Upper Green Mountains in the Winter
Top Picks in the Upper Green Mountains
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 Upper Green Mountains offers in winter.
Vermont
Skiing the Upper Green Mountains
Together, the four signature ski resorts of the Upper Green Mountains are a powerhouse. They cover eight mountains and some 1,500 skiable acres, plus thousands more in backcountry terrain. Yet each has carved out its own space in Vermont’s legendary alpine scene. Mad River Glen, in Waitsfield, is a defiant throwback that relies mainly on natural snow and boasts the only single chairlift in the lower 48 states. Smugglers’ Notch, in Jeffersonville, is a family favorite that also happens to be home to the only triple black diamond run in the Northeast. Sugarbush Resort, in Warren, has two lofty mountains that could be individual ski resorts in their own right; the world’s longest detachable quad lift (just over two miles) connects them. And Stowe Mountain Resort, in Stowe, is where you’ll find the birthplace of Alpine skiing in Vermont: On Mount Mansfield, the state’s tallest mountain, the first ski trails were cut back in 1933.
Fayston, Vermont
Icelandic Horse Farm
In the heart of Green Mountain ski country lies an unexpected bucket-list opportunity for equestrians: the chance to ride on an ancient horse breed that was born for trekking in snow. Icelandic horses are small but strong, with shaggy winter coats that speak to their long history in cold lands. They are descended from horses that the Vikings brought over to Iceland from mainland Scandinavia more than a thousand years ago, and finding them in the U.S. is a relatively rare treat. At Karen Winhold’s Icelandic Horse Farm, experienced riders will love the chance to experience the breed’s singular gait, called the “tölt,” on guided trail excursions or even during multiday riding packages.
Waitsfield, Vermont
Art Stroll
While the Upper Green Mountains region has attracted countless winter-sports lovers through the years, it has also attracted plenty of artists and craftspeople. To see the diversity of their talent, head to Main Street in Waitsfield, where a stroll of just over a mile will bring you to more than a dozen galleries and studios. Among the highlights are Mad River Glass Gallery, where Melanie and David Leppla blow and shape exquisite wares while visitors watch, and Artisans’ Gallery, a 19th-century storefront filled with the creations of more than 150 Vermonters. Thought-provoking exhibitions can also be found at the cultural hub Mad River Valley Arts as well as at Firefolk Arts, a woman-owned gallery that opened in 2023 with a focus on underrepresented creators.
WINTER CARNIVAL & WINTER RENDEZVOUS
– Stowe, Vermont
Often called “The Ski Capital of the East,” the town of Stowe has a calendar of annual events as impressive as its reputation. And in January, two of its big crowd-pleasers overlap to make the town even more of a hot spot. First held in 1921, the Stowe Winter Carnival has become a showcase for the artistry of ice carving, while also offering kids’ activities, food and drink specials, live music, and other diversions. The Winter Rendezvous, meanwhile, invites everyone to join with hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community for five days of fun on and off the slopes. Going strong for more than 40 years, this winter Pride festival lets attendees ski and snowboard to their heart’s content, then take their pick of special events such as wine dinners, drag shows, and dance parties.
ZENBARN
– Waterbury, Vermont
Since 2016, this converted dairy barn has been rocking with the sounds of live music, including rock, funk, jazz, and tribute bands ranging from Dylan to the Grateful Dead. Adding to the fun factor? Comedy and karaoke nights, as well as community-building events like “Paint and Sip” sessions. Fuel for nightlife lovers can be found in Zenbarn’s hearty pub grub (the “Zenburger” comes topped with Cabot cheddar, bacon, fried pickles, and barbecue sauce) and its menu of craft beers and cocktails. The first restaurant in Vermont to offer CBD-infused food and beverages, it whips up concoctions such as the “Gin and Chronic” using high-grade Vermont-grown hemp from its sister business, Zenbarn Farms.
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.
