Stone Valley in the Winter
Top Picks in the Stone 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 Stone Valley offers in winter.
Killington, Vermont
Killington Resort & Pico Mountain
Whether you prefer large, modern ski resorts or small, old-school slopes, count on the Stone Valley to deliver the winter playground you seek. With more than 150 trails crisscrossing 1,500 skiable acres, Killington Resort is Vermont’s biggest ski area, nicknamed “the Beast of the East.” In contrast, nearby 468-acre Pico Mountain brings things down to a more personalized scale, with 57 trails that all funnel into a central base area. Since Killington and Pico are under the same ownership, a single pass lets skiers and snowboarders keep their options open. And both are ski resorts of distinction: Killington has hosted the Alpine World Cup Tour since 2016, and Pico is the headquarters for Vermont Adaptive, a nationally recognized nonprofit that works to make the state’s vibrant sports and recreation scene accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Rutland, Vermont
Winterfest
When February rolls around, the Stone Valley’s largest—and only—city invites visitors to join in an outsize celebration of frosty fun and community spirit. A local tradition for more than 20 years, Rutland’s Winterfest runs for more than a week and includes snow carving competitions, chili cook-offs, sledding on Center Street, and much more. Even better, Rutland is a stop on Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express between New York City and Burlington—making it easy for many visitors to hop a train and skip the snowy roads on their way to winter fun.
Vermont
Brandon
Set midway between Middlebury and Rutland, Brandon is a classic small town with an artistic twist. It has long been associated with one of the nation’s best-known living folk artists, Warren Kimble, whose witty, stylized animals and landscapes are instantly recognizable. In 1999 he co-founded the Brandon Artists Guild, which showcases work from 30-plus members at its gallery on Center Street. Not long afterward, he joined forces with fellow Brandon artists Robin Kent and Medana Gabbard to open the Vermont Folk Art Gallery on Park Street. The town’s art scene has continued to grow with the debut of the more experimental Conant Square Gallery, a space for exhibits and talks overseen by painter Sandy Mayo. Adding to Brandon’s cultural appeal are the Brandon Town Hall, which offers year-round performances and events, and Barn Opera, which works to bring opera to small towns in Vermont.
ICE FISHING
– Lake Bomoseen & Lake St. Catherine , Vermont
When temperatures dive, the action heats up at Vermont’s first-class ice-fishing spots. Two terrific destinations for winter anglers are Lake Bomoseen and Lake St. Catherine, set in beautiful namesake state parks. At nearly 2,400 acres, Lake Bomoseen is the largest lake entirely within Vermont’s borders. Less than half an hour south is Lake St. Catherine: It’s about a third of Bomoseen’s size, but it’s similarly packed with potential trophy fish, from bass to trout to the mighty northern pike. Both lakes host ice-fishing derbies in February for licensed anglers; however, first-timers may want to attend Vermont’s annual Free Ice Fishing Day instead. Held on the last Saturday in January, it welcomes residents and nonresidents to try their hand at this fun winter sport on any state water body, no license required.
THE ORIGINAL GENERAL STORE & THE BACKROOM
– Pittsfield, Vermont
In addition to running their acclaimed Vermont Farms Catering, Katie Stiles and her husband, chef Kevin Lasko, keep the ingredients from local food partners flowing into two ventures that are close to their home in Pittsfield. The first is The Original General Store, an 1888 mercantile that puts things like Vermont cheese, bread, and maple to work in classed-up sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. The second is a true hidden gem: a tiny, reservations-only restaurant at the back of the general store building. Open only in winter, and just on Friday and Saturday evenings, The Backroom offers cocktails and a three-course, locally inspired menu that changes nightly, courtesy of Chef Lasko.
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.
