See for yourself how it’s made! The world-famous ice cream, judged “the best in the world” by Time Magazine, is made just south of Stowe in Waterbury. Visit the factory for a tour, including free samples, merchandise, and, of course, an ice cream counter! 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd

Located north of Stowe in Vermont’s unspoiled Northeast Kingdom, you’ll find some of the finest cross-country skiing in New England. A year-round destination on 400 acres, this non-profit specializes in exciting outdoor activities for the whole family. The winter season is magical in Craftsbury, offering guests more than just world-class cross-country skiing. Choose from snowshoeing, orienteering, ice skating, backcountry tours, animal tracking, nature studies, yoga, and more. There is also a certified massage therapist, a sauna, and a fitness room on site, and babysitting can be arranged with advance notice. In general, trails are groomed and tracked by mid-morning, though that can be pushed back during days of heavy snow. Unless otherwise noted, always assume groomed also implies tracked. 802-586-7767

Eden Mountain is a working dog sled farm and touring center surrounded by 3,000 acres of mixed protected Vermont wilderness, with ten miles of private trails that are set aside exclusively for dog sledding. Meet and get to know the “free-range” huskies and mixed breed dogs, help harness and hitch up, and even try driving the team. All rides require advance registration. 802-635-9070 (summer or winter activity).

This is THE local sledding hill. It is steep and it is fast! Bring your own or buy or rent a sled or toboggan at Shaw’s General Store on Main Street. The hill is located behind the Stowe Elementary School, right in the heart of Stowe Village. There is also a great playground at the school for the kids to enjoy!

Located just south of the village in the Umiak Outdoor Outfitters building, Snowmobile Vermont offers guided backcountry tours through the Cotton Brook area of the Mount Mansfield State Forest. The ride covers twenty-five miles of hills and woods and reaches elevations as high as 3,000 feet. Beginners and experts are welcome. Families can ride single or double, and teens 16 and older can drive. Tours last two hours.

802-253-6221

For those who enjoy taking to the ice and showing off their skating skills, the newest rink in Stowe is a must-try! The Spruce Peak Village Center offers skate rentals for those who are swinging by for a session. This open-air ice rink is great to visit in the evening when the twinkling lights of the Spruce Camp Base Lodge illuminate the area, making ice skating in Stowe a magical moment.

888-478-6938

Located adjacent to the Sun and Ski Inn and Suites on the Mountain Road, this 8-lane treasure is not what you expect!

This state-of-the-art venue is much more than a plain old bowling alley – it’s more swanky, cozy, comfortable, loungy, and even elegant. With great food, a full bar serving anything from Shirley Temples to White Russians, a lounge atmosphere, and a high-tech audio-visual experience, this is great year-round for all ages!

As an alternative to beer, this cider is the bomb! Made from locally grown apples, the 10 varieties of cider range from dry and preservative-free to zesty, fruity, and spicy pepper ciders. You can visit their tasting room on the Mountain Road in Stowe.

802-253-2065

• Tours are 2.5 hours in duration for 1 to 4 people per guide (Call to book for more than 12 participants)
• Rental pedal assist (eBike) fatbikes and analog fatbikes, plus helmets are available
• Guides are certified, insured, and knowledgeable, assuring the best experience possible
• All rides meet, depart, and return to Ranch Camp, Stowe's trailside fatbike base lodge

This place is often the antidote for kids and bad weather, no matter the time of year.

The barn-like structure, located just off of the Mountain Road, houses an impressive twenty-five meter lap pool, with a designated area for open swimming and elevated diving board. Plus, a separate children’s play area with a large water slide, shallow pools, and a water toy area is perfect for infants and bigger kids. And, besides the water features, there’s also a large, state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes.

This world-class touring center offers 100 kilometers of rolling trails and it has recently added snowmaking! Known as some of the best cross country skiing in North America, the trails at Trapp’s are finely groomed and even connect to the Stowe Mountain Resort trails. Inside the center is a full-service rental shop, waxing benches, and a sweet retail shop to pick up the perfect pair of gloves, technical ski clothing, hats, and the ever-important hand and toe warmers for bitter cold days! Group and private lessons are available, as is guide service and backcountry tours. A popular loop is the 5k ski or hike uphill to the Slayton Pasture Cabin where you can enjoy wonderful homemade soups, breads, sandwiches, and treats while warming up by the giant fireplace. The quick ride back down to the lodge is really a hoot!

802-253-5719

Umiak Outdoor Outfitters offers a Moonlight Cabin Snowshoe Tour where you will learn how to use snowshoes and then be led to a hidden sugarhouse in the woods by the light of the moon or a headlamp. There, you will enjoy a toasty fire, Cabot cheese, crackers, and hot, mulled Cold Hollow apple cider. Bring friends and a bottle of wine, if you’d like, for a memory to last a lifetime.

For a quick taste of husky dog sledding, Umiak offers a sled pulled by ten dogs conveniently located behind the Stoweflake Resort.

802-253-2317

Life is sweet in Vermont, but on the last weekend of April it gets a little sweeter. For three incredible days festivalgoers will celebrate the first harvest and Vermont’s most favorite “crop” with demonstrations, live entertainment, and an incredible collection of local arts and crafts. Located in the charming hamlet of St. Albans, the festival is three days of small-town charm featuring more than 60 vendors of local handicrafts, specialty foods, and craft innovations.

The Vermont Renaissance Faire is a family-friendly event and participants are encouraged to come dressed in their best medieval garments and enjoy two days of costumed entertainment. The Faire includes Medieval-inspired artisans and craft vendors; mead and cider makers; tasty food from local chefs; musicians, dancers, acrobats, historical demos, encampments, a joust, Vikings, fairies, knights, jesters, pirates, and even a unicorn!

Located in a nearly 200-year-old former town Hall, skiers and non-skiers will enjoy seeing original lifts, clothes, and displays on the evolution of ski equipment. A large screen runs new and vintage ski films and raw footage all day.

802-253-9911. 1 Main St.