Vermont Ski/Snowshoe Weekend

On Friday, January 27^th, 14 guys joined us for this weekend. Most of the participants got up to Newfane, VT between 7-9PM where we were staying at Frog Meadow B&B. A few guys arrived earlier and went into town for dinner. This first evening was spent socializing and having light snacks in the kitchen area and eventually going to the living room to sit in front of the fireplace. Frog Meadow was the perfect place to get away from everyday stress to get outside for skiing and snowshoeing.

We certainly were ready for exercise after a fantastic full breakfast of granola, fresh fruit, pancakes and bacon provided by Dave and Scott! Everyone ate in shifts so that those who wished could get an early start to their day.

Most of the downhill skiers had left Frog Meadow for the day by 9:30AM with the cross-country skiers leaving shortly thereafter. The downhill skiers spent the day at Mt. Snow, while six guys’ drove up to nearby Timber Creek for cross-country skiing. After a decent day skiing (there was this beautiful icing on all of the branches, and it wasn’t too cold), everyone congregated back to Frog Meadow to hang out by the fire for some snacks and soaking in the wood-fired hot tub. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Dave served a home cooked dinner of green salad, chili, cornbread, and a delicious dessert. Tim then led everyone to a really fun group game called ‘celebrity.’

On Sunday, we were again greeted by one of Dave’s breakfasts (French toast, sausage patties). Afterwards we all packed our bags and said good-bye’s with promises of meeting again at future GO events. All of us went home except for Charles who went back up to Mt. Snow for another day of downhill skiing.

This was a wonderful weekend spent with a great group of guys. It was relaxing and everyone seemed to have a nice time. Thanks to everyone for making it such a special gathering. Many thanks to our hosts, Scott & Dave at Frog Meadow for providing us with such a comfortable and friendly place (not to mention the great food) for this event. We are thinking about possibly doing this again next year! Please upload any photos you may have taken into this trip report.

A relaxing, social weekend in Newfane, VT for downhill/cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

The weekend will be based at Frog Meadow Bed & Breakfast in Newfane, VT.  I have coordinated with Dave and Scott to block out the entire weekend for GO members. The weekend is a chance to relax, enjoy Vermont in winter and connect with old friends and hopefully make some new ones. 

Frog Meadow Bed & Breakfast: The B&B has a dining room for meals, a living room with fireplace, outdoor hot tub, and a full gym. It has 6 separate rooms with a total of 4 queen-size and 3 king-size beds so the weekend is limited to a maximum of 14. In order to accomodate everyone, everyone will have to share a bed with someone else; however there is an option to have your own separate room at a higher price. There are over 60 acres with trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at Frog Meadow. A limited amount of snowshoes are available on-site. These trails are ungroomed skier-set track and best for experienced skiers. The terrain is gently sloping to steep with some easier and some more difficult options and is easy to moderate snowshoeing dfficulty. See http://www.frogmeadow.com/ for more information about the B&B. 

Meals: You are on your own for dinner Friday night. Saturday and Sunday morning will start with a full country breakfast prepared by Dave and Scott. Saturday night we'll have a home-cooked 'localvore' buffer dinner prepared by Dave. A vegetarian option will be available.

Activities: We'll split up into downhill skiers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The main events will take place on Saturday, where groups will either go up to Mount Snow or Stratton Mountain for downhill skiing/snowboarding, or Grafton Ponds Nordic Center that offers both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Grafton Ponds also has a tubing hill! Of course, if a group wants to head off to cross-country ski or snowshoe on the Frog Meadow property itself; or just explore the town, that's totally up to you!  After breakfast on Sunday we'll most likely pack up and leave but then again, you are welcome to form a group for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing and snowshoeing on the Frog Meadow property if you like. There will be Friday and Saturday night evening socials beside the fireplace with the hot tub being available Saturday night. Depending on interest we can watch movies and play board games. The weekend is all about enjoying the winter with a great group of GO members!

Mount Snow Discount: If any of you are planning on downhill skiing and snowboarding we got a great discount from GO member Chris who runs 'Inn at Mount Snow.' He'll put your name down as staying at his Inn and instead of paying $83, you'll pay $62! I'll need to know you want to take this offer a week before this trip.

Bring along:  Your favorite beverage(s) for the weekend, movies, games and of course your ski equipment  and/or snowshoes (rentals are available at the ski areas).  For Friday and Saturday evenings, bring along some snacks to share (or get something at the local grocery store). 

Price and Reservations: The price of $188 per person includes 2 nights lodging with full country breakfast each morning, dinner Saturday night and full access to the amenities at Frog Meadow from Friday arrival through Sunday departure.

This package price is based on double occupancy (two people per queen or king-size bed); note that a single occupancy option is available for $299 for those who snore or would prefer not to share a bed/room.

Please make your reservation directly with Frog Meadow (802.365.7242). This will allow you to the room you prefer and to use a credit/debit card for payment. 50% of the $188 will be due at the time of reservation; the balance is due a week prior to the event. In the event of cancellations, Frog Meadow will keep a waiting list.

Since Frog Meadow has blocked out the weekend just for us, be sure to identify yourself as a GO member and that you are booking for the GO Weekend.

ONLY SIGN UP IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS WEEKEND. The weekend has been blocked out for GO members this weekend and I will contact you to confirm you've booked a room with Frog Meadow after a week. When you sign up on the website, please let us know under comments if you want to downhill ski, cross-country ski or snowshoe.