Winter in Vermont: The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Fun

Location: Vermont

Winter in Vermont is truly magical. The Green Mountains are covered in snow, creating the perfect setting for outdoor adventures. Whether your family loves skiing, snowshoeing, or cozy winter activities, there are endless ways to enjoy winter in Vermont.

This guide covers the best activities, outdoor centers, and experiences to help you plan an unforgettable winter trip.

Table of Contents

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing in Vermont

If you want to experience winter in Vermont at a slower pace, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are perfect options. Many outdoor centers offer rentals, making it easy for families to try something new without bringing gear.

Warming huts, hot cocoa, and scenic trails make these spots especially appealing for kids.

Here are some top spots from south to north:

1. Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center (Grafton, VT)
This idyllic Vermont village is home to skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, fat biking, and sleigh rides. Kids can also enjoy camps at the Grafton Nature Museum during holiday breaks, learning about animal adaptations, building snow forts, and roasting s’mores.

2. Viking Nordic Center (Londonderry, VT)
With 26 km of groomed ski trails and 4 km of snowshoe trails, Viking Nordic Center is perfect for families. Kids can join the Great Cookie Hunt and enjoy free cookies after exploring the trails. Pulks are available to pull young children safely along the trails.

3. Wild Wings (Peru, VT)
Wild Wings is a family-friendly Nordic ski touring center with loop trails for all skill levels and a fully stocked rental shop.

4. Woodstock Nordic Center (Woodstock, VT)
Over 45 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, plus snowshoeing and fat biking trails. Rentals and trail passes are available.

5. Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center (Goshen, VT)
Access the Blueberry Hill trail network, Vermont Long Trail, Catamount Trail, and Moosalamoo National Forest Trails. Activities include skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and sledding (bring your own sleds).

6. Rikert Nordic Center (Ripton, VT)
Explore forests and fields on skis, snowshoes, or fat bikes. Warm up in the lodge by the wood stove with a bowl of soup or hot chocolate.

7. Catamount Outdoor Family Center (Williston, VT)
Vermont’s central hub for fat biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, with rentals available.

8. Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe, VT)
Home to the first cross-country ski center in the U.S., offering snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and groomed trails.

9. Craftsbury Outdoor Center (Craftsbury, VT)
105 km of groomed trails through the Northeast Kingdom’s farms, fields, and forests. Dog-friendly and family-friendly.

These locations offer a mix of beginner-friendly trails and more advanced terrain, making them ideal for families exploring winter in Vermont.

Ski Resorts in Vermont

No trip experiencing winter in Vermont is complete without visiting a ski resort. Whether you are teaching your kids to ski or looking for more advanced terrain, Vermont has options for every skill level.

Mount Snow (West Dover)
Stratton Mountain (Stratton Mountain)
Bromley (Peru)
Magic Mountain (Londonderry)
Okemo Mountain Resort (Ludlow)
Killington (Killington)
Sugarbush (Warren)
Mad River Glen (Waitsfield)
Bolton Valley (Bolton Valley)
Spruce Peak (Stowe)
Smuggler’s Notch (Jeffersonville)
Burke Mountain (East Burke)
Jay Peak (Jay)

Many of these resorts offer ski schools, making winter in Vermont especially family-friendly.

Ice Skating in Vermont

Ice skating is one of the most magical ways to enjoy winter in Vermont. From scenic outdoor rinks to unique skating trails, there are plenty of options.

The Ice House at Okemo (Ludlow, VT) – Year-round pavilion with skate rentals.
Lake Morey Resort (Fairlee, VT) – Home to the longest skating trail in the U.S., a 4.5-mile loop around the lake.
Skatium (Waitsfield, VT) – Outdoor rink with skate rentals, heated changing rooms, and a $5 skate sharpening service.
Spruce Peak Village Center (Stowe, VT) – Free public rink with rentals and a charming village setting.
Lake Morey is especially memorable for families looking for a one-of-a-kind winter in Vermont experience.

Sleigh Rides in Vermont

Sleigh rides are a classic winter in Vermont activity and a favorite for younger kids. Sitting under blankets while gliding through snowy fields feels like stepping into a storybook.

Best places for sleigh rides:

Taylor Farm (Londonderry, VT) – Cozy family farm with sleigh rides, bonfires, and hot chocolate.
Billings Farm (Woodstock, VT) – Heritage farm offering scenic sleigh rides across sprawling property.

Many rides include hot chocolate and bonfires, making them perfect for families.

Snow Tubing in Vermont

Snow tubing is one of the easiest and most fun ways to enjoy winter in Vermont. No experience is needed, making it ideal for all ages.

Top tubing spots include:

Mount Snow – Eight lanes, lift-serviced.
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center – Classic Vermont tubing hill (check conditions).
Ascutney Outdoors – 500-foot tubing lift for a safe ride.
Stratton Mountain – Coca-Cola Tube Park with night tubing.
Okemo Mountain Resort – Four-lane tubing park.
Killington Tubing Park – Lift-serviced, family-friendly fun.
Smuggler’s Notch – Glow tubing under LED lights.
Sharp Park (Milton, VT) – Unique quarter-mile tubing chute.

This is often a highlight for kids visiting Vermont in winter.

Dog Sledding in Vermont

Dog sledding is an unforgettable way to experience winter in Vermont. It combines adventure with beautiful scenery, and many outfitters focus on ethical and humane practices.

Top options include:

This is a unique activity that older kids especially love.

Winter Fat Biking in Vermont

Fat biking is a growing winter activity and a fun way to explore snowy trails. The wide tires make it possible to ride over packed snow.

You can rent bikes at:

Stratton Mountain
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center
Viking Nordic Center
Woodstock Nordic Center
Rikert Nordic Center
Bolton Valley
Jay Peak

Trying fat biking is a great way to add variety to your winter in Vermont itinerary.

Snowmobiling in Vermont

For families with older kids, snowmobiling offers a more adventurous way to explore Vermont’s winter landscape. Trails are well maintained, and guided tours are available.

Guided experiences make this a safe and exciting option.

Ice Climbing in Vermont

If you are looking for something truly unique, ice climbing is one of the most adventurous ways to experience winter in Vermont.

Sunrise Mountain Guides (Stowe, VT) Learn the basics, safety techniques, and skills needed for ice climbing with Sunrise Mountain Guides in Stowe. They offer guided ice climbing experiences for all ages, skill levels, and abilities, making it a great option for families looking to try something new during winter in Vermont.

Final Thoughts on Winter in Vermont

Winter in Vermont truly has something for every family. Whether you are skiing down the slopes, tubing with your kids, or enjoying a quiet snowshoe walk, the experience is both fun and memorable.

With so many activities to choose from, it is easy to plan a trip that fits your family’s interests. If you are looking for a destination that combines outdoor adventure with classic New England charm, winter in Vermont is hard to beat.