If you like the changing of the four seasons, you'll love Vermont. Perhaps nowhere else in the United States does winter, spring, summer and fall come with such distinct colors and vast change. Combine the temporal transitions with an old agricultural Americana, small farming towns and old barns, and you have a scenic getaway to rival any other in greater New England. This winter, as snow finally descends, Vermont is full of good ski and scenic deals.
Starting with Killington, one of Vermont's most popular mountain ski resorts, travelers can enjoy the spoils of a winter wonderland to rival any Western ski area. Many package deals are available at www.killington.com (tel. 800/621-6867). A four-day "Killington President's Week Special" starts at $408 per person and includes four-nights' accommodations with a four-day lift ticket that begins on Tuesday. Travel for this deal is good from February 21-25, 2005. A midweek deal for you skiing fanatics or bunny hill lovers is available for $71 per night per person and includes lodging and a lift ticket. You need to book at least three nights but you get the third night and ski day free. This deals available through April 7, 2005, and packages need to be booked at least 24 hours before arrival, so some last minute decision-making is encouraged as long as there is availability. Hotel taxes and gratuities are not included in the price. If you're not a big skier, Killington offers snowshoe and snow mobile trails and equipment. The site even has a section for summer activities for those early planners.
Stowe (tel. 888/207-3862; www.stoweskitrips.com), another mountain ski resort popular among New England weekend ski trippers, also offers some spa facilities and a pretty winter town. Snowboarders flock to Stowe for its 29 intermediate trails that allow them to improve their skills before taking on the big boys on the advanced trails. The Top Notch Resort (tel. 800/451-8686; www.topnotchresort.com), a luxury style mountain spa set on 120-acres of spectacular grounds with panoramic views, has affordable winter and year-round deals. The Full Resort Package includes accommodations, dinner at the resorts four-star restaurant, a full American breakfast, either a 50 minute private tennis lesson at the resort's indoor tennis facility or a 50 minute spa treatment, a daily bike or snowshoe rental and access to all of Top Notch's fitness facilities. Starting at $287 per person per night, the hotel only requires a one-night minimum stay for this package. While it may seem steep, remember that meals are and most fitness expenses are included.
Another mountain area popular among local Vermont skiers for its quiet trails and small mountain charm, Mt. Snow (tel. 888/251-7507; www.mtsnowskitrips.com) offers an excellent deal to lure winter travelers. A two-night pick your weekend Mt. Snow special at the Snow Lake Lodge complete with a working hot tub and comfortable suites comes in at $235 for the two nights accommodations and two days of lift tickets. This trip is available any non-holiday weekend through January, February and March with prices based on double occupancy.
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