Vermont in March for snow
February 10, 2023 7:18 PM Subscribe
We are vacationing in Vermont in March to experience snow, plus other fun stuff you can recommend.
2 adults and 2 teenagers, three of whom have lived in Houston, Texas their whole lives. Before anyone goes and makes college decisions, I'd like them to experience real snow (but in a fun vacation way).
We are staying in Burlington. The only real must-do for the trip is to do some actual no-kidding winter snow stuff like sledding, making a snowperson, having a snowball fight, things like that. Our research said March was good for snow, so hopefully that works out. Aside from the big resorts, is there a good place to do all that?
We will have a rental car.
Other than that, I'd love suggestions for cool museums, hikes (everyone is in moderately good shape, anything that can be walked up is good), natural beauty, cool architecture, colleges, restaurants (anything except seafood-only). The adults are also considering Vermont as a place to retire (And when they go to Heaven / To St. Peter they will tell / Another blue Texan reporting, Sir / I've served my time in hell) so anything we should see to help with that decision would be great too.
Lastly, one adult and one teenager skateboard, and so would love to try snowboarding. How's that work on a daypass kind of thing with equipment rental?
Thanks!
2 adults and 2 teenagers, three of whom have lived in Houston, Texas their whole lives. Before anyone goes and makes college decisions, I'd like them to experience real snow (but in a fun vacation way).
We are staying in Burlington. The only real must-do for the trip is to do some actual no-kidding winter snow stuff like sledding, making a snowperson, having a snowball fight, things like that. Our research said March was good for snow, so hopefully that works out. Aside from the big resorts, is there a good place to do all that?
We will have a rental car.
Other than that, I'd love suggestions for cool museums, hikes (everyone is in moderately good shape, anything that can be walked up is good), natural beauty, cool architecture, colleges, restaurants (anything except seafood-only). The adults are also considering Vermont as a place to retire (And when they go to Heaven / To St. Peter they will tell / Another blue Texan reporting, Sir / I've served my time in hell) so anything we should see to help with that decision would be great too.
Lastly, one adult and one teenager skateboard, and so would love to try snowboarding. How's that work on a daypass kind of thing with equipment rental?
Thanks!
In a typical year in northern Vermont, the ground is covered with snow everywhere (not just up in the mountains) at all times during the whole month of March. This year has been light on snow, so who knows what you'll see, but you should assume that if you go on a hike you'll be walking on snow. You may want snowshoes, depending on how deep the snow is and how much it's packed down where you're walking. You won't have any trouble finding places to go sledding or throw snowballs.
As long as you're in Burlington, you'll probably want to go to Church Street Marketplace. It's a pleasant little pedestrian mall. If you're thinking of retiring here, I suggest you check out Church Street and the surrounding downtown area, the Dorset Street/University Mall area and the big box stores in Williston to get a sense of what your shopping and restaurant options would be. If what you see seems inadequate, keep in mind that the whole rest of the state is going to be even more inadequate.
University of Vermont and Champlain College are right there in downtown Burlington, so you might as well check them out.
If you want to go snowboarding, you just pick a ski area, go to their website and buy a lift ticket. A half day ticket will probably be enough. You can rent equipment at the ski area when you get there. Decide whether you want to pay for a lesson or just play around on your own. If you don't expect to get good enough to move off the little beginner hill, you may not even need a lift ticket or you may not have to pay much for one. At Smugglers' Notch you used to be able to ski/board for free on what they call Sir Henry's Learning Hill. I think it might not be completely free now but it's probably close to free. You might need to call to find out, but I would check with a few places and find out whether they have a free/cheap beginner hill. I think Bolton may be the closest place to Burlington, but there are other options that aren't too far away, like Smugglers' Notch.
Montpelier is nice, and it's not too long a drive from Burlington. If you like Thai food, Wilaiwan's in Montpelier is great. A good way to see a little more of the state (as long as the roads aren't too snowy for you) would be to take 1-89 from Burlington to Montpelier, then on your way back get off at the exit for 100 and drive up through Waterbury and Stowe (pleasant little tourist destination) to Morrisville (ordinary town where regular non-tourists buy their groceries and hardware), then get on 15 and go through Hyde Park, Johnson (which has a small state college), Jeffersonville, Underhill and Jericho. Burger Barn in Jeffersonville doesn't look like much but the burgers are really good. (Or you could do that loop in reverse and end by taking 89 back to Burlington from Montpelier.)
Oh, and March is when maple sugaring is going on, so if you're at all interested in that you might want to find a sugaring operation to visit.
posted by Redstart at 9:00 PM on February 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
As long as you're in Burlington, you'll probably want to go to Church Street Marketplace. It's a pleasant little pedestrian mall. If you're thinking of retiring here, I suggest you check out Church Street and the surrounding downtown area, the Dorset Street/University Mall area and the big box stores in Williston to get a sense of what your shopping and restaurant options would be. If what you see seems inadequate, keep in mind that the whole rest of the state is going to be even more inadequate.
University of Vermont and Champlain College are right there in downtown Burlington, so you might as well check them out.
If you want to go snowboarding, you just pick a ski area, go to their website and buy a lift ticket. A half day ticket will probably be enough. You can rent equipment at the ski area when you get there. Decide whether you want to pay for a lesson or just play around on your own. If you don't expect to get good enough to move off the little beginner hill, you may not even need a lift ticket or you may not have to pay much for one. At Smugglers' Notch you used to be able to ski/board for free on what they call Sir Henry's Learning Hill. I think it might not be completely free now but it's probably close to free. You might need to call to find out, but I would check with a few places and find out whether they have a free/cheap beginner hill. I think Bolton may be the closest place to Burlington, but there are other options that aren't too far away, like Smugglers' Notch.
Montpelier is nice, and it's not too long a drive from Burlington. If you like Thai food, Wilaiwan's in Montpelier is great. A good way to see a little more of the state (as long as the roads aren't too snowy for you) would be to take 1-89 from Burlington to Montpelier, then on your way back get off at the exit for 100 and drive up through Waterbury and Stowe (pleasant little tourist destination) to Morrisville (ordinary town where regular non-tourists buy their groceries and hardware), then get on 15 and go through Hyde Park, Johnson (which has a small state college), Jeffersonville, Underhill and Jericho. Burger Barn in Jeffersonville doesn't look like much but the burgers are really good. (Or you could do that loop in reverse and end by taking 89 back to Burlington from Montpelier.)
Oh, and March is when maple sugaring is going on, so if you're at all interested in that you might want to find a sugaring operation to visit.
posted by Redstart at 9:00 PM on February 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
Lastly, one adult and one teenager skateboard, and so would love to try snowboarding. How's that work on a daypass kind of thing with equipment rental?Unless you are unusually naturally gifted, a large part of anyone's first day learning to snowboard is going to be spent falling down. If you decide to give it a try, just know that going in so you don't take it personally and don't let it stop you from having fun.
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:27 PM on February 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
The general wisdom is that it is easier to learn to ski than snowboarding, but snowboarding is easier to master than skiing. Nerd of the North is right that most people's first time stories are replete with learning how to fall (and then stand back up). You will likely pick it up a bit faster because of your skateboard experience but expect to fall alot.
For simplicity sake, any ski resort will sell you a lift ticket, rental board and an intro lesson. You will want waterproof winter gloves and pants along with a winter jacket of sort. Depending on the conditions you can get away with sunglasses vs. googles. The resort will likely rent you a helmet.
Good luck.
posted by mmascolino at 6:57 AM on February 11, 2023
For simplicity sake, any ski resort will sell you a lift ticket, rental board and an intro lesson. You will want waterproof winter gloves and pants along with a winter jacket of sort. Depending on the conditions you can get away with sunglasses vs. googles. The resort will likely rent you a helmet.
Good luck.
posted by mmascolino at 6:57 AM on February 11, 2023
It's been 50 years but I still remember fondly my family's visit to the Shelburne Museum with its Ticonderoga.
posted by Rash at 7:39 AM on February 11, 2023
posted by Rash at 7:39 AM on February 11, 2023
Best answer: Oh, and March is when maple sugaring is going on, so if you're at all interested in that you might want to find a sugaring operation to visit.
Yes! All of Redstart's advice is good, and I second the advice of going to Montpelier and maybe Stowe. If you're here in early March you'll want to see if you can catch an open house at one of the sugarhouses. It's a very Vermont-y experience, the whole place smells like hot maple fog and you can learn about how syrup is made and have a sap-boiled hot dog and sugar-on-snow. It has been a light snow year here, so check in a little bit beforehand because you can probably drive north if Burlington isn't snowy enough.
Seven Days is the local alternative paper and they have a calendar which will tell you what is going on. I agree, if there is snow on the ground but it's not snowing, driving around can be fun. if it's actively snowing just be careful if you're not used to the snowy roads.
posted by jessamyn at 8:22 AM on February 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yes! All of Redstart's advice is good, and I second the advice of going to Montpelier and maybe Stowe. If you're here in early March you'll want to see if you can catch an open house at one of the sugarhouses. It's a very Vermont-y experience, the whole place smells like hot maple fog and you can learn about how syrup is made and have a sap-boiled hot dog and sugar-on-snow. It has been a light snow year here, so check in a little bit beforehand because you can probably drive north if Burlington isn't snowy enough.
Seven Days is the local alternative paper and they have a calendar which will tell you what is going on. I agree, if there is snow on the ground but it's not snowing, driving around can be fun. if it's actively snowing just be careful if you're not used to the snowy roads.
posted by jessamyn at 8:22 AM on February 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Shelburne is amazing, but is only open in the warmer months unfortunately.
Mud season came early last year, so go ASAP if you want snow and not slushy rivers of ice.
posted by credulous at 9:19 AM on February 11, 2023
Mud season came early last year, so go ASAP if you want snow and not slushy rivers of ice.
posted by credulous at 9:19 AM on February 11, 2023
Snow tubing is way more fun for an intro to snow than snow boarding. And for sure if none of you have driven in ice and snow for a long long time, be super cautious driving and go much slower than you’re used to. I saw a newscaster one time mid coast who recommended to drive as though your grandmother is in the backseat and is headed to church with 2 precariously balanced gallons of homemade sweet tea. Having grown up north and living south I would say that’s about accurate.
posted by donut_princess at 9:35 AM on February 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by donut_princess at 9:35 AM on February 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
As far as architecture, a fun thing to watch for if you drive around a bit is witch windows. I won't tell you what they are, and I suggest you don't even look it up before you go. Just pay attention to old farmhouses as you drive by and look for something odd. If you drive Route 100 between Stowe and Morrisville, you'll definitely see some.
posted by Redstart at 6:30 AM on February 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Redstart at 6:30 AM on February 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Maple Open House Weekend is a state-wide event where maple syrup operations of all sizes will invite people to visit, tase, and purchase. It's the last weekend in March, so if you're in Vermont then it should definitely go on your list. Find one of the smaller family farms if you can. (That website says it'll have a map "soon".)
As for snow, welllllll ... this has not been a great winter for that. After that short arctic blast a couple weeks ago, we've had an extended period above freezing that makes me wonder if mud season will come early this year. But who knows what the rest of the winter holds -- I've seen dustings of snow in mid-May.
Nonetheless, I would recommend visiting here in the winter before committing to any long-term plans, especially coming from so far south. I moved here from the mid-Atlantic region and that first winter was a revelation. On the flip side, summers generally are quite nice, but A/C is not common.
posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 8:56 AM on February 13, 2023
As for snow, welllllll ... this has not been a great winter for that. After that short arctic blast a couple weeks ago, we've had an extended period above freezing that makes me wonder if mud season will come early this year. But who knows what the rest of the winter holds -- I've seen dustings of snow in mid-May.
Nonetheless, I would recommend visiting here in the winter before committing to any long-term plans, especially coming from so far south. I moved here from the mid-Atlantic region and that first winter was a revelation. On the flip side, summers generally are quite nice, but A/C is not common.
posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 8:56 AM on February 13, 2023
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posted by TimHare at 8:16 PM on February 10, 2023 [3 favorites]