Cross-Country and Snowshoe Skiing
Explore over 2,000 miles of trails in the beautiful, unspoiled, scenic backcountry of Vermont on a guided tour. A variety of guided tours are offered throughout Vermont. Forget about work! Put on your skis and travel from inn to inn each day exploring beautiful wilderness ski trails such as the Catamount Trail and then relax at night in the warmth of some of Vermont’s finest country inns. For more information on specific tours see www.voga.org or www.catamount.org.

Downhill Skiing
Many downhill skiing opportunities are offered throughout Vermont’s key resort areas such as Stowe, Smugglers Notch, Killington, Mad River Glen, Cochran, Sugarbush, Magic Mountain and Stratton just to name a few. Exciting skiing opportunities and special ski packages are offered for every skill level and budget. Great resources containing more detailed information for key ski areas in Vermont can be found at www.skivermont.com or www.newenglandski.com/vt/.

Snowmobiling
Vermont has over 5,000 miles of trails that are largely hosted on private land. Tour the state on your electronic sled and enjoy friends, family, unique villages and shops on the way. It’s sure to be a tour you won’t soon forget! To order a map of trails for the entire state or for more information on obtaining the proper licensing, etc., please contact the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. at www.vtvast.org.

Dog sledding
This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy the snow! Vermont’s scenery is beyond compare and is especially enjoyed on a safe, exciting dog-led sleigh journey through pristine woods and privately maintained trails. A variety of tours are offered throughout Vermont by experienced guides including Atii Sled Dogs, Eden Mountain Lodge, Green Mountain Dog Sled Adventures, Hardscrabble Mountain Sled Dog Tours, Konari Outfitters and Vermont Dog Sledding. Dog sledding events are always entertaining and include the Eden Vermont Sled Dog and Skijoring Race (January 8 & 9, 2005), the Island Pond Sled Dog Races (January 15 & 16, 2005), and the Waitsfield Sled Dog Race – New England Championship (February 26 & 27, 2005).
Details of these events and links to tour providers can be found at www.voga.org/dog_sledding.htm.

Ice Fishing
Fisherman, what could be better than renting an ice fishing shanty on Lake Champlain? How about a room at a cozy lakeside inn or spacious vacation home on Pelot Bay? Hook your bait and settle in for a big catch of lake trout or northern pike. Get your fishing license from the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, use common sense and enjoy the best fishing in New England! For more information on local ice fishing guides and equipment providers, click here.

Attention Die-Hard Winter Fans!
Do you think you have what it takes? Are you in top physical condition and looking for new and exciting challenges? The following activities are higher risk but offer great thrills.
Rocket Sledding – Reach outside your comfort zone and sleigh on the wild side in this new adventure sport guaranteed to take you down the side of a mountain faster than a speeding bullet! This newly discovered thrill ride is offered by Clearwater Sports. More details can be found at www.clearwatersports.com/tours.htm.

Ice-Sailing
A winter version of windsurfing, this exciting sport can take you flying over the lake on a sled in no time flat. More information can be obtained on www.windsports.com.



Para-skiing
One of the newest offerings for die-hard winter sports fans, this combination paragliding/skiing sport is sure to tickle your fancy.

Ice Climbing
This extremely high risk winter activity is for die-hard winter enthusiasts. Enjoy this exhilarating winter climbing sport and be sure to seek the appropriate gear, guidance and training provided by area providers. More information on this exciting winter sport can be found at www.voga.org/climbing.htm.



Special Activities for the Ladies
Vermont winters aren’t only for the guys! Beside those already discussed, there are a host of fun winter activities tailored especially for you! Whether it’s a special mother/daughter or girls-only outing, women will enjoy a variety of exciting activities tailored to meet your unique needs and discriminating tastes!

Doe Camp
Dog sledding, snowmobiling, survival tracking and ice fishing are just a few of the fun activities offered during this camp dedicated to girls.

Avalon Inn and Spa
Designed to renew your mind, body and spirit, the Avalon Inn offers many outdoor activities and programs created just for women. For more information, please see www.avalonvermont.com.


Dummerston Healing Arts
Ever wish you had survival training? Taught by women exclusively for women, these basic survival classes are designed to assist women in living off the land. For more information, please see www.dummerstonarts.com.

Green Mountain at Fox Run
Build your self-esteem and gain a positive new outlook on health and weight management. For 30 years, the staff at Green Mountain at Fox Run has been teaching women new approaches to creating a lifestyle that fosters ultimate health.
Please see www.fitwoman.com for more information.
For more information on this and other women’s outdoor activities, please see www.voga.org/women’s_challenges.htm.



Family Vacation Opportunities
Skiing and snowboarding with the kids offers some good clean fun that everyone in the family will remember fondly for years to come. Key areas in Vermont that every family will want to check out include Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch and Mount Snow Valley.

Stowe offers families a variety of winter activities in a beautiful mountain resort area filled with unique shops, authentic international cuisine and cozy country inns. Key winter events that families won’t want to miss include the Annual Festival of Trees, Christmas in the Mountains, Stowefest Demo Days and the Stowe Winter Carnival.



The Annual Festival of Trees is held by the Helen Day Art Center and boasts trees decorated by different community groups and schools in the Stowe area. Decorators follow a central theme each year and spectators turn out in droves to enjoy each unique creation. This year’s theme is "Toccata for Toy Trains." Galleries are open Tues. – Sun. from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for seniors and children. For more information, please see www.helenday.com.



Stowefest Demo Days offers families an opportunity to try before buying skiing and snowboarding equipment. Representatives of the latest and greatest gear from manufacturers such as Dynastar/Lange, Rossignol, Head, Nitro and Burton provide demo equipment all day that you and the family can enjoy.



Christmas in the Mountains is Stowe’s opening of the season week where visitors can enjoy Santa and his reindeer, festive light displays, carolers in the village, candy canes being made, handmade crafts and treats offered by the Stowe Community Church Annual Christmas Fair and a special wine tasting by the Trapp Family Lodge. Be sure not to miss this one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!



Smuggler’s Notch
Known as the ‘quiet side of the mountain,’ this natures’ paradise located at the foot of Mt. Mansfield in the Lamoille River Valley, offers skiing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, snowshoeing and many other outdoor winter activities. Be sure to take in the Heritage Winterfest and Smuggler’s Notch Primitive Biathlon. For more information please see www.smugnotch.com.

Mount Snow Valley
Families will enjoy the variety of winter holiday traditions and activities offered in this rural area of Vermont located at the top of Mount Pisgah in Southern Vermont just a short drive from New York, Connecticut and Boston. Don’t miss this year’s 50-year celebration and the usual holiday festivities such as the Art of the Spirit, Gallery in the Woods, Nights Before Christmas Celebration, the Annual Holiday concert and many others.
Please visit www.visitvermont.com for more details on the Mount Snow Valley area and upcoming events.



For More Information:
Web Sites of General Interest for Vermont Winter Sports Include:
› Ski Vermont
› Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
› Vermont's Best Winter State Parks (About.com)
› Vermont Outdoor Guide Association: Winter Activities
› VermontVacation.com (Official)
› Winter Sports In Vermont (VT Living)
› 10 Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski in Vermont (About.com)



Vermont’s Chambers of Commerce
› Vermont Chamber of Commerce
› Addison County Chamber of Commerce
› Barton Area Chamber of Commerce
› Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce
› Brandon Chamber of Commerce
› Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce
› Burke Area Chamber of Commerce
› Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce
› Dorset Chamber of Commerce
› Fair Haven Chamber of Commerce
› Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Hardwick Area Chamber of Commerce
› Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce
› Jay Peak Area Association
› Killington Chamber of Commerce
› Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce
› Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Lamoille Valley Chamber of Commerce
› Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
› Lower Cohase Region Chamber of Commerce
› Lyndon Area Chamber of Commerce
› Manchester & the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Mt. Snow Valley Region Chamber of Commerce
› Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce
› Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce
› Rutland Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Smugglers' Notch Area Chamber of Commerce
› Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Stowe Area Association
› The Sugarbush Chamber of Commerce
› Swanton Chamber of Commerce
› Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber of Commerce
› Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce