Year-Round Sports Action in Vermont

Winter Sports in Vermont

The Green Mountain State is known for its white snow, and there's plenty of opportunity to try out the powder during winter. Whether you prefer to head downhill or cross-country, strap on your skis, snowshoes, and other winter sports gear and get ready for a great day of action. Don't worry if the gear doesn't fit in your luggage; you'll find rentals readily available.

Up in northern Vermont, you'll find a cluster of ski areas near Burlington. Check Interstate 89 for the exit nearest your Best Western Hotel and head to Stowe, Sugarbush, or Smugglers Notch. Another great choice in northern Vermont is the Cochran Ski Area between Burlington and Westbury. The facilities helped the "Skiing Cochrans" win Olympic and World Cup medals, and today is a popular ski choice for families.

In southern Vermont, the steepest slope is at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow. The peak is at 3,344 feet, and there's a vertical drop of 2,100 feet to the base. With more than 100 runs and five terrain parks, you can have a different experience every time you hit the mountain.

Killington Ski Resort offers even more choices, with 752 acres of snow and the biggest vertical drop in all of New England: 3,050 feet. There's a 6.2-mile trail called the Juggernaut, and you can find your own limits when you ski the Outer Limits Trail, the steepest mogul trail in New England.

If you're in the Bennington area, there are several skiing options in the Green Mountain National Forest, including Stratton Mountain and Mount Snow.

Summer Sports in Vermont

The snow is gone, and now you can enjoy Vermont outdoors on foot or in a golf cart.

Rutland, in the southwestern part of the state, is home to the Rutland Golf Course. The 18 holes challenge you to best par 70. Enjoy dining with a view of the course before or after you unpack your clubs. Another pleasant and challenging course is Kwiniaska, near Shelburne. The views of the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondacks in New York add to the enjoyment of a day on the links.

Don't just admire those mountains; see them up close and personal on a day hike leading to a waterfall or scenic vista. Do a section of the Long Trail, with more than 200 miles of footpaths, including a piece of the Appalachian Trail. The same mountains that offer great winter skiing offer beautiful summer hiking. Many of the ski resorts' trails are open to mountain bikes during the summer months, too. At Smugglers Notch, there's a flat ground park for you to master mountain bike skills before heading out on the trail. You can also explore the mountains and valleys on horseback.

You'll find lakes for paddling around Vermont, as well. Fly-fish in a creek or head out on Lake Champlain and drop your fishing line.