Snowy mountains, New England-style craft beers, and warm Bavarian pretzels dipped in Vermont cheddar cheese? Sign me up. This past weekend, my boyfriend, Dad, and I took a road trip north to discover the best Vermont winter getaway itinerary. Needless to say, my interest has certainly shifted back to the Northeast, on a quest to rediscover hidden gems that I grew up with.
Exploring Vermont's Countryside
The countryside of Vermont has an indescribable aura of understated magic. Sprinkled throughout soft rolling fields and towering mountains are charming small towns, with an incredibly rich history of local craftsman, artisans, and farmers. In fact, those industries reign strongly today and play a serious factor into Vermont's culture. Oh, and don’t get me started on the local fare. In the winter months, you’ll find rich cheddar cheeses, incredible local made ice creams, tangy berry jams preserved from the summer before, and golden maple syrup from right down the road.
But most of all, you’ll find this state of mind where you can quietly transport to a paradise away from the stress of your daily life, and breathe again. Ready to pack your bags? Keep reading for my new go-to guide for visiting Saint Johnsbury, Barre, and Montpelier in Vermont’s wintery countryside.
Should You Drive or Fly in for a Vermont Winter Getaway?
Local to the New England area? Take a road trip! This is also a great option if you are visiting a second destination such as Quebec, Maine, or New Hampshire; or traveling with snowmobiles or skiing/snowboarding equipment which I’ll get to later.
Visiting from out of state? Book your flights into the three closest airports: Lebanon Municipal Airport, Burlington International Airport, or Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport. All will require a car to get to your final destination. To that point, I highly recommend renting a car to any of the recommendations in this post. We faced blizzard-like conditions with an unexpected snow squall, so be sure to rent a winter-friendly vehicle with a 4-wheel drive.
Things to Do:
Warm Up at Local Craft Breweries
When the snowflakes start flying and gorgeous white mountains surround you, don’t you want to just order a craft beer and get cozy? After our long (wintery) drive up, we stumbled on Red Barn Brewing Pub, which was immediately so inviting with warm maple wood walls, local patrons, incredible beer options, and of course, our newest four-legged friends in this dog-friendly spot.
What to Order:
Evil Angel (Double India Pale Ale, 8.1% ABV): This is a light-bodied double IPA, brewed with pilsner, wheat, Vienna, Munich, and other fine malts. This ale is hopped with a unique combination of Citra and Simcoe hops, producing melon, pear, and citrus aromas. This hoppy beer has some punch but is refreshing, smooth, and well-balanced.
Little Devil (India Pale Ale, 6.8% ABV): Evil Angel's little brother – just not as strong. This beer takes a different hops direction employing generous amounts of Mosaic hops. A nice alternative if you don’t want a very high-ABV IPA.
Intergalactic (India Pale Ale, 6.5% ABV): An out-of-this-world New England style IPA single hopped with Australian Galaxy hops. This beer is full of citrus flavor (pineapple and grapefruit) and pungent aromas to satisfy your craving.
Barn Board: A warm spent-grain pretzel served with RBB No Quarter Pub Cheese, salami, Cabot cheddar cheese, Cabot blue cheese spread, marinated olives, mixed nuts, and freshly sliced pears.
Bone-In Chicken Wings: Six buffalo or Jamaican Jerk-style wings, served with ranch, bleu cheese, or cowboy sauce.
Chili Bowl: Served in an RBB spent grain bread bowl, topped with sour cream and shredded cheddar.
Snowmobiling in Vermont's Highways of Snow
In the winter, snowmobiling is the name of the game in this part of the world. In fact, the New York Times wrote an excellent article titled, “Vermont's Highways of Snow”, that describes the North's endless trail systems. Our original plan for this trip was a fully dedicated weekend to tear up the trails, but due to poor weather conditions and limited availability for rentals, we pivoted to a new direction. If you don’t have your own snowmobiles to trailer in (I’m looking at you, Floridians!), you can rent snowmobiles and equipment such as helmets, gloves, and boots for guided tours with the three companies below. Be sure to book well in advance, especially during the school’s winter break months.
NEK Adventures
Jay Snowmobile Adventures
Northeast Snowmobile Rentals
Hiking in a Winter Wonderland
Winter and hiking usually don't go in the same sentence for me. Estiven was very persistent that this was an important activity for us to do as it was his first time visiting Vermont. At first, I was definitely not convinced with temperatures around 12°F and extremely icy conditions. We both fell on our butts at least four or five times! By the end of our three-hour hike, we were laughing in tears, and I loved every minute! If you are in the area, be sure to check out the Martin Bridge Trail and the St. Johnsbury Red and Yellow Trail.
Insider Tip: DRESS WARM! In the photo, I was wearing three layers under my winter coat, two pairs of XL gloves, and long johns under my denim jeans.
This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
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