CowMoo’s Vermont Winter Bucket List

December 31, 2024

CowMoo has compiled a brr-illiant winter bucket list to try out while you’re in the region. Check out the details below – and share your photos with us online as you explore using #getNEKedVT.

Please remember that winter adventures are always weather dependent. Please call ahead of refer to businesses’ websites and social media channels for the latest information.

Take a Sleigh Ride Through the Snow

Horses pulling a sleigh through a snowy landscape, carrying passengers.
Photo Credit: The Kingdom's Ride

Rainbow’s Edge Farm – Sutton  (Eastern Trek)
  Enjoy a snowy daytime or moonlit ride through Hayden’s certified organic family dairy farm and surrounding acres of wooded trails. Meet their herd of certified organic cows, pat a calf and maybe even milk a cow. 

The Kingdom’s Rides – Brownington Center (Mountain & Lake Getaway)
Enjoy a 40-minute open or private ride through rural Vermont, followed up with complimentary hot cocoa and snacks. If you want to stay longer, build your own homestead adventure.

Go Ice Skating on Rivers, Ponds & Rinks

People ice skating at an outdoor rink at dusk, with string lights, snow, and buildings.
Photo Credit: Newport Parks & Recreation

St Johnsbury  (Eastern Trek)
 Enjoy two outdoor ice skating rinks : Four Seasons Park at the corner of Main and Winter Streets and Portland Street Park near the Concord Avenue intersection. 

Lyndon  (Eastern Trek)
The Fenton Chester Arena is a community ice rink and recreation center with public skate opportunities throughout the week. Sharpen your skates and take some laps around the ice.

Island Pond (Eastern Trek)
Lace up your skates and enjoy free ice skating in Island Pond. Forgot your skates? Free rentals available! Open to the public as weather permits. Refer to Brighton Recreation for more information. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Three Branches Café & Bakery. Warm up with a hot tea, cup of coffee, or delicious breakfast or bakery item.

Greensboro (Farm & Field)
Combat cabin fever with a visit to the Greensboro Community Skating Rink at Highland Center for the Arts, open daily from dawn to dusk, as weather permits. They have a selection of skates available in their equipment library, which is open Wednesday – Sunday from Noon to 4pm. Please call 802-533-2000 or check HCA’s Facebook  page  for updated rink conditions.

Newport  (Mountain & Lake Getaway)
From December to March, locals and visitors flock to Gardner Park and the “Skate Shack” to enjoy beautiful ice rinks, free skate rentals, hot cocoa, and restrooms. The park features 3 separate ice surfaces connected by frozen skating paths. The contained hockey rink is open for casual stick and puck while the rec rink on the south end offers public skating. 

Jay Peak (Mountain & Lake Getaway)
The Ice Haus Arena at Jay Peak is a full-fledged NHL-sized ice skating arena in the northern tip of the Northeast Kingdom! Guests can enjoy public skating and skate rentals or participate in a game of stick and puck.

Head Out on a Snowshoe Adventure

Snowshoeing text overlaid on a snowshoe.

Burke Mountain, Dashney Nordic Center – Burke (Eastern Trek)
Explore over a dozen kilometers of logging lanes, old country roads, and rolling farmland while snowshoeing at Dashney Nordic Center. This area is operated in partnership with the Northwoods Stewardship Center. Day passes and snowshoe rentals available.

Kingdom Trails – Burke ( Eastern Trek )
Kingdom Trails opens groomed and ungroomed trails on Darling Hill to snowshoers throughout the winter. Rentals are available at Sport Thoma and Village Sport Shop Trailside.  KTA offers daily, monthly, and annual memberships.

NorthWoods Stewardship Center – Island Pond  ( Eastern Trek)
 Enjoy a variety of terrain with over 20 kilometers of groomed and backcountry trails. Throughout the season, NorthWoods offers programs and activities including a winter ecology tour, where you can learn tips for tracking, winter tree identification and more.  

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge – Island Pond ( Eastern Trek)
  Take in the scenic views while exploring this treasure in VT’s Northeast Kingdom. Multi-purpose recreational trails are groomed for snowshoeing, as well as snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Craftsbury Outdoor Center – Craftsbury ( Farm & Field)
 Set on the shores of Big Hosmer Pond, Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a destination for winter sport enthusiasts. Enjoy a day exploring over 20 kilometers of groomed trails – and pets are welcome! Day passes and snowshoe rentals available on-site.

Memphremagog Trails – Newport (Mountain & Lake Getaway)
 This volunteer-run organizations grooms trails in the northernmost part of Vermont all year-long. Head out on your own adventure or consider joining in a group outing which are hosted throughout the season.  Snowshoe rentals available.

Jay Peak Nordic Center – Jay (Mountain & Lake Getaway)
 Jay Peak offers 2-hour guided snowshoe tours Thursday – Saturday from beginning at 3pm. Reservations required, snowshoes available are provided for guests. See website for additional details and to make a reservation.

Experience local art & nature…

Open Air Gallery Ski & Snowshoe Trail – Highland Center for the Arts (Greensboro)
 Two people cross-country ski in the snow, passing colorful vertical art installations.Gear up for a one-of-a-kind outdoor art experience. This winter trail showcases the work of several artists. Absorb the scenery and take in the art as you ski or snowshoe across the trail. Visit the HCA website for opening date and hours.

This is just a sampling of winter fun in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Keep exploring our website to find our other Winter Adventures – like Skiing , Hiking , Fat Biking , and Snowmobiling.

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