Winter Activities in Vermont for Non-Skiers

Not interested in hitting the slopes every day? That’s okay! Vermont is so much more than a ski destination, and there are endless ways to explore the state’s natural beauty in winter. Here are a few of our favorites:

Dogsledding

A time-honored tradition across the frozen north, dogsledding is a unique way to see the sparkling, snow-covered trails that a heavier horse-drawn sleigh wouldn’t be able to navigate. Plus, many Vermont dogsled companies are proud to promote their ethical practices– a great learning opportunity for young visitors! 

Snowmobiling

Are you a thrill seeker? Snowmobiling might be for you! Vermont is home to thousands of miles of snowmobile trails, including the VAST network, which covers virtually every corner of the state. Hit the trails for a few hours, ride to lunch at one of the many restaurants accessible by snowmobile trail, or even go inn-to-inn on a multi-day adventure!  If you don’t have a snowmobile license, never fear! You can book group or solo tours with a local snowmobile tour operator. 

Hit the Trails

It’s never the wrong season to go for a hike! Vermont offers excellent hiking trails for beginners and experts alike. Even if you’ve hiked some of these trails in the summertime, you’ll find that visiting them in the winter is a completely different experience and landscape. Many resorts will rent snowshoes to fit the whole family–deep snow does not need to hold you back!

Looking for a little more of a workout on the trails? Another increasingly popular winter activity is fat biking, the winter equivalent of mountain biking! These bikes are equipped with wider - or “fat” - tires to help float on snow. Many bike shops will rent fat bikes in the winter months… and offer advice on the best local spots to ride!

Ice Skating

One awesome trend in many Vermont communities is the creation of pop-up ice rinks. While these vary in size, there are many permanent  indoor and outdoor rink options for those looking to take to the ice. Many lakes and ponds will smooth over patches of ice and set out rental equipment for the season. Lake Morey in Fairlee even has the longest outdoor skating track in the United States!  This is the perfect activity for any occasion: friend outing, family day, or romantic date. 

Eating Maple Syrup!

If you’re looking to sprinkle in some Vermont-y indoor activities, you won’t find anything better than sampling our famous maple syrup! Vermont is the nation’s top producer of maple syrup, turning out about half of the nation’s supply. This means that you can find this delicious sweet treat nearly everywhere in the state! One of our favorite ways to eat maple syrup in the winter is by pouring it on snow to make a kind of maple taffy! 

Other indoor activities include museum hopping, shopping in one of Vermont’s bucolic village centers, checking out some microbreweries, and sampling some of our famous cheeses.

Endless Fun 

Long Vermont winters start around Halloween and last through March, so there’s plenty of time to fit in all of the activities you wish to explore. While we’ve given you some great places to start, the activities above are just the tip of the iceberg (ha!). Some other popular winter pastimes include ice fishing, snow tubing, and horseback riding! The experiences are well worth the rosy cheeks and runny nose :)

If you're intent on experiencing the VT weather to the fullest, spending time outdoors should be your choice. Have you had an opportunity to ride a horse in winter? Tried ice fishing for bass, trout, or salmon? What about snow tubing with other grown-up kids? It's worth the rosy cheeks and a runny nose, believe us.

Vermont is a winter paradise no matter what type of activities you enjoy!  Looking for more suggestions? Contact us and we will tell you about our favorite winter activities!

This blog is sponsored by My Brooks Moving.