Now through March, those seeking a winter adventure off the slopes can look no further than Brattleboro, Vermont, where visitors enjoy brisk temperatures and all the outdoor and indoor fun that ice and snow season can bring.
“Over the last several years, we have seen a renewed appreciation for the great outdoors among visitors of all ages, particularly during the wintertime,” said Kate Trzaskos, Executive Director, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance. “People have discovered there’s more to winter than skiing, and they love to play in the snow – it’s invigorating and brings out the kid in all of us. There is fun to be had all winter long if you wear the right clothing and are ready for the adventure!”
Located in Southern Vermont and surrounded by the picturesque, snow-covered Green Mountains and winding trails, Brattleboro is easy to get to by plane, rail and car with the following winter adventures and experiences available:
Winter Sports and The Great Outdoors
- Ice Fishing on the Retreat Meadows – grab your fishing gear, a thermos and packed lunch and enjoy a fun-filled day of ice fishing at Retreat Meadows. Learn the basics with a free clinic presented by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, sign up for their ice fishing derby, or just watch and enjoy. For more visit www.retreatfarm.org
- Winter Sports to Enjoy all Season Long include Ice Climbing, Winter Hiking, Snowshoeing, Ice Skating, Country-Skiing and Sledding. Check out these sources for more information: Brattleboro Outing Club (www.brattleborooutingclub.org
) and the Nelson Withington Skating Facility (www.brattleboro.gov/skating- facility)
Outdoor Events
- Harris Hill Ski Jump Competition (Feb. 17-18, 2024) – This annual competition draws winter sports buffs from near and far. Open to the public and held at the 100+ year old training and qualifying hill for ski-jumpers from around the world, located in the heart of Brattleboro.
- Artful Ice Shanties (Feb. 18-26) – presented by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and Retreat Farm, the Artful Ice Shanties outdoor exhibit is a place-based celebration of artistic talent, creative ingenuity, and the rich history of ice fishing in New England.
- Brattleboro Winter Carnival (Feb. 17-26) – Put on by the Brattleboro Recreation Department, the Brattleboro Winter Carnival is a 67-year tradition in the greater Brattleboro area. This family friendly nine-day fair includes outdoor events to watch, participate and compete in from ice skating and ice dancing to snowshoeing, hockey, pancake breakfasts, sleigh rides and more.
Indoor Events and Things to Do
- Rock Climbing Brattleboro-style – BrattCave Bouldering Gym offers the best indoor rock climbing in Brattleboro sans snow. With experiences for all ages and day passes available for just $10/person. For more information, visit https://brattcaveclimbing.
business.site/ - Movie Days and Nights: Screenings of Hollywood blockbusters past and present, along with independent films are always in season at The Latchis Theatre – the authentically restored Art Deco, neo-classical movie theater in operation since the late 1920s. Fun fact: gamers can also rent out the theater for the ultimate larger-than-life video game experience.
- Get Inspired with Arts Exhibits, Live Music and More – Brattleboro’s art scene spans all genres – from performing and visual arts, to film, photography, spoken word readings and the circus arts, with galleries, studios, and venues showcasing beautiful installations and thought-provoking events, and others inviting visitors to watch artists at work. For an inspired winter escape, check out the calendar of events from Epsilon Spires, Vermont Jazz Center, Next Stage Arts, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC), New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), and The Stone Church.
- Create-your-own-art at Hatchspace (wood-working), First Proof Press, River Gallery School of Art, In-Sight Photography, Brattleboro School of Dance, Fire Arts Vermont and Wheelhouse Clay Center which offer a variety classes for all skills levels where participants can learn techniques, explore their creative side, and take home a work of art of their own.
Winter Food Finds
- Sugar on Snow – A sweet treat that originated in the 1950s in Dummerston, located in Greater Brattleboro, this Vermont winter classic is enjoyed through Brattleboro’s maple sugaring season in March when gallons and gallons of syrup are tapped. Consisting of maple syrup poured over fresh snow, visitors can experience Sugar on Snow during the Brattleboro Winter Carnival and at the town’s annual Sugar on Snow Dinner held in March.
- Defrost with the Perfect Cup of Coffee or Tea – A soothing cup of hot coffee or tea on a cold winter day can be found at a number of purveyors popular with both locals and visitors. Among them Duchess Coffee, which highlights house small batch, roasted coffee from women-owned farms in Central and South America; Mocha Joe’s, a downtown Brattleboro institution that pioneered the art of making fine coffee with a conscience for more than 30 years; and Patio Coffee, the place to enjoy a meticulously made-to-order coffee enjoyed while surrounded by scenic views thanks to its outdoor location beyond the alley of the Hooker Dunham Building.
- Brattleboro Winter Farmer’s Market – With more than 30 vendors including local farms, makers, artisans, and crafters, the Brattleboro Winter Farmer’s Market is the indoor version of the town’s popular outdoor farmer’s market founded to celebrate and support local farms and food producers, strengthen the local economy, and build community around year-round access to local food. Open Saturdays from November to March, 10:00am to 2:00pm.
