7 Hidden Gems in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts

Post Published March 17, 2025

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Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has more to offer in winter than just skiing. Lake Willoughby, with Mount Pisgah rising dramatically beside it, becomes a destination for a more
Lake Willoughby, nestled within Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, stands out for its impressive ice climbing terrain, particularly the 600-foot frozen cascades clinging to Mount Pisgah. These formations are quite remarkable and draw in climbers seeking a different kind of winter activity compared

What else is in this post?

  1. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Lake Willoughby Ice Climbing at Mount Pisgah's 600 foot Frozen Waterfalls
  2. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Dog Sledding Tours Through Victory State Forest with Green Mountain Mushers
  3. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Snowshoeing The Nulhegan Basin Division Wildlife Refuge's 40 Mile Trail Network
  4. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Cross Country Skiing Burke Mountain's Kingdom Trails Private Backcountry Routes
  5. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Ice Fishing for Northern Pike at South Bay Lake Memphremagog
  6. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Fat Biking The Groomed Winter Single Track at Lyndon Outing Club
  7. 7 Hidden Gems in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom A Winter Adventure Guide Beyond the Popular Ski Resorts - Night Sky Photography at Peacham's Dark Sky Observation Point





brown wooden shed, Little Cabin On the side of a mountain.









If crowded ski resorts are not your idea of a perfect winter escape, consider venturing into the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Vermont. This expansive area, part of a larger national conservation effort, features a 40-mile network of trails well-suited for snowshoeing. Forget the lift lines and discover a different kind of winter activity as you explore these quieter paths meandering through varied natural environments. The North Branch Trail, a manageable 3.5-mile loop, provides easy access throughout the year to the nearby river and surrounding wilderness. This area offers a chance to engage with Vermont's winter beauty at a more relaxed tempo, and a different perspective beyond the usual downhill slopes. It's a worthwhile destination for those seeking a more subdued and nature-focused winter experience in the Northeast Kingdom.
Beyond the well-trodden slopes of Vermont's ski areas, a more understated winter exploration awaits in the Northeast Kingdom. The Nulhegan Basin Division, part of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, presents a compelling alternative for those interested in traversing snow-laden landscapes without the predictable lift lines. Here, a 40-mile network of trails has been established specifically for activities like snowshoeing, providing an extensive area to investigate.

This refuge, situated within the towns of Brunswick, Ferdinand, Bloomfield, and Lewis, is not simply a collection of paths; it's an ecological zone. The terrain is a mix of wetlands, forests, and open fields, carved by glacial activity – offering a varied underfoot experience for snowshoers, from level stretches to more demanding inclines. One might observe moose or various avian species, adding an element of natural observation to the physical activity. These trails are designed for shared use, meaning encounters with cross-country skiers and even snowmobiles are possible, which, depending on one's perspective, could be seen as either a point of interest or a potential disruption to solitude.

From a purely physiological perspective, snowshoeing is a rather efficient form of winter exercise. Depending on the intensity and terrain, it's estimated to expend a significant caloric rate, potentially ranging from 400 to 1000 calories per hour. The Nulhegan Basin itself plays a role in the larger Connecticut River watershed, a system critical to regional biodiversity. The refuge's wetlands and forests act as crucial winter habitats when resources are less abundant.

The elevation range, from 1600 to 2000 feet, has practical implications for snow conditions. Higher altitudes generally accumulate more snowfall, which tends to suggest reliable snowshoeing conditions from late December into early March. For those concerned with expense, snowshoeing here is a notably economical option. Beyond perhaps a small parking fee, the primary cost is one's own equipment and time, contrasting starkly with the escalating prices often associated with downhill skiing. It's also worth noting the trails are reportedly maintained largely by local volunteers, an example of community-driven stewardship of recreational resources. For anyone seeking a winter activity in Vermont's Northeast






A view of a sunset over a mountain range, Sunset in Vermont

For those seeking winter activities beyond Vermont's well-known ski resorts, the Northeast Kingdom presents a less-discussed option for cross-country skiing at Burke Mountain and the Kingdom Trails. While Burke Mountain itself is primarily known for downhill slopes, its access to the Kingdom Trails network creates a
Burke Mountain provides access to the Kingdom Trails network, a designated cross-country skiing area within Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The trail system is structured to offer both groomed routes and less formally maintained backcountry options. This duality suggests a design intended for varied user profiles, from those seeking predictable glide to those favoring self-directed exploration in less managed terrain. The landscape here presents a mix of rolling hills and level stretches; the terrain is not uniformly challenging, nor uniformly flat, implying a degree of adaptability. Kingdom Trails is advertised as having an extensive trail network; the quantitative mileage suggests potential for dispersal of users and thus reduced






Ice fishing for northern pike at South Bay on Lake Memphremagog is a rewarding winter pursuit that attracts both seasoned anglers and newcomers alike. The area is renowned for its healthy pike population, with optimal fishing depths between 10 to 20 feet making it an ideal spot for setting tip-ups or using jigs baited with maggots. As anglers drill through the ice and await their catch, they can enjoy the serene beauty of the Northeast Kingdom, a region that offers much more than just skiing. Beyond the ice, the lake is a hub for various winter activities, and the surrounding landscape provides a perfect backdrop for those seeking a quieter, more immersive outdoor experience. With a variety of fishing permits available, enthusiasts can explore this winter gem while also considering other nearby hidden adventures.
Ice fishing for northern pike on South Bay of Lake Memphremagog presents a unique approach to winter angling in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. This region, often bypassed for the downhill slopes, reveals a different type of winter engagement. Lake Memphremagog is known to harbor a substantial population of northern pike, a species interesting for its predatory habits and, as some suggest, its culinary applications. The practice of ice fishing itself is relatively straightforward. Anglers typically drill access points through the ice – a somewhat laborious task dependent on ice thickness – and employ tip-ups with bait, essentially passive fishing while awaiting activity.

Beyond the mechanics, the draw of pike fishing appears to be linked to the species' characteristics. They are reportedly ambush predators, which raises questions about optimal bait placement and techniques under ice conditions. Data indicates they are active even in very cold water, challenging the assumption that all aquatic life slows dramatically in winter. Anecdotal evidence suggests larger specimens are found in Memphremagog, prompting speculation on the lake's ecological factors contributing to fish size.

Interestingly, while many associate fishing solely with warmer seasons, ice fishing is a year-round permitted activity on Lake Memphremagog. This raises questions about the sustainability and management practices governing fish populations in this context. Furthermore, pike have apparently grown in angler preference over recent decades in Vermont, according to surveys spanning from the early 90s to 2010. This shift in angling focus is noteworthy, particularly when considering potential impacts on other species within the lake’s ecosystem such as chain pickerel and largemouth bass, which are also mentioned as targets in South Bay. Lake Champlain, in general, and specific bays like St. Albans Bay, are also noted pike habitats in the region, pointing to a broader geographic distribution of this species.

From a purely practical perspective, the appeal of northern pike, beyond the sport itself, might extend to the plate. While often viewed primarily as a game fish, some sources suggest its flesh has culinary merit. This aspect could be of interest to those seeking a more complete engagement with the environment, moving beyond purely recreational fishing to consider the food sourcing element, especially when considering that the typical Vermont fishing "season ramps up" only later in the spring, leaving ice fishing as a potential earlier source.






Vermont's Northeast Kingdom continues to reveal less-hyped winter options beyond the usual ski runs. Lyndon Outing Club provides an entry point into fat biking, a winter sport gaining traction for those seeking something different. Forget chairlifts; here it's about pedaling through the snow on trails specifically groomed for these sturdy bikes. The club claims over 28 miles of maintained single-track, suggesting a decent network to explore for varying levels of rider. It's a more grounded experience than the meticulously crafted resort environment, and community events hinted at around the Outing Club might offer a glimpse into local life beyond the tourist veneer.
Lyndon Outing Club presents an interesting proposition within the Northeast Kingdom’s winter activity landscape: fat biking on groomed single-track trails. While downhill skiing tends to dominate the Vermont winter narrative, exploring alternatives is often more illuminating. The Outing Club seems to have carved out a niche here, dedicating resources to trail grooming specifically for these oversized tire bicycles.

From an engineering standpoint, the concept is intriguing. These fat bikes, equipped with unusually wide tires – upwards of 4 inches, I gather – are designed to operate on surfaces that would be impassable for conventional bicycles. The groomed trails at Lyndon are not simply untouched snow; they are prepared using snowcat equipment, a process of compression and smoothing intended to create a firm riding surface. This is somewhat analogous to piste preparation at ski areas, albeit on a smaller scale and for a different mode of transport.

The physics involved are noteworthy. The wide tires operate at remarkably low pressures, often in the single-digit PSI range. This is dictated by temperature changes as well. As ambient temperatures fluctuate in the Vermont winter, tire pressures must be adjusted to maintain optimal contact and traction. The interaction between tire, snow surface, and rider input seems to be a complex dynamic. It's not simply about flotation; it’s also about maintaining grip on what is often a variable surface of packed snow and ice.

Riding these machines, one observes a different set of biomechanics compared to summer mountain biking. The wider stance and increased rolling resistance necessitate a different engagement of core and leg muscles. The added weight of the bikes themselves, inherently heavier due to their robust construction, also factors into the effort expenditure, particularly on any uphill sections of the trail network. Lyndon boasts over ten miles of these groomed single tracks, which by regional standards appears quite extensive, suggesting a reasonable investment in this activity.

The experience itself is influenced significantly by snow conditions. Powder snow, ideally dry, apparently offers a more predictable and efficient ride. Wetter, heavier snow presents a different challenge, demanding more energy to maintain momentum and balance. The adaptability of fat bikes is evident in the option for studded tires, a necessary addition for icy conditions, reflecting a pragmatic approach to varying winter conditions.

After a ride, the local culinary offerings become relevant. Fueling up after physical exertion in cold temperatures is essential. Anecdotally, local eateries tend to cater to these needs with more substantial fare, often utilizing regional ingredients, which adds a dimension beyond mere caloric replenishment. And it appears the Lyndon Outing Club isn't just passively providing trails; there's a community aspect. Local involvement in trail upkeep and grooming suggests a collaborative, grassroots approach to maintaining these recreational resources, a model that’s arguably more sustainable and engaging than purely commercially driven operations.






Peacham's Dark Sky Observation Point provides a notable contrast to the daylight activities prevalent in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Here, the focus shifts to the nocturnal realm, specifically to the increasingly rare experience of a truly dark sky. Away from urban centers and their pervasive light pollution, this location is recognized for offering exceptionally clear views of the night sky. For those interested in night sky photography, it presents an accessible spot to experiment with capturing celestial phenomena. The relative quiet and stillness of the environment contribute to a setting conducive to patient observation. While specialized equipment certainly enhances the photographic possibilities, even casual stargazers can appreciate the unaided visibility of stars and constellations from this vantage point. The winter months, with their characteristically crisp air, can further improve viewing conditions, though bundling up against the cold is, of course, advisable. It’s a reminder that the Northeast Kingdom’s attractions extend beyond daytime pursuits, offering a chance to connect with the night sky in a way that is becoming increasingly uncommon in more developed regions.


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