Memoirs from Vermont: Ski Trip Diaries
Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to @sleeepyforest! Sydney won a 2 night stay at The Hilton Burlington and a $200.00 Gift Card to our favorite Burlington Restaurant: Hen of The Wood! If you’d like to be notified about our next Giveaway, enter here.
There are a number of ski resorts in Vermont, making it inarguably a skier's paradise.
There is something truly appealing about combining elements of relaxation, adventure, fine food, and small town charm. With this concept in mind, skiing in Vermont seemed like an exciting prospect for our vacation. We found a variety of slopes in the area catering to novices and experts alike including Killington, Mad River Glen, Stowe, Okemo, and Stratton during our search. While investigating the perfect lodging we discovered the quaint town of Burlington. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Champlain and is home to just under 43,000 people, as well as an eclectic collection of small businesses, cozy cafes, art galleries, shops, and Farm To Table restaurants!
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The Hilton Burlington
The perfect place to stay
The Hilton Burlington is situated just 3.6 miles from Burlington International Airport and provides unobstructed views of Lake Champlain. Thanks to the amenities offered and the airport accessibility - this is a choice any discerning traveler will appreciate!
Arrival
Burlington’s International Airport is small and very easy to maneuver (the rocking chairs are a nice touch). Within an hour of touchdown, we had collected our bags and ski gear, picked up our rental vehicle, and arrived at the hotel for check-in! With the distance from airport to hotel being 3.6 miles, you will find yourself there within 13 minutes.
When you arrive at Hilton Burlington, you’ll find a large covered entry drive so no matter the weather you will have a completely sheltered loading and unloading experience. We found check in to be quick and easy as the hotel staff are very accommodating and knowledgeable!
Hotel & Amenities
We found the hotel to be both calming and beautiful. Conveniently located across the street from the stunning Lake Champlain. Attention to detail with their guests in mind is obvious. Whether you choose to gather as a group around the lovely fireplace, rendezvous in the candle lit bar with your significant other, or sit alone in a cozy corner to read, lounging options are numerous.
Drinks & Dining
Step into the 1930’s by visiting the hotel’s newly renovated bar and restaurant area. After dark, you’ll find a cozy candlelit experience that offers dinner and late night bites as well as hand crafted cocktails, beer and wine. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller stylings being played softly in the background. There is something about the area that makes you feel like you're on a ship sailing along in yesteryear... It could be that the surrounding service entryways have Maritime Porthole windows. Either way, I really enjoyed the ambience they have created. The Beacon Bar & Restaurant (located in the lobby) also offers a variety of menu options for breakfast! We definitely took advantage of grabbing a quick bite to-go on our early ski mornings.
The Suite
Taking in the Views
Lake Champlain borders the United States but also across the Canada–U.S. border into the Canadian province of Quebec. Our suite offered completed unimpeded views of the Lake. From sunrise to sunset you see a different picturesque view to enjoy as the light changes.
The suites and rooms are furnished and decorated with traditional stylings but also include all the high-tech modern conveniences we’ve come to love and enjoy in Hotels! The Hilton Burlington has not forgotten the importance of a good night’s rest. All rooms feature Pacific Coast Pillows! I always appreciate details and thoughtful additions, I am looking for the small nuances that perfect a space. For me, I loved that they chose dark colored doors and moldings throughout the hotel. It was something I was not expecting!
I appreciate details and thoughtful additions, I’m always looking for the small nuances that perfect a space.
The newly renovated spaces offer soft lighting throughout, moody and mysterious hallways, nautical touches and of course, large windows throughout so you take in all that Lake Champlain has to offer.
Complimentary Coffee Bar
Every hotel guest has run out of water at some point. Even worse, you may have run out of coffee! Fortunately, every floor at Hilton Burlington has been equipped with a complimentary coffee bar. You’ll find both cold and hot water, tea, hot cocoa, cider, ice, coffee milk and mixers available to you 24 hours a day. This is such a nice amenity that we enjoyed throughout our entire stay!
*COVID NOTES
In today’s world, Housekeeping, In-Room Dining availability and more can change frequently! My suggestion is to call and ask about your favorite amenities before you arrive to any hotel. We call and ask about things like Dining Times, the current availability of Robes & Slippers, what the updates are with Housekeeping and Towel Service, etc. Not only will this make you an expert traveler, but you can discuss the amenities most important to you prior to your stay!
Burlington
Things to do Nearby
Downtown is just a 9 minute walk (or 3 minute drive) from The Hilton Burlington, making it an ideal destination for excursions. North of downtown, the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is a former home of the Revolutionary War hero. The vast Shelburne Museum, south of the city, houses American folk and decorative art in a collection of historic buildings. The Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s busy pedestrian shopping walk downtown was inspired by a market in Copenhagen called the Stroget. A local architecture student observed the Stroget in 1962 and began lobbying officials to create something similar in Burlington. In 1980, Burlington closed off two downtown blocks along Church Street to traffic, and a year later the Church Street Marketplace officially opened. This is a beautiful area of shops and cafe lined streets where you can walk and shop and take photos with no worries of traffic. If you’re also an Art Deco fan, be sure to stop by The Flynn Theatre. Burlington's "Wonder Theatre" was established in 1930 as a state-of-the-art vaudeville and motion pictures venue. The Flynn has endured a zigzagging history to become the renowned. Whether you take in a show or just stroll around downtown Burlington, you won't be disappointed. The place is truly wonderful.
Heading To
Stowe
Getting From Burlington Into Stowe
Vermont is world renowned for beautiful snowy vistas and skiing which leads us to our next category: Skiing at Stowe Mountain. What an amazing experience! Stowe Mountain Resort is a lovely 59 minute drive from Hilton Burlington and Lake Champlain and 40 minutes from the Burlington International Airport.
The drive to Stowe Mountain offers breathtaking views of rolling hills and valleys, historical homes, and big red barns. It is reminiscent of a Winter Wonderland when covered in snow. The scene is postcard-perfect.
Need some tunes? For your enjoyment, I have included a (dare I say, adventitious) compilation of our favorite tunes from our Vermont ski trip!
The Ski Resorts
Stowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort comprising two separate mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Stowe was rated the No. 1 ski resort in Eastern US by Ski Magazine, No. 1 in the East by Freeskier Magazine, No. 1 winter destination in Yankee Magazine’s Readers Choice poll, a top five US ski vacation by Yahoo!Sports, a top 10 best ski town in America by Forbes, and one of the worlds best ski towns by National Geographic.
Stowe offers a total of 116 trails (more than 40 miles) covering 485 skiable acres over a 2360 foot vertical (the highest lift access is 3625 feet).
The trail network breaks down to 16% beginner, 55% intermediate, 15% advanced and 14% expert.
Après ski, baby?
The Cliff House
Stowe, being a ski town with close to 100 years of ski history serves its visitors with plenty of options for shopping, eating and drinking as well as other exciting outdoor activities.
At the top of Mount Mansfield, you'll find the Cliff House Restaurant - a great place to relax and dine after skiing. This restaurant offers amazing panoramic views through floor to ceiling windows. Enjoy American regional cuisine paired with your favorite Après Ski cocktail. We certainly did.
Spruce Peak Village
For those non- skiers in your group, there plenty of options for enjoyment in a variety of cute shops and cafes in downtown Stowe. Spruce Peak Village is another great place to visit! They have a large ice skating area and shopping available. Relax yourself with a Cup of hot cocoa by the big rock fireplace at the Lodge and just enjoy the rustic ambiance!
For the Foodies
HEN OF THE WOOD
If you’ve read our previous dining articles, it is no secret Daniel and I both have a real penchant for finding the foods! But it’s more than something we joke about, we have a true passion for fine dining and a love for supporting local restaurateurs. That is why when we found out that Hen of The Wood - Burlington was a mere 900 feet from our hotel, we were thrilled about the prospect of visiting!
Listed by Boston Magazine as one of Vermont’s ‘Must Visit Restaurants’, Hen of the Wood is the best of the Farm to table experience!
The unique menus change daily, based on a wealth of premium products found only miles from the restaurant. They have established a network of growers, artisans, designers, ranchers, bakers, wild crafters, and many more who are striving for both environmental harmony and continued growth. These relationships are what drives The Hen of the Woods and makes it what we consider our favorite go-to restaurant in Burlington.
This is an environment where a snowsuit or formal attire is equally apropos. Definitely fine dining with a rustic flare, this restaurant’s chefs serve up tantalizing entrees to die for and your servers are well versed in combining drinks and cocktails to any meal.
Thanks for Reading!
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