Watch Manchester, Vermont transform into the very definition of a ski town when visiting during the Winter seasons. Located just moments away from Bromley Mountain, Stratton Mountain, and Killington Mountain, Kimpton Taconic Hotel is the perfect home base for your snow-filled adventures.
Enjoy complimentary shuttle service within a 2 mile radius of the hotel and once daily trips to and from Bromley Mountain and Stratton Mountain Resort.
To say that Manchester is a ski town in winter is an understatement. Just 15 minutes from Bromley Mountain , 25 minutes from Stratton Mountain , and 55 minutes from Killington Mountain , Taconic is the ideal home base for your Southern Vermont skiing adventure. Gear rentals are available on each mountain or have the Ski Butlers deliver rentals directly to you at our Kimpton Taconic hotel. Visit the site below and schedule your rental delivery.
If you’re looking for cross-country skiing, Manchester and the surrounding areas have several options for you. The Robert Todd Lincoln estate, Hildene , has a Nordic center where you can rent cross-country skiing (and snowshoeing!) equipment. Likewise, the Viking Nordic Center is nearby in Londonderry, and Wild Wings Ski Touring Center is one town over in Peru.
Another way to get your outdoor adventure on is on board a snowmobile. Stratton Adventures offers tours for adults and families, each evening after the ski trails close. This is an unforgettable experience that really connects you with the winter landscape!
Always wanted to try dogsledding? HuskyWorks ’ kennel has a team of purebred Siberians, each with a unique personality. HuskyWorks spends as much time with the dogs on the trail as they can, running almost daily most weeks. They will run during daylight hours as well as night adventures with high-powered headlamps, or when possible by moonlight.
Taylor Farm offers the ultimate sleigh ride experience. Belgian draft horses pull box-style sleighs on runners for an amazing winter memory. Rides are offered on the hour during weekends, and last about 45 minutes, as they traverse tranquil Vermont woods and views of the local ski mountains. Bring a camera!
From late October until early March, you can relive the old-school winter thrill of ice-skating, at Manchester’s Riley Rink . Rentals available onsite.
When temperatures drop and snow blankets the hilly Vermont countryside, ducking indoors to see some art is a great way to warm up while you absorb some local culture. Art galleries nearby include Helmholz Fine Art and the Epoch 18 Vermont Artisans Gallery, as well as the Three Pears Gallery in neighboring Dorset.
Are you a theatre aficionado? If so, you’re in luck! The Dorset Players put on a festive holiday-themed show every December, running the first and second weekends of the month. Check the link for show updates, times and tickets.
Shopping in and around Southern Vermont is a great way to find interesting, unique local finds, as well as some amazing deals on internationally recognized brands. As the snow starts to fall, you can pull on your duck boots to stroll up and down charming Depot Street exploring at the Manchester Designer Outlets , featuring values on designer brands including Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy, Marimekko, Le Creuset and so many more. Think of the gifts you could cross off your list!
When you’ve made your way through the variety of outlet shops, you’ll find even more boutique shopping. Area local businesses offer outdoor apparel and gear at Bradley’s Pro Shop Ski & Sport , high-quality hand-crafted wooden gifts and items at Manchester Woodcraft , and the can’t miss J.K. Adams Kitchen Store in neighboring Dorset.
A visit to Manchester would not be complete without a stop in the sprawling yet cozy Northshire Bookstore , boasting multiple floors of books, keepsakes, gifts and souvenirs in an eclectic classic-Vermont setting. In 1856, Charles F. Orvis founded the Orvis Company in Manchester, Vermont, offering superior fly-fishing equipment, and priding himself on customer satisfaction and service. Today, Orvis is the trusted source of discover and adventure in the natural world. Manchester is home to the Orvis Flagship Store .
Hildene , the famous historic family home of Robert Todd Lincoln (eldest son of President Abraham Lincoln), is stunning to see against a backdrop of winter snow. In addition to fascinating historic tours of the house, you can snowshoe across Hildene’s extensive grounds for winter fun. Let the experts take the wheel while you sit in warmth and comfort for a fun and informative ride with Backroad Discovery Tours . If you want a relaxing and educational experience of picturesque Sothern Vermont, these affordable tours come highly recommended – and will help you decide what to do on your next visit!
Merck Forest & Farmland Center is a truly special experience just a short drive from the Taconic. With a mission to teach and demonstrate the benefits of innovative, sustainable management of forest and farmland, Merck truly has something for everyone. From walking trails to workshops and demonstrations, to purchasing farm-produced goods at the visitor’s center, Merck is a great place to make memories in the winter.
Manchester Merriment is a six-week long celebration each winter, which kicks off Thanksgiving weekend. Festive activities abound, from a community tree lighting, a must-see lighted tractor pull, Hildene open house tour, a walking tour of “Holiday Inns” and more. You haven’t really experienced a quaint Vermont town like Manchester until you’ve seen us all decked out for the holiday season!
The best starting point for your winter Vermont culinary tour is right here at the Taconic, at our year-round breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant, The Copper Grouse .
See, feel and taste the bounty of Vermont this winter, at an unforgettable farmer’s market near the Taconic. In our neighboring town of Dorset, the Dorset Farmer’s Market is open year-round on Sundays 10AM – 2PM, operating out of the JK Adams store during the coldest months.
One of the things visitors love about the food community in Vermont is the array of small local businesses producing unique, delicious products that can be taken home, shipped to friends & family, or of course consumed on the spot. One such local Manchester gem is North Meadow Farm . During winter months, the nice people at North Meadow Farm will take you on a sleigh ride through the backwoods, following sap lines and maple trails, finishing with fresh farm cookies and hot cocoa. On most holidays, they provide special event programming. Remember your visit by taking home some fresh Vermont milk or cheese!
