Unlike other parts of the state, The Green Mountains are a year-round recreational resort area offering both active and passive pursuits. From late spring through mid-fall there's camping, canoeing, fishing, biking, hiking, tennis and golf to enjoy. Several area state parks make the most of the natural scenery with lakes, small beaches and picnic areas that are ideal for a leisurely family day. The Bromley Thrill Zone allows kids to enjoy a day of active fun while parents enjoy the cool mountain air.

Known for our white winters and recreational splendor, the region offers downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling and snowboarding while a horse-drawn winter sleighride is just the ticket for anyone looking for less active winter recreation. It's the perfect opportunity to be part of a quintessential Vermont picture-postcard scene!

The first chairlift was invented in Vermont and the sport has been popular ever since. Southern Vermont has some of the best downhill skiing around with three great, but very different mountains.

Bromley, with its southern exposure and family friendly attitude has been nicknamed "the Sun Mountain." With 43 trails and 10 lifts it is a perfect place for the whole family. Its centrally located base lodge makes connecting with family and friends easy and rental radios allow family members to stay in touch during the day.

Stratton, the largest of the three mountain ski resorts, is the highest peak in Southern Vermont. It has 90 trails and 14 lifts including four hi-speed, six-passenger chairs and one twelve-passenger gondola. With slopes and terrains for all levels of expertise, Stratton caters to those looking for new snow challenges. It features six terrain parks for snowboarders, skiboarders and skiers and hosts the US Open Snowboarding Championships in mid-March.

Magic Mountain, the smallest of the triangle of area ski resorts, lies of Route 11 in Londonderry and allows skiers over 70 and children under 6 to ski or ride for free!

X-Country Skiing

A traditional activity here in Vermont where the Winters are long and the trails are many, x-country skiing is a wonderful way to experience the beauty and serenity of the snowy landscape.

Just outside of Bennington, Prospect Mountain Ski Area provides trails for all experience levels and is groomed for both straight-track and skate skiing. In Manchester, Hildene opens its historic grounds and trails to both x-country and snowshoeing and the Equinox Resort lays out trails on its scenic golf course. Up in the mountains both Wild Wings and Viking have extensive trail systems for all levels of skiiers. Families might want to check out the Merck Forest and Farmland Center where x-country skiing and snowshoeing is available along with educational displays.

Here in Southern Vermont, we not only expect snowstorms, we celebrate them! Call it snow therapy, but there is nothing so peaceful yet invigorating as getting out into the middle of the Winter landscape on your own two feet. Imagine a brilliantly clear day, the trees covered in ice crystals like sugar candy and a blanket of snow to brighten your way, and you stomping through it all on your snowshoes - heaven!

Vermont has over 5,000 miles of marked snowmobile trails, some of the best of which are in Southern Vermont, causing it to quickly become known as a snowmobiler's mecca. The Woodford area just outside of Bennington is renowned for its extensive trail system.

Southern Vermont features four public golf courses - each in its own striking setting.

Built in 1897, the 18-hole Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington is one of the oldest courses in New England. Scenic, challenging and hilly, its restaurant is open for lunch and dinner all year.

Just steps from the Equinox resort in Manchester Village,, the 18-hole, par 71 Gleneagles Golf Course provides challenges for all levels of players. The renowned Dormy Grill overlooks the fairway and serves al fresco lunch giving golfers a good reason to take a break and enjoy the scenic fairway from above.

Comprised of three nine-hole layouts, the Stratton Country Club sprawls beautifully amongst the rolling foothills of the four-season resort. Wheter playing, practicing or perfecting a swing, the scenic course has been rated one of New England's finest resort courses by Golf Digest.

In Londonderry, the 18-hole Windham Golf Club offers personalized instruction packages with a pro who's had a 20-year association with the PGA.

Although the Battenkill River is a world-renowned trout fishing stream, and one of the "musts" on every flyfisherman's list, it isn't the only place to fish in our area! We have many excellent streams and rivers not to mention lakes and ponds that are a fisherman's dream!

Canoeing is a popular way to enjoy the region's great outdoors. Several canoe rental companies offer canoe rentals and group outing on the Battenkill River and the surrounding lakes and ponds of the Green Mountains. The Battenkill river rises in the Green Mountains and flows through scenic countryside, passing under four covered bridges until it meets the Hudson River in New York.

Come Summer local state parks welcome visitors to enjoy the cool lakes and natural settings. Just a few miles north of Manchester, Emerald Lake State Park has excellent picnicing and camping facilities and offers fishing along with six miles of walking and hiking trails. Nearby, there are many excellent campgrounds, welcoming both RVers and tent campers. For the more do-it-yourselfers, the Long Trail travels right through our mountains with several camping "huts" along the way.

This corner of Vermont is said to fulfill bike riders' dreams whether they be competetive or just out for a pleasure ride in the fresh Vermont air. A selection fo scenic roads and back-country trails varies in terrain and difficulty and gives bicycle riders their choice from genteel coasting to bonafide mountain climbing. Quiet country roads, wooded trails and quaint towns abound, making this a cyclists' paradise. Several touring companies offer inn-to-inn tours in our area while local shops offer rentals for self-explorers. Stratton Mountain Resort even offers mountain bike training and guides tours for those willing to get a little dirty!