12 Unmissable Activities in Vermont You’ll Love This Winter

545

Vermont in winter is cold, snowy, and absolutely beautiful. The 2026-2027 season brings new investment at Smugglers’ Notch, upgraded facilities at Stowe, and a festival calendar that runs from January’s ice carving competitions right through to maple sugaring in March. If you’re planning a winter trip to the Northeast, this is the state I’d pick every time.

I’ve been coming back to Vermont in winter for years, and it’s the mix of outdoor adventure, local food, and small-town energy that keeps pulling me here. This guide covers my 12 favorite things to do across the state, from skiing and snowmobiling to sleigh rides, dog sledding, and sugarhouse tours. I’ve included dates, recommendations, and booking tips for each one.

• Warming up after a day on the slopes matters. One Vermont listing even made my roundup of Airbnbs with indoor pools, perfect for soaking sore legs without leaving the house.

Things to do in Vermont this winter at a glance

I’ve spent a lot of time in Vermont during the colder months, and it’s become one of my favorite winter destinations in the US. There’s a good mix of outdoor activities, food, festivals, and slower-paced days that you won’t find at bigger, more commercialized ski destinations. Here are my five favorite things to do in Vermont in winter if you want a shortlist.

1. Skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort: 116 trails across Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, the best skiing in the Northeast, with upgraded dining and lessons for 2026-2027
2. Dog Sledding in Eden Mills: Rescue huskies, private trails through snowy forest, hands-on mushing experience at 1,500 feet in Vermont’s snow belt
3. Stowe Winter Carnival: Ice carving competition at The Alchemist Brewery, with a full week of events across the village in late January
4. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides at Trapp Family Lodge: Sleigh bells, Green Mountain views, plus 60km of cross-country trails and the Slayton Pasture Cabin
5. Vermont Maple Open House Weekend: Over 80 sugarhouses open their doors on March 20-21, 2027, with free tours, tastings, and sugar-on-snow

I’ve pinned every activity, festival, and attraction mentioned in this guide on the map below. Save it to your phone before your trip and use it to plan driving routes between stops. Vermont is a rural state, and having everything mapped out visually helps you see what’s close together and avoid unnecessary backtracking.

1. Skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort

If you’re planning a Vermont winter getaway, Stowe Mountain Resort should be high on your list. The resort spans 116 trails across Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, connected by gondola, and the conditions here are consistently some of the best on the East Coast. I’d recommend intermediates and above head straight for Mansfield’s Front Four for steep, technical terrain you won’t find anywhere else in New England. Beginners and families have plenty of wide groomers on Spruce Peak, and the gondola ride alone is a highlight, with panoramic views of the Green Mountains before you even reach the summit.

After a day on the mountain, take five minutes to drive into Stowe Village for food, local beer, and classic small-town New England atmosphere. The resort’s Tower Five Bar (a newly rebranded après spot right on the mountain with an expanded porch) is a good place to unwind before heading into town. For the 2026-2027 season, I’d recommend buying lift tickets well in advance. Stowe limits daily numbers, and Vail Resorts has rolled out upgraded dining and a new concierge-style private lesson program across its properties this year, Stowe included.

• For more reading: 12 BEST Airbnbs in Stowe VT (Cabins + Treehouses)

2. Attend the Waterbury Winterfest

Waterbury Winterfest is a five-day, volunteer-run winter festival held every January in Waterbury, Vermont. It’s one of the best ways to experience small-town Vermont in the cold months. The 2027 edition runs from January 27 to 31.

The lineup typically includes snow volleyball and bocce at Rusty Parker Memorial Park, bluegrass nights at local breweries, beer and wine tastings, an Ice Skating Disco, and Wassailing, where singing troupes serenade diners across downtown pubs. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a break from the slopes and a look at what a Vermont winter community celebration feels like up close. Many of the events are free, and proceeds from the paid ones go back into local recreation programs.

Waterbury is only a 15-minute drive from Stowe, which makes the festival easy to fold into a ski trip. If you can only spare one day, go on a Saturday. The schedule is packed from morning sledding and fat-tire bike demos right through to the evening disco at the Waterbury Ice Center. Check the official website ahead of your visit for the full 2027 schedule and any events that need advance registration.

3. Go Dog Sledding in the Snow

If you’re looking for something completely different from skiing, I’d point you toward Eden Ethical Dog Sledding in Eden Mills. Every husky here is a rescue, and the dogs live chain-free on a 140-acre sanctuary. You’ll help harness the team, learn the basics of mushing, and then head out on private trails through snowy forest and open fields. It’s hands-on from start to finish, and the dogs are visibly happy to run. I’d recommend this for couples and families with kids, especially anyone who loves animals and wants a winter experience that goes beyond the typical resort activities.

The popular Beta tour lasts around two hours and includes time with the dogs before and after the ride. Book well in advance, particularly over the holidays, because availability is limited. The sanctuary sits in Vermont’s snow belt at higher elevation, which means they have reliable snowfall even when the valleys are patchy. Dress in warm layers and bring a camera. It’s about a 45- to 60-minute drive from Stowe, but the trip is well justified.

4. Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is one of the best ice fishing destinations in the Northeast. What’s more, you don’t need any experience to try it. The lake stretches 120 miles along Vermont’s western border and holds yellow perch, northern pike, walleye, and lake trout through the winter months.

For pike, head to Missisquoi Bay or Kelley Bay. For perch, the Inland Sea and Malletts Bay are consistently productive. Several local guides near Grand Isle offer full setups with augers, bait, and heated pop-up shelters, and a half-day trip is a good starting point if you’ve never done it before. You’ll need a Vermont fishing license, which is easy to pick up online.

I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a slower, off-the-slopes day during a Vermont winter trip. February tends to offer the most stable ice and the best fishing. Check conditions with a local bait and tackle shop before you go, and layer up with waterproof gear. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department also runs a free ice fishing festival each January at Knight Point State Park in North Hero, with equipment and instruction provided. It’s a good entry point for families and complete beginners.

5. Snowshoeing in Smugglers’ Notch

If you want a winter activity in Vermont that doesn’t involve a lift ticket, I’d steer you toward snowshoeing at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. The Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center has dedicated snowshoe trails through snow-covered forest and along frozen streams, with options ranging from flat family-friendly loops to steeper climbs with views of the Green Mountains. You can rent snowshoes and poles on-site, and the staff are helpful with route suggestions for first-timers. It’s a great pick for families, couples, or anyone who wants to be outdoors in the snow without the learning curve of skiing.

For the 2026-2027 season, Smugglers’ Notch is under new ownership and has invested heavily in 100 new snow guns across all three mountains. This should mean better early-season conditions and more reliable coverage throughout winter. The resort also runs evening snowshoe treks and a kids’ scavenger hunt on the trails, both of which are good additions if you’re traveling with children. Check the resort’s website closer to your visit for the full winter program.

6. Attend the Stowe Winter Carnival

The Stowe Winter Carnival is one of the best-known winter festivals in the Northeast, and I’d plan a January trip around it if you can. The main event is the Ice Carving Competition at The Alchemist Brewery, where professional sculptors turn massive blocks of ice into detailed works of art over the course of a day. Stowe had not posted the 2027 dates when I last checked, so confirm on gostowe.com before you book. The carnival usually lands in the second half of January, with the competition on a Saturday. Leading up to it, ice carving demonstrations pop up along Main Street and Mountain Road, and the whole village takes on a festival atmosphere with snow volleyball, stargazing, live music, and parties at local bars.

The carnival also runs alongside Winter Rendezvous (January 20-24, 2027), Stowe’s annual LGBTQ+ winter pride festival, which adds pool parties, drag bingo, and its own lineup of events to the week. I’d aim for the Friday and Saturday if you’re short on time. Friday is demonstration day, where you can walk through town and watch carvers at work, and Saturday is the competition itself. Check the GoStowe website closer to the date for the full 2027 schedule.

7. Snowmobiling on the VAST Trails

Snowmobiling on the VAST Trails is one of the fastest ways to cover ground and see parts of Vermont you’d never reach on foot or skis. The network spans nearly 5,000 miles of connected, groomed trails across the state, running through remote forest, open farmland, and right into small towns where you can stop for lunch. If you’ve never ridden before, Snowmobile Vermont operates out of Stowe and offers one-and two-hour guided backcountry tours with all gear provided. They’re the largest tour operator in the state and a good option for first-timers who want to get out on the trails without the learning curve.

You’ll need a VAST TMA (Trail Maintenance Assessment) pass to ride. For the 2026-2027 season these go on sale October 1 and are purchased online only. Trails officially open December 16, snow permitting, and close April 15. VAST also has a mobile app with offline trail maps, grooming conditions, and trip tracking, which is useful once you’re comfortable enough to ride solo. Bring warm gloves and layer up. At speed, the wind chill drops fast!

8. Enjoy a Spa Day in a Mountain Resort

After a few days of skiing or snowshoeing, nothing beats a visit to the Spa at Spruce Peak in Stowe. It’s a 21,000 square foot facility right at the base of the mountain with 18 treatment rooms, a Healing Lodge with dry sauna and herbal steam, and a Sanctuary Lounge overlooking Mount Mansfield. The outdoor hot tubs surrounded by snow and mountain views are the highlight. Book ahead during ski season because appointments fill up fast, especially on weekends.

I’d recommend this for couples or anyone traveling without young kids. Massages, facials, and body treatments are for guests 18 and over, and the Healing Lodge is restricted to ages 15 and up. Day access to the spa facilities is included with any treatment priced $125 or above, which means you can spend the full day using the pool, lounge, and sauna alongside your appointment. It’s a good way to break up a week of outdoor activities without leaving the resort.

9. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe offers horse-drawn sleigh rides through its grounds every winter. I’d put this high on your list if you’re visiting with a partner or young kids. You’re bundled under thick blankets while the horses trot through open meadows and snow-covered forest, sleigh bells going, Green Mountains in every direction. Aim for late afternoon when the light is low and the property looks its best. Rides last around 30 to 40 minutes. They book up fast during peak weeks, so call the lodge ahead of time to reserve.

While you’re there, make a day of it. The lodge has 60km of private cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, and the Slayton Pasture Cabin is a three-mile trek into the woods where they serve hot soup, drinks, and snacks (cash only). The on-site Bierhall serves Austrian-inspired food and local beer, and it’s a good place to warm up before heading back to Stowe. A sleigh ride at Trapp Family Lodge is one of the best things to do in Vermont in winter if you want something off the slopes!

• Read Next: 15 Magical Hidden Gems in New England

10. Winter Hiking on the Long Trail

Winter hiking on the Long Trail is one of the best ways to experience Vermont’s Green Mountains without the crowds you’d find in summer. The trail runs 272 miles from the Massachusetts border to Canada, but you don’t need to commit to anything close to that. Shorter day hikes on lower-elevation sections are popular through the winter months, and the snow-covered forests are beautiful when the weather cooperates. I’d recommend Stowe Pinnacle or sections near Smugglers’ Notch for accessible half-day outings with rewarding views. Bring microspikes or snowshoes depending on conditions, and check the Green Mountain Club website for trail updates before you head out.

The Green Mountains get cold in winter. Temperatures on exposed ridgelines drop well below freezing, weather changes fast, and daylight is limited. The GMC considers October through March full winter conditions and discourages thru-hiking during this period. For day hikes, start early, carry extra layers, pack a headlamp, and tell someone where you’re going. If you’re experienced and looking for a challenge, the summit of Camel’s Hump in winter is spectacular, but only attempt it with proper gear and a clear weather window.

11. Visit the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury

The Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury is open year-round and makes a good half-day stop on a winter trip. The 30-minute guided tour walks you through how they make their ice cream, from the production floor to the chunk room, and finishes with a tasting in the Flavor Room. Pair it with the Waterbury Winterfest if your trip falls in late January, since the factory is a 10-minute walk from the center of town. Outside, the Flavor Graveyard is a fun detour where retired flavors get their own tongue-in-cheek headstones.

Tickets cost around $6 per adult and $1 per child, and they release availability two weeks in advance. I’d book online before you go. Walk-in spots exist but can sell out entirely on busy days, and winter weekends near the ski resorts get busier than you’d expect. The factory is open daily from 10am to 6pm through the winter, with the last tour leaving at 5pm. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

12. Vermont Maple Open House Weekend

If your Vermont winter trip extends into late March, time it around the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend. In 2027, it falls on March 20 and 21. Over 80 sugarhouses across the state open their doors for free tours, boiling demonstrations, and tastings of the season’s fresh syrup. You can watch sap being collected and boiled down in real time, try sugar-on-snow (hot syrup poured over packed snow, a Vermont tradition), and fill up on pancake breakfasts drizzled with syrup made that morning. I’d recommend it for anyone who wants to see a side of Vermont that has nothing to do with ski resorts.

Plan a driving route before you go. The participating sugarhouses are spread across the state, and the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association website lists every location with an interactive map. Some of the smaller operations are down dirt roads in rural areas, and they tend to be the best ones. Sugaring season depends on temperatures rising above freezing during the day and dropping below at night, which is why late March is the sweet spot. Vermont produces around 3 million gallons of maple syrup a year, over half the national supply, and this weekend is the best time to see how it gets made.

• Read Next: 7 Best Vermont Mountains for Adventure