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You Are Going to Vermont! Here Is Why It Is the Best!
Oh my gosh, I am so excited for you! You told me you wanted a winter trip, and you picked the best place ever. Did you see the news? Travel + Leisure magazine just ranked Vermont as the number one spot for winter sports! That is a huge deal! It beat out all those other fancy places because the snow is great, the vibes are cozy, and the people are so nice. I have been there a bunch of times, and I want to make sure you have the best time ever. I wrote down everything you need to know so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Where to Go First: Stowe is Like a Movie!
You have to go to Stowe. It is the most famous spot for a reason. When you drive into the town, it looks just like a toy village. There is a big white church with a tall pointy top (people call it a steeple). You need to stop your car and stand right on the sidewalk across from that church to take a photo. It looks amazing and all your friends will be jealous! It won’t cost you a cent to take the photo, but it is the best souvenir.
When you get hungry in Stowe, go to a place called The Roost. It is super cozy. You should order the giant warm pretzel with the cheese dip. It costs exactly $15, and it is big enough to share, but you might want it all yourself! After you eat, go for a walk on the Rec Path. It is a long trail that is flat and easy to walk on even in the snow. If you want to ski here, a lift ticket is going to be about $190 for the day. It is pricey, but the mountain is huge!
Killington: The Beast of the East
If you want to go fast and see a giant mountain, go to Killington. They call it “The Beast” because it is so big. It has tons of trails for every level. Even if you aren’t a pro, you will find a hill you like. The coolest thing to do here is go to the very top of the mountain in the gondola. A ride just for the view costs $35 if you aren’t skiing. When you get to the top, stand near the edge of the Peak Lodge. On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles. It looks like the whole world is covered in white powdered sugar!
For lunch, you have to go to the K-1 Base Lodge and get the “Loaded Nachos.” They are massive. Budget $22 for those. They pile on so much cheese and beans and salsa. It is the best food after being out in the cold. Also, look for the “Umbrella Bar.” It is a bar that looks like a giant umbrella! It is a great spot to sit and watch people fall down (in a funny way) while you stay warm.
Okemo: The Land of Waffles
Okay, this is a secret tip. Go to Okemo Mountain. Why? Because of the Waffle Cabin! You can smell it from the parking lot. They make these hot Belgian waffles with pearls of sugar inside that melt. You have to order the one with the chocolate drizzle on top. It costs $8. Stand right by the little window where they give you the waffle and take a selfie with the steam coming off the waffle. It is the best “foodie” photo you can get.
Okemo is also great because the ground is not as scary-steep as other places. It is very “chill.” If you want to stay overnight here, a decent hotel will be around $250 a night. But the beds are usually super soft and they have big fireplaces in the lobby where you can dry your wet socks.
Burlington: The Cool City
You can’t go to Vermont without visiting Burlington. It sits right on a giant lake called Lake Champlain. In the winter, the lake sometimes freezes and looks like a giant mirror. You should stand at the Waterfront Park at 4:30 PM. That is when the sun starts to go down. The sky turns pink and purple over the frozen water. It is totally free and totally beautiful.
For dinner, go to Church Street. It is a street where no cars are allowed. There are lights hanging everywhere! Go to a place called Farmhouse Tap & Grill. Order the “Vermont Heritage Burger.” It costs $19. It uses local beef and tastes way better than a normal burger. Also, you have to try a “Maple Creemee.” It is basically soft-serve ice cream made with real maple syrup. Even if it is 10 degrees outside, you have to eat it. It costs $5 and it is the law in Vermont! (Okay, not a real law, but you have to do it!)
How Much Money to Bring
I know you hate it when people say “it depends” on the price. So, I made you a list of exactly what things cost so you can save up your money!
| What You Are Doing | The Budget Way | Budget Price | The Balling Out Way | Balling Out Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing/Snowboarding | One day at a small hill (like Bolton Valley) | $95 | One day at a big resort (like Stowe) | $190 |
| Lunch | A big slice of pizza and a soda | $12 | A sit-down burger and a fancy beer | $35 |
| Sleeping | An older motel down the road | $130 | A fancy lodge right on the mountain | $550 |
| Souvenirs | A small bottle of real maple syrup | $10 | A warm flannel shirt from the general store | $85 |
| Transportation | Gas for your own car | $60 | Renting a big 4×4 SUV | $150 |
A Few More Tips for My Bestie
1. **Dress Like an Onion:** Wear lots of layers! If you get hot, you can peel one off. If you are cold, you will be sad. Buy some “HotHands” hand warmers. They cost $2 at any gas station. Put them in your gloves before you go outside.
2. **Maple Everything:** If a menu has maple on it, order it. Maple coffee, maple donuts, maple bacon. It is all better in Vermont. Go to the Cabot Annex store in Waterbury. They give out free samples of cheese! You can eat like ten pieces of cheese and it costs $0. That is my favorite hack.
3. **Driving:** If it starts snowing, slow down! Don’t be that person in the ditch. The snow plows are awesome there, but you still have to be careful. Budget about $40 for a good ice scraper if your car doesn’t have one.
I am so jealous you are going! You are going to have the best time ever. The air smells like pine trees and wood smoke, and it is just so peaceful. Make sure you take a million pictures! If you want to see more tips or find people to go with, you have to join this group I found. They post deals and cool spots all the time!
Go check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL
Have the best trip ever! Love you!
