Winter in the Green Mountain State is both beautiful and entertaining, with scenic snowscapes and plenty of fun things to do in Vermont in winter. There’s skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, dog sledding, cozying up in a cabin on a snowy day, and so much more!
Whether your idea of a winter getaway involves cozy downtime or lots of fun outdoor activities, there are things to do in Vermont in winter for everyone!
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Tips for Visiting Vermont in Winter
One quick thing to know about Vermont in winter: it gets COLD! Come dressed properly, with plenty of layers, a good coat, hat, gloves, and boots. Without the proper clothing, you won’t be able to have too much Vermont winter fun.
Things to Do in Vermont in Winter
Go Dog Sledding
Have you ever been dog sledding? It’s a unique Vermont winter activity that is fun for all ages. There are several options for where to go dog sledding in Vermont, with one spot being especially popular with dog lovers: Eden Ethical Dog Sledding Experience. At this VT dog sledding place, dogs are free to roam the 140-acre farm, free of chains. Eden Ethical Dog Sledding Experience also offered wheeled dog sledding experiences, so if there’s no snow, it’s no problem!
Play at a Ski Resort
When it comes to things to do in Vermont in winter, ski resorts always reign supreme! Not only will you have a blast hitting the slopes, but ski resorts often offer all kinds of great winter activities like snowshoeing, fat biking, XC skiing, ice skating, and more, plus many have great accommodations.
For a great ski resort to stay at during your Vermont winter vacation, consider booking a stay at Jay Peak Resort, where there’s plenty at fantastic outdoor VT winter things to do, plus an incredible indoor water park, spa, restaurants, a kids adventure center, and more.
Click Here to Check Prices & Book!
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating is such a classic winter in Vermont thing to do! Not only is there plenty of indoor ice skating across the state, but you’ll also find great outdoor ice skating in Vermont, too. If outdoor ice skating sounds like something you’d like to check out, consider a trip to the Lake Morey Skate Trail, the longest in the US at 4.3 miles.
Use of the Skate Trail is free, but donations are encouraged. Rentals and supplies are available in the resort, but check the Facebook page for ice conditions before you go: this is the nature of outdoor ice skating in Vermont, you’ll have to follow Mother Nature’s lead! Ice skating is always a very cute Vermont winter date thing to do, too.
Cozy up in a Vermont cabin
One of the best things to do in Vermont in winter is to rent yourself a cozy little cabin. Well, it doesn’t have to be little, but bonus points if you can rent a cabin or a cottage with a fireplace so you can snuggle up in front of a crackling fire with your favorite person during a cold Vermont winter.
There are several great options for cabins to rent, but if you want to get a full Vermont winter cabin getaway experience, consider this adorable A-frame style cabin in the woods with a fireplace and a hot tub, close to Mt Snow and Stratton for all kinds of fun winter things to do!
Stowe Winter Carnival
Taking place at the end of January, the Stowe Winter Carnival is one of the most popular Vermont winter things to do for those who can appreciate unique art mediums, like ice sculptures! Not only will you find incredible professional and amateur ice sculpture competitions happening, but there are also ice carving classes, music, dancing, stargazing, and a snowvolleyball tournament! This is definitely a unique Vermont winter event, and there are plenty of great restaurants and places to stay in Stowe, so you can make this a part of a fantastic VT winter getaway.
Hang at a Coffee Shop or Brewery
There’s no shortage of either in the great state of Vermont! There are cozy coffee shops that are the perfect place to hunker down with a good book and a steaming hot cup of your favorite beverage and VT breweries that are full of interesting brews and people. Bonus points if you incorporate a visit to a cool, local bookstore before you head out. Whether you’re more in the mood for a hot cup of coffee or a cold craft beer, you’ll find there are plenty of options for where to get a good drink in Vermont!
Go Ice Fishing
Have you ever been ice fishing? Ice fishing is a fun way to get outside and enjoy winter in Vermont. Not only can this be a great winter activity with friends and/or family, but this is also a great solo winter activity in Vermont; either way, you’ll have a blast. Lake Champlain is a very popular VT ice fishing spot, and it puts you right next to all kinds of fun Burlington things to see and do!
Book a Room at a Lovely VT Inn
There are so many incredible inns and hotels around the Green Mountain State, and the perfect time to get the Vermont inn experience is in the winter! You can make it a family affair or plan a romantic getaway, either way, a stay at an inn in Vermont in winter is absolutely magical.
The Reluctant Panther is a popular spot for romantic getaways in VT, and in wintertime, this place becomes even more picturesque. Rooms are generously appointed and the onsite dining is Zagat rated, so you know your meals will be delicious! Plus, booking a room here puts you in Manchester, one of the best places to spend winter in Vermont; what’s there not to love about this winter in Vermont idea?
Click Here to Check Prices & Book!
Go Snow Tubing
For a surefire way to have a blast in the snow in Vermont, go snow tubing. This easily accessible VT winter activity can be enjoyed by most, even those of us who aren’t stellar athletes! There are several great places around the state to go snow tubing, and it’s one of those activities that are family-friendly for most ages, so if you’re looking for great things to do in Vermont in winter with kids, add snow tubing to the list.
Visit a Nordic Center
Nordic centers offer all kinds of fantastic things to do in Vermont in winter, like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and more. If you’re interested in trying these things out but have never done so before, many offer equipment rentals and lessons. Cross country skiing is an amazing way to get out and enjoy the picturesque Vermont countryside while it’s blanketed in snow!
Tour a Vermont Sugar House
One thing Vermont will always be known for is their maple syrup. Sugaring season doesn’t technically start until about mid-March, but you can visit Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks throughout the winter for free sugar house tours and tastings, multimedia demonstrations in a woodshed theater, and a store with oh so many delicious maple syrup goodies!
Go Snowmobiling
Another great Vermont winter activity for all fitness levels is snowmobiling. It’s a super fun way to get out and get some speed whipping through the Vermont wilderness! You can check out Snowmobile Vermont and see which of its four snowmobile locations in Vermont is closest to you. This is another great addition to the list of family things to do in winter in Vermont, too, as kids as young as 4 years old can ride with Snowmobile Vermont!
Visit a VT Christmas Tree Farm
Visiting a Christmas tree farm is one of those classic winter things to do in Vermont that is perfect for a visit at Christmastime. You don’t have to be shopping for a giant Christmas tree to visit a tree farm, either, because many offer beautiful handcrafted ornaments and decor that could serve as the perfect souvenir of your Vermont winter vacation. You’ll often find yummy treats available onsite, too, like hot cocoa!
Take a Ride in a Horse-Drawn Sleigh
For something that could be both the perfect family fun activity and the perfect Vermont winter date idea, check out sleigh rides in VT! Not only is this a lovely way to enjoy the great outdoors from a unique vantage point, but it’s one of those winter experiences that you’ll never forget. Several Vermont farms and resorts offer sleigh rides, so there’s sure to be one near you!
Christmas Events
Of course, if your Vermont winter trip falls in December, you’re going to find some great Christmas events happening near you! Vermont is full of Christmas charm, including delightful weekend festivities and traditions galore, so if you’re looking for Christmas things to do in Vermont, you’ll most certainly find them. In fact, there are towns in Vermont that transform during the holidays into something that looks straight out of a Hallmark movie! Here’s looking at you, Woodstock!
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If you’re planning a Vermont winter vacation, rest assured, there’s plenty of fun to be found both indoors and out. Whether you’re looking for a cozy, relaxing winter getaway in Vermont, or you’d rather participate in adrenaline-inducing VT winter activities, you’ll find it!
You might also like:
- 7 Perfect Spots for a Vermont Weekend Getaway
- 15 of the Coziest and Best Winter Getaways in New England
Amy Hartle is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of New England With Love, a comprehensive resource for travel in the New England region. Amy has been exploring New England since 2001. She lived in Vermont for many years and is a graduate of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Amy has been writing about travel for over a decade. On this site, Amy aims to share her love of New England and help you to have the best possible adventures!
Amy has been a full time blogger since 2012, and is also the publisher of Two Drifters, where she writes about couples travel and relationships, as well as Let’s Adventure Baby, a family travel site. When not traveling the world or creating epic blog content, Amy can be found cuddling with her husband, son, and cats, & drinking a maple latte.