The day before Thanksgiving the southern part of our state received 3 inches of snow. Likewise, parts of Colorado also saw 6 inches of the white stuff fall in the last couple of days. It’s great news for winter sports enthusiasts who can’t wait to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
If you are itching to hit the slopes or the ice (or at least watch as your kids do) you might be interested in the following series I am writing on winter travel packages. Each article features a popular winter destination and includes information on companies that specialize in creating adventure packages.
Take a look:
REI Adventures’ Vermont Winter Adventure
If you are looking for a way to beat the winter blues consider taking part in one of REI Adventures Weekend Getaways. This one includes a three night snowshoeing and hiking expedition in Vermont.
For about $900 per person, expert guides will take you on an inn-to-inn adventure that promises the right combination of outdoor physical exertion and indoor pampering. During the long winter weekend, you’ll cross-country ski, snowshoe, or hike (depending on the snow conditions) between inns in the Moosalamoo region of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
If it sounds labor intensive it’s because it is. You’ll travel six to eight miles per day with a daypack strapped to your back. (Your luggage will be shuttled between the inns by car.) According to the tip summary, participants should come prepared to endure five to eight hours of activity per day. However, keep in mind that you aren’t building a river dam; rather your time will be spent exploring peaceful trails and learning about the history of the sites you will be passing, including a hidden Robert Frost cabin and the 100-foot-tall Falls of Lana.
As for your accommodations, the first night you’ll stay at the Churchill House Inn in Brandon, a historic structure that dates back to 1872, where you’ll be served a four-course dinner made with local Vermont ingredients. The next two nights you’ll spend at the Blueberry Hill Inn, an antique-filled early-1800s country home that has a wood-fired sauna. Breakfasts and dinners will be served at the respective inns and box lunches will be prepared for your treks during the day.
This adventure is being offered by REI during the months of January and February. The price includes accommodations, meals, use of ski and snowshoeing equipment, guides, transportation to and from trailheads, luggage transfers, and some gratuities. Note that you must provide your own transportation to Brandon, which is about a two-hour drive from the airport in Albany, New York and a 3.5-hour drive from Boston’s Logan airport.
Related Articles:
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Tips For Your Family Ski Vacation
Canada—Not Just A Winter Destination