Vermont Is Officially #1 For Winter Fun And We Are Going!

Oh my gosh, you are not going to believe the news I just read! Travel + Leisure just named Vermont the number one spot in the whole United States for winter sports! Can you believe that? Better than Colorado, better than Utah, and way better than anywhere else. I am so pumped for us to go! I have been there a bunch of times, so I basically know every single corner of that state. Since we are best friends, I sat down and wrote out this massive guide just for you. Get your bags ready because we are going to have the best time ever!

Where We Are Going First: Killington

Okay, everyone calls this place “The Beast” because it is huge! It is the biggest ski resort in the eastern part of the country. Even if you aren’t the best at skiing or snowboarding, you have to go just for the vibes. The mountain is so big that you can spend all day there and never see the same trail twice.

What to do: You have to ride the K-1 Express Gondola. It is this big glass box that zips you all the way to the top of the mountain. It’s warm inside so you won’t freeze your butt off! Once you get to the top, go to the Peak Lodge. It is this super cool building made of glass and wood. It looks like a secret base for a superhero.

Where to stand for photos: Walk out onto the back deck of the Peak Lodge. Stand right by the wooden railing so the mountains are all behind you. On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles. It looks like a painting, but way cooler because it’s real! Use the portrait mode on your phone to make the snowy trees look soft. It is going to get so many likes, I promise.

What to eat: Do not just get a boring salad. Order the “Beast Burger” at the lodge. It is a huge burger with bacon, cheese, and these really crunchy onions. It costs $22, but it is big enough to share if you aren’t super hungry. Also, get a hot cider for $6. It tastes like Christmas in a cup!

Next Stop: Stowe (The Fancy Spot)

Stowe is the town that looks like it is from a movie. You know those holiday movies where everything is perfect and there is snow on every roof? That is Stowe. It is a little bit more expensive, but it is totally worth it because it feels so special. The mountain there is called Mount Mansfield, and it is the tallest one in Vermont!

What to do: You have to walk down Main Street. There are all these little shops that sell candles, sweaters, and candy. You should also go to the Trapp Family Lodge. Remember the movie “The Sound of Music”? The real family from that movie moved to Vermont and built this lodge! It feels like you are in Europe.

Where to stand for photos: Go to the middle of the village and find the white church with the tall pointy top (it’s called a steeple). Stand across the street so you can get the whole church and the snow-covered trees in the shot. It’s the most famous photo spot in the state. If you go at night, the lights make everything look like magic.

What to eat: You have to go to Lake Champlain Chocolates. Order the “Signature Hot Chocolate” with a giant homemade marshmallow. It costs $8. It is so thick and creamy, you might need a spoon. If you want real food, go to The Bench. Order the wood-fired pepperoni pizza for $20. The crust is nice and burnt in the good way!

The Best Snow: Jay Peak

If you want the most snow, we have to drive way up north to Jay Peak. It is almost in Canada! Because it’s so far north, they get way more snow than anywhere else. It feels like being inside a giant snow globe. Plus, they have something no one else has: a giant indoor water park right at the bottom of the mountain!

What to do: Even if it’s snowing outside, we are going to the Pump House Indoor Waterpark. It is so funny to be in a swimsuit watching people ski outside the window! It costs $45 for a day pass. There is a big slide called “The La Chute” that drops you through the floor. It’s scary but so fun!

Where to stand for photos: Ride the Aerial Tramway. It’s a big cable car that holds like 60 people. Stand right against the front window as you go up. The view of the “Jay Cloud” (that’s what they call the snow clouds there) is amazing. Take a video of the trees getting smaller as you go up.

What to eat: Go to the Miso Hungry ramen shop. It is a little tram car that they turned into a kitchen! Order the spicy miso ramen. It costs $18 and it will warm your bones up instantly. It’s the best thing to eat when it’s zero degrees outside.

The City Vibe: Burlington

We can’t go to Vermont without stopping in Burlington. It’s a college town right on a huge lake called Lake Champlain. It’s not a big city like New York, but it has tons of cool shops and places to eat. It is very “chill” and everyone is super nice.

What to do: Walk up and down Church Street. It’s a street where cars aren’t allowed, so you can just wander around. There are street performers and lots of dogs in cute little sweaters. You should also go to the Ben & Jerry’s shop. Even if it’s freezing, you have to have ice cream in the place where it started!

Where to stand for photos: Go down to the Waterfront Park. There is a long boardwalk. Stand there during sunset. The sun sinks right behind the Adirondack Mountains across the water. The sky turns bright orange and purple. It looks amazing and it’s free!

What to eat: You have to get a “Maple Creemee.” That is what people in Vermont call soft-serve ice cream made with real maple syrup. It costs $5. It doesn’t taste like the fake syrup you get at the grocery store; it tastes like heaven. Also, stop at a gas station and buy a “heather” or a deli sandwich. Trust me, Vermont gas station food is actually really good! Budget $12 for a big sandwich.

Planning The Cash

I know we need to save up, so I made this table to show you what things cost. We can do this on a budget or we can go all out and live like kings and queens!

What To Pack (Keep It Simple!)

Don’t bring your fancy clothes! Vermont is very casual. People wear flannel shirts and boots to nice dinners. Here is what you really need:

• Warm Socks: Bring more than you think. Wet feet are the worst!
• Hand Washers: Those little packets that get hot when you shake them. Budget $10 for a big pack. Put them in your gloves!
• A Hat: A “beanie” is what everyone wears. Make sure it covers your ears.
• Sunscreen: I know it sounds crazy because it’s winter, but the sun bounces off the white snow and will fry your face!

I am so excited for this trip! Vermont being #1 just proves that we picked the best place to go this year. We are going to see the best mountains, eat the best maple syrup, and take the best photos ever. It’s going to be so much fun, I can’t even stand it!

If you want to see more cool travel deals and photos of where we are going, you have to join this group! Go to https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL right now and join so we can start planning our next adventure after this one. I’ll talk to you soon!