UPDATED Burlington, VT or Lake Placid, NY

[spankswife]

We would like to go next NYE to see snow, not necessarily ski. We will have a 5 yo, and an 8 mo.

Looking to just play int he snow, tube, maybe a sleigh ride, maybe hit up Ben & Jerry's

Have you ever been? Is this a good place vs Killington or Smuggs?

Any info is appreciated!

ADDL QUESTIONS-Ok after reading some responses, I was wondering if Lake Placid would be a better choice because the have a lot of "activities." Is it too "Olympics centered" or is it a good mix of both?

I would prefer not to drive more than an hour from the airport. Stowe looks great, but it's about 2 hours...

[mbcdefg]

We went to Vermont a few summers ago and based ourselves in Burlington.

Go to Magnolia during breakfast to get the banana bread!

[scout8]

People go on vacation and seek out snow??!!!!!

Signed, Chicago native who has seen enough snow to last a lifetime.

[spankswife]

Nov 26, 2014 18:20:44 GMT -5 scout8 said:

People go on vacation and seek out snow??!!!!!

Signed, Chicago native who has seen enough snow to last a lifetime.

Lol! Yes! I'm a FL native and have only seen it once. DD is starting to ask

[scout8]

Nov 26, 2014 19:37:47 GMT -5 spankswife said:

Nov 26, 2014 18:20:44 GMT -5 scout8 said:

People go on vacation and seek out snow??!!!!!

Signed, Chicago native who has seen enough snow to last a lifetime.

Lol! Yes! I'm a FL native and have only seen it once. DD is starting to ask

Oh, I'm jealous. I can't believe I have spent my entire life in a place with cold weather and I hate it. Too late to move now. I don't have they kind of job that will allow me to move. I do plan to retire early--somewhere warm!!

[mich1]

I grew up on the other side of the lake, and fly into and out of Burlington regularly since my dad still lives there.

For things to do, I'd base myself out of Burlington. The downtown city is very charming and there is a walkable area for several blocks. Killington and other ski areas could be a day trip easily. You'll likely have to go out of the city area for a sleigh ride, I really don't remember seeing anything around there.

Just north of the city, in North Hero is a resort called Shore Acres. I've only been here in the summer, the restaurant has outstanding food and it might be the sort of place you're looking for, but I know nothing as it as a resort.  Scenery in summer is gorgeous, and it is on the water.

www.shoreacres.com/

[EmilieMadison]

I love Burlington, but it's not very centrally located if you're looking to do a lot of stuff, especially with kids. 
If you want to sled, snowshoe, sleigh rides, do maple sugaring (a bit early at NYE but still happening), etc, I'd look into staying more near Woodstock/Quechee, which will make day trips easier and there's actually a lot to do right in that area. Plus, there are a lot of places to stay there (check out Quechee Lakes Rentals). It's about an hour to Burlington, which is definitely worth a day trip.

[caddywompus]

We just went back to Vermont last month. I agree that Burlington isn't very centrally located. We stayed over in Waterbury- right near Ben & Jerrys. It's close to Stowe, and Smugglers Notch, and an easy drive to most areas. We went to Killington, Woodstock, Manchester, Montpelier, and a bunch of other places. I recommend: Morse Sugar Maple Farrm, & Cold Hollow Cider Mill,.

[mich1]

Lake Placid is going to be a bit more than a 2 hour drive from Burlington. it would be about the same, if not a bit more, from Albany. It may look rather close, but the road into and out of the town is only 2 lane, windy and can be treacherous in winter. There is a ferry ride across the lake, you pick up I-87 for about 30 miles, and the last 25-30 miles is 2 lane road. Not bad in summer, but turns to crap fast in the winter. It is a very pretty drive, you'll pass Santa's Village and Whiteface Mountain, where the skiing events were held during the Olympics. Skiing is better in Vermont, Whiteface tends to be very icy in you are interested in this.

The town itself probably has a lot more of the activities you are looking for (I lived here during college), and on the far side of Mirror Lake is a very nice resort that has most of the activities that you are looking for.

I know my dad's neighbor goes there regularly. If you want the name, I'll get it.

[spankswife]

mich1 thank you! If we did Lake Placid, I would fly into Plattsburgh, that's closer right? I'd like the name if you could...

it seems like there are more little kid things there. I don't think we plan on skiing, only doing a long weekend and really the point us to see snow and play.

[mich1]

My dad lives in Plattsburgh and I don't fly into there. You might find the cost of flights prohibitive, but to be honest, I've not looked in years. I do know that when they closed the AFB, that many flights moved out there and they frequently have direct flights to FL and Myrtle Beach, so I guess it would be where you were flying from.

ETA:  I just went into Kayak and looked at flights into Plattsburgh and was surprised as to what was available.  It's not a bad idea flying into there if you can get some decent connections.

I-87 is a good road, and you would be on it going either north from Albany, or south from Plattsburgh/Burlington. The Albany airport is right on I-87, so it is a direct shot to the exit, unlike Burlington where you drive about 20 miles north of Burlington, catch the ferry (I guess it's about a 20-30 min ride), and you do have a little bit of a drive to hit the highway....maybe about 8 miles or so. It takes just over an hour to get from Burlington to Plattsburgh, then another 60 miles to Lake Placid. I think driving south around the lake might take longer, it has been about 20 years since I've done that and don't remember.

Lake Placid Lodge is where my dad's friend stays. There are a lot of activities there, dog sled rides, etc. but if your kids are younger than 12, you'll be limited to the family friendly weekends. However, there are other resorts you can check out.

[Wanderista]

I have only been to Vermont in the summer so I can't comment on the winter conditions of the roads at all. I do think that Burlington is charming and you can easily head to Waterbury for Ben & Jerry's and there is also a Cabot cheese store annex nearby with local Vermont goods.

For children, I would also recommend the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne near Burlington. They are really nice teddy bears and they have a very interactive tour for kids. I have been there in the summer. I would probably advise staying around the town of Burlington (feels like a quaint town to me) and making the activities a little bit dependent on weather/road plowing.