Vermont in the winter is amazing- if you have the motivation to make do with colder temps. It is super easy to stay inside all winter. I mean, like super easy. But Vermont has a ton to offer if you are looking to get out of the house. There are plenty of places for skiing, snowshoeing, and, yes, ice fishing. The great thing about living here is that we are prepared for snow storms and icy conditions. There are more than enough plows to keep our roads clean AND that is a fantastic thing… it helps to make sure we can still get out and go places… even in the midst of a global pandemic. So with that said, here are some fun things to get out and do in the state of Vermont this winter.
One of the most popular places to go wintering merrily along is the quaint town of Stowe. Stowe is home to some wonderful outdoor activities. The Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the most popular spots on the east coast for any winter enthusiast. Whether your pleasure is skiing the slopes, cross country skiing, snowshoe trekking, or taking a beautiful gondola ride up the mountain, Stowe Mountain Resort has something for everyone. OH! There is even an ice skating rink. So, there’s that. Personally, I am terrified of ice skating.
Right across the street from skiing at Stowe Mountain is Spruce Peak. Spruce Peak is home to where the above mentioned ice skating rink is. They help with coordinating snowy horseback rides, sleigh rides, ice climbing, and the ever popular Vermont hobby, snowmobiling. Spruce Peak is in strict compliance with current Vermont restrictions of travel due to the rise of COVID-19. Please check out their procedures and stay up to date with Vermont’s rules and regulations before traveling anywhere!
All over the state of Vermont there are trails and parks to explore. Some of these trails are for snowshoers and some are for those just out hiking. The Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Willison is a fantastic location to jump on some trails for the day. They also offer all kinds of rentals on snowshoes and other outdoor gear. With the different activity options available on the property, it really makes it easy to try different things and have fun with friends or family (in a socially distanced manner, of course). We have trails in our neighborhood that we hope to hit soon! (If only my effing snowshoes would arrive…) Honestly, VT is full of so many places to go exploring in the snow. The options are truly limitless.
I currently have about 3.5 feet of snow piled up on the side of my driveway. Since the cold temperatures have yet to melt any snow that has fallen in the past 30 days, our yards are housing a ton of localized fun. Rosemary thinks rolling around in the snow is the best thing since breast milk. Thanks to Frozen, building a snowman is the most exciting thing in the world right now. It’s also the easiest. Do you want to build a snowman?
And lastly, Vermont is just so freaking beautiful. I look out my window and I sort of melt… haha… get it… snow… melting… ok. Not funny. But you get it, right? I have never lived in a place with so much natural beauty. Sometimes I sip my coffee and just stare out the living room window. The air is even cleaner here. Seriously… Google it. I mean, it’s not perfect… but I swear, I can breathe so much better here than anywhere else we have lived. And that’s saying something considering I have to have surgery next month to help me breathe better.
Washington in the mid-winter months is lovely- despite the joke that it rains here 24/7 (which is simply not true). The weather is relatively mild which makes traveling to some of the most beautiful places in the state totally possible. I live up in the most Northwest part of the United States, in Whatcom County. Thankfully there are so many beautiful adventures within 2-3 hours from my own backyard. Without further ado, let me name a few…
First off, one of my favorite places to go year-round is a little Bavarian-style village that is nestled in the Cascade Mountain Range, called Leavenworth, WA. Personally I think the midwinter season is the best time to go… less tourists, beautiful snow, and a relatively clear pass and picturesque drive on Hwy 2. Some of the activities to enjoy in Leavenworth are horse drawn carriage rides, snowshoeing, shopping (covid restrictions apply of course), delicious Bavarian restaurants, and apparently, the Post Hotel, a beautiful hotel and spa that ALL my friends are raving about. You can’t go wrong with an VRBO or Airbnb either, there are so many cute quaint homes for you to enjoy. Just look for yourself and book quickly… Leavenworth is popular.
Another gem of Washington is the snow-capped volcano Komo Kulshan, also known as Mount Baker (see image above). The drive up to the mountain is scenic and relatively quick (a little over an hour from the main interstate). My favorite little place to stop on the way up the mountain is the Wake N Bakery, a quick but delicious cafe to grab breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee (also the last bathroom break before the ski area, especially important if you are snowshoeing). Mount Baker Ski Area Heather Meadows is where the Mt. Baker Highway terminates and the skiing and snowboarding begins. People travel from all over the world to ski here. I, however, prefer to snowshoe near the lower lodge (pro-tip: my favorite route is along White Salmon Rd). The upper lodge, Heather Meadows, has a bowl shaped sledding area that is perfect for families to enjoy! You can easily spend all day up on the mountain and on a clear sunny day (yes we have sunny days in the winter), the views are unbelievable.
Not only am I an hour away from snow-capped mountain adventures but I am also less than an hour away from multiple islands. The San Juan Islands to be exact (insert all the dreamy heart eyes here). Since our weather is mild, the islands aren’t covered in snow and are accessible all year long. Again, VRBO and airbnb rentals are ready to be reserved on these beautiful isolated islands that speckle the Puget Sound (see above image from the San Juan Island website). Ferry rides are an experience all on their own… getting there is half the fun, right?!?! If timed properly you can walk on the ferry and spend all day just island hopping and shopping the cute port towns. From Anacortes you can leave your car and walk on the ferry to visit Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island all on foot or bike (a goal of mine is to take my bike sometime).
I have to give a shout out to my own hometown of Bellingham, Washington and the adventure it has in itself. Bellingham is equipped with countless attractions on it’s own; from hiking in the Chuckanuts, to sailing in Bellingham Bay, dining in local highly-rated restaurants, to multiple cute shopping areas- specifically downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven Village. Not to mention the mountain biking on Galbraith Mountain; so many trails for all skill levels! Bellingham is the city of subdued excitement (see video below), I am totally biased.
Not to mention that Bellingham is also home to WWU, where I met Kendall years ago.
There you go. Some of my favorite places in Washington to travel and enjoy in the midwinter months. I know, most people will tell you it rains here non-stop. It’s not true. Find out for yourself and visit if you haven’t before.
Typically these “outdoorsy” blog posts are prompted out of necessity. Lately, I have had several friends reach out to me to ask about snowshoeing. What to wear, where to go, where to rent or buy snowshoes… simply put, where to even start? I figured I would make it easy and put together a Q&A post all about SNOWSHOEING!
Before we “spill the tea” on the topic of snowshoeing, let me start by introducing you to Kate. Kate isn’t your average guest blogger; she is an extremely special friend of the blog. Better yet, she is one of Kendall’s best friends, godmother to Kendall’s little girl, Rosemary, and one of my (Shari’s) favorite friends to bump into in town. Kate’s quick wit, varied interests, and adventurous spirit make her one of the most magnetic individuals that you will ever meet. When I thought about writing a blog on snowshoeing, I knew I wanted Kate to weigh in on the topic. She grew up in the outdoors with a family that loves to adventure.
*Special shout out and thank you to Kate for sharing your snowshoeing expertise!*
Guest-blogger, Kate, in the beautiful snowy Pacific Northwest Mountains!
Without further ado, here is our Q&A:
What is so great about snowshoeing?
Shari: One of the many ways I combat the winter blues is by getting outside and enjoying some fresh air. Especially on sunny (yet cold) days up at the nearby mountain. Unlike most people my age I am not a skier or snowboarder. I’ve tried (ok, not that hard) to ski but it is expensive and a huge time commitment so I decided to look into snowshoeing instead. I purchased my first pair of snowshoes at an REI garage sale (it was a MSR men’s pair). I had no idea what I was doing but I dressed in layers and we walked along a snowy road up near the top of the mountain. I wasn’t overly impressed with this “walk” in the snow but the more I went, the more I explored other trails, adventured through the trees, laughed when we tripped, and marveled over the winter wonderland and breathtaking views…I was forever hooked! Snowshoeing is truly amazing.
Kate: Snow is magic- so mountains covered in snow are enchanting and awe inspiring, which is needed in these unique times and short, cold days. I wish I would have known how fun and attainable snowshoeing is. It’s hiking/walking on snow. It’s not like skiing or snowboarding. Had I known this, I would have started sooner.
What do you wish you had known about snowshoeing before you went for the first time?
Kate: The knowledge that I mainly lacked upon my first big snow shoe is that you are hiking… uphill… but with snowshoes on. I grew up skiing and had hiked in cold weather with the use of micro spikes but when I initially went snowshoeing it was with a large group and the terrain was fairly flat. I suppose I somehow tricked my brain into thinking that most trails would be more of a snowy walk, but I was ruefully mistaken. In saying this, treat snowshoeing like a hike, read the trail reports, check for avalanche warnings, and try to have an idea of what the weather will be like through the day. There’s a trail out there for all levels, so find a trail and get out there.
What items do you always make sure to bring?
Kate: Layers. I always bring extra layers. I wear many layers, I carry extra layers in my knapsack, but also (pro-tip), I bring dry warm clothing and socks that I leave in the car for something to change into for the ride home. For more of what I recommend to bring see below in “what’s in my backpack.”
Shari: Trekking Poles and eye protection (sunglasses or goggles) are my most recommended gear. I always make sure to bring my Thermarest Z-pad seat and lots of snacks/food (typically – veggies, sandwich, hot soup in a hydroflask, and a spiked hot drink in a thermos).
What advice would you give someone thinking about going for the first time?
Kate: Layer up. When it is cold outside you want to be warm, too warm. I am naturally warm, but have learned it’s better to be too warm in the cold than cold in cold. You have to consider there just might be a wind chill or that it will be snowing and snow melts on our bodies. Bring sunglasses or goggles, it can be hard to look at all the white snow, beautiful but blinding. For me waterproof shoes are a must. Whether you’re wearing snow shoes or hiking boots, be sure they are lined and waterproof.
What boots, snowshoes, or other gear do you recommend?
Boots:
Kate: I have been participating in mountain sports since early childhood and have an inherited love for Sorel boots. They are waterproof, warm, and comfortable to hike in. My feet will be steaming when I take those boots off.
Shari: Anything waterproof and comfortable. I wear Salomon GTX, DO NOT wear rubber boots – your toes will get too cold- even with thick socks. Along with my comfortable Gor-Tex boots and I always wear Outdoor Research Gaiters (you can thank me later). Please note that I also wore my gaiters backwards the first two times I wore them, so don’t feel bad if gear is confusing sometimes- haha.
“Put your snowshoe in, put your snowshoe out, put your snowshoe in, and shake it all about…”
Snowshoes:
Shari: Honestly, if you only plan on going a few times you can find a local place to rent snowshoes (a quick google search will help you locate the closest rental place). If you want to invest in a really good pair – I recommend MSR Lightning Explore purely because I like the ratchet system with these snowshoes. I also have friends that bought less expensive snowshoes on Amazon or at Costco and they work great!
Clothing:
Kate: I have also had a recent love affair with various base layers. There are varieties of weights (mid weight, light, etc.) and they are wonderful. I have worn my Smartwool midweight long sleeve top more than any other outdoor item I own. I don’t usually wear snow pants or waterproof pants when I snowshoe, I wear base layers under leggings and I stay warm. Socks are also so important, wool socks\ski socks are life giving for keeping your feet warm. I have a Bearz outdoor waterproof picnic blanket, it’s pocket size and works well thrown down on the snow so I can sit and rest while I snack and not get wet, therefore remaining warmer.
Shari: I, like Kate, don’t typically wear waterproof pants unless it is snowing out. Yoga pants and gaiters over warm wool socks and my boots keep my legs and feet warm. Optional, wear a puffy down skirt to keep your butt warm, my friend Kristina wrote an awesome blog about down skirts here. I typically wear a long sleeve base layer (Lululemon Long-sleeve), a mid layer zip up (Arc’teryx Atom LT), and a shell (Arc’teryx Shell). My top layer, the shell, comes off pretty quickly after I get going and my core temp heats up. I always wear gloves that are waterproof and warm and wear a hat or earmuffs to keep my head and ears warm. It is better to bring more than you need.
What’s in my backpack:
Kate: I have an affinity for preparedness, therefore I always have water, snacks, a first aid kit, and sunglasses or goggles. I definitely bring sunscreen because getting burned in winter somehow hurts even more than in summer. The sun reflects off all the beautiful white snow and onto our very un-sunkissed faces. On longer hikes I might bring a pocket stove to heat up some apple cider with bourbon (or anything warm) or bring it in a thermos. I also like to have hand warmers in my knapsack in case my hands or feet get really cold. I also bring my camera because I love to take pictures of the beautiful views.
Shari: I always have a hydration pack, that is if it’s not too cold or the straw can freeze on you – in that case I just bring a bottle of water. Like I said above, I love to bring snacks, food, and a thermos with something warm and delicious. Definitely the 10 Essentials which includes Sunscreen, chapstick, and sunglasses because the snow is bright and reflective on a blue-bird winter day. Sometimes I will bring a few extra layers to be safe and toilet paper & a plastic bag in case you need to go potty during your walk/hike in the snow. Lastly I always bring an extra pair of socks, hat/beanie, hand warmers, and for good measure…candy.
This photo was taken on a SheJumps Snowshoeing Event that Shari lead in February 2018
*This post is not affiliated with any of the above brands or companies. We purely recommend the items that we have personally field tested. Shari is an Ambassador for SheJumps, a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering women and girls to get outdoors.
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