Get a Taste of Vermont

It’s Sunday night. You’ve had an awesome ski weekend. Do you really want to drive three hours back home? If the answer is no, consider signing up for one of the new Ski to Stay or Stay to Stay weekends being put on by the state of Vermont as a way to encourage more skiers and riders to consider moving here. 

“We want to show people what a great lifestyle they can have here and connect them with local businesses, realtors and co-working spaces so they might consider moving to Vermont,” says Wendy Knight, Commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing, which is putting on the events. New Ski to Stay receptions are planned at Bromley Mountain and Mount Snow (above) on Feb. 23-25, and at Killington on March 2-4. Each event is hosted by the neighboring towns’ chambers of commerce (Bennington, Brattleboro and Rutland) with receptions on Saturday and a chance to tour the area, meet with local realtors, entrepreneurs and businesses on Monday.

Additional weekends are planned for Burlington, April 12-15 and Rutland, April 19-22, as well as on select weekends around the state through November, 2019. And if you are thinking of moving and telecommuting, the state of Vermont is offering up to $10,000 in incentives to a limited number of people who decide to do so. Sign up at thinkvermont.com or vermontvacation.com.

And, as you’re skiing around the state, keep an eye out for the Vermont Specialty Food Tour. Hosted by Ski Vermont, the tour brings local confectioners, cheesemakers, distillers, cidermakers, brewers and more to Vermont ski areas to offer free samples of their wares. Try Cabot’s private stock cheddar, aged for 16 months to give it a smooth, creamy texture with a tart kick. For a sweet treat, try Rutland-based Ambrosia Chocolates and Confections’ spiced apple cider caramels.

If cocktails and spirits appeal, try a taste of Barr Hill Gin, a floral, aromatic liquor from Hardwick-based Caledonia Spirits. Look for the 2019 tour at these stops: Jay Peak Resort: Jan. 25, Burke Mountain: Jan. 26, Mad River Glen: Jan. 29, Killington Resort: Feb. 9, Pico Mountain: Feb. 10, Middlebury Snow Bowl: Feb. 16, Smugglers’ Notch Resort: Feb. 19, Okemo Mountain Resort: Feb. 22, Bromley Mountain: Feb. 23, Trapp Family Lodge: March 9, Magic Mountain: March 10, Sugarbush Resort: March 16, Stratton Mountain Resort: March 23, Bolton Valley Resort: March 31.—A.G.