what to do in new england besides snow skiing
Don't ski? Visit these New England ski towns that even a not-skier can dearest
Y'all don't have to hit the slopes to appreciate these winter wonderlands.
Settling in under a fuzzy blanket in a horse-fatigued, cherry-red sleigh, Susan Donnelly of Boston wasn't a tiny bit jealous of her friends who were off skiing the trails at Stowe Mountain Resort. "I had a wonderful time in the village, and really enjoyed the wintertime vibe. I didn't want to requite that up just because I'g non into skiing these days,'' Donnelly admitted. If the idea of putting 2 sticks on your feet and hurtling downwardly a mount in the freezing cold is not your idea of a jolly quondam time, know this: It has never been easier to become on a "ski trip'' and never actually ski. With the introduction of snowfall tubing, wintertime nil lines, dogsled rides, dedicated snowshoe trails, and more, New England ski resorts woo nonskiers with a host of winter activities and civilities. Not to mention, a lively après-everything scene. Don't skip the ski trip only because you're not in it to twin-tip it.
And so pull on those Uggs (no plastic boots for you!) and come up along to these wintery wonderlands.
Stowe, Vt.
We'd appreciate Stowe'southward charming, European-village ambient even if there weren't towering trail-etched mountains looming in the altitude. (To clarify, there's Stowe Mount Resort, the ski resort, and historic Stowe Hamlet, set within the valley between Mountain Mansfield and the other Green Mountains to the due west.) Even a non-skier tin can capeesh the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum (those vintage posters! www.vtssm.org), and who wouldn't relish the sweet indulgence of a full-body maple scrub at The Spa at Stoweflake Mountain Resort (world wide web.stoweflake.com)? (Them: Continuing in a elevator line freezing. You lot: Sprawled on a tabular array getting slathered with goo.) Shaw's General Shop is a local must-meet; you can use that $99 you saved on a lift ticket to buy a fiddling something Vermont-y for your domicile. Outdoors, the 5.three-mile-long Stowe Recreation Path is a scenic romp, whether yous're on foot, snowshoe, or backside the Percheron and Belgian draft horses that power Gentle Giants' sleigh rides (world wide web.gentlegiantsrides.com). Après ski — or should nosotros say, après non-ski — Stowe really shines. The Matterhorn and the Rusty Nail are both reliable spots to find adult beverages and gregarious company, or opt for a big-deal night out at Spruce Pinnacle Performing Arts Center (www.sprucepeakarts.org). You'll be the one who actually stays awake for the entire concert.
Where to stay? There'south plenty to choose from at varying price points, but we tin can't resist the stunning rustic-chic design of Stowe Mountain Lodge at Bandbox Peak, www.destinationhotels.com. And your ski buddies will capeesh its slope-side locale. From $229. www.gostowe.com.
Bethel, Maine
Diane discovered Bethel's non-skiing options the hard manner — by twisting an talocrural joint on the mountain, and beingness propped up on a burrow for the weekend while her family skied at Dominicus River. Happily, a dog sled ride with Mahoosuc Guide Service (www.mahoosuc.com) was still a become. And for sure-footed types, there's plenty more to notice. You lot've heard nigh those watermelon-hued Maine tourmalines? Check out some worthy specimens, and other sparkly things, even meteorites, at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum (www.mainemineralmuseum.org). We're not suggesting you brand a day of information technology at Sunday River Brewing Co. (www.sundayriverbrewingcompany.com) merely you could certain spend a couple of pleasant hours there, sampling, say, a Sunday River Alt (German hops, caramel, and chocolate malts) and some "savage hash'' and apple fritters. No need to sit inside for the duration; alpine skiing is merely i effect in this sporty burg. Go the leisurely Nordic ski route at Carter's Cross-State Ski Center (www.cartersxcski.com) or attempt fatty-tire biking, cantankerous-land skiing or snowshoeing on the 40 kilometers of Bethel Village Trails (world wide web.mahoosucpathways.org) at the Bethel Inn. Come night, seek out the activity at the Foggy Goggle, the Funky Cherry Barn, or Suds.
Where to stay: The Bethel Inn Resort (www.bethelinn.com; from $185) won our hearts when they served the baby girl in our party a warm bottle in the middle of the night, with a rosebud on the tray. Aww. They're dog-friendly, too. The inn'south in-town location is convenient for roaming Bethel'due south Master Street, and the property accesses recreation trails. www.bethelmaine.com.
A two-fer: Waitsfield and Warren, Vt.
The twin towns of Waitsfield and Warren in the Mad River Valley offer a cool counterculture vibe and a thriving arts scene, just a snowball'southward-throw away from ski resorts Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. You could spend an unabridged weekend prowling the myriad galleries and studios here and non striking them all. Fuel up with a breakfast sandwich and coffee at the "almost earth-famous'' Warren Shop (world wide web.warrenstore.com), a general store that lives upward to the proper name, then make it a two-boondocks gallery hop. Start with the Bundy Mod (world wide web.bundymodern.com), and meander to Artisans' Gallery (www.vtartisansgallery.com), Waitsfield Pottery (world wide web.waitsfieldpottery.com), Moosewalk Studios & Gallery (www.moosewalkstudios.com), and any others that draw y'all in. Popular into All Things Bright and Beautiful (world wide web.allthingsbright.com) on Waitsfield'southward Bridge Street, to store the owner's handmade ornaments and well-curated gift items. This beingness Vermont, there's a business organisation devoted to modest-batch beer or spirits — hither, it's Mad River Distillers, makers of handcrafted rum, whisky, and brandy. For luncheon, the Mad Taco is proof that yous can discover good Mexican nutrient in Vermont. (Volume in advance for dinner at the wildly pop American Flatbread.) If you've still got some juice, and there's white stuff on the ground, become your outdoorsy on at Ole's Cross-State Eye (world wide web.olesxc.com), with a workout on their thirty-mile network of clean-cut Nordic ski and snowshoe trails.
Where to stay: The Inn at Round Barn Farm (www.theroundbarn.com, from $179) in Waitsfield is one of the finest places to stay in all of New England. Twelve unproblematic but perfect rooms are set up within a 19th century dairy subcontract. They also take a more modern annex, the 18-room Mad River Barn (from $155), and a good on-site pub. world wide web.madrivervalley.com.
N Conway, North.H.
Information technology's no sleepy little boondocks, but North Conway is definitely Action Central for winter fun-seekers in the Mount Washington Valley. If you're up for thrills, just non the skiing kind, have a downhill run at Cranmore Mountain Resort'due south (www.cranmore.com) 10-lane tubing park. The resort likewise has a mountain coaster, a behemothic swing, and a zipline, and so you could spend all day risk-ing while your buddies ski. If your bunch is doing the downhill matter at Bretton Woods (www.brettonwoods.com), have a become at the resort's three-hour, 1,000-foot elevation naughtline canopy tour, or tackle its rock climbing wall and bouldering cavern, both located in the base of operations lodge. If water parks are more than your jam, and you don't listen hanging with lots of kiddos, spend the twenty-four hour period at Kahuna Laguna water park at Cherry Jacket Mountain View Resort (www.kahunalaguna.com). Elements include a moving ridge pool and four iii-story water slides.
If your goal is sheer relaxation, it doesn't get mellower than a sleigh ride or Victorian wagon ride surrounded by the gorgeous White Mountains. The Subcontract past the River B&B and Stables (www.farmbytheriver.com) offers this gentle activity on its 70-acre property. This region is also a major shopping zone, thanks to Settlers Green (70 outlet stores) and the locally owned shops in North Conway Village. Don't miss Zeb'southward General Store, named best land shop in New Hampshire. And there's this: the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Middle (www.mountwashington.org), the only museum in the United States that is totally devoted to weather. It'southward very easily-on, and you tin even connect with an observer at the elevation of Mount Washington, "Abode of the World'south Worst Atmospheric condition.'' After all of this, you're probably set for hearty eats. Try Horsefeathers, a local favorite.
Where to stay: If Kahuna Laguna water park is on your list, it doesn't get any easier than staying on site at the family-friendly Cherry Jacket Mountain View Resort (www.redjacketresorts.com; from $235). Why exercise we love The Wentworth inn (www.thewentworth.com, from $165) in nearby Jackson? Two words: Killer breakfast. Plus they're right across from Jackson XC Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.
Source: https://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2018/10/29/dont-ski-visit-these-new-england-ski-towns-that-even-a-non-skier-can-love/
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