Close to Manchester and Great Skiing
A ski weekend near Manchester, Vermont works best when skiing is one part of it, not the whole plan. Arrive for your stay at Hill Farm on Thursday, ski Bromley or Stratton for a day (or two), and spend the rest of the trip in town: browsing Northshire Bookstore, walking the winter grounds at Hildene, and sitting down to dinner at The Restaurant at Hill Farm. Hill Farm, a boutique hotel and working farm in Sunderland, sits a short drive from Manchester and gives you a home base that feels like Vermont, not a ski condo.
This is the ski trip for people who like the cold air at the top of the lift and the warm room at the end of the day equally.
What is a “Thursday Ski Weekend” in Southern Vermont?
A Thursday ski weekend is a three-night trip that starts midweek, when lift lines are typically shorter than on Saturdays, and the roads north are lighter. You check in Thursday, ski Friday, decide Saturday morning between another day on the mountain or a day in town, and head home Sunday after breakfast.
The shape is simple:
Thursday: Arrive, settle in, dinner at The Restaurant at Hill Farm
Friday: A day on the mountain, back by the fire before dark, dinner on property
Saturday: A second ski day, or trade the mountain for sightseeing, the shops, or a good book
Sunday: Farm breakfast, one last walk on the property, and the drive home
Bromley Mountain is about 30 minutes from Hill Farm, and Stratton Mountain is about 20 minutes beyond that, though winter drive times vary with weather and road conditions. Bromley is the easy pick for a relaxed day: 47 trails with a good mix for every level. Stratton is the bigger mountain for the skier in your group who wants more vertical.
Staying off the mountain means you trade ski-in convenience for a farm breakfast, room to spread out, and a town worth exploring on the days you are not skiing.
What is there to do in Manchester, Vermont, in winter besides skiing?
Manchester has enough in winter to fill a full day without a lift ticket. A few favorites close to Hill Farm:
Northshire Bookstore: A rambling independent bookstore in the center of town. Pick up a novel Thursday and finish it by the fire Saturday.
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home: Robert Todd Lincoln's estate keeps about 12 miles of ungroomed trails open for winter walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, usually from mid-December into March, snow permitting. Admission required.
Southern Vermont Arts Center: Galleries in the historic Yester House and a large sculpture park perfect for a breath of cold air and crunchy footfalls after a fresh snowfall.
Shopping in Manchester: The flagship Orvis store, outlet shopping, and independent boutiques within a few blocks of each other.
Try snowshoeing at Hill Farm: Snowshoes are available on site. When conditions allow, walk the property and see the farm under snow.
Why should you reserve dinner when you book your room?
Reserve your dinner at The Restaurant at Hill Farm at the same time you book your room, because winter weekend tables are popular. The restaurant serves dinner Thursday through Sunday, which lines up exactly with a Thursday ski weekend, so you can plan dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday without leaving the property.
Dinner here is the reason the weekend feels like a getaway rather than a ski trip. Seasonal menus draw from Hill Farm's market garden and neighboring farms. The barn has high ceilings filled with wood beams and windows with views to the mountains. After a day outside, a quick walk to a satisfying meal is the perfect nightcap.
When you book, ask for one or all of these options:
Thursday dinner, so the trip starts the moment you arrive
Friday dinner, the night you will be happiest not to go anywhere
Saturday dinner, to close the weekend at the same table
An earlier seating on your ski days, a later one on your town day
Book your room, then reserve your table on Resy or by emailing gather@hillfarminn.com.
