Northshore Magazine

ne Seasonal Pleasures Clockwise from top, dining at Topnotch Resort's The Roost; Mount Mansfield's slopes and happy snowshoers; Stowe's tranquil back roads; evening at Topnotch Resort Travel shoeing, or in-line skating. Slip off to the 35,000-square-foot spa and enjoy one of the 120 treatments and services available, like a Maple Sugar Body Scrub or Little River Stone Massage. You'll love retiring to one of the 68 handsome rooms or suites where turndown service delivers chocolates for sweet dreams! 4000 Mountain Rd., 802-253-8585, topnotchresort.com Eat destination Let It Stowe! Come December, verdant Vermont transforms into a wintertime wonder. By Stacey Marcus calling all snow bunnies and coldweather zealots. It's time to pile on the layers and head north to Stowe, Vermont, where the hills are alive with fresh snow and families on the go. For those who fancy sleigh rides, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and skiing, Stowe offers dozens of ways to enjoy the exhilaration of outdoor activities. Heralded as one of the best ski areas in the East, Stowe also boasts oodles of inviting indoor options, like watching the snow kiss the treetops from the window of a café, fine dining room, spa, or boutique. Stowe truly is the quintessential New England "winter wonderland" brimming with snow globe-worthy scenes. With winter carnivals, fireworks, dog sled tours, and skiing Mount Mansfield, it's well worth the 3 1/2 hours drive from Boston. Stay Visit Topnotch Resort and reap the benefits of its recent $15 million renovation. The new Topnotch Resort is full of upgrades, including a brand-new lobby, two new restaurants, a new bar, a meeting space, fully renovated guest rooms, a fitness center, and a tennis center. Topnotch, spectacularly set on 120 wooded acres at the foot of Mount Mansfield, has the charm of a ski lodge while offering all the amenities and service of a resort. Activities abound throughout Stowe, but you would be perfectly comfortable staying at Topnotch exclusively, where even the pooch can get a massage. Hang out by the fireplace in The Roost and enjoy nibbles and beer, or play shuffleboard. Visit the Nordic Barn and get outfitted for downhill and cross-country skiing, snow- Dining at Topnotch's Flannel is as warm and wonderful as its name implies. Most notable is the chef 's celebration of locally sourced ingredients. Fresh seafood and produce, local cheeses, and fine wines are capped with decadent desserts. 4000 Mountain Rd., 802-253-8585, topnotch.com Harrison's Restaurant & Bar Be sure to grab a table or booth and enjoy the fireplace at Harrison's in Stowe Village. Savor the robust menu and wine list. Make friends with neighboring diners and toast to good times and great food. 25 Main St., 802-253-7773, harrisonsstowe.com Laughing Moon Chocolates Enjoy a slice of chocolate heaven or bring the kids to a candy cane and chocolatemaking demonstration for sweet holiday memories. 78 South Main St., 802-2539591, laughingmoonchocolates.com See Tour the Trapp Family Lodge Visit the Austrian-style alpine lodge for a tour. Pay homage to the von Trapp family and channel your inner Julie Andrews by singing the "Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music" in the bracing mountain air. 700 Trapp Hill Rd., 802-253-8511, trappfamily.com Visit the Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge for their signature Manipura Full Body Massage, which includes an ultra-luxurious Himalayan crystal scrub. 7412 Mountain Rd., 802253-3560, stowemountainlodge.com Take someone special or the entire family for a Gentle Giants sleigh ride. Huddle under a wool blanket, listen to the horses' bells jingle, and enjoy an afternoon or evening ride in the snow-covered woods. 4000 Mountain Rd., 802-253-2216, gentlegiantsrides.com 78 nshoremag.com December 2013 KJ NBDec13 TravelStory.indd 78 10/25/13 8:51 AM

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