offers a gym, spa, and indoor pool (included with your stay).
In town there are a number of inns and B&Bs. My choice is the low-touch Main & Mountain Motel. The rooms have everything you need to start and end the day in comfort, including a modern bar and restaurant.
For a posh lodging experience, head to The Weston. This recently restored property offers guests elegant surrounding and gourmet meals, making this a true luxury stay.
WHAT TO DO
If you still have energy after skiing, check out The Fox Run Nordic Center. This small cross-country ski area has 7 miles of trails set along the Black River with designated snowshoe trails for those who aren’t keen on skinny skis.
The 1.1 mile Echo Lake Vista Trail is an easy scenic walk perfect for a non-ski afternoon. It’s just a 10 minute drive north from Ludlow on Rte. 100. Most days, boots with snow spikes will work, but you can also find snowshoe rentals at Tygart Mountain Sports in town.
SHOPPING
Vermont pottery is definitely something to seek out and collect. A drive to Chester is worth the trip to visit Endless Creations to add to your haul. Back in Ludlow, you can park once and stroll the independent stores. Made for the Mountains is part design studio and part boutique. Pick up a used book at nearby The Book Nook. A bit further down, pop into 3 Graces for well-priced cashmere and denim.
Food and Cocktails
Outer Limits Brewery in nearby Proctorville is the go-to for post-ski flights. While in Ludlow, Goodman’s American Pie delivers bubbling-hot pizza (shoot a little pool while you wait). If you want to bring food back to your condo and open some wine, try The Cookster for prepped dishes like casseroles and hearty stews. The Left Bank at The Weston is getting rave reviews and about a 20-minute drive from the mountain. This classic French bistro is a splurge, but a girl needs an elegant meal now and then.
Killington, Vermont
Don’t let Killington’s nickname, “The Beast,” fool you. Killington is a great destination for women who love skiing and riding. Known for live music, events, and tremendous ski energy, this eponymous mountain town appeals to snow lovers who balance challenge and celebration. The mountain is famous for its snowmaking operation and reliably long season, often spinning lifts deep into spring. For groups looking to maximize ski time without flying west, it’s one of the safest bets in the east.
SKI + RIDE
Killington is massive, and that’s both the appeal and the challenge. With six interconnected peaks, the mountain can feel overwhelming unless your group has a strategy. My advice: don’t try to ski everything in one day. Pick one or two base areas and settle in.
If your crew has less confident skiers in the mix, start at Pico. Owned by Killington but operating on a completely different wavelength, Pico feels like an old Vermont secret with forgiving groomers, brown-bag lunch energy, and just enough terrain to keep everyone smiling.
Spring is the sweet spot for a girls’ trip here. Midweek slopes are far less crowded, lift lines disappear, and the vibe shifts to a more relaxed pace. Head to Ramshead, where perfectly groomed cruisers made for easy laps and lots of laughter. Over at Superstar, lean into your Mikaela Shiffrin fantasies while skiing the legendary World Cup trail.
WHERE TO STAY
The Killington Grand Hotel is the most convenient option, especially for groups who want spa access, slopeside convenience, and easy après cocktails. But for a true girls’ getaway, book a short term rental like a charming A-frame complete with a hot tub, fire pit, cozy throws, and multiple bedrooms. After long ski days, soak under the stars in a hot tub, read a book by the fire, and open a bottle of wine. It feels like the grown-up version of the sleepovers from your twenties.
WHAT TO DO
Sometimes the best part of a girls’ ski trip is admitting you don’t actually need to ski bell-to-bell. If you need a break from the elements, head to The Spa in The Woods (just off the Killington access road) for a pilates class or spa treatment. If conditions cooperate, drive out to Thundering Brook Falls for an easy walk to one of Vermont’s prettiest waterfalls.
SHOPPING
If your group loves learning about the latest equipment trend and technical gear, you’re in luck. Basin Sports has an enormous selection and excellent spring discounts. On my most recent trip, my friend scored ski pants for 40% off, and I walked away with a new helmet marked down 30%. That’s Vermont retail therapy.
Food & Cocktails
The Foundry on the access road delivers excellent cocktails and cozy fireplace seating. For something more casual, Yama Ramen is perfect after a cold ski day, especially if you bring takeout back to your rental and eat in well-loved flannel PJs by the fire. For coffee, head to De Palo, a tiny roadside espresso spot in nearby Mendon that roasts beans onsite. We sat on the patio with excellent espresso and a chocolate chip muffin and immediately started plotting our next ski trip.
Woodstock, Vermont
For women craving a winter getaway that feels outdoorsy without requiring anyone to truly rough it, the town of Woodstock is the sweet spot. Think snowy carriage roads, inviting cafés, boutique shopping, spa afternoons, and approachable skiing all wrapped into one Vermont town. Equal parts active and restorative, Woodstock makes it easy to spend the weekend outside while still leaving plenty of time for cocktails, bookstores, and lingering dinners by the fire.
SKI + RIDE
If skiing isn’t going to be the main course of your weekend but more of a side dish, Woodstock is your spot. Saskadena Six, located just 10 minutes from downtown, is one of the oldest ski areas in the country and refreshingly low-pressure.
With just 24 trails, a rustic base lodge, affordable lift tickets, and terrain geared toward beginners and intermediates, it’s the kind of mountain where nobody gets separated or overwhelmed. Mixed-ability groups can easily ski together, and semi-private lessons make learning feel social.
Beyond alpine skiing, the Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center maintains more than 45 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. Nearby Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park offers peaceful winter walks through the woods, and on select weekends snowshoers can trek up to Mount Tom Cabin for lunch beside the fire.
WHERE TO STAY
Inns and hotels are tucked into the countryside so whether you want to ski alpine or Nordic, it’s best to Google your lodging choices to make sure you are close to the activities on the top of your to-do list. The obvious splurge is the Woodstock Inn, a polished but welcoming resort set right in the center of town. With quiet reading corners, roaring fireplaces, a full spa, and attentive service, it feels designed specifically for winter weekends with friends.
For something more artsy and intimate, the beautifully restored Vesper Bed & Breakfast blends creative energy with walkable convenience. If your group is craving a deeper connection to nature and doesn’t mind driving everywhere, Fat Sheep Farm in Windsor offers an authentic farm stay experience where you can collect eggs, milk sheep, and prepare meals together in your private kitchen. Best of all, you can enjoy your pre-hike breakfast in base layers judgment-free.
WHAT TO DO
Make sure you build in time to wander. Many of Woodstock’s best experiences are walkable, including one of the three covered bridges spanning the Ottauquechee River. Nearby Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park offers carriage roads perfect for fat bike rides. You can even book a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy fields at the museum.
After playing outside, try something creative between adventures with a private wheel workshop at Farmhouse Pottery.
Shopping
No girls’ getaway is complete without a little shopping, and Woodstock is home to a wondrous collection of artists and independent boutiques in Vermont.
The Yankee Bookshop is essential for browsing before heading back to the inn with a new novel. Woody’s Mercantile is beautifully curated without feeling overly precious, with an eclectic mix of Vermont-made goods and home décor. If your group has a sweet tooth, Chocolate Fusion specializes in small-batch handmade chocolates, and private tastings can even be arranged in advance.
A short drive away in Quechee, the Simon Pearce flagship store is a must. Visitors can watch glassblowers at work throughout the day while browsing the showroom overlooking the covered bridge and waterfalls.
FOOD AND COCKTAILS
After a day outside, Woodstock makes it very easy to settle into the second half of the adventure: good coffee, hand-crafted cocktails, and long dinners. Start the morning at Mon Vert Café or Dreamscape Coffee before wandering village sidewalks with a cappuccino in hand. The Village Butcher is perfect for picnic provisions or sandwiches to stash before a snowshoe outing.
For cocktails, Au Comptoir is tiny, intimate, and exactly the kind of place where one round accidentally turns into three. And when it’s time for dinner, Ransom Tavern delivers wood-fired pizzas and hearty Vermont comfort food ideal after a snowy day outdoors. If your group wants something more elevated, the Woodstock Inn regularly hosts seasonal wine dinners featuring local ingredients and thoughtfully paired wines.
Stowe, Vermont
Most visitors know the town of Stowe is home to a premier alpine skiing destination, but the nearby von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is an equally deserving winter playground. Visitors are greeted by rolling fields with Nordic skiers dotting the landscape. Opened as a guest lodge in 1950 and still family operated, the property remains deeply connected to its original founders, Maria and Captain Georg von Trapp of The Sound of Music fame—and unlike anywhere else in Vermont.
Trapp’s is a mix of quiet, tree-lined adventures, slow food, and European touches. One minute you’re skate skiing through snowy meadows, the next you’re tucked into a fireside chair listening to live piano music with a glass of Grüner Veltliner.
SKI + SNOWSHOE
von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is home to the first cross-country ski center established in the United States, and the Nordic skiing here is exceptional. The property has more than 60 km of groomed trails winding through snowy meadows, forests, and rolling hills with options for every level.
If your group is new to Nordic skiing, lessons range from beginner introductions to specialized clinics designed to help you gain speed and confidence in either classic or skate technique. The signature experience is the demanding uphill ski out to Slayton Pasture Cabin, where soup and hot chocolate taste especially rewarding beside the woodstove.
And while Nordic skiing is the main attraction, snowshoeing deserves equal attention — and needs no instruction. Miles of peaceful trails make it easy to spend an afternoon wandering the property without seeing much more than pine trees, mountain views, and the occasional skier gliding past. It’s rare to find a resort of this caliber so devoted to quieter winter sports, which is exactly what makes Trapp’s feel special.
WHERE TO STAY
Thanks to generations of family stewardship, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort continues to thrive. The property is constantly being refreshed, so while it feels timeless, it never feels dated. A partnership with Vermont Flannel adds an extra layer of warmth to the guest rooms, which balance Austrian functionality with classic Vermont comfort.
The Main Lodge includes 96 rooms and suites, but larger groups might consider the villas and guest houses spread across the property. They’re ideal for reunion weekends, multigenerational trips, or elevated bachelorette getaways where everyone wants togetherness with a little breathing room.
WHAT TO DO
Yes, you can give your sports watch an impressive set of data during your stay at Trapp’s, but the pastoral setting also invites rest and recovery. Inside the lodge are countless nooks with wood fires, sunny windows, and plush chairs that practically demand you put your phone away and open a book. Outside, there are equally lovely places to linger, from the hammock grotto to quiet picnic spots tucked into the fields.
If you want more hands-on recovery, try a yoga class overlooking the meadow or head to the fitness center for the sauna, hot tub, and pool. A horse-drawn sleigh ride is another classic option. Wrapped in wool blankets while draft horses glide through the snow feels like peak Vermont.
And then there are the cows. These aren’t just any cows, they are algorithm-changing Scottish Highland cows. Visiting the herd has become one of the lodge’s most popular activities, and it’s even more delightful than anticipated to watch the wobbly calves cavorting in the snow.
SHOPPING
Downtown Stowe is just a short drive from the resort, and favorite stops there include Archery Close for men’s and women’s fashion, Stowe Living for home goods, and Bear Pond Books for iconic souvenirs and your next historical fiction find.
FOOD AND COCKTAILS
Food is a huge part of what draws guests to von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort. From elegant wine dinners to warming soups at Slayton Pasture Cabin, everything feels thoughtful and deeply connected to Vermont. The chefs prioritize local ingredients whenever possible, including beef from the resort’s own Scottish Highland herd.
Start your morning with a sunrise walk and an espresso from the Kaffeehaus. At night, strap on your snowshoes and headlamp and make your way to the Bierhall for schnitzel and an award-winning Bohemian Pilsner.
And it’s not just the beer program that deserves attention. Trapp’s has assembled one of the more impressive Austrian and German wine lists in Vermont and hosts regular cellar tastings. During my visit, I found myself sipping beside Kristina von Trapp Frame — granddaughter of the founders and the lodge’s executive vice president — while learning about Austrian wines firsthand.
Mad River Valley, Vermont
There are girls’ trips, and then there are pilgrimages. For women who care as much about ski culture as vertical feet, a trip to Vermont’s Mad River Valley might feel like the latter.
Tucked into Vermont’s Green Mountains, this ski region is home to two iconic mountains, Mad River Glen (MRG) and Sugarbush Resort, along with winding roads, covered bridges, and a deep resistance to anything overly polished. Days revolve around challenging terrain, strong coffee, local beer, and swapping stories in a pub after the lifts stop spinning. Equal parts rugged and restorative, the valley is the kind of place that turns ski weekends into traditions.
SKI + RIDE
The beauty of skiing the Valley is experiencing two dramatically different mountains in one trip. Sugarbush is spread across two peaks with everything from forgiving groomers to some of the steepest terrain in the east. Lincoln Peak delivers the classic resort experience, while Mount Ellen feels more low-key and local. If your group has mixed abilities, Sugarbush makes it easy to split up and reconnect later over ramen, waffles, or après cocktails. Oh, and they allow snowboards, which isn’t an option over at Mad River Glen.
Mad River Glen is the Valley’s fiercely independent soul. Home to the legendary single chair and committed to their snowboard ban, MRG is unapologetically old-school. This is not the place for luxury amenities or perfectly manicured skiing. It’s a mountain built around challenge, community, and deeply devoted locals who wouldn’t change a thing.
Spend one day cruising groomers and sneaking into glades at Sugarbush, then the next at Mad River Glen skiing bump runs while bluegrass drifts through the trees. Few places in American skiing still feel this connected to ski culture.
WHERE TO STAY
One of the things that makes the Mad River Valley feel so special is what it doesn’t have: massive resort villages and generic hotel chains. Lodging here tends to be smaller, locally owned, and full of personality.
For free spirits traveling light, Hostel Tevere offers one of the most affordable stays in the Valley. Madbush Falls brings a fresh, laid-back energy with cabins, lodge rooms, and one of the Valley’s best gathering spots for dinner and cocktails. Lareau Farm Inn delivers classic Vermont farmhouse character complete with homemade breakfasts and easy access to the original American Flatbread restaurant.
If your group wants a more elevated stay, The Pitcher Inn in Warren is the Valley’s luxury standout, with individually designed rooms inspired by geography and history (like Vermont native President Calvin Coolidge).
WHAT TO DO
The Mad River Valley is not packed with polished attractions, and that’s exactly why people love it. This is a place built around doing things, not looking at things. In addition to terrific alpine skiing, there are two dedicated Nordic centers: Ole’s, known for its wide-open fields and mountain views, and Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center, where trails wind through snowy evergreens and dogs are welcome on the trails.
When your legs finally feel spent, book a sauna session at Drip Culture, reset at Mountain Rose Yoga, or take a scenic winter walk along Common Road while soaking in views of snowy barns and mountain peaks. If your group wants something creative between ski days, Blockhouse Studio offers pottery workshops where you can trade ski boots for aprons and make keepsakes together instead.
SHOPPING
You won’t find outlet malls or luxury chains in the Mad River Valley. Instead, the shopping here reflects the Valley itself: independent, thoughtful, and a little bit quirky.
Three Buds Apothecary specializes in earthy home goods and exquisite hand-dipped candles with scents like “Country Road”, while Someday Boutique captures the Valley’s relaxed, colorful style perfectly. Addison West is ideal for women who suddenly decide they need artisanal stoneware and new throw pillows, and Sportive remains the go-to for high-end ski and après wear.
FOOD & COCKTAILS
The Mad River Valley punches above its weight when it comes to food. Start your morning at Twisted Halo, a tiny café filled with plants, excellent espresso, and usually at least one dog lounging nearby. If you need a more substantial breakfast before skiing, Toast & Eggs serves breakfast sandwiches hefty enough to power a full day on the mountain.
American Flatbread remains a mandatory stop. The original location still feels deeply connected to the Valley’s farm-to-table roots. Locals will tell you the Medicine Wheel pizza is worth the hype, but definitely listen to the daily special before making your final decision.
The ultimate gathering spot for your girls’ trip will likely be the Lawson’s Finest Liquids Taproom. The flagship location offers a rotating lineup of fresh beers alongside a small but solid food menu. I always recommend ordering a few of the 6 oz pours so you can sample more offerings without committing to a full pint. The nachos and warm dippable pretzels pair perfectly with an après beer. One thing I especially appreciate? They’re open seven days a week and close at 8 p.m., so you can still tuck in early for the next day’s adventures.
About This Partnership
Nicole Feliciano is the founder of The Ski Moms, co-host of the award-winning The Ski Moms Podcast, and a travel writer who spends her winters chasing snow across the globe. Based in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, she helps families discover unforgettable mountain adventures, hidden gems, and the best ways to enjoy life on snow. A late-in-life skier with more enthusiasm than technique, Nicole logged more than 100 days on snow last season and is always planning her next ski trip.