Powder Weekend at Sterling Ridge Resort
For snow lovers, it's been a tough winter in New England, but that trend took a big shift recently. Luck would fall in our favor as 30 inches of snow dumped in Northern Vermont in 3 days, and what better place to bask in the snowy glory than the Sterling Ridge Resort.
It's no surprise that one of the main winter attractions in the area is skiing. On our first day up north we hit the slopes of Smugglers Notch Resort. This was during the height of the snowstorm and it was a ski day to remember. During the morning I met up with Smugg's Public Relations Director, Mike Chait, who took me on some epic tree runs through the fresh powder. The variety of terrain, while maintaining their unrefined culture, is what makes Smuggs a truly unique New England ski destination.
During the afternoon we dropped baby Hailey off at Smugg's Treasures Childcare, which is the perfect option for parents looking to make a few runs. It borders the slopes of Morse Mountain, so you never feel like you're too far away. Meanwhile, Kristy and I enjoyed a number of powder filled runs as the snow totals for the day topped the foot mark.
Back at Sterling Ridge Resort, the cabin was the perfect ambiance for relaxing, after a long day on the slopes. The wood stove had us warmed up in no time. On day 2, we spent the morning on the resort snowshoeing. Sterling Ridge had a beautiful network of trails and had gear available to borrow from the main lodge. Snowshoeing is a great activity anyone can enjoy, and a great way to soak in the surrounding mountain views. It was also a hell of a workout with the amount of snow they had and baby on my back. We walked around the pond trail, which we could access right from our cabin's back yard. The convenience of being able to do activities on-site, especially with a young kid, was a huge perk.
If you're looking for an indoor activity at the resort, be sure to check out the game room. They have a pool table, pop-a-shot basketball, ping pong, air hockey, and many other board games and books. Hailey loved running around and playing in the room, while Kristy and I had some intense competitions. There's also a pool off of this building for use in the summer.
For dining options, the Jefferson area offers a number of local restaurants. The Family Table was less than 10 minutes from Sterling Ridge and offers a wide variety of options, with local beers on draft. We had the blackened chicken and black pepper fettuccine and both were fantastic. We also checked out the Smugglers Notch Distillery, which produces a variety of spirits and offers tastings. They also have maple syrup tastings for both kids and adults to enjoy.
As we made our way home on Sunday, we made one final stop at Boyden Valley Winery, located in Cambridge, VT. This is a great stop for anyone heading south as it's right on the way back to the highway. In addition to wine, they also have a nice cider selection. Be sure to check out the upstairs seating area, which is spacious for kids.