Things to Do in the Winter in Vermont If You Don’t Ski
11 Ways to Enjoy Winter in Vermont Without Skiing
The glistening white peaks of the Green Mountains, set against a bright blue sky, are an enticing playground for a snowy winter vacation. Find the rhythm of the season through these 11 winter activities and experience a Vermont vacation in new ways. Immerse yourself in the magic of some of the country’s darkest skies, retreat into rejuvenating wellness experiences, and discover forests slumbering in deep snow just waiting to be explored, no skis required.
1. Focus on Wellness
The soft, mesmerizing fall of snowflakes invites you to experience winter at a slower pace. A focus on wellness can turn the calm and quiet of the season inward, restoring the body and spirit. There are lots of ways to recharge in Vermont. Hunker down in the dry heat of a sauna overlooking stunning mountain views, indulge in halotherapy at a salt cave, retreat to a spa using local ingredients in award-winning treatments, or release endorphins with a cold plunge in one of Vermont’s lakes.
2. Go Snowshoeing
Indigenous People invented snowshoes to help them walk more easily through deep snow. Wide, flat snowshoes allow you to walk on the surface of the snow, rather than sinking in with each step, helping conserve both your energy and the trail’s integrity. Snowshoeing to frozen waterfalls affords beautiful views. Take your snowshoes to an outdoor sculpture park to get your fill of Vermont’s inspirational arts and culture, or visit one of Vermont’s well-trodden rail trails that connect bustling downtowns. No snowshoes? No problem. There are plenty of places in Vermont to rent equipment, and some bike shops that manage fat biking trails even offer free snowshoes to help pack down the trail.
3. Learn Something New
Vermont artisans, chefs, and other makers find inspiration during the winter. A great souvenir from travel is the feeling of empowerment that comes with practicing a new skill, and Vermont has opportunities in spades to learn something new. Try your hand at indoor axe throwing, pottery, painting, marksmanship, immersive culinary lessons using local ingredients, and more at locations statewide.
4. Dogsledding
Vermont’s Indigenous history stretches back at least 13,000 years, when Indigenous People used dogs to transport people and packs through snowy wilderness. Today, visitors to Vermont can experience the hush and rush of a dogsled trip, taking you deeper into the woods to explore. The slide of the sled on snow and the padding of the dogs’ paws as they run enthusiastically make great background sound as you watch the scenic beauty of Vermont’s snowy landscape fly by. Plus, you’ll usually get time for a meet-and-greet with the pack after.
5. Fat Biking
Love cycling? Bikes with fat tires are equipped for snowy trails and make for a great way to get exercise doing something you might already love. Getting outside on two (fat) tires means exploring groomed trails and seeing parts of the Vermont woods you can’t see from the road, as well as working up an appetite for Vermont’s famous local cheeses, brews, and more. Find out where to ride.
6. Head Out on Horseback
Horses are a great way to get outside in the winter. Whether you’re bundling up for a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride through snowy woods or fields or heading out for a guided horseback riding tour at a Vermont stable, the beauty and grace of horses translates beautifully to wintertime. In Waitsfield, you can even tour on Icelandic horses at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm, a breed whose thick, shaggy coat and surefootedness mean it’s specially adapted for winter conditions. In the Champlain Islands, organize a custom trail ride through Breakaway Farm, and in Shaftsbury, Kimberly Farm also offers year-round trail ride experiences. Plus, a beautiful horse and a snowy forest make for spectacular photo opportunities.
7. Tour Covered Bridges
This adventure might not even require you to leave your warm car. Vermont is famous for its 100 covered bridges, and most are still in use as part of road systems, meaning you’ll likely encounter at least one without trying. The earliest covered bridge still standing in Vermont was built in 1820, and in Windsor, you can find the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. In the past, covered bridges were known as “kissing bridges” because as courting couples rode through them in horse-drawn carriages, they could snatch a few moments of privacy inside. They look beautiful under a blanket of fresh snow with flakes flying.
8. Stargazing
Just 2% of Americans live somewhere they can see the Milky Way. Vermont has some of the country’s darkest skies, and in the crisp cold of winter, they seem clearer and darker than ever. As the seasons shift, different constellations emerge; in the winter, trace the shapes of Casseiopeia, Taurus, and Orion and see if you can spot Polaris, the North Star. Very occasionally, you’ll even get to see glimpses of aurora borealis – the northern lights. While you’re outside, enjoy a bonfire, gather around with hot chocolate, and get cozy amid the season’s beauty.
9. Discover Local Dining
What is winter if not a purpose-built excuse to reach for comfort food? After all, our bodies naturally need more fuel when it’s cold out. Vermont’s restaurants offer the kind of food experiences you can immerse yourself into, from dishes that put the spotlight on award-winning local cheese to nationally recognized food that takes inspiration from the Mediterranean, Jamaica, Thailand, China, and more. Alongside, pair local wines, innovative cocktails, or flavor-forward non-alcoholic drinks that elevate your dining experience.
10. Go Deep Into Culture
Vermont’s history is bone-deep. See wild raptor birds up close and explore the forest on a boardwalk at Vermont Institute of Natural Science, or see the fully restored – and massive – “Domes of the Yosemite” on display at Fairbanks Museum, also home to the state’s only public planetarium. The Museum of Everyday Life pays homage to the beauty found in uplifting the ordinary, from knots to dust to scissors. Art galleries curate both local and world-renowned works to tell a story in the kind of bright, vivid colors it’s hard to find outside this time of year. For the young and young at heart, spend time learning about the natural world and Vermont’s ecosystems at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain or the Montshire Museum of Science.
11. Ice Skating
Vermont is home to the country’s longest ice skating trail on Lake Morey, starting at the Town Beach. Rinks around the state offer rentals and a great way to get out on ice, from late-night skating events with music and fireworks to a classic indoor rink to help the whole family learn. Whether you’re looking for a picturesque place to glide or a space to learn, there are plenty of opportunities to carve it up statewide.