As North Country folk, we embrace winter for all it offers and share its bounty with family, friends, and visitors. We take winter fun very seriously here in the Northeast Kingdom. Then it must come as no surprise that Newport and the surrounding communities host several regional destinations for winter sports and outdoor activities. Whether you’re here for the secluded skiing, superb ice-fishing, extensive snowmobile routes, miles upon miles of public trails, abundant wildlife, curling, open water swimming, or are just looking to decompress, the Northeast Kingdom is real, authentic Vermont.
The Newport Waterfront Recreation Path provides direct access to over 7 miles of multi-use trails that meander northbound from Downtown Newport, up the east side of Lake Memphremagog, and to the Canadian Border in Beebe, QC. Public access points are numerous and include Newport City’s Prouty Beach Campground, the VT Land Trust’s Bluffside Farm, the Beebe Spur Rail Trail, and the Memphremagog Trails network. Further up the lake, the recreation path connects with the Johns River Streambank Management Area and Eagle Point Wildlife Management Area, both managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. All designated trails are open to the public. Many sections are groomed for nordic skiing, while others are unmanaged or reserved for hiking, snowshoeing, or fat-biking. Multiple sections of the VAST snowmobile trail, managed by both the North Country Mountaineers and the Drift Dusters snowmobile clubs, cross the recreation path and auxiliary trails at several locations. While both nordic skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling over frozen Lake Memphremagog are common winter activities, extreme caution must be taken accessing and traveling across the ice sheet.
For a second day out on the trails, consider switching it up and taking a drive to neighboring towns for even more opportunities to get outside.
The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a world-renowned sports training facility and offers an incredible network of trails for a variety of winter activities. The Mead Hill Farm in Holland boasts groomed nordic trails, lodging, and event space in a place known locally as “God’s Country”. The NorthWoods Stewardship Center in Charleston manages miles of winter nordic trails and even has an All Persons Trail that provides ADA access for all abilities. The Jay Community Recreational Centre hosts a network of single track and multi-use trails that snakes along and across a wild tributary of Jay Brook.Popular backcountry ski trails meander off the CCC Road in the Willoughby State Forest in Westmore, on various zones managed by Northeast Kingdom Backcountry, and along the Long Trail off Route 242. Completely wild winterlands can be found in the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge in Brunswick, overseen by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Several destination resorts for downhill skiing are less than an hour from Newport. Jay Peak Resort offers the most diverse & advanced terrain, has numerous resort amenities like a waterpark and hockey arena, and is only 35 minutes from downtown Newport. Burke Mountain Resort, a 45-minute drive from Newport, provides a more local ski hill kind of vibe, steep and fast groomers and bump runs, and a very family friendly environment. Also only 45 minutes from Newport is Owl’s Head, which provides incredible views and turns from the summit to almost the shore of Lake Memphremagog in Mansonville, Quebec.
Gravity sports not your thing?!
Then you must be here for the Kingdom Swim 2025, the only marathon ice swimming event in the US recognized by the International Winter Swimming Association. No? Then maybe the Border Curling Club or Magog Curling Club? What about the Curds & Curling event at Highland Center for the Arts? Whatever your bag of tricks, make sure to take it easy and rest up at Spa Nordic Station in Magog, QC or Strom Spa in Sherbrooke, QC.
Evening fun can be found in a variety of ways depending on the scene that is desired. Try ice skating under the lights at Newport’s Gardner Park or catching a flick at City Cinema, which offers both matinee and evening showings. For a few games of classic 10-pin bowling, check out Missisquoi Lanes in Lowell and consider stopping by Kingdom Brewing in Newport Center or Hill Farmstead in Greensboro for a pint of local brew. The Newport Winter Saturdays live music series are family-friendly events that include dinner and dancing to our favorite local and regional bands, from rock & roll and classic rock to funk and bluegrass. Absolutely do not miss out on grabbing food and drinks from Dusit Thai, Lago Trattoria, T-Bar, or the East Side in Newport. Further afar you can check out the Gap Pub & Grill in Westmore, the Derby Line Village Inn, the Pho Farm in Morgan, or the Blackbird Bistro in Craftsbury.
Groceries, syrup, libations, and so much more can be found at Green Mountain Natural Foods in Newport, the Derby Village Store, the Jay Country Store, Currier’s Market in Glover, the Morgan Country Store, or the Albany or Craftsbury General Stores.
– Patrick Hurley & Carter Finegan