December 8, 2003 -- Sure, everyone loves the image of a snow-covered country inn, surrounded by firs, a chilly brook babbling in the background near the mountains offsetting the warm glow of lights burning from within. Is it just another Thomas Kinkade landscape? Not necessarily -- it could be one of the nine country inns up in New England that are discounting rooms this winter by up to 40%.
At the Mountain Top Inn & Resort in central Chittenden, Vermont, just 11miles from Killington, you can enjoy a Nordic Ski Center, with over 50 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snocountry.com reports 32" of snow this season already in the area, and you can certainly expect more as a Nor'easter blows outside our office windows as this is going to press. The resort's "Nordic Ski & Snowshoe" deal is valid through March 31 and runs from just $99 per person per night with no minimum stay except for weekends. You get your lodging in a Meadow View room with a private bath, a country breakfast, ski or snowshoe pass, all taxes, dining room tips and resort fees, and sledding, ice-skating and use of the fitness room. Stay two or more nights on this package and you get a one-hour group lesson (a $40 value). Blackout dates: December 26-January 4 and February 13-22, 2004.They say this is a 25% savings off regular rates. Contact them at 800/445-2100 or visit www.mountaintopinn.com.
The Inn at Mountain View Farm, located in East Burke, Vermont, has a "Ski for Free Midweek" package costing just $195 per couple per night. Stay at the Farm and ski free at Burke Mountain, with 43 alpine ski and snowboarding trails and a 2,000-foot vertical drop, just ten minutes from the inn. This is valid Sundays through Thursdays from December 14, 2003 through March 28, 2004 (or earlier if the season ends earlier). December 24-January 4 and February 14-22, 2004 are blacked out. You get your lodging with private bath and breakfast, two adult lift tickets to Burke Mountain, afternoon tea and sweets by the fire, and access to Kingdom Trail. Children under 13 stay and ski for just $35 more, but you're limited to one child per room. Taxes and tips not included. Contact them at 800/572-4509 or visit www.innmtnview.com.
At The Inn at Weston in Vermont as well, there's an "Experience Vermont Romantic Hideaway Package," which the say will save you 20% off regular rates. Until April 30, 2004, you get a two-night package starting at $500 per couple. It includes lodging in a room with fireplace (add $50 for a weekend stay), a big breakfast each morning, afternoon tea, a three-course dinner for two at the Inn's restaurant, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, two tickets to the Southern Vermont Arts Center, VIP discount coupons at the Manchester outlet shops, all taxes and tips. Contact them at 802/824-6789 or visit www.innweston.com.
Other inns have similarly sweet deals, too voluminous to report on in this sampling. Here are their names and a typical package price so that you can phone or e-mail them for details. Or just check out their websites.
Copper Beech Inn, Ivoryton/Essex in Connecticut has a two-night package including candlelight dinner, museum passes and outlet shopping starting at $450 for two persons. Phone 888/809-2056 or visit www.copperbeechinn.com.
A two-night "Winter Wanderings" package in the Historic Inns of Connecticut's Quiet Corner, with dinner and more, start at $185 per person. The properties include Celebrations Inn (877/928-5492; www.celebrationsinn.com), Daniel Trowbridge House (860/974-3622; www.danieltrowbridgehouse.com), and Friendship Valley Inn (860/779-9696; www.friendshipvalleyinn.com).
Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant in Manchester, Vermont, has a two-night "Midweek Luxury Getaway", which they say is a 40% saving, for just $279 per person. Phone 800/822-2331 or visit www.reluctantpanther.com.
Windham Hill Inn located in West Townsend, Vermont, says you save up to 40% on its "Midweek Reality Break" for just $250 per person, for a two-night stay. Contact them at 800/944-4080 or visit www.windhamhill.com.