Deerfield Valley in the Winter
Top Picks in the Deerfield Valley
Vermont’s natural snowfall turns the Green Mountains into a playground for outdoor recreation, setting it apart as a winter destination. Hand-picked by the editors of Yankee Magazine, these 5 highlights are just some of what the Deerfield Valley offers in winter.
West Dover, Vermont
Carinthia Parks at Mount Snow
Carved into an entire mountain face, the 100-acre collection of terrain parks at Mount Snow is widely considered the best of its kind in the Northeast. A paradise for freestyle skiers and snowboarders, it has jumps, rails, ramps, half pipes, quarter pipes, and boxes that will test anyone’s limits, no matter their skill level. Among the 10 individual terrain parks is the pro-level Inferno, which has played host to the X Games and offers extra-large rails and jumps of 70-plus feet. At the other end of the scale is Grommet, designed to help beginners find their legs.
Wilmington, Vermont
The Vermont Bowl Company
Take a bit of the Green Mountain State home with you, courtesy of the artisans of the Vermont Bowl Company. A fixture on Wilmington’s Main Street since the 1970s, the company was started by John McLeod, a native of Scotland, who still presides over it today. Crafted from local hardwoods using traditional skills and modern technology, these bowls, cutting boards, and other wooden wares are works of art that are meant for everyday use. No two creations are exactly alike, but every one is infused with the beauty of Vermont’s natural landscape.
Wilmington, Vermont
Dot’s Restaurant
There’s no better warm-up on a chilly winter day than classic American comfort food at the family-run Dot’s Restaurant in downtown Wilmington. A favorite stop for campaigning politicians and celebrities including Jimmy Fallon and Whoopi Goldberg, Dot’s is set in one of the town’s oldest buildings, circa 1832. After the beloved diner was damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, residents and community groups chipped in to help rebuild it. More than a decade later, people still flock here for the famous berry-filled pancakes, blue plate specials, and more.
SNOWMOBILING AT STRATTON MOUNTAIN RESORT
– Stratton, Vermont
Topping out at nearly 4,000 feet in elevation, southern Vermont’s highest peak is the centerpiece of the skiing action at Stratton Mountain Resort. But what to do when the ski lifts stop spinning? Explore the slopes after-hours on one of the resort’s guided snowmobile tours. Ideal for beginners and families (who can bring kids ages 10 to 17 as passengers), the one-hour tours depart from late afternoon into the evening. Riders will thrill to the rush of crisp air and marvel at the mountain scenery, and come away with a whole new kind of winter memory.
VERMONT DISTILLERS
– Marlboro, Vermont
Spirits lovers can literally elevate their Vermont vacation with a visit to this mountaintop distillery founded and owned by the local Metcalfe family. It sits in a former ski lodge on Hogback Mountain, and the view from its deck can reach 100 miles on a clear day. Inside the solar-powered distillery and tasting room, regional flavor rules—from the maple cream liqueur made with 100 percent Vermont maple syrup, to the bourbon sweetened with honey from West Meadow Apiary in Tunbridge. Taste and buy spirits here, then head just 500 feet up the road to the Hogback Mountain Country Store. There, you’ll find plenty of local cheese and other Vermont snacks, not to mention a second Vermont Distillers tasting and retail location (in case you decide to splurge on one more bottle).
More to See and Do
Places to Visit In Winter
Yankee Magazine’s editors hand-picked 5 places to visit in each Vermont region. Explore things to do in winter statewide.
