VERMONT:An Appreciation of the

Seasons

What Is It that Makes Vermont The 3rd Best Place

to Live?

Why is Vermont so appealing?

• Lifestyle stats place Vermont 3rd for the best place to live in the U.S.

• Vermonter’s place 5th for the most physical exercise per person

• Local companies, farms and factory tours

• The beautiful state parks and lakes

Sources: U.S. Census BureauVT Travel and Tourism Industry Report by UVM

The effects of Tourism on Vermont’s Economy

The numbers of tourists visiting Vermont are not evenly distributed throughout the year, and neither are their expenditures. While there are more tourist trips made in the Summer season, Winter visitors tend to spend more money for each trip, or winter trips tend to be more costly.

Source: 1997 Vermont Visitor Survey

Visiting Trips per Season (1997)

FallWinterSpringSummer

Spring“Signs” of Spring:

• New growth• The return of migratory of birds (especially the

Robin) • Animal babies• Tree's budding and flowers blooming• Sugaring Spring Activities:

• White water rafting and kayaking• Fishing Season begins• Four wheeling • Gardening

Spring Sugaring and Syrup Production:

• Vermont is # 1 producer of maple syrup • An estimated 2000 producers produce an average of 400,000 – 500,000 gallons each year = 230 gallons per producer• 18,400,000 gallons of sap handled each year• 40 gallons of sap are needed to produce 1 gal. of syrup• Total production value in 2009 = $13,340,000• In 2009 the average derived sale price per gallon = $29.00 http://www.downstreetmagazine.com/archives/V1N6/working/working.htm

Summer in Vermont:

Swimming holes, ice cream parlors, outdoor concerts, mountain hikes and the long days and warm nights of summertime are a perfect frame to Vermont's relaxed pace of life. 

Summer Activities:Golf, hiking, biking, swimming at one of the many local swimming holes, float and relax along the rivers on a tube, boating, canoeing, kayaking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, or attending a summer festival are all affordable options for an exciting day trip or extended adventure. Back road expeditions and camping are also popular ways to explore the roads less traveled.

http://www.vermontvactions.com

AutumnVermont is a popular tourist destination in late September to early October. Conditions such as the shortening days, the chilly nights, and soil conditions are signs that Winter is on the way. When trees prepare for the frosts and

snow, leaves begin dying off, and their chlorophyll (green pigmentation) begins

breaking down, exposing the beautiful range of colors from pale greens, yellows, bright orange and deep reds. Colors begin emerging in the

north, progressing south into the valleys.

Autumn Activities:

Even as the weather cools, Fall is an especially beautiful time of year to attend craft fairs, farmer’s markets, or enjoy a ride on the Green Mountain Railway. Some regions offer bycycle tours..or try your luck at a corn maze. Apple orchards are also a great place to take a hay ride, pick apples or just take in the crisp autumn air. There are regional festivals and cook-offs like the apple pie festival, or try a brew fest to sample some of the VT microbreweries.

Local farms are a great place to pick out the Halloween pumpkin…right off of the vine!

Winter

Vermont offers some of the most picturesque villages for winter and the holiday seasons. Golden shop lights pierce through the snowy nights. Horse-drawn sleighs glide through the wooded logging trails. Ski areas and shops open their doors in anticipation for the many visitors. Is it any coincidence that the classic images of winter are pure Vermont?

Winter Activities:

http://www.uvm.edu/~snrvtdc/publications/tourism_impact.pdf

The mountains of deep snow are the perfect backdrop for classic winter activities like sleigh rides, snowman and igloo building, ice pond skating, skiing, snowboarding and sitting by the fire, local food and drink, arts, crafts, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, ice climbing, and sledding you can handle.

Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) have a trail system, enabling snowmobilers to travel from one end of the state to the other. Snowmobile tours are offered several places throughout the state.

Year round attractions or activities:• Visit VT flea market, craft fair, gallery, museum or antique shop• Go horseback riding• Visit a state park, or hike the Green Mountain National Forest• Fishing (or ice fishing)• Visit a local artist’s studio, theater, playhouse, orchard, or farm stand• Unwind at a Vermont spa• Learn about VT birds and wildlife and places to watch them• Go to a car show, horse show, or other annual events throughout the state• Take a factory tour of a VT company like Ben and Jerry’s • Take a scenic ride on the Green Mountain Railway, or by plane

http://www.voga.org/

More Year Round Activities…

There are an endless number of affordable things to do in Vermont. For more ideas visit http://www.vermontvacation.com.

• Stay at a Vermont Inn or B & B• Explore one of the many quarries or mines• Take a scenic ride – by bike, car, or horse • Find covered bridges• Tour a VT brewery or winery • Sample fresh cheese or milk at a local dairy farm• Search for a legendary monster/serpent in Lake Champlain• Camping privately or at a state facility• Enjoy the 360 degree scenery from a gondola ride