Moving to Vermont – 20+ Reasons to seriously consider Vermont or Why One Week with #SkiVermont changed my life

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20+ Reasons to move to Vermont @DownshiftingPRO

There is a strong case to be made for moving to Vermont. The state motto should unofficially be: we work together! Vermont is all about collaboration. It is a state that believes strongly in working within the parameters of a community. It’s about farm-to-table, organic/natural/sustainable living and finding the perfect work/life balance. Not the perfect lifestyle, the perfect life. There is a difference.  When you go somewhere where everyone is from away but have made a conscious choice to live, work and play in Vermont, you need to find out why. 

SkiVermont Packing List for one week of skiing in Vermont @DownshiftingPRO 1 scaled

What is the attraction of moving to Vermont from your childhood home and state and moving to the ski capital of the east?  I spent a week in Vermont searching for the quintessential native Vermonter.  Apparently, you are not a Vermonter unless you have six generations of other Vermonters to back up your claim.  I found this both intriguing and intoxicating.  By the end of my stay, I, too, wanted to move to Vermont with one caveat: that  my hosts ditch the red, white and blue and embrace the maple leaf of red and white.

What can I say, I love being Canadian and inviting Vermont to join our confederation seemed like a good idea at the time.  With the added benefit of free healthcare for EVERYONE, there was not one person that said they wouldn’t do it.  There are many philosophical similarities with Canada and Vermont and I have 20+ Reasons why you want to move to Vermont – or why one week with Ski Vermont changed my life.

All kidding aside, on March 23rd of 2018, Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Tourism Commissioner Wendy Knight announced the Stay-to-Stay initiative, which aims to convert tourists who already enjoy visiting Vermont into full-time residents. With a population of just over 600,000, the state is in search of permanent residents.  With an aging population, they are in need of more people to work and set up new businesses and grow the tax base!  This active recruiting for moving to Vermont is being held over four weekends in April, June, August and October.  You are invited to come down and meet businesses, check out the real estate in specific cities and more importantly, take the time to get to know each other.

Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont @DownshiftingPRO
Moving to Vermont Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains

I fell madly in love with Vermont and now I know why so many leave their home states and move to Vermont.  Her are a few reasons why you may want to move to Vermont:

20+ Reasons to consider Moving to Vermont

Proximity to Canada

Proximity to Canada: Bordering on the province of Quebec, Vermont is an easy hour’s drive to Jay Peak and a four-hour drive to the southern most point in Vermont.  Easily accessible to the Canadian Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario, you’ll be on a ski hill in two hours from Montreal, three hours from Ottawa, 6.5 hours from Toronto.

Easy Flights from Canada

Fly from Toronto to Burlington (read my full review here): Hop on a quick 90 minute Porter Airlines flight from Billy Bishop Airport to Burlington International Airport.  These two airports are compact and have easy fly-in-fly-out convenience.  No long security lines and miles of terminals to trek.  Located minutes from the downtown core of the both cities.

Fly from Toronto to Burlington Vermont on Porter Airlines

Sustainable Energy Programs

Cow Power: Killington is enrolled in the Cow Power program, a completely local form of renewable energy made in Vermont. Staying with Vermont tradition of buying local, the K-1 Express Gondola and the Peak Lodge at the top of Killington are 100% powered from manure from local dairy farms. The farmers process the manure to create power.  By collaborating with local farmers, Killington pays the farmer to supply the power.  By doing so, it reduces greenhouse emissions produced by cows and expands the use of the readily available, renewable resource in Vermont.

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The View from Peak Lodge, Killington Mountain

Sustainable, Organic Beer

Wood Chip pellets & Organic Yeast: Vermont takes sustainability & organic seriously.  Everyone at Hermit Thrush Brewery thinks very carefully about the brewing process.  From powering it’s beer kettles with woodchip pellets (that would normally be waste from the lumber industry) to reusing spirit and wine barrels to forging chaga mushrooms to produces some of the most unusual sour beers that you’ve ever sampled. Their technique of using organic yeast to create a sour is impressive (and leading edge).  You can take have a beer tasting session and if you’re luck, you can see the massive barrel in their brewery.

Hermit Thrush Brewery - 35 Reasons to Move to Vermont - DownshiftingPRO

Cover Bridges

Emily’s (Covered) Bridge With over 25 covered bridges in the state, the iconic image of a covered bridge with a beautiful farmhouse, mountains or brook running beneath it.  With the amount of snow that falls in the winter,  a covered bridge helps. Don’t miss one of the most famous covered bridges, Stowe’s Golden Brook Bridge is also known as Emily’s Bridge. Haunted by Emily who died on the bridge after being stood up on her wedding day!

Route 100 Drives

Packing List for one week of skiing in Vermont @DownshiftingPRO

Scenic Route 100 Drives I drove about 1500 kilometers in a week and I realize one very important thing: there are many ways to get to one place.  With many small towns composed of a few houses, a general store and the occasional gas station clumped together.  The state runs primarily north-south but you can get from one end to the other in about 4.5 – 5 hours.  If you want a scenic route, drive Route 100  with many fun stops along the way, you will have nice wide roads with occasional passing lanes and plenty of picture perfect scenery.

Vermont Country Stores

Vermont Country Store: Don’t let the modest storefront fool you, there is a huge assortment of fun and interesting bits and bobbles to be found at the third most visited site in Vermont.  The Vermont Country store is family owned and open since 1946. It boasts over 6,000 items in stock (and I’m assuming more on-line).  But the beauty of this gem is you will find the most interesting items (some of which you haven’t seen in years).  Everything from children’s toys to kitchenware, chocolates, to umbrellas and even dusters.  We could have spent hours in this store.  The food samples are enough to go.

The Vermont Country Store SkiVermont DownshiftingPRO

Aztec Spice Hot Chocolate

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Aztec Spice Hot Chocolate: Stop at Lake Champlain Chocolates on Church Street in Burlington and have a large Aztec Spice hot chocolate with whipped cream and stroll this pedestrian street in the heart of historic Burlington. I regret not buying a canister and taking some home to the family.  It is rich, flavourful and has a tiny hint of spice.

Sour Beers

Sour Beer at Hermit Thrush: Brattleboro is the largest city in southern Vermont. This is a very eclectic city as many of the residents are from away.  Bordering on New Hampshire across the Connecticut River, stop by Hermit Thrush for a sour.  This microbrewery specializes in beers that uses yeasts, akin to that of yoghurt, to create craft beers with citrus accents that are sure to intrigue. They add chaga mushrooms, seasonal berries and local hops. If you have time, take a tour of their brewery where you’ll see the biggest wood casks.

Two amazing micro breweries in Vermont

Vermont Brewers Festival

Vermont Brewers Festival with festivals held in the summer in Burlington and in the winter in Killington, you will not want to miss this craft beer festival.  Vermont has a growing and collaborative micro-brewing industry.  During the festival, breweries are encouraged to work together to create unique beers for the festival.  Some of these are one of kind-you-can-only-get-at-the-festival creations. Learn more about English Stout, Sour, Pilsner, IPA and American exclusive double IPAs brewed right here in Vermont. Tickets for the summer edition of the Vermont Brewers Festival are now available on-line.  Pick yours up ASAP as they do sell out!  See you July 20 & 21 in Burlington!

Vermont Brewers Festival at Killington Resort #SkiVermont @DownshiftingPRO_2

Funky Ski Socks

Funky Ski Socks who knew I would become obsessed with funky Darn Tough ski socks.  Made in Vermont, these merino wool socks are perfect for skiing and hiking. I had one pair and brought home three more. Comfortable and form fitting these socks will keep your toes warm in you ski or snowboard boots.  The best part?  The funky patterns… no question about it.

Packing List for a week of Skiing SkiVermont DownshiftingPRO thumb

Vermont Public Radio

VNPR – I am a fan of CBC Radio and I listen everyday.  One consistent voice on the radio was Vermont Public Radio. Each state has a subset of National Public Radio (NPR) with its own flavour and state focus. Be it farming, economic initiatives or gardening tips, there was always a program that held my attention.  You can also tune into NHPR when you were closer to the New Hampshire border. I was thrilled to hear my favourite Canadian CBC show “Q” on air.  A staple of the public radio station.

Women’s World Cup Ski Racing

Women’s World Cup Event at Killington – for the third time in a row Killington Mountain will host a World Cup event including the best women’s technical alpine skiers in the world to compete in giant slalom and slalom ski races on Killington’s Superstar trail. Held over the America Thanksgiving Weekend in November, this world-class event will bring in skiers from all over the world.  Local favourite and Olympic Champion Mikaela Shiffrin will be back to defend her gold in slalom the weekend of  November 23 – 25, 2018.

Killington Peak Home of the Worlds Women Cup Event @DownshiftingPRO scaled

Ahi Tuna Nachos

Order the Ahi Tuna Nachos at Fire Tower in Straton VT @DowshiftingPRO 1

Ahi Tuna Nachos at Fire Tower in Stratton.  Picture this: Tuna Tartare, Crispy Wontons, Pickled Onion, Wasabi Aioli, Hoisin sauce, Lime & Daikon Radish. These were the bomb, no word of a lie. One of my favourite foods in Vermont.   I am a foodie at heart and a good meal, fine wine or a cold brew will have me come back to any place but our meal at Fire Tower in Stratton stood shoulders above the rest.  Located in the swanky ski village of Stratton, this gourmet restaurant proved a must-stop in Vermont.  One of my travel mates wrote a full review here.

Adaptive Ski & Sports programs

Adaptive Ski & Sports at Pico Mountain.  In Vermont, Killington, Pico and Bolton Mountains have adaptive ski  and snowboard clinics and equipment. Part of Vermont Adaptive (a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting independence, equality and access to sports and  recreational opportunities). Other than the obvious winter sports of skiing and snowboarding, Vermont Adaptive provides opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more. If this isn’t a great reason for moving to Vermont, what is?

Pico Mountain Adaptive Vermont Ski & Sport #SkiVermont & DownshiftingPRO

Lake Champlain

The Shores of Lake Champlain – Lake Champlain is huge.  It borders Quebec to the north, Vermont to the east and New York to the west.  The lake is 172 km long and 23 km wide.  Lake Champlain has two prominent towns on its shores Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburg, New York.  The waterfront has become a meeting place for festivals (see Brewers Festival above), concerts and family playgrounds.  Saved by condo developments by Senator Bernie Sanders, the waterfront is home to the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. With a brand new exhibit starting May 19th, it is worth the visit to see “How People Make Things”

Lake Champlain Vermont @DownshiftingPRO #skiVermont

Ski Lessons

I had not been on skis for almost 25 years and it took all my courage to get back on skis.  This should not have been the case as I was clearly in good hands from the moment I took my first lesson.  I had skied as a child but I needed a bit of coaching and encouragement to get back to fine form.  The median age of my four instructors was 62 years old.  That is a lot of years on a hill.  The youngest had taught for the last 25 years. They knew exactly what they were doing!

Mount Snow Vermont #SkiVermont @DownshiftingPRO (15)

As your muscles struggle to remember how to move, they are there to give you tips on how to ski through the pain. I also saw many instructors with young, young children some ski  schools take children as young as 2 but most start at 3.  I love this picture with children’s ski’s no longer than my arm.  They are here to teach you how to get down a hill safely, enjoying the ski all the way down.  My tip: take a lesson, you won’t regret it.

The Spa and heated Pool at Mount Snow

After a day on the slopes, you just want to take some time to relax and have a massage and a soak in the heated pool.  You won’t go wrong with a massage at the naturespa at Mount Snow.  We spent a relaxing few hours in the warm pool and then we had a quick massage to come the first-day-on-skis- in-25-years nerves!

The naturesap at Mount Snow @DownshiftingPRO

The Beef Tips at Whetstone Station

Beef Tips at Whetstone Station @DownshiftingPRO

The Whetstone Station is a brewery, a bar and an excellent restaurant with character. It also had some of the most amazing foods on our trip.  When I asked the manager, “What is the one thing you need to eat at Whetstone Station?” without hesitation he mention the beef tips.  They were AMAZING. They come to you in a large bowl which you can easily share.  They were tender and even as an appetizers, you will find it’s a good portion.  We also loved all of the mugs from the Beer Club just hanging over the bar.  Who wouldn’t want to pay for a 16 oz. beer  to then receive a generous 20 oz?

The People

I have never met a more laid back and content group of people.  Kindness and generosity are their first and second names with community being their last.  I witnessed this over and over in how they promoted their towns, their attractions, heck even their beer.  It was – “all for one and one for all”. Many come for the Green Mountains and the outdoors living but most stay because everyone is just darn nice.

The AMAZING people of Vermont 20 Reasons to move to Vermont @DownshiftingPRO 1 scaled
My awesome ski instructor at Mount Snow

Many have come to Vermont by choice. Maybe their parents owned a ski chalet and they spent the winter’s skiing here, maybe they went to the University of Vermont in Burlington, maybe they followed a Vermonter to this beautiful state.  It was very interesting to note, I was told in order to be considered a native of the State of Vermont, you must have six generations of Vermonters come before you to have bragging rights to be from Vermont.  Don’t let that deter you from becoming a Vermonter. It is easy to fall in love with this state and I’ll bet that if you came to visit, you’d want to stay.  I know I want to. Now… how to convince my husband why we need to consider moving to Vermont?


SkiVermont Packing List for one week of skiing in Vermont @DownshiftingPRO scaled

Disclosure: I would like to thank #SkiVermont, Vermont Brewers Association, Hermit Thrush, Whetstone Station, Beer Naked, Long Trail Brewery and Killington for hosting both at their breweries, restaurants and Mount Snow, Stratton and Killington Resort.  Although I was a guest, all opinion about are all my own.  #sponsored

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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.

20 thoughts on “Moving to Vermont – 20+ Reasons to seriously consider Vermont or Why One Week with #SkiVermont changed my life”

  1. I have never been to Vermont and its nearby places but I would definitely would want to explore. Looking forward to finally visit it the soonest and its beauty.

  2. Stay-to-Stay initiative is definitely a wise and interesting initiative. And Vermont is wonderful place to live!

    • They are doing it again this year and I think it’s a great way to take a serious look (not just as a tourist). One has to consider this with an ageing population whether you are in Vermont or elsewhere!

  3. We’ve been to Vermont in the summer and loved it! I think it would be a great place to live. Good luck convincing your husband to move.

  4. I had family members who lived in Vermont, and we still travel there frequently. I would love to move to Vermont. For one, it is such a beautiful place, and I feel like the people there care a lot about nature and the environment. When we stay in places like Burlington, I feel like I connect with the people there. It is a wonderful place to visit and to live!

    • All of New England is lovely. I would travel to Vermont as a child because I grew up in Montreal. I just love Upper New York State and Vermont. Next year maybe I’ll make a trip to New Hampshire.

  5. Your first two reasons are because it’s easy to leave and go somewhere else? Huh? How about 50 amazing brew pubs, Kingdom Trails is the best mt. biking on the planet, 50 amazing skiing and X/C ski areas, the Catamount ski trail, hiking the Long Trail, kayaking / canoeing on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail or 100’s of farm to tables in the area…Or 4th best public K-12 education in the US.

  6. Well you know now why we visit every year and write about it here. Vermont is my favourite state fir many of these reasons. There’s an amazing farm to table philosophy that just makes sense for this state and is a great fit me as a traveler. Over the years I’ve seen many great adaptive inclusive ski programs for people with many different disabilities. First noticed this at smugglers notch a few years ago. Then recently noted a great program at Bromley too. This is a super comprehensive post. Love Vermont people because they are friendly and it’s a state that loves being outdoors engaging and exercising and just being part of their environment fully all year round. So spectacular. Well be back again next ski season.

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