Winter Archives - Happy Vermont

Winter

  • The Tradition of Backyard Rope Tows in Vermont
    The Tradition of Backyard Rope Tows in Vermont

    Pete and Sandy Gebbie are farmers and skiers with three backyard rope tows. When the snow is good, friends—and sometimes strangers—come over to ski. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the first rope tow in the United States, which opened at Gilbert’s Hill in Woodstock...

  • Little-Known Vermont Winter Trails to Explore This Season
    Little-Known Vermont Winter Trails to Explore This Season

    For a small state, Vermont is big on trails. The Long Trail, Catamount Trail, and Kingdom Trails are among the state's most legendary areas for hiking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. Fortunately, access to Vermont winter trails can happen without going to a ski resort...

  • 7 Festive Vermont Towns to Visit This Winter
    7 Festive Vermont Towns to Visit This Winter

    "The snow is sparkling like a million little suns." - Lama Willa White-capped mountains, icy ponds and snow-covered valleys make winter in Vermont hard to beat. In Vermont towns, you’ll find ski areas, festive events, sledding hills, skating rinks, general stores and restaurants. Here are seven of...

  • 8 Vermont Art and History Museums Showcase Quirky, Colorful and Eye-Opening Exhibits
    8 Vermont Art and History Museums Showcase Quirky, Colorful and Eye-Opening Exhibits

    Want to escape the cold or find inspiration during mud season? Several Vermont art and history museums are open in late winter and early spring with special events, new exhibitions, and timeless collections. From Burlington the Brattleboro, you’ll find a variety of Vermont art and history...

  • Signs and Archives at Stratton Mountain Resort
    Signs and Archives at Stratton Mountain Resort

    Stratton Mountain may not be Vermont’s oldest ski area, but its history is iconic. Tucked away at this Southern Vermont resort is a collection of Stratton Mountain signs, photos, and posters that tell the story of the ski area that opened in 1961. Stratton was Jake...

  • Small Vermont Ski Hills Offer Affordable Winter Fun
    Small Vermont Ski Hills Offer Affordable Winter Fun

    In the early days of New England skiing, winter enthusiasts flocked to small Vermont ski hills like Northeast Slopes in East Corinth, Gilbert’s Hill in Woodstock (home of the first rope tow in the United States), and Prospect Mountain in Woodford. Vermont skiing has come a...

  • The Lure of Vermont Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain
    The Lure of Vermont Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain

    Bruce Batchelder was a child when his parents moved from Island Pond to the Champlain Islands. Vermont ice fishing is a big deal in the islands, where the land is flat and surrounded by Lake Champlain. For Batchelder, ice fishing has been an essential part...

  • Vermont Community Ice Rinks to Skate This Winter (2023-24)
    Vermont Community Ice Rinks to Skate This Winter (2023-24)

    Vermont community ice rinks can be found in every corner of the state, from Underhill to Peru. Vermont community ice rinks offer an easy, affordable way to combat cabin fever and enjoy the outdoors. Here are outdoor public rinks, many of them run by volunteers, to...

  • A Family Affair at Russell Christmas Tree Farm in Starksboro
    A Family Affair at Russell Christmas Tree Farm in Starksboro

    Russell Christmas Tree Farm in Starksboro has been in business for 40 years. The family-owned farm is where visitors flock to every holiday season for Christmas trees. Dave and Janet Russell bought Russell Christmas Tree Farm from Janet’s parents in the 1970s. The farm was a...

  • Vermont Winter Hiking in March Means Longer, Warmer Days on the Trails
    Vermont Winter Hiking in March Means Longer, Warmer Days on the Trails

    Mud season is just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you need to hang up your microspikes just yet. In fact, late winter and the early days of spring can be an ideal time to hike Vermont’s mountains. Vermont’s winter hiking season is weather-dependent but...