Where to Eat, Stay, Shop & Play in Vermont’s Okemo Valley

Focus on All Things New England Having trouble viewing this email? [View this email on the web](. [New England Focus logo]( DECEMBER 16, 2020 Where to Eat, Stay, Shop & Play in Vermont’s Okemo Valley Sponsored by: [Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce]( [So Much To Do, So Much Fun All Year Round]( The Green Mountains and gorgeous green valleys of Vermont ring the [12 historic towns]( that make up the Okemo Valley, along with two ski resorts—Okemo and Magic Mountain. For those outdoor enthusiasts, the mountainous trails offer hiking and mountain biking for all levels. In colder weather, the area offers the best in winter sports including skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, ice-skating, snow tubing, snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh-riding, and so much more. When the weather turns warm, the local swimming hole at Buttermilk Falls is a great place to cool off or just relax and take in the mountain vistas and pristine lakes. Running along the eastern edge of the Green Mountains, the [Scenic Route 100 Byway]( is right there. The route is recognized as one of the most scenic drives in New England. Also known as “Vermont’s Main Street” and “The Skier’s Highway,” it connects some of the best Northeastern winter skiing and riding. During the rest of the year there’s great hiking, biking and golf. The Byway also provides top-notch dining and lodging, ample opportunities to explore history and culture, and shopping for one-of-a-kind art, craft and handcrafted cheese, along with fine and rustic furniture. [6 Top Outdoor Adventures]( Head over to [Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center]( where you can connect with nature by snowshoeing, fat biking, Nordic skiing, or tubing in a tranquil, scenic place. If you feel the need for speed in the snowy outdoors, [Snowmobile Vermont]( features customized tours for all ability levels and ages. Snowmobile Vermont offers tours in the Okemo, Killington, Mount Snow, and Stowe areas. Want to shift into lower gear? Go ice fishing on [Echo Lake]( in Plymouth, where you can fish for trout, salmon and bass from the third Saturday in January to March 15. Pick up snacks and supplies at the locally owned and operated Tyson Store on Route 100 in Ludlow, at the southern end of the lake. Another weekend must is to visit the [Viking Nordic Center]( which is one of the oldest cross-country ski centers in North America. The best part: You can ski under the stars. Viking offers 3 km of night skiing and snowshoeing trails that are lit by both overhead lights and old railroad lanterns. Go [Snow Tubing]( at Okemo for an exhilarating ride down the mountain. Ranked among the best family-friendly ski resorts in the country, Okemo Mountain Resort is an unbeatable place for snow tubing. The tubing park at Okemo features specially groomed chutes that keep inflatable snow tubes on track for an exciting ride down a snowy slope. Snow tubes are available to rent. Take the Star Gazer magic carpetto the top of the tubing lanes for easy access. Get your tubing tickets at Jackson Gore Inn Resort Services. Kids must be at least 42 inches tall to ride, and children under 18 need a parent’s signature. Ice Skate at [Okemo's Ice House]( which is a multifunctional, year-round sports pavilion, that features a regulation-sized hockey rink and recreational ice skating pavilion. Skate rentals are available, and skaters can enjoy a hot chocolate by the fireplace inside a nearby warming room. [Warm & Cozy Holiday Shopping]( Go antiquing at [Stone House Antique Center]( in Chester, which features fine furniture, folk art, quilts, jewelry, artist supplies, crafts, collectibles, and more. [Davallia]( a small family-owned Vermont business, proudly showcasing artists and small businesses. Their gallery full of paintings, hand-crafted furniture, artisan-made jewelry and more. The artisan owners also offer Interior Design for artful living. [Vermont Country Store]( the general store from yesteryear, which has a huge selection of brands from the past and classic products. [Six Loose Ladies Yarn & Fiber Shop]( a not-for-profit organization run entirely by Supplies for knitting, crocheting, felting, spinning, and weaving; and whimsical crafts, many of which are produced locally. From $40 to $80. Many items on sales now. Ski Vermont This Winter If you like outdoor adventure, small towns and villages and warm comfort by the fire after a long day of snowshoeing, skiing, cross country skiing, snow tubing or skating, Okemo Valley, VT has it all. [PLAN NOW]( SPONSORED Award-winning [Crowley Cheese]( has been made in the Green Mountains of Vermont from the same recipe, in the same manner, since 1824. Hand-made the old-fashioned way, it's cheese the way it used to be—all natural, with no additives or preservatives. With a distinctively smooth, creamy texture, Crowley Cheese is often compared to a cheddar "without the bite." Samplers, wheels & wedges, blocks, gift boxes, etc. [ClearLake Furniture]( – beautiful handcrafted hardwood furniture made in their barn, one piece at a time. This includes the Coolidge rocker 47“ x 24” inspired by President Calvin Coolidge, who enjoyed the peace of rocking on the front porch of his Vermont homestead. Their Clear Lake version resides at the White House, to be enjoyed by each “sitting” president. Check out their online store featuring heirloom quality solid wood Vermont made furniture. Seven Generations of Vermont Farming at [Smith Maple Crest Farm](. The farm has raised Grassfed cattle for more than 3 generations. Their attention to detail in the care of their cows ensures that the meat is higher in protein, leaner, and healthier. Check out all of their offerings in their Farm Store from maple syrup to Grassfed Beef and more. [Rockledge Farm Woodworks]( This family company specializes in custom furniture and a wide variety of living and dining accessories in different sizes (individually lathe-turned and made locally sourced hardwoods) including salad bowls and servers fashioned from a select piece of top-grade cherry and hand-sculpted cutting and serving boards fashioned from black walnut, birdseye maple and curly (tiger-striped) maple. From $14; custom orders available. [Depot Street Gallery]( Home of the Silver Spoon, Ludlow. Handcrafted fun, functional artwork using antique silver. [Eat/Drink]( Enjoy a snack at one of the region’s excellent village stores to sustain your day. Try the [Weston Village Store]( in Weston. For breakfast try the [Fullerton Inn]( a four-season destination country inn and B&B in Chester. [Echo Lake Inn]( is well known for excellent food and service. The inn, originally built in 1799, drew many distinguished guests, including President Calvin Coolidge, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie. For after-dinner drinks, stop by [Main + Mountain](. The boutique bar and lodging property is best known for its Good Ol’ Boy cocktail — made with brown buttered bourbon, spiced burnt orange syrup, pear, lemon, Amaro, and bitters. Originally built in 1872 as a schoolhouse, Main + Mountain offers a modern yet cozy vibe. Need More Gift Ideas? We’ve got you covered at Okemo Valley VT, where you can find great gifts made right here in Vermont by Vermont’s finest artisans – hand-made sweaters, gift certificates for lodging, specialty foods, hand-crafted furniture and so much more. [SHOP NOW]( SPONSORED For dinner, enjoy thin-crust pizza, sliders, goat cheese, and excellent wine at at [Stemwinder]( a local wine bar. Take out available during COVID. Try lunch at the [Hatchery](. Since 1978, The Hatchery has followed one simple mantra: scratch-made breakfast and lunch all day, every day, serving up eggs, bacon, pancakes, burgers, BLTs, and more. Spring is Vermont’s sweetest season, and [Stewart Maple]( makes some of the tastiest syrup around. The family-owned business operates the Stewart Maple Marketplace during the spring boiling season and offers sugarhouse tours by appointment. [Where to Stay]( Want to completely unwind? Visit [Castle Hill Resort and Spa]( the region’s only full-service spa in a historic carriage house, the Resort and Spa offers a variety of body nourishing treatments, a year-round outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and fully equipped fitness center. [Inn at Waters Edge]( is a completely renovated boutique B&B nestled between two waterfronts -- Echo Lake and the Black River and minutes from Okemo Mountain Resort. [Grafton Inn]( is nestled within a quintessential Vermont country village, The Grafton Inn merges Vermont’s pastoral heritage with its modern charms. Let our historic, individually-decorated rooms and award-winning dining surround you in the comfort of The Grafton Inn. We invite you to breathe in the local color, farm fresh food, and expansive natural beauty of Grafton, Vermont. Stage Although you love to travel, you still want the comforts of home. Here at the Golden Stage Inn, we aspire to provide our visitors to the Proctorsville and Ludlow areas with everything they could hope for in bed and breakfast lodging.