STOWE
Where: Stowe, VT
Distance: 3hr 45min
Price: $108
Snow guarantee: No
Trails: 118
411: Six terrain parks. State Ballet Theater of Russia performs Swan Lake Jan. 31. Stowe Derby on February 22 with downhill/cross-country races. Stowe Winter Carnival in January has ice-carving competitions. For weirdness, try snow golf (it’s like regular golf but in two feet of snow) and snow volleyball. STOWE.COM
>> The Vermonter Amtrak service from Springfield & Amherst to Waterbury VT.
>> Boston Snow Bus @ BU (check day trip schedule for dates).
MOUNT SNOW
Where: West Dover, VT
Distance: 3hr 30min
Price: TBA
Snow guarantee: Yes
Trails: 80
411: First year-round outdoor swimming pool in the East, only all-park mountain in New England with eight full parks, five miles of trails, and superpipe, Mount Snow Film Festival, which involves more than playing Aspen Extreme on a loop. MOUNTSNOW.COM
>> The Vermonter Amtrak service from Springfield & Amherst to Waterbury VT.
>> Boston Snow Bus @ BU (check day trip schedule for dates).
STRATTON MOUNTAIN
Where: South Londonderry, VT
Distance: 3hr 30min
Price: TBA
Snow guarantee: Yes
Trails: 97
411: Boasts fantastic views of the Green Mountains, powerful snowmaking gear, and even a trail that stretches for three miles. Hit the Red Fox Inn nearby for the best apple pie in VT, and the Perfect Wife Restaurant/Other Women Tavern for some of the best live music in Manchester area. STRATTON.COM
KILLINGTON
Where: Killington, VT
Distance: 3hr 30min
Price: $92/day $84/midweek
Snow guarantee: Yes
Trails: 140
411: Six interconnected mountains, longest terrain park in the East. Get to the Wobbly Barn for a steak and Killington’s version of a 21+ nightclub with live music, and themed parties. KILLINGTON.COM
>> Boston Snow Bus @ BU (check day trip schedule for dates)
OKEMO
Where: Ludlow, VT
Distance: 3hr 15min
Price: $89/day $82/midweek
Snow guarantee: Yes
Trails: 120
411: Mountain coaster that runs year-round, Nordic terrains and a tubing park. Get to the Green Mountain Sugar House for tons of solid Vermont maple products. You haven’t been to Vermont if you don’t get your hands on some amazing syrup. OKEMO.COM
>> Boston Snow Bus @ BU (check day trip schedule for dates)
ON THE WAY UP: Stream the new docu-series “Makin’ Friends with Ryan Miller“ as the frontman to the Somerville-born alt-rock band Guster meets the “high-functioning weirdos” one can only find in Vermont. As he lives up there now and splits his time between there, NYC, and LA, you can imagine his radar for weird has gotten pretty fine tuned.
VT BREWERIES TO HIT ALONG THE WAY, AND THE BEERS TO TRY.
ROCK ART BREWERY
632 Laporte Rd. Rt 100, Morrisville, VT
Pre/Après-Ski hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6pm, Tours: 2 – 4pm
Must-try Beer: Vermonster
ROCKARTBREWERY.COM
LONG TRAIL BREWING CO.
5520 US Rte. 4, Bridgewater Corners, VT
Pre/Après-Ski hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 7pm
Must-try Beer: Long Trail Ale
LONGTRAIL.COM