Thousands of acres of Vermont's mountain terrain are crossed by hiking trails and ski slopes. And just because your day of downhill has come to an end doesn't mean the fun has to stop. Find pizza joints, breweries, and snowmobile tours situated right near some of Vermont's popular mountains. Here are the best apres ski activities in the state!
If you’ve seen enough white snow while on the mountain, avert your eyes to something more colorful and intriguing at this unique art space. This place is always full of vibrant art for viewers to gaze at for hours. You won’t be bored pacing through the current exhibits presented both indoors and outdoors. Check out art of all different formats and explore the whimsy side of Stowe at this unexpected spot.
View this post on Instagram
At the turn of the century, the small gap in Mt. Mansfield that connects the towns of Jeffersonville and Stowe was a known smuggling route for the Vermont/Canada illegal trade industry, which included liquor and fur. Thus, a distillery at the base of the pass is a rather ironic exclamation point to this lurid bit of Vermont history. However, the spirits produced here are anything but ironic, and you’ll find organic Vermont vodka, maple infusions, rum, gin, and bourbon.
A little south of Smugglers' Notch Distillery, the Lodge at Spruce Peak is an eastern-facing resort that is the perfect place to enjoy the majesty of Mt. Mansfield while sitting back and relaxing with a cocktail and an appetizer. This mountainside ski resort village offers plenty of options for food and dining, and you can choose from the sophisticated Hourglass Lounge, to the lively Great Room Grill, which is home to the popular Spruce Bar.
Established inside an 1830s blacksmith’s shop, Idletyme is both a brewery and a restaurant. Featuring Vermont hoppy ales and darker brews, this spot also serves a simple, seasonal menu that includes fried pickles, maple bacon barbecue wings, cheddar ale soup, pork belly sliders, house smoked ribs, juicy burgers, and fish and chips.
View this post on Instagram
One of Vermont’s more well-known wineries, this 800-acre farm that is home to the winery boasts over 10,000 grapevines and has a storefront inside a historic 1875 carriage barn. Perhaps best known for their fruit and blended wines, Boyden also produced delicate whites and medium and full-bodied reds.
View this post on Instagram
For the adrenaline junkies, you won’t want the adventure to stop. Why not explore the area a bit more on a powerful snowmobile? The folks at Green Mountain Snowmobile Adventures right in Jefferson “will take you through lush forests to some of the most awesome views of the majestic Mount Mansfield and Smugglers Notch State Park" according to their site. It is unlikely that anything can top this magical experience exploring Vermont in its best light.
There are certainly many dining options at the resort at the top of the mountain, but for authentic Italian pizza pie, local Vermont brews, and live entertainment that won’t break the bank, there’s none better in town than Piecasso. You’ll find 17 tap lines with well-respected local nation-wide brews, while the menu features burgers, lasagna, truffle fries, eggplant parm, and more.
View this post on Instagram
You don’t have to go far to find great food at an affordable price on the mountain either. Plus, you'll find a giant warm fireplace with a crackling fire, as well as a surprisingly comprehensive wine list. Moreover, menu items include New England clam chowder, French onion soup, barbecue ribs, filet mignon, and fish and chips.
If you want to splurge, there is one dining destination on the mountain that is unique among all others. There’s just one catch. You have to ride the gondola to get there. The upshot, though, is that you are in for panoramic alpine views, and the food is mouth-watering and farm-to-table. Plus, the cocktails are some of the best in the state, and your server is glad to help pair one with your meal.
There are not many spots in Vermont that feature live entertainment every night of the week, but Bootlegger’s is definitely one of them. You will find live music, comedy, karaoke, cold brews, pub grub, and more, but leave the kids with a sitter because this spot is an adults-only venue. However, if you are looking to for great entertainment and an aperitif after a long day of hurtling down the mountain at breakneck speeds, this is the spot for you.
