On a June day in 1922, the month of the summer solstice, Vermont’s first poet laureate wrote “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Six months separated Robert Frost from the cold, dark days of winter, yet he immortalized the season for generations of Vermonters.
These are the days when Vermonters consider the question: What should we do when the sun sets at four o’clock in the afternoon and it’s 12 degrees outside? While it’s tempting to crawl under a blanket with a cup of cocoa and a book of poetry, it’s exhilarating to don a pair of skis or swim in an outdoor, heated pool as snowflakes fall.
Continuing a series started last year, we asked five Vermonters to share their favorite winter activities and destinations — the things they do and places they go not simply to survive winter, but to celebrate it. None of them suggested reading Frost’s poem, but bookseller Kari Meutsch said she loves “any book where winter is as much a part of the story as any human character.”
Winter weather is a central theme in Vermont for at least four months a year. Here’s hoping these suggestions from fellow Vermonters will help brighten and enliven the season.
Jonny Adler Town: Stowe Occupations: Entrepreneur; cofounder of the Skinny Pancake; founder of a base camp for bikers and skiers opening in Waitsfield in 2023 Age: 43
You’re a super experienced downhill skier. When you want to push the Alpine envelope, where do you go for backcountry skiing? Oh man, where to start?! David Goodman’s Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast is the single best resource to get into the sport, with 50 classic ski tours, almost all of which are doable as day trips from anywhere in Vermont.
To self-guide your way into the sport, I highly recommend Braintree Mountain Forest and Brandon Gap because they have fantastic terrain and they are mapped and maintained by the backcountry heroes at the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective.
For a little more help, Bolton Valley is your spot. You can get instruction and even hire a guide to tour around thousands of acres of mostly north- and east-facing terrain. For a unique adventure that’s off the beaten path and super scenic, check out the Willoughby State Forest zone maintained by the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition.
What are your favorite winter hikes? Hiking is for summer. At the very least, don a pair of snowshoes and head to the snowshoe trails at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe or Mad River Glen in Waitsfield.
For those who love to hike, I can’t recommend enough buying a pair of skinny skis and a season pass to your local cross-country ski area. When you do, you get one free day at basically every cross-country center in the state.
What adventures do you recommend for parents of young kids? Love of winter recreation starts with sledding in the middle of a snowstorm at your nearest hill. For kids who can already ski a bit, the two standout gems are Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond and Northeast Slopes in East Corinth. Both are powered by T-bars and handle tows, both have really good pitch, and both are pure skiing the way it should be.
At Cochran’s, you can gather round a bonfire right at the base and watch the bigger kids race training. Cochran’s Friday Night Lights program offers an affordable, family-friendly dinner with a thousand other kids and super-fun night skiing for (not kidding) $5 per person.
Northeast Slopes is a true gem: 100 percent volunteer-run, 100 percent natural snow, actual glades, open faces and steep spots, and just a little shoebox at the bottom to gear up and get a burger.
After a day of playing in the snow, where do you like to go for food and drink? We live in Stowe and ski there often. On the way back down the Mountain Road, our car pretty much turns itself into the Piecasso parking lot to get a hot slice or two. If you’re heading back to Burlington, hot cider and a doughnut at Cold Hollow Cider Mill hit the spot. According to a data-driven study by my 6- and 8-year-old nephews, Lake Champlain Chocolates has the best hot cocoa around.
Marlena Tucker-Fishman Town: Waterbury Center Occupation: Entrepreneur who runs the wellness center at Zenbarn; co-owner of Zenbarn Farms Age:38 Where do you find your winter zen in Vermont? I find zen cross-country skiing in the field outside my house and through the trails on Camel’s Hump. One of my new favorite places to cross-country ski is around Blueberry Lake near Warren. I find my zen dancing to live music at Zenbarn in Waterbury Center and sitting by the firepit. As I answer this question, I realize there are, gratefully, so many places I find my zen in Vermont. I also find my zen at the Grange in Montpelier, doing West African drum and dance every Tuesday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
It’s a surprise snow day, and you and your husband are playing hooky and spending it with your sons. Where do you go, and what do you do? Oh, I love days like this. We usually venture up to Spruce Peak Lodge in Stowe for a mini staycation and enjoy the outdoor hot tub and heated pool. If not keeping hot in water, head to Lincoln Gap; the road is closed in the wintertime. It’s a nice two-mile walk up and epic sled ride down the winding road.
For a restaurant meal not at Zenbarn, where does your family head? You can’t go wrong with Butler’s Pantry or Doc Ponds in Stowe, depending on the time of the day. For family enjoyment and great food in downtown Waterbury, the Reservoir it is! Barbara Jean’s Southern Kitchen [offering takeout in Burlington] is great soul food to break the cabin fever.
Courtney Dickerson Town: Monkton Occupation: Program manager at Catamount Trail Association Age: 30 Can you recommend three stretches of the Catamount Trail for three levels of Nordic skier: novice, some experience and hard-core skier? The Catamount Trail is divided into 31 sections based on geographic location. So, for a novice skier, I’d recommend sections 1 to 4 in southern Vermont. These sections have gentle terrain without steep inclines, following the Deerfield River and the shores of Somerset and Harriman reservoirs, making for a beautiful beginner ski.
Skiers with some experience would enjoy sections 15 and 16, which go through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in central Vermont. These sections follow rolling backcountry terrain with various ungroomed and groomed portions, passing through both Blueberry Hill and Rikert Nordic Center.
For more hard-core skiers, I’d recommend section 22 [Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge]. It’s a popular, rugged backcountry tour that has both challenging climbing and descending portions.
Where do you like to cross-country ski that’s not on the Catamount Trail? I love to ski at Sleepy Hollow Inn’s Nordic center in Huntington, which is run by a multigenerational family and has plenty of varied terrain and scenic views at Butternut Cabin. Also, you can’t go wrong spending the day at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, which has over 100 kilometers of groomed trails, great food and fantastic terrain.
It’s February, and you need a pick-me-up. What do you do to kick the winter blues? I’d head to Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, which has rustic, woodsy trails and feels like a getaway. I’d take a stop in Bristol for a pastry at Jones the Boy or Minifactory on the way up and stop in Middlebury for some Thai food on the way home.
Ari Sadri Town: Shelburne Occupation: Inn and hospitality director at Shelburne Farms Age: 55
You live on the property of Shelburne Farms year-round. What do you enjoy doing there when the inn’s season winds down? I have a very rambunctious 9-year-old golden retriever, Maisy. On any given day, she and I will walk three to five miles on the farm, just enjoying the scenery. Even on the coldest winter day, the farm is a beautiful place to spend time and explore.
When I’m not doing that, I am usually neck-deep in overly ambitious cooking projects.
Where do you take pleasure being a guest while other people run the show? I am a terrible homebody. That being said, I am very keen to try the Tillerman in Bristol. If their inn experience is as great as their dining experience, then I’m all in! Their chef, Justin Wright, does a great job.
What other dining destinations make the most of the season? This is a hard one, because we are so lucky to have great options in the area. In Burlington, I think Hen of the Wood does a wonderful job, and I particularly enjoy sitting at the counter, watching their talented staff do their thing. I love the warmth and conviviality of small, intimate places like Honey Road and Poco, both of which have awesome small-plate-focused menus.
I am an enormous fan of Pizzeria Ida. Owners Dan Pizzutillo and Erika Strand are incredibly dedicated to their craft, use amazing ingredients, and produce pizzas, salads and other items that are unlike anything else in the area. I’m particularly addicted to their square pie.
Last but certainly not least, Zabby & Elf’s Stone Soup is a personal favorite, with great baked goods and such a genuine community vibe! In my opinion, it is the epitome of what a neighborhood spot should feel like.
What are your go-to stores for winter shopping in Burlington? Patagonia has good gear with a great social and environmental mission. I also love Outdoor Gear Exchange, even though I’m not super sporty. The shop covers so many bases, is locally owned and I especially love that their consignment program helps keep used gear in action rather than fill landfills! We also do a lot of shopping at Monelle, a favorite of my two daughters’ and my go-to when I’m trying to find gifts for them.
You’re holed up in a snowstorm on a winter day. Where are you? When I heard about the impending storm, I managed to book myself a massage at the Spa at the Woodstock Inn — and while the massage is great, the real reason I’m here is the opportunity to relax in their common room afterwards. I’m curled up in a comfy chair, watching the snow through a wall of windows, wrapped in a blanket and settled in next to a woodstove, while reading whatever fun, new witchy and magical novel has caught my eye.
What are your winter traditions? I always want a bonfire around the time of solstice, but we’re often too busy with the bookstore in the lead-up to gift-giving holidays to make that happen. So in the quieter months, I try to take time to walk through the woods in the snow when I can and enjoy the quiet. Sometimes I’ll take my camera along, but it’s nice to be out there alone without distraction, too.
Do you have a favorite book or poem about winter? For me, it’s any book where winter is as much a part of the story as any human character — and there has to be magic. I have to mention The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, because although it’s set in historical Russia and chock-full of fairy tales and folklore from that space and time, you can tell that Arden resides here in Vermont. The way she describes the cold and the snow and the woods and the trees, it makes you feel like everything could be happening right now, just outside the door, in our own backyard. Plus, it’s the first in a fantastic trilogy — and it’s always nice to have a long story to dive into and carry you through the darker months.
Describe your dream day of a winter adventure. Snowshoeing on the trails at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science with friends, enjoying the quiet and beauty of the winter woods before visiting with all of the rescued birds. Then heading to the Ransom Tavern in South Woodstock for a delicious wood-fired pizza and the cozy ambience (and tasty drinks). And, of course, we’ll end the night with their Nutella pizza, because it’s absolutely the stuff of dreams.
These interviews were edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Photo credit: Backyard sledding in Jericho; Kirsten Thompson
Snow-covered ski slopes, autumn weddings during peak foliage, and summer trips spent visiting family regularly beckoned college sweethearts Emily and Evan Oleson back to Vermont from their home in Connecticut. Emily grew up in Vermont and had hoped to one day return full time after college, medical school, and residency were completed. As soon she was done with her medical training, the call to return to the Green Mountain State permanently was too loud to ignore.
“Vermont has always been a special place for us and one where we wanted to live, especially when we were raising kids,” said Emily. “When we were thinking about where we wanted to raise them, Vermont was top of the list. The connection to nature through outdoor recreation and local food production, as well as the close-knit, caring communities were what most attracted us to the state.” The Olesons now have two children under three years old and the whole family enjoys exploring and settling into their new community.
The family arrived in Danville in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when healthcare jobs were in high demand, Emily, a family physician, had finished residency training and secured arole practicing full spectrum primary care at a federally qualified health center in Vermont. Having recently completed a master’s program, Evan was on board to start a new chapter with their family in the Northeast Kingdom and the two set out to put the relocation wheels in motion.
While researching towns and scouring real estate listings, the Olesons came across the Worker Relocation Grant Program. Working in an essential occupation qualified Emily for the grant. The couple turned their sights from renting an apartment and put the grant funds toward purchasing a home and putting down roots faster than they would have without the incentive. “The incentive made it feel a little safer and more affordable for us to take the plunge and purchase a home in the midst of the health crisis,” Emily said. “It felt like the state was behind us and it was nice to feel like we had that support.”
Committing to a location allowed the Olesons to focus on integrating the family into their new community. While Emily settled into her demanding new role, Evan got the kids settled into daycare, connected with local professionals, and started exploring volunteer opportunities. He has since joined the Danville volunteer fire department and the board of a nonprofit outdoor recreation organization. He now works at the Northern Forest Center in community development on issues such as workforce housing and attracting and retaining young families and workers to the region.
“We both found workplaces that are a good fit and got settled in quickly at a time when we couldn’t be as openly engaged in our communities as we might have liked to,” Evan said about relocating during a global health emergency. “It was an odd time to move into a new community, but we felt really welcomed even through the health and safety measures that were in place at the time,” he reflected.
“Our neighbors were our main avenue into making friends and they often invited us to tag along and meet people. We also participated in the welcome wagon program, which has a robust presence in the Northeast Kingdom. That provided additional connections and helped us navigate some of the questions we had as newcomers.”
Through the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project, the Olesons connected with several local families for video calls and walks on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and learned about where to shop and dine, nearby activities, and the things that make the community special.
“It also helped to read stories about how other folks have moved to the state and made it work for them,” Evan said, “and now I’m grateful my family can be part of that story for others to hear.”
In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, small, tight-knit communities are strung together by scenic byways and back roads alongside lakes hewn by glaciersand the high spine of the Green Mountain range.The state’s most rural region, the Kingdom offers residents immediate access to outdoor recreation, a people-poweredarts and culture scene, and ample opportunities for a fulfilling life/work balance in a place where both individuality and community are celebrated.
Former governor George Aiken gave the Northeast Kingdom its name during a speech in Lyndonville in 1946. Aiken lauded the region for its natural beauty and welcoming communities. The Northeast Kingdom is home to Lake Willoughby, the state’s deepest lake at 328 feet. Its highest mountain is Jay Peak, its horizon also punctuated by Mount Pisgah and East Mountain. The Northeast Kingdom is bordered by the Connecticut River between Vermont and New Hampshire and on the west, by the Green Mountain range. The region’s only city, Newport, is on the shore of Lake Memphremagog, which stretches into Canada, with access to Montreal within about a two and a half hour drive for much of the region. The Kingdom is made up of three counties, Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia, and is home to about 64,000 people. The area’s largest towns are Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury, locatedon the banks of the Passumpsic River, which wraps around the town and steeps it in mill history. Interstates 93 and 91, and U.S. Routes 5 and 2, connect the Northeast Kingdom to the rest of the state, and operates buses and shuttles within and exterior to the region.
Career opportunities in the Northeast Kingdom span many industries. People in the region work in manufacturing at Ethan Allen Furniture, B&G Foods, BHS Composites, and more, and two regional hospitals, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospitaland Northern Counties Health Care, connect doctors, nurses, and other health care workers with fulfilling work in a beautiful location. Engineers can find work at Weidmann Electrical Technology or Vermont Aerospace Industries, both headquartered in St. Johnsbury. The hospitality industry thrives in the Northeast Kingdom, from hotels to ski resorts to outdoor guide work. The State of Vermont has offices in Newport and St. Johnsbury, hiring in such diverse sectors as transportation, human services, and corrections, and federal employees can find work through United States Customs and Immigration Services, as the Northeast Kingdom borders Canada. Remote workers bringing their jobs with them can find community and office resources at Lyndon’s Do North Coworking and Newport’s The Work Commons.
The region is home to St. Johnsbury Academy, a global magnet private boarding and day high school drawing students from more than 25 countries with an average class size of 12 and more than 30 advanced placement class offerings. Neighboring Lyndon Instituteis also a global draw, with more than 20 countries represented among its current and past high school student body. Northern Vermont University’s Lyndon branch offers a liberal arts education and distinct professional programs, including broadcasting and television production, and Community College of Vermont’s St. Johnsbury branch offers continuing education and certifications.
“The Northeast Kingdom is an unfiltered experience of rural Vermont life. There’s space for people to thrive, but close-knit connected communities too,” said Gillian Sewake, executive director of Discover St. Johnsbury. Those who love swimming holes, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and riding, and the solitude of rural life in a place that celebrates rugged natural beauty will find an ideal home and a strong sense of place in the Northeast Kingdom. East Burke’s Kingdom Trails is home to more than 100 miles of diverse mountain bike terrain and a thriving mountain biking culture. Skiers and riders can discover some of the East’s best trails, from deep-powder glade skiing to green circle learning trails for all ages at Jay Peak Resort and Burke Mountain Resort, and cross-country skiers can test their endurance at Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s more than 65 miles of groomed trails. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is planned to stretch 93 miles between Swanton and St. Johnsbury, serving as a four-season recreation trail for bikers, walkers, runners, and horseback riders.
The Northeast Kingdom also boasts a rich vein of cultural offerings. Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury shows foreign, classic, and independent films, exhibits local artists’ work, and partners with area schools to further arts education. The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro showcases performing arts as well as local artists’ exhibitions and film and nearby Circus Smirkus educates kids in the circus arts and performs the Big Top Tour around New England. Greensboro is also home to Hill Farmstead Brewery, named best brewery in the world in 2018. In Barton, work will begin soon on a new natural amphitheater for community events, workshops, and the performing arts through the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places grant program. St. Johnsbury is home to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, a collection of taxidermy, Victorian curiosities, and exhibits on the region’s natural science and conservation, as well as the state’s only public planetarium. Dog lovers will find serenity and inspiration at Dog Mountain, home of late artist Stephen Huneck, with a large public off-leash area and a chapel dedicated to man’s best friend. In Glover, the Museum of Everyday Life exhibits workaday objects like scissors, pencils, and dust with an eye toward finding beauty in the commonplace. Events like First Night North, which celebrates New Year’s Eve with fireworks, fire dancing performances, live music, and a community pancake breakfast, the Caledonia County Fair, and the St. Johnsbury World Maple Festival bring celebration to community life.
“The state and region are working hard to develop more housing options to support relocation,” Sewake said, although the COVID-19 pandemic put strain on the region’s existing housing stock. St. Johnsbury’s New Avenue Building, once a grand hotel, is now home to 40 high-quality apartments, and another large historic building in downtown St. Johnsbury has been purchased by the Northern Forest Center and will be renovated for housing and community rentals. Using the Connect with a Vermonter program can help you get in touch with a community member in the area to find out about housing opportunities, as can checking out the Caledonian-Record, the area’s newspaper, and keeping up with online listings. The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Group is also a valuable resource for newcomers to the region, operating a welcome wagon and providing opportunities for professionals to network and make inroads into community life.
Thinking about relocating to the Northeast Kingdom? Programs both statewide and region-specific can help potential new Vermonters find information, answers to their questions, and planning resources for a move. Kick off a job search by browsing positionscurrently open in Vermont. Economic development tools, incentives, and special programs can also help those looking to expand or relocate their businesses to Vermont.
Amid the rolling mountains and stunning landscape of Vermont, you’ll find a vibrant, thriving state that can be 100% ideal for those who want a career—but also want a life. Check out some of these top reasons to think about a move to Vermont as you prioritize what matters in your life.
1. Space to grow
Vermont has one of the smallest populations in the country, so you can stretch out physically and mentally and not worry about having a crowd in your way. Plus, with fewer people competing for jobs and careers, you’ll find the odds are in your favor when you’re seeking your next opportunity. In fact, Vermont has 20,000+ open jobs in multiple sectors including aerospace, renewable energy, healthcare, non-profits, hospitality, and more.
2. You may live longer
Does Vermont hold the secret to life? Well, maybe. It’s been recognized as the healthiest state in all of America, and has been among the top five healthiest states for many years now. The ranking is based on data from multiple sources that measure health practices and behaviors, disease prevention, clinical care, health outcomes, and more.
3. Outdoor recreation year round
All four seasons in Vermont invite you to come outside and enjoy the show. In spring, the wildflowers erupt across forests and hillsides. Summer offers hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and more. In the fall, the epic changing of leaves plus the local harvest make every journey outside unforgettable, And in winter, take your pick of skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and more.
4. Safe communities
Vermont is home to safe and vibrant communities, and the state has consistently ranked among the safest states in the nation. Safe to explore, you’ll find parks dotted through the cities and towns, beaches framing the lakes and ponds and a community of people who love to make the most of them. With low occurrences of crime, you’ll find a peace of mind that lets you enjoy that life/work balance that is so important to you and the people around you.
5. Yes, there are cities
Sure, Vermont has plenty of back roads. And some lead directly to bustling downtowns. Power lunch among statehouse officials in Montpelier. Just don’t expect something you’ve seen before, since Montpelier is the only state capital with no Starbucks or McDonalds in the country. Or stroll Burlington’s Church Street for the kind of eclectic mix of restaurants, live music clubs, and unique shops you’d expect from a quintessential college town. But it’s not all play. At the innovation districts, incubators, and co-working spaces across Vermont, startups work late into the night. And in Burlington, one of the first US cities to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, they do it cleanly.
6. Vermont is really good at making really good food
Remember that outdoor recreation mentioned above? You might need it to work off these calories: Enjoy locally-crafted pickles, preserves, award-winning cheeses, coffees, ciders, breads, and so much more. Vermont ranks 1st in the nation for breweries per capita, and don’t forget about Vermont maple syrup, found in everything from salads to sriracha.
7. A great place to raise a family
With the 5th best public schools in the nation, a reputation as a safe place to live, and its exceptional quality of life, you can’t beat Vermont as a great place to raise kids. No matter where you choose to live in Vermont, the unique combination of rural sensibilities and metropolitan opportunities will surround families with a strong sense of community and possibility that will last forever.
8. Put life before work
In Vermont there’s absolutely no doubt that hard work matters. But quality of life matters, too. So Vermont takes pride in offering a unique opportunity to live well while still passionately and enthusiastically pursuing a career. Truth is, there’s no need to be nose-to-nose on a subway or stuck in a cramped apartment in order to justify a good job. Up here you can have the good job, along with a good life.
9.A different kind of workday
Your job will always a big part of your day, but in Vermont, it doesn’t have to consume your entire day. The Vermont mindset encourages you to hike a trail near the office, ride a bike path at lunch, or simply take a break from the screen. What’s more, many companies invite you to use your workday as a volunteer day, giving back to the community as you join others in making a difference.
10. Green goes beyond the state nickname
Vermont has been ranked the greenest state in the country, with top scores in environmental quality and eco-friendly behavior–99.9% of its energy is generated from renewable sources, and Vermont employs close to 19,000 people in the clean energy sector. What’s more, the city of Montpelier is committed to becoming the first US capital to reach net zero carbon, and Green Mountain Power was the first power utility to become B Corp certified.
“I just wished we had more time. There was so much to do and see,” said one of the “Real Rutland Weekend Getaway” (RRWG) families.
That was the “Real Rutland Weekend Getaway?”
The RRWG was a giveaway contest hosted by the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), for the first time this year. Almost 450 families from across the country signed up for their chance to spend a long weekend, Thursday through Sunday, in Rutland County with planned and paid-for activities. The main aim was to introduce people contemplating moving to the area to locals and help them narrow down which town they see themselves fitting into. Households were required to connect with a CEDRR employee via zoom to explain why they are thinking about moving to Vermont and how this weekend getaway could help them make that final relocation decision. CEDRR randomly selected five households to host at the end of September. The households that accepted the offer for a county-wide experience came in from California, Texas, North Carolina, and New York City.
Thursday Night
The families were treated to a meet & greet dinner with s’mores outside upon their arrival on Thursday at Still on the Mountain – Killington Distillery in Killington and hotel reservations were made for them at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. That evening they met with a local realtor and some members of our community to welcome them to the area.
Friday and Saturday
Friday morning two couples bundled up and went kayaking on the Chittenden Reservoir. Their trip began in the mist with 40-something-degree weather, but a rainbow peeked out behind the clouds, making this adventure rise to the top of one couple’s favorite activities.
What was another family’s favorite activity? “The scavenger hunt, it got us out of our hotel and all over the county.” All the households took part in a county-wide scavenger hunt, created by CEDRR. The focus of the hunt was for families to explore every town, familiarizing themselves with the area. We highlighted places like Benson Landing, access to Lake Champlain, the “Art & Soul of Vermont,” also known as Brandon’s Downtown, the Danby-Mt. Tabor Veterans Memorial, the waterfall at Thundering Brook Falls in Killington, the New England Maple Museum in Pittsford, Poultney’s Slate Valley Trails, the Clarendon Gorge Swinging Bridge in Shrewsbury, and The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center in West Rutland, just to name a few.
One household told us, “Being able to visit places around Rutland in person really puts a perspective on the opportunities, options, and all the small, charming towns Rutland County has to offer.” While they were here, this family even made an offer on a house in Pittsford!
The Sunday Takeaway
Overall, the families had a wonderful time hiking, riding the gondola to the top of Killington, learning how to indoor rock climb, and treating their taste buds at the Poultney Chili Cook-Off. One household told us, “We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and were impressed with how much there was to do and see. Everything was well planned, the people could not have been nicer, and we were able to really get a taste of Vermont life for a few days.”
This experience would not have been possible without the funding for the Real Rutland Marketing Initiative, provided by Rutland County residents, individual town budgets, and the business community. In 2016, the Real Rutland Regional Marketing Campaign was launched after identifying the need to increase the workforce and overall population in Rutland County to support business sustainability and growth. Since then, over 100 people have moved to the area by way of the Real Rutland Concierge Program.
If anyone is interested in learning more about Weekend Getaways or the Real Rutland Concierge Program, please contact Olivia Lyons at olivia@rutlandeconomy.com.
