Snowshoe the Trail Less Traveled

family snowshoes In Vermont's Robert Frost country, when two trails diverge in a wood, you can pick one, and snowshoe from inn to inn (then come back the other way), with Deborah Lewis of Bredeson Outdoor Adventures as your guide (she'll also set you up on self-guided trips if you'd prefer). At the end of the day, hop in a sauna, taste wine at a vineyard, sup on a souffle, or just melt under a down duvet (or all of the above).

Location: Vermont

Type: Mountains, forest

Distance: 7-9 miles each way

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 2-3 Days

Cost: $800 per person for three nights, based on double occupancy.

Highlights: Snowy trails through the woods, end-of-the day sauna, great food, wine tasting, art galleries, and seasonal surprises where you least expect them.

(all photos by Deborah Lewis/Bredeson Outdoor Adventures)

red barn snow

Lewis says a typical trip would start at a B&B in Brandon, Vermont, which, says Lewis is "an undiscovered gem in Vermont," full of historic homes, a vibrant art scene, and Cafe Provence, an exquisite French restaurant, and even a local vineyard.

guysnowshoe red The next day is for snowshoeing 7-9 miles (I guess that depends on which road you take in the woods). Trail lunches and thermoses of hot tea are provided and by the time you're pleasantly exhausted, you'll have, she says, "the romantic pleasure of arriving at the inn on foot (or snowshoe)." Blueberry Hill Inn has a wood-fired sauna in a separate building beyond a pond. Warm up your weary cold bones, while looking out at the inn lighted up, with the sun setting behind.

Bredeson Adventures, and innkeepers, will take care of shuttling your luggage from place to place. As Deborah designs these as custom trips, travelers can choose to add extra days at either end, and Lewis says she will "Happily, and without any arm-twisting, integrate other winter joys, such as sleigh rides, sledding, ice skating and snowman-making."

brandon Lewis wrote us with her idea of the perfect Brandon to Goshen journey. The pricing for a 3 night/4 day inn to inn snowshoeing trip would be approximately $800 per person, assuming double occupancy.

Here’s the detailed scoop:

Itinerary: Snowshoeing in Vermont’s Robert Frost Country

Day 1: Drive to Brandon and check in to charming in-town inn; dinner out on own in an elegant French restaurant (2 minutes on foot from inn); explore town. Overnight: Inn at Park Street.

Day 2: Shuttled by guide Deborah Lewis to trailhead; guided backcountry snowshoe in Moosalamoo National Recreation Area past historic Silver Lake (picnic here) and onto Blueberry Hill Inn. Dinner and overnight at Blueberry Hill Inn. Car and bags shuttled up to Blueberry Hill Inn.

Day 3: Lewis meets you at Blueberry Hill Inn for a half day outing (by car) to the Robert Frost Cabin and snowshoeing to Lewis' favorite secret beaver pond off the famous Catamount Ski Trail; visit to a no frills, authentic general store. Afternoon on your own at the inn to enjoy the wood fired sauna, relax before the fire or explore one of the many trails that start right outside the door of the inn. Dinner and overnight: Blueberry Hill Inn.

Day 4: snowshoeing or relaxing in the inn and departing, leaving enough time for galleries or shops in Brandon or Middlebury.

Note: your guide and outfitter will join you during the day for the two snowshoeing outings, but you’ll have your privacy during your dinners and stay at the inns.

Included in Price

·         3 nights bed and breakfast
·         3 trail lunches
·         2 dinners (Dinner on your own in Brandon; 2 dinners at Blueberry Hill Inn)
·         3 days snowshoe rental including poles
·         1 full day and 1 half day guided snowshoeing, including Lewis' sharing her love of the history of the area, and, if you insist, Robert Frost’s poetry
·         Comprehensive Trip Planner with packing list, area history, driving instructions

Highlights

·         Wonderful snowshoeing in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area to beaver ponds and hilltops, and through wintry woods
·         A charming in-town inn in Brandon
·         An authentic, quaint and remote inn in Goshen, Vermont with a wood-fired sauna, delicious food (much of it local) and bottomless chocolate chip cookie jar
·         Historical trails with cellar holes, Vermont lore and beautiful views
·         A visit to Robert Frost’s Cabin and the Ripton Country Store
·         If you’re lucky: moose sightings

deborahlewis bredeson biopix Aside from from Brandon to Goshen, Lewis operates day and multi-day trips year-round in other parts of Vermont and Connecticut, as well as Europe. Check out the options here.

Looking for a great gift for someone? I'd take the path Deborah Lewis travels.

Happy Holidays!

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Category: Guides and Package Trips

Written by Jamie Stringfellow

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