Bredeson Outdoor Adventures provides guided and self-guided snowshoeing and cross country skiing day and multi-day trips from December through March, in addition to hiking and bicyling trips (see bicycling and hiking links below). In addition, we provide beginner cross country skiing lessons.  We also happily and without any arm twisting integrate other winter joys such as sleigh rides, sledding, ice skating and snowman making upon request.  Multi-day trips are based in one location or are inn-to-inn adventures with baggage shuttle.  The geographic areas we cover include:  Moosalamoos, Chittenden/Killington, Stowe, Woodstock and Craftsbury.  Our guests are all ages, friends, coed groups, women's groups, and/or families.  Our custom packages come with or without accommodations, based on our guests' preferences. Please contact us for information on a custom winter adventure.

We are also very excited to be offering a guided inn-to-inn snowshoeing trip from March 5 - 8 in Stowe, Vermont (see below).  And for fans of hearty soup, scroll down for Ski Vermont's delicious farmhouse chowder.

Hiking

Bicycling

Join us March 5 - 8  for Guided Inn- to- Inn Snowshoeing in Classic Stowe, Vermont

Photo used with permission of the Stowe Area Association

Overview

Experience Stowe, Vermont in its arguably most beautiful season on a small group inn to inn snowshoeing adventure.  Stowe, the classically charming village in the Green Mountains with Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, is a winter sports legend.  The first organized winter sports came to Stowe in 1921 when the Stowe Civic Club organized a large Winter Carnival, complete with ice palace, a ski jump, a toboggan slide and a skating rink.  Stowe’s first official ski trails were cut in Stowe’s Ranch Valley in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and hearty souls spent half the day climbing up Mount Mansfield and the remainder skiing down.  With its interconnected network of trails, Stowe has now become a Mecca for snowshoeing. 

Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures for a guided inn-to-inn snowshoeing adventure from March 5-8, 2010.   On this loop trip, you’ll stay in two Vermont inns and your bags will be shuttled from location to location for you. You’ll arrive happy at the inn at the end of each day to be greeted by the warm welcome of your innkeeper hosts, a crackling fire, a soak in the hot tub and a nice dinner.  During our (p)layover day at the second inn, you can choose from a range of options, including snowshoeing and other winter sports such as cross country or downhill skiing, snowboarding or sledding, or just relaxing and marveling at the view of Mountain Mansfield from the inn. The trip starts and ends in Stowe and you’ll begin with an overnight in Stowe Village allowing you to soak in its New England atmosphere.  We hope that you will join us on this wonderful adventure as we embrace the beauty of a New England winter at its finest.

Highlights

• Visit one of Vermont’s most classic winter sports towns with cultural attractions such as the Stowe Ski Museum
• Experience the fun and adventure of snowshoeing inn to inn
• Explore trails on snowshoes close by your inns including a stargazing outing
• Marvel at the snow covered peak of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak
• Enjoy delicious food, much of it local, and savor a fireside fondue dinner
• Stay in a traditional Vermont inn (The Brass Lantern Inn) and a classic Vermont ski resort (The Stowehof Inn & Resort)
• Relax in the hot tub or pool at the end of the day
• Go sledding and build a snowman
• Participate in optional wintry fun such as horse sleigh rides and cross country skiing

Rating

This trip is rated moderate.  We will be completing 4-6 miles and 4-6 hours of snowshoeing daily in flat and rolling terrain.  To participate in this trip you do not need any prior snowshoeing experience, but you must be healthy and reasonably fit.  Snowshoeing is harder than hiking, especially when the snow is deep.  To enjoy this trip you should be able to either hike 6-8 miles or snowshoe 4-6 miles comfortably.

Price

$1125 USD (per person double occupancy); $200 single supplement; $500 deposit. This is an all inclusive price starting in Stowe on March 5 and ending in Stowe on March 8.

Detailed Itinerary

Friday, March 5: Travel to Stowe and Snowshoe Sunset Hill

You’ll travel to Stowe and check in to the Brass Lantern Inn, known for its cozy, friendly, Vermont hospitality.  Burlington Airport is a 45 minute drive to Stowe and we’ll provide information on transfer options.  Join us for a 3:00 p.m. stroll to town and snowshoe up Sunset Hill for a wonderful view of the village.  We’ll provide tips for those, who are new to snowshoeing.  Those arriving before 3:00 may want to get into the spirit by visiting the Vermont Ski Museum right on Main Street in Stowe for a flavor of Stowe’s rich and nostalgic winter sports history.  We’ll meet at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome drink and trip orientation, followed by a delicious dinner in an historic Stowe restaurant.  Enjoy the whirlpool and fireplace in your room, or the inn’s four-season outdoor whirlpool under the stars, before getting a good night’s rest for our next adventure tomorrow.

Overnight:  The Brass Lantern Inn

Saturday, March 6:  Snowshoe from Stowe Village to the Stowehof

We’ll fortify ourselves with the Brass Lantern’s hot country breakfast and then head out on our first inn to inn snowshoe on the award-winning “Rec Path” and the famous Catamount Trail to the Stowehof Inn & Resort.  At 300 miles in length and spanning the state of Vermont from bottom to top, the Catamount Trail is one of Vermont’s treasured gems. It is a cross-country ski trail that has been in the making since 1984 and was fully linked together in 2008. This trail is also ideal for snowshoeing and we’ll have a chance to experience it today and two or three other times during the trip.  After we check in to the Stowehof, those with energy to spare will head out on a guided snowshoe in nearby Wiessner Woods.  A lovely “Plan B” would be to soak in the atmosphere and amenities of the Inn by sitting in front of the fireplace with its view of Mount Mansfield, going for a swim in the indoor pool or a soak in the hot tub, or having a beer in the Inn’s pub. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner in the Inn’s restaurant.  The Stowehof is the perfect choice for this stage of our adventure:  it is located along Stowe’s network of long distance ski and snowshoe trails and provides access to a wonderful range of activities and amenities that we’ll be able to enjoy during tomorrow’s (p)layover day. 

Sunday, March 7: Sterling Valley and (P)layover Day

Inn to inn adventures are fun, but so is what we affectionately call a (p)layover day mid-trip, a day when we can stay unpacked, relax and enjoy all that the area and the inn have to offer.  After today’s hot breakfast we’ll venture out from the Inn on a guided snowshoeing outing on the Catamount Trail to the historic Sterling Valley.  Those who wish to independently pursue other activities will have difficulty choosing from among the choices, which include downhill skiing or snowboarding at Mount Mansfield, cross country skiing at Mount Mansfield Ski Touring Center in the historic Ranch Valley, sledding at the Inn, building a snowman, going on a sleigh ride or enjoying Inn’s indoor amenities and fireplaces.  (Note:  today’s guided snowshoeing outing is included in the price of the trip and the Inn provides sleds at no extra charge; the pool and hot tub are also included in the price; there is an extra charge for the other optional outdoor activities noted.)  Downhill and cross country ski equipment and snowboarding equipment are available for rent and free transportation is also available to the downhill or cross country ski areas noted above.  We’ll celebrate the day’s activities and accomplishments over a fireside (cheese, beef and shrimp) fondue dinner.  Weather conditions permitting, we’ll work off some of our dinner on a stargazing snowshoe outing tonight.

Monday, March 8:  Snowshoe Back to Stowe Village

After breakfast we’ll enjoy a woodland and riverside snowshoe back to the Brass Lantern Inn in Stowe Village.  Our bags will be shuttled back to the starting point of the trip for us.  We’ll (sadly) depart for home, or (happily) for other adventures in Vermont.  Today’s outing will have you back at the Brass Lantern Inn by 1:00 p.m.  Please plan your homeward journey accordingly.

Note:

Please bear in mind that the actual snowshoeing outings may vary due to as yet unknown special events, weather, the group’s preferences, or other factors.  We may alter the itinerary to improve the tour and your experience. We are always on the look-out for special events to provide you with a pleasant surprise or two during the trip. This trip will take place snow, no snow, rain or shine. Stowe is located in northern Vermont and its winter weather typically provides reliable snowshoeing in early March. The days are a little longer and the snow is normally very abundant at this time. Stowe Mountain Resort receives an impressive average of 333" inches of snowfall each winter. At least one-third of that accumulation consistently occurs in March. However, if conditions prevent snowshoeing, we will offer winter walks.  We recommend that participants purchase grippers or “Stable-Icers” in the event that we enjoy beautiful winter walks in addition to or instead of snowshoeing.

Included in Price

Not included in Price

For More Information or to Sign Up

Please refer to the attached itinerary for all the details of this fun adventure and call us at 866-533-4361 or email us at info@bredeson.com with any questions or to sign up.

Ski Vermont Farmhouse Chowder

For a hearty soup to keep away the chill, SkiVermont.com has developed a Farmhouse Chowder.  Please email us for the recipe, which we happily share with the permission of Ski Vermont.