Winter

You may be someone who thinks first of snow when considering things to do in Vermont. The weather here is unlikely to disappoint you. Last winter more than 12 feet of snow was recorded near the Windham Country House. That makes for great winter activity options, regardless of age and athletic ability.

• Downhill Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Cross-country Skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Horse Riding
• Skating
• Sledding
• Creating Snow Sculptures

DOWNHILL SKIING - The Windham Country House is 30 minutes from Stratton and Bromley Mountains and 15 minutes from Magic Mountain. Stratton and Bromley are first-class ski resorts. Magic is a smaller, more traditional New England resort and offers some of the steepest slopes in Vermont.

SNOWBOARDING - This increasingly popular sport can be enjoyed at Stratton and Bromley Mountains. The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships are held at Stratton in mid-March, attracting spectators from around the world.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING - Vermont is also a great place for cross-country skiing. There are groomed trails at Grafton Ponds, the Viking Nordic Centre, Stratton, and Wild Wings, all within 20 to 30 minutes. The trails at nearby Jamaica State Park are less groomed for those who like a bit of a challenge on a beautiful riverside trail. You can also snowshoe on any of these trails.

SNOWMOBILING - You can rent snowmobiles at two nearby locations or bring your own. There’s plenty of parking space here. You can tour rugged mountain trails, logging roads, or the VAST trail system, which is only a few miles away.

HORSE RIDING - Several farms in the area offer sleigh rides for couples and groups. You can snuggle under warm blankets while horses pull you across the scenic winter countryside. Winter horseback riding is also available through the scenic backroads of Danby, Vermont.

SKATING - Smooth ice is available for skaters at Grafton Ponds (outdoors) and Riley Rink (indoors). Guests of the Windham Country House have also skated right here on this vacation rental's pond. Mother Nature doesn't always allow it, and the pond is small, but former guests have found it to their liking.

SLEDDING - You need not travel further than a few steps from the Windham Country House door to enjoy a good downhill ride. Situated on a hillside, the property has a few slopes of varying length and depth to please guests of all ages. In the photo here, an entire extended family sled down the hill behind the house.

CREATING SNOW SCULPTURES - Among the things to do in Vermont for winter guests are creative ones, like building snowmen, snow women, snow forts, and other snow sculptures. Children especially enjoy it at this vacation rental. The grounds are theirs to make of what they will.

©2009 M.McCoy