This guide covers the best things to do in Vermont in winter, all within easy reach of the Mad River Valley.
You’ll find skiing, Nordic trails, snowshoe routes, ice fishing, cozy food stops, and easy day trips.
Two very different ski areas sit just up the road from our inn in Waitsfield.
One is Sugarbush, with two big peaks under one lift ticket.
The other is Mad River Glen, a skier-owned cooperative with one of the last single chairlifts in the country.
The most useful takeaway is simple: pick one home base and let the valley come to you.
Nearly everything below is a short drive away, so you spend your days outside instead of in the car.
The best things to do in Vermont in winter are downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and warming up at local taprooms and farm-to-table restaurants. The Mad River Valley puts Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, and miles of Nordic trails within a short drive of each other.
In this guide:
- Downhill Skiing at Sugarbush Resort
- Skiing Mad River Glen: "Ski It If You Can"
- Cross-Country Skiing on Groomed Valley Trails
- Snowshoeing Through the Green Mountains
- Ice Fishing on Vermont's Frozen Lakes
- Warming Up With Food, Drink, and Local Flavor
- Easy Winter Day Trips From the Mad River Valley
- When to Visit and What to Pack for a Vermont Winter
- Where to Stay: A Fireside Base in Waitsfield
- FAQ: Things to Do in Vermont in Winter
Downhill Skiing at Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush is the valley’s big resort, and it’s the first stop for most winter visitors.
It spreads across two mountains, Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, linked by a lift.
Between them, Sugarbush runs more than 100 trails, from gentle beginner runs to steep glades.
Lincoln Peak is the busier side, with the main base village, ski school, and most of the restaurants.
Mount Ellen feels quieter and more local, and it’s a good pick on a crowded holiday weekend.
Experts head to Castlerock, a section of narrow, old-school trails off Lincoln Peak.
It depends on natural snow, so check conditions before you count on it.
Sugarbush welcomes both skiers and snowboarders.
From the inn, the Lincoln Peak base is only a few minutes away by car.
Skiing Mad River Glen: "Ski It If You Can"
Mad River Glen is the valley’s other ski area, and it’s unlike almost anywhere else in New England.
It’s owned by a cooperative of skiers, not a resort company.
The famous Single Chair still carries one rider at a time to the summit.
The terrain is narrow, natural, and lightly groomed, so it rewards strong intermediate and expert skiers.
One rule surprises first-timers: Mad River Glen is for skiers only, and snowboards aren’t allowed.
If your group includes snowboarders, plan a Sugarbush day for them and a Mad River Glen day for the skiers.
Cross-Country Skiing on Groomed Valley Trails
Cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to see the valley floor in winter.
It’s quieter than downhill, cheaper, and easy to try on your first day.
Ole’s Cross Country Center in Warren grooms trails for both classic and skate skiing.
The trails roll through open fields and woods near the Sugarbush-Warren Airport.
Rentals and lessons make it easy for beginners to give it a try.
Check Ole’s trail conditions page before you go, since grooming depends on recent snowfall.
Make Round Barn Farm your winter base
Fireside rooms and a fresh breakfast, minutes from Sugarbush.
Snowshoeing Through the Green Mountains
Snowshoeing is the easiest winter sport to pick up.
If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
Several valley outfitters rent snowshoes, including Clearwater Sports in Waitsfield, which also leads guided outings.
Mad River Glen and Sugarbush both have snowshoe routes on the mountain.
The Nordic trail networks in the valley often allow snowshoers too.
Ask about trail etiquette before you head out.
Most groomed ski trails ask snowshoers to stay off the skate lanes and classic tracks.
Ice Fishing on Vermont's Frozen Lakes
Ice fishing is a classic Vermont winter tradition, and it’s more social than most people expect.
Anglers drill a hole, set up a small shelter, and spend the afternoon on the ice with friends.
Vermont normally requires a fishing license, but the state holds one Free Ice Fishing Day each January.
On that day, anyone can fish without a license, residents and visitors alike.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife usually pairs it with a free festival where beginners can borrow gear and learn the basics.
Never walk onto ice you haven’t confirmed is safe.
Ice thickness changes fast, so go with a local guide or check current conditions first.
Warming Up With Food, Drink, and Local Flavor
Winter in Vermont is as much about warming up as it is about the snow.
The valley has plenty of good places to thaw out after a day outside.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids brews some of Vermont’s best-known IPAs and pours them at its taproom in Waitsfield.
American Flatbread bakes wood-fired flatbreads at Lareau Farm on Route 100, a long-time valley favorite.
Waterbury is about half an hour north and adds two more classic stops.
Ben & Jerry’s runs factory tours there, and Cold Hollow Cider Mill is known for its fresh cider donuts.
Hours change with the season, so check ahead before you make the drive.
Dreaming of a winter wedding in Vermont?
See how the Round Barn shines when the valley fills with snow.
Easy Winter Day Trips From the Mad River Valley
The valley makes a good hub for day trips across central Vermont.
Montpelier, the state capital, is roughly 40 minutes away and has a walkable downtown full of shops and cafés.
Stowe is about an hour north, with its own ski resort, village, and winter festivals.
Burlington and Lake Champlain are about an hour west for a city day with dinner on Church Street.
For more ideas closer to the inn, see our guide to things to do in Waitsfield, Vermont.
When to Visit and What to Pack for a Vermont Winter
Ski season in the Mad River Valley typically runs from late November or December into April.
January and February usually bring the most reliable snow and the coldest temperatures.
March often brings longer days, softer snow, and maple sugaring season.
Holiday weeks and Presidents’ Day weekend book up fast, so reserve lodging early.
Pack in layers instead of one heavy coat.
A base layer, a warm mid layer, and a waterproof shell handle most days.
Bring waterproof boots, a warm hat, gloves, and sunglasses for bright snow.
If you’re driving, give yourself extra time.
Mountain roads can be snowy, and a car with good winter tires makes a real difference.
Where to Stay: A Fireside Base in Waitsfield
The best winter trips start and end somewhere warm.
The Inn at the Round Barn Farm is a 12-room bed and breakfast in Waitsfield, just minutes from Sugarbush and the village.
Every stay includes a fresh breakfast each morning, so you can fuel up before the first chair.
Our luxury rooms add a gas fireplace and either a glass-enclosed shower or an oversized whirlpool tub.
Tempurpedic beds, down comforters, and cozy robes make it easy to recover after a long day outside.
The farm’s historic round barn was built in 1910 and still hosts weddings, concerts, and community events.
Many couples fall in love with the valley in winter and come back to get married here.
If that sounds like you, take a look at our Vermont winter weddings and our Mad River Valley wedding venues guide.
FAQ: Things to Do in Vermont in Winter
What is there to do in Vermont in winter?
Vermont's top winter activities are downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
Between outings, visitors warm up at local taprooms, farm-to-table restaurants, and cozy inns.
The Mad River Valley offers all of these within a short drive.
When is the best time to visit Vermont in winter?
January and February usually bring the most reliable snow for skiing and snowshoeing.
March offers longer days, softer snow, and maple sugaring season.
Holiday weeks book up early, so reserve lodging well ahead.
Can you snowboard at Mad River Glen?
No.
Mad River Glen is a skier-owned cooperative and allows skiers only.
Snowboarders in the Mad River Valley ride at nearby Sugarbush Resort, which welcomes both skiers and snowboarders.
Do you need a fishing license to ice fish in Vermont?
Yes, anglers normally need a Vermont fishing license.
The exception is Vermont's Free Ice Fishing Day, held each January, when anyone can ice fish without a license.
What should I pack for a winter trip to Vermont?
Pack layers: a base layer, a warm mid layer, and a waterproof shell.
Add waterproof boots, a warm hat, gloves, and sunglasses for bright snow.
If you're driving, a car with good winter tires helps on mountain roads.
Ready to plan your winter escape? Check dates for a fireside room at the inn, then build your days around the snow.
Ready to see Round Barn Farm in person?
Book a visit and picture your stay, or your wedding, here.
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