At the base of Mount Mansfield, The Lodge at Spruce Peak offers a distinctly Vermont approach to winter, combining ski-in/ski-out access with the rituals and celebrations that make the season feel bigger than the slopes. As Stowe Mountain Resort opens for ski season in November, guests can step directly into a winter itinerary that ranges from skiing and skating to snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and snow biking, with the nearly 10,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink providing another focal point in the village.

The holiday season brings its own traditions, including the return of Mistletoe’s Holiday Bar and the WhistlePig Pergolas, Holiday Retreat Weekend, a family gnome hunt and the annual Spruce Peak Lights Festival with Ice Dance International, Santa and other seasonal programming. Christmas week adds afternoon tea, holiday dining and a glow skate party, while New Year’s Eve culminates with dinner, live celebrations, fireworks and a Fire & Ice performance across Spruce Peak Village. Beyond the festivities, guests can retreat to the heated outdoor pool, The Spa at Spruce Peak or the property’s restaurants, creating a winter stay that balances time on the mountain with plenty of reasons to linger off it.

The Curated Take: The appeal of Spruce Peak is the way it turns a ski trip into a fuller winter experience. The slopes provide the adventure, but skating, fireside drinks, seasonal dining, village celebrations and longstanding holiday rituals give the stay a sense of occasion that can appeal just as much to non-skiers and multigenerational travelers.