Vermont's Idyllic Ski Resort Town Offers A Romantic Winter Getaway For Couples

When the air turns crisp and snowflakes start to fall, it's the perfect time to plan a romantic trip for you and your sweetheart. You can spend your days swishing down the slopes together or skating hand in hand, and your nights sipping drinks by a roaring fire. If you're looking for the perfect spot to do it, make sure the Vermont ski resort town of Stowe is on your radar. Right in the Green Mountains, Stowe has all sorts of winter activities for couples, like skiing, snowshoeing, a gondola ride, an après-ski couples massage, and even maple syrup sugarhouses to visit. You can take pictures by historical covered bridges (or propose there, as long as you watch for traffic) and even stay at a resort started by a family of famous singers. You can't get more romantic than this. 

To get to Stowe, your best bet is to fly into the charming Burlington International Airport, which is around 33 miles away. (It's worth spending a day in the lovely lakeside escape of Burlington if you want to extend your trip.) You can rent a car there for a scenic drive, or take a train or bus into Waterbury, Vermont, 15 minutes away from Stowe. You can also book a shuttle from the airport through Stowe Mountain Top Taxi. A one-way shuttle for up to four people costs around $129, and a round-trip ride costs around $255 at the time of this writing. You can also fly into Plattsburgh International Airport, which is roughly 70 miles away.

If you love skiing, Stowe has everything you're looking for. Stowe Mountain Ski Resort boasts 116 trails and transport between Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state, and Spruce Peak. You'll also find 18 miles of backcountry skiing if that's more your speed. Take a mountain gondola ride up (though keep an eye on when it's open) to enjoy some gorgeous views. It's around $63 for adults at the time of this writing, and the ride tends to sell out. When you get to the top of Mount Mansfield, you can do some shopping at the Summit Retail Shop. If you're looking for a place to dine at elevation, hit one of the restaurants up there like the Cliff House Restaurant (lunch only) serving American cuisine. There is also The Waffle for, well, waffles, including a mouthwatering croissant waffle. At Spruce Peak, hit BaseCamp Bites, a food truck with a rotating global street food menu. At Mansfield Base, you'll find Mansfield Café and The Den. The cafe has breakfast and lunch, and you can hit The Den après-ski for some drinks and live music.

If you're feeling inspired by those classic rom-com ice-skating scenes, hit the Ice Rink at Spruce Peak Village Center. Skating there is free – just bring your own skates if you have them, or if not, the rink has some available to rent. You can also snuggle up while dog-sledding on a 20-minute night tour that allows you to meet the adorable dogs. In nearby Waterbury, sweet treat-lovers can take tours of the Ben & Jerry's Factory, because sharing ice cream is pretty darn romantic. (The factory releases tickets close to the date, and they aren't always open, so keep an eye on the official website.)

Stowe has something no other town can boast, which is the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort. If that name sounds familiar, it's because this is the singing family that "The Sound of Music" was based on. They bought a farm here that reminded them of the Austrian mountains and welcomed guests starting in 1950. You can tour the resort and stay in one of the 96 guest rooms, villas, or guest house chalets. There are even some pet-friendly rooms. It has a number of dining areas in the resort, including the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall and the Kaffeehaus. The resort's "All You Need is Love" package includes a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and 60-minute massages, perfect for two lovebirds. 

The covered bridges in Vermont make for the perfect couple's picture, and you can find some in Stowe, like the covered pedestrian bridge over Little River on the Stowe Recreation Path or the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge in the village. If you visit at the right time, you can also check out Stowe's Winter Carnival, which focuses on ice sculpting. You can wander around arm in arm, looking at the shimmering ice, and even watch an ice-carving demonstration. The event made Country Living's "19 Best Winter Festivals in the U.S." list in 2023. You may also want to visit a sugarhouse to try out some maple syrup and learn how it's made. There are a few of them in Stowe, including the Nebraska Knoll Sugarfarm, Stowe Maple Products, and the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort sugarhouse. End the day with a couple's massage at the Spa at Spruce Camp, which has an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzis, and even beer treatments for your hair. Finally, before you set off for the slopes with your sweetie, check out some great packing tips for ski trips.