Vermont Winter Inn to Inn
A cozy winter weekend away in Vermont’s spectacular Green Mountains is a wonderful way to experience the hospitality and warmth of the celebrated Moosalamoo region. After the crowds have gone, join us for gourmet dining, New England country comfort, winter hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing as we make our way from one charming country inn to the next. We’ll carry only daypacks as we travel the best routes in the area, including Silver Lake and the Falls of Llana. In the evenings we enjoy the quiet comfort, warm hospitality, and gracious, hearty meals at the authentic, century-old Churchill House Inn and later the panoramic views, authentic antique furnishings and fresh gourmet creations of the Blueberry Hill Inn. In January and March, we’ll likely travel from inn to inn on snowshoes. In February we hope to travel on skis. Our mode of travel will be determined by the conditions and if there’s no snow, we’ll look forward to crisp and quiet winter hiking.
2008 Full Itinerary:
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Day 1
Arrive at the Churchill House Inn, Brandon, Vermont. You may check in as early as 3:00 pm for more time to enjoy this fabulous inn. Be sure to arrive in time for a 6:00 pm welcome and orientation with your guide, followed by a gourmet dinner served by our hosts featuring fresh, local Vermont produce and four fantastic courses. Rest well tonight for our outing tomorrow. Dinner provided. -
Day 2
We awake and are served a hearty hot breakfast at the inn’s dining room before heading out on the first leg of our journey . After our host packs our trail lunches, we have our luggage shuttled to the next inn and set out for an 8.8- mile ski or snowshoe to the Blueberry Hill Inn. We may also wish to travel an additional two miles to view the Falls of Llana and enjoy a picnic lunch. Upon our arrival at the Blueberry Hill Inn, we’ll rest and enjoy another fine gourmet dinner prepared by our new hosts. Enjoy the Blueberry Hill Inn’s 1800’s charm and beautiful panoramic views before turning in for the night. All meals, van transportation and luggage shuttle provided. -
Day 3
Once again, a fine breakfast with our hosts begins the day, then we’re given our picnic lunches and head out for another day of skiing or snowshoeing the peaceful trails surrounding the Blueberry Hill Inn. Today’s outings are tailored to the group’s abilities and desires. We’ll return to the Inn in time for our next gourmet dining experience and plenty of sound rest and relaxation. All meals, van transportation and luggage shuttle provided. -
Day 4
After our breakfast we’ll once again have our picnic lunches prepared by our gracious hosts, then set out for beautiful Silver Lake. From there we ski, snowshoe, or hike back to the Churchill House Inn, about 8.3 miles total. We plan to arrive there to say our goodbyes sometime in the mid-afternoon. Breakfast, lunch, van transportation and luggage shuttle provided.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this
itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control
including weather and terrain conditions. This can include changes in the inns
to be used, mode of travel (skis, snowshoes, or hiking boots) trails to be
hiked, etc. This trip is operated whether we have snow or no snow. Snow
conditions will dictate whether we can ski or snowshoe on the trails or
whether we’ll enjoy hiking sections of the trail. Typically, Vermont’s winter
weather will provide plenty of snow for great snow-shoeing or cross-country
skiing.
If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a very limited number of single rooms available on most departures.
One night lodging and dinner and one breakfast at the Churchill House Inn; two nights lodging and dinners and two breakfasts at the Blueberry Hill Inn; picnic lunches on all days; use of skis or snowshoes, professional guiding; taxes and inn gratuities; luggage transfers between inns, on-trip van transportation to and from trailheads when required.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any
kind; alcoholic beverages - these can be purchased at Churchill House, but not
at the Blueberry Hill Inn, so be sure to bring your own beverages for nights 2
and 3 if you’d like them (not all of the inns have a license to serve beer and
wine; in those cases, you are allowed to bring your own to the inn, but if the
inn does have a license, state law prohibits consuming your own in the common
areas); soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Major: Albany International Airport, Albany, NY – 115 miles, 2.5 hours
Smaller:
Burlington International Airport, Burlington, VT – 55 miles,
1.25 hours
Manchester Airport, Manchester, NH – 135 miles, 2.75 hours
There
is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place.
Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate
Average daytime high temperatures usually range between 20-35°F, with evening
temperatures dropping below zero. Precipitation is a possibility at any time
in the mountains making adequate raingear a necessity.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Vermont Winter Inn to Inn
Weather
Gear Checklist
- Snowshoes and Poles, or
- Cross Country Skis, Ski Boots & Poles
- Waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight waterproof and breathable (REI Elements or Goretex)
- Midweight fleece jacket (such as Polartec 200) or wool sweater
- Two mid- or lightweight thermal top and bottom made of synthetic (such as REI MTS) or wool
- Fleece or wool pants or tights
- Down jacket or vest
- Hiking or ski socks, made of wool or synthetic
- Sock liners—synthetic/wool—optional
- Comfortable, casual clothing for evenings
- Bathing suit for Blueberry Hill Inn (optional)
- Wool or fleece hat
- Baseball cap (optional)
- Ski gloves
- Lightweight glove liners of wool or synthetic
- Gaiters—these greatly help keep snow out of your boots
- Insulated hiking boots: heavy duty, waterproof, and well broken-in. Sorel-type boots do work. REI sales specialists can give great recommendations on snowshoe boots to keep your feet warm and dry
- Two 1-quart water Nalgene bottles
- Day pack – with enough room for your extra clothes, water and personal items
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Large plastic bag to line daypack with or a waterproof pack cover
- Personal medications
- Personal first aid kit, small and light with personal medication
- Small foam pad to sit on for lunch stops (Ensolite type)
- Pocket knife or small multi-tool
- Camera and film
- Hand and toe warmers—lightweight, disposable
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles with snow baskets (REI will provide if you do not bring your own)