Known for it’s beautiful rural countryside that’s especially idyllic in the fall season, the Green Mountain State is such an awesome place to explore. But are you wondering if the fall season is really the best time to visit Vermont? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Hi there, I’m Sam, and I’m been exploring New England for over 15 years now, and Vermont was one of the very first destinations in this region I ever explored. I fell so in love with it, in fact, that my husband and I honeymooned there, and I’ve since lost track of how many times I’ve been back since (spoiler alert, it’s a lot 😂). I’ve been to Vermont in all four seasons, and I’m excited to share what I personally think the best time to visit is.
Ready to find out? Let’s get started!
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So, What Is The Absolute Best Time To Visit Vermont?
It’ll probably come as no surprise, but honestly, I do think fall is the best season to visit, with winter being a very close second. There’s a reason fall foliage is famous in Vermont, and I think it’s absolutely worth the cost and the crowds to see it. Seeing mountain ranges dripping in reds and oranges, rustic barns backdropped by blazing foliage, and experiencing quaint towns lined with colorful trees is exactly what you can expect during a fall visit. There are postcard moments all over this time of the year!
Winter is also a wonderful time to visit Vermont, as the state is a big ski destination. So, if you love to hit the slopes, this is a perfect place to plan a ski vacation. However, even if you’re not a skier, Vermont is filled with tons of great places for a cold weather getaway where you can find activities like snow tubing and ice skating, and also quaint villages with cozy inns, awesome breweries and cideries to check out, and fantastic dining experiences. Plus, views of the snow-capped mountains aren’t too shabby, either 😉
While fall and winter are definitely the most crowded times to visit Vermont, I also like to point out that I personally don’t find it overwhelming. While yes, the lines at the ski lifts in the winter do require a bit of a wait on weekends, and yes, you’ll see crowds of people at the top foliage spots in October. But, there are so many wonderful things to do all over that it’s easy to escape the crowds, even in fall and winter.
However, if you want to avoid crowd and don’t mind visiting outside of these times, spring and summer would be the best time for you to plan a visit.
Month By Month Guide To Vermont
Vermont In January
January is one of the best months to plan a ski trip to Vermont, as it offers the highest amount of snowfall in the mountain regions, and snow conditions on trails are usually awesome this time of the year.
This is also one of the more expensive months to plan a ski trip, as resorts and hotels in ski areas will charge premium rates in January.
Generally, you’ll find the biggest crowds in the top ski areas like Stowe, Killington, Jay Peak, Waitsfield. Places that aren’t known for skiing like Burlington and Montpelier will be much less crowded.
Having been to both kinds of places in January – Stowe for skiing and Burlington for a city escape, I’ve found both to be very fun! Stowe is especially fun in January because of the Winter Carnival event.
Average January weather in Vermont: Highs around 30°F, and lows are 10°F, with about 17 inches of snowfall.
Vermont In February
The second best month to plan a ski trip in Vermont is February, as the snow continues to come down, so slope conditions are still pretty great.
Much of the same information applies from January – you’ll continue to find the biggest crowds and highest prices in the ski destinations this month, and it’s still a true winter wonderland time to visit for those who aren’t skiers.
A lot of restaurants and inns will also be offering up specials for Valentines Day, so this is a great destination to plan a romantic escape for the holiday.
Average February weather in Vermont: Highs around 32°F, and lows are 12°F, with about 16 inches of snowfall.
Vermont In March
March is when the winter season begins to wind down a bit, but ski season is still in full swing at the resorts. Snowfall just begins to dwindle in March, but ski conditions are usually still pretty good, especially the first part of the month. The second part of March, trail conditions may start to decline, but resorts will supplement with machine-made snow.
March also brings the beginning of sugaring season! Well, technically, it often begins at the end of February, but you’ll start to find more towns hosting their annual Maple Fests in March.
The later into March you go, the more you’ll start to see hotel prices drop in the ski towns, so this is something to consider if you’re looking to save a few bucks on your ski trip. They won’t drop dramatically, but you’ll see the prices begin to come down in mid-March.
Average March weather in Vermont: Highs around 40°F, and lows are 20°F, with about 13 inches of snowfall.
Psst! I have an entire guide on Vermont in the Winter, and Things To Do In Stowe, VT In The Winter that you may find helpful 😉
Note about winter weather in Vermont: New England has been affected by global warming, and the winter has been the most impacted season. Experts are agreeing that the new pattern in the winter is bigger fluctuations and dramatic shifts. What does this mean? Well, it could be very cold and snowy one day, and then unseasonably warm and sunny the next.
I’ve personally experienced this on my last two winter getaways to Vermont, so I wanted to let you know, too.
Vermont In April
April is very much a season of transition in Vermont, and usually, it’s the start of mud season – the aftermath of all the melting snow and warmer temperatures. It’s also possible you could experience a random light snowfall here and there, especially in the first part of the month.
In my opinion, this is the least picturesque time to visit. I always find Vermont beautiful, but it’s good to know that the scenery is generally a bit bland and muddy around this time, as the trees have yet to leaf back out for the year.
That said, some color begins to dot the landscapes, as daffodils begin to make their appearance in April. While Vermont isn’t known for its daffodils, you’ll see them pop up around the state to signify that spring is here.
April also tends to be a more affordable time to visit, with the exception being the Easter holiday happens falls in April during your visit – expect higher hotel prices for the holiday. But the rest of the month, you can often find pretty low hotels rates for the area.
While many towns host their Maple Fests in March, one of the biggest takes place in April, which is the Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans. April also brings the adorable Baby Animal Days celebrations to a few farms, including Billings Farm in Woodstock.
Average April weather in Vermont: Highs around 53°F, and lows are 30°F, with about 4 inches of snowfall, and a fair amount of rain.
Vermont In May
May is typically when Vermont really starts to feel like spring with more consistently warmer days and more sunshine. Spring flowers like tulips are in bloom, and trees have begun to leaf out, adding more color to the scenery.
May also isn’t typically all that crowded or expensive in Vermont, so it’s a nice time to visit. You can expect some rain, and the temperature is usually very comfortable in the low to mid 60’s. There may be some leftover mud from rainfall, but I find the scenery more lovely than April’s.
May is also a great month to visit the waterfalls in Vermont, as trails are usually less muddy than April, but the water flow from melting snow could still be going strong.
Many towns in Vermont also celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with special events and observances, so you’ll usually see a spike in hotel prices during that weekend.
Average May weather in Vermont: Highs around 68°F, and lows are 40°F.
Vermont In June
June can very much feel like summer in Vermont, and of all the spring months, it offers the warmest weather, most sunshine, and fewest days of rain. You’ll also find that farm stands will quickly become more stocked with local produce, and since Vermont is known for its agriculture, this is especially exciting!
June is another great month to visit popular towns like Stowe, Woodstock, and Manchester, as the ski season is, of course, over, but you’ll have great weather to get your first maple creemee and explore all the sites without many people around.
It’s also a nice month to tackle some hiking in Vermont, as the weather won’t be quite as hot and humid as July & August.
A notable event in June is the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival, which typically takes place in mid-June. You’ll also find a lot farms offering U-Pick fruits, with June being great for strawberries and cherries.
Average June weather in Vermont: Highs around 75°F, and lows are 50°F.
Psst! I have an entire guide on Spring in Vermont you may find helpful 😉
Vermont In July
July is one of the hottest months to visit Vermont, and places along Lake Champlain, the Champlain Islands, and the lakes will be pretty busy. Summer in Vermont is also typically humid, so it can feel warmer than it is.
Still, you won’t find masses of tourists visiting popular places like Stowe and Woodstock, so this is another great time to explore the top sites without too many people around.
Many towns around Vermont will host events for the July Fourth holiday, so this usually causes hotel rates to spike during that weekend.
July is another great month for farms, and farm stands are usually very well stocked with local produce by now. Flower farms begin to harvest their blooms, too, for fresh and beautiful bouquets.
Average July weather in Vermont: Highs around 80°F, and lows are 60°F.
Vermont In August
August is very similar to July in that you’ll experience hot and humid weather, and a lively scene by the lakes.
August continues to be a great month for both U-Pick fruit and also summer festivals. In fact, most summer festivals are held in August!
Some fun festivals to check out in August are:
- Taste of Woodstock
- Vermont State Fair
- Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival
- Champlain Valley Fair
- Festival of Fools (an especially unique one in Burlington!)
August is also when the Great Vermont Corn Maze officially opens for the season.
Average August weather in Vermont: Highs around 80°F, and lows are 60°F.
Vermont In September
September brings the end of the summer season, but depending on where in the state you are, it can feel very much like summer for the first two weeks in most areas, or feel more like fall if you’re further north.
You won’t find peak fall pricing in effect just yet, as the leaves won’t start to turn color until the end of the month. But fall foliage will usually peak in the Northeast Kingdom during the last week of September, so if you’re planning a fall foliage visit in September, you’ll want to plan for the last week of the month.
Apple picking and fall activities are also well underway in September, and many pumpkin patches and corn mazes begin to open for the season, too.
Average September weather in Vermont: Highs around 70°F, and lows are 45°F.
Vermont In October
October is the start of the magical foliage season is most areas around Vermont, and this is the month I recommend visiting for the best chance at catching peak foliage in popular areas! Generally, you’ll begin to see the pricing surge at hotels the first week of October, and the first two weeks of the month are generally the best time to visit for peak foliage.
That said, the further south you go, the later the foliage will peak, so if you visit the central or southern parts of the state in October, you’ll want to plan to visit the second or third week of the month.
October generally brings the true start of colder weather in most areas. In fact, the northern areas and higher elevations in Vermont will usually see their first snowfall of the season in October.
Average October weather in Vermont: Highs around 55°F, and lows are 35°F.
Here are some of my guides on visiting Vermont in the fall that you may find helpful:
- Cozy Places To Stay In Vermont In The Fall
- Vermont In The Fall: Best Places To Go & Fun Things To Do
- Best Vermont Pumpkin Patches & Farm Stands
- Fun Corn Mazes In Vermont To Check Out
Vermont In November
November is a month of transition in Vermont, and it’s often called “stick season” since the leaves have fallen off the trees by this point. Weather is unpredictable, and it can either be cold with some snow, or it can be warmer and sunny – you never quite know what you’re going to get in November!
In the northern regions, it’s much more likely you’ll have cold weather and snow, but big snowstorms or blizzards aren’t common this time of the year just yet.
November is a great month to visit if you’re looking for a cozy getaway without the crowds, and want to save a bit on your accommodations. Hotels tend to offer some really nice rates during this month since it’s not quite ski season, and fall foliage is definitely over. This is a good time of year to splurge at a nicer hotel or resort to take advantage of the lower rates!
In my trips to Vermont in November, I’ve also always found everything to be pretty quiet. I don’t see a lot of other tourists, popular sites only have a few other people visiting, and restaurant reservations are far easier to get last-minute.
The end of the month also brings the Thanksgiving holiday and the start of the holiday season, which is a fun time to visit. Some ski resorts also begin to open sometime in November, but you’re more likely to be skiing down the trails on machine-made snow. However, you could get lucky and visit after a snowfall! Again, you kind of never know in November 😉
Average November weather in Vermont: Highs around 45°F, and lows are 28°F.
Curious to know more about this region in November? I have a guides on visiting New England in November, and Thanksgiving in New England, if you’re curious to learn more about what it’s like to visit during this month.
Vermont In December
December is, of course, all about the holidays, and there are some especially awesome holiday festivals to check out throughout Vermont this time of the year.
But let’s start with what Vermont is like in December! Generally, crowds begin to pick back up after a quiet November, and ski resorts are often open by now. In popular ski and Christmas towns, you’ll also start to see hotel prices go up, and you’ll likely pay premium prices if you visit during a Christmas event weekend.
As far as weather goes, snow has been starting later and later in recent years, and it will likely depend on where you go. The further north you go, the more likely you are to have some snow, but it’s not quite guaranteed in December, especially if you go by data from the last few years.
But fear not! December is still such a magical time to visit Vermont, and lots of towns host holiday festivities. One of the best Christmas celebrations in Vermont is the Woodstock Wassail Weekend, but towns like Stowe, Manchester, and Middlebury (plus many more!) have great events to check out. And of course, you’ll see lots of decorations for the season all over.
Average December weather in Vermont: Highs around 35°F, and lows are 20°F.
Psst! I have an entire guide on visiting Vermont at Christmas if you’re looking for some festive ideas 😉
Keep in mind the averages mentioned above are averages for the entire state, so it’s good to keep in mind that the mountains and northern regions tends to be a few degrees colder than the southern regions.
Visiting Vermont In The Fall FAQ’s
Best Time To Visit Vermont For Fall Foliage
As mentioned, the best time to visit Vermont for fall foliage is the last week in September through mid-October, and it’s good to remember that foliage peaks in the northern regions first, and trickles down the state from there. Once you hit the later part of October, most regions in Vermont have usually peaked, and the trees become more bare as each day passes.
I usually recommend visiting the first or second week of October to experience foliage in the most popular destinations like Stowe and Woodstock. But, you also have to remember that foliage is at mother nature’s whim, and it can change from year to year, depending on things like rain and swings in temperature patterns. It’s not an exact science. But generally, I have pretty good luck the first two weeks of October 😉
By the end of October, foliage season is usually over in most places in Vermont.
Where To Go In Vermont For Fall Foliage
My favorite places to visit in Vermont for fall foliage are Stowe, Woodstock, Manchester, the Northeast Kingdom, Shelburne, and Quechee. All these places offer lots of fun things to do, while also putting on spectacular displays of fall color.
That said, many destinations in Vermont offer foliage color, so even a road trip through the state along Route 100 is a great idea.
Is Vermont In The Fall Expensive?
I hate to say it, but yes. Since Vermont is one of the best places in the entire country to see foliage, this is a very high tourist season, and hotels will charge accordingly. Additionally, New England in general tends to be more expensive to visit compared to other parts of the country, so that combined with premium high season rates, and it becomes hard to find good deals.
Of course, this will depend on where you stay, too, but the most popular places like Stowe and Woodstock, for example, will be quite expensive. Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Visiting Vermont In The Winter FAQs
What Is Winter In Vermont Like?
Winter in Vermont is usually what you would expect: cold and snowy.
However, as I mentioned earlier, it’s also good to know the effects global warming has had on the winter season in New England in general. In recent years, the new norm has been more dramatic fluctuations, with frigid temperatures one day, and warm and sunny days just after that. And that has also been my personal experience on my most recent Vermont winter getaways.
These new winter weather patterns can sometimes lead to snow melting quicker, and also cause flooding. However, most of winter in Vermont is still generally snowy and cold.
How Much Snow Does Vermont Get?
On average each winter season, Vermont gets about 90 inches or snow, and is often listed as the third snowiest state in the country.
Where To Go In Vermont In The Winter?
My personal favorite place in Vermont in the winter is Stowe, and not just for skiing! While I do love to ski, I don’t always want to hit the slopes on my winter getaways, and I love that Stowe offers a quaint town to explore, ice skating, great restaurants, and awesome breweries and cideries to check out. It’s also not far from Burlington and Woodstock.
But really, most places in Vermont are really fun in the winter, and enjoyed exploring Burlington, Woodstock, Manchester, Dorset, and Middlebury in the winter season.
When Is The Most Expensive Time To Visit Vermont?
The most expensive seasons to visit Vermont are fall and winter, as this is when most people visit the state for fall foliage and skiing. More specifically, October, January, February, and March tend to be the most expensive times to visit.
However, if you visit a town that’s not a big ski destination, then you could find affordable rates in the winter season. It usually just depends on where you go. But generally, that’s the jist of when to expect the highest prices at hotels and other accommodations.
When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Vermont?
Early spring tends to be the cheapest time to visit Vermont, which as mentioned, is known as mud season. Late March through April is when all the scenery around the state tends to be less idyllic as the snow begins to melt, and foliage on the trees has yet to come back. This is when you can find the best deals at hotels and accommodations around the state.
November can also be a really inexpensive time to visit. I actually love to visit Vermont in November! While the foliage has fallen off the trees, and the scenery feels a bit … brown and dull, you’ll find far fewer tourists around, and you can enjoy a lot of the top places without any crowds. November makes for a very relaxing getaway in Vermont.
Best Time To Visit Burlington, VT
Burlington is truly a great destination year-round, but summer and fall are the most popular seasons for this city. This is also when hotel prices in Burlington are the highest. Since Burlington sits along Lake Champlain, the summer season is a great time to explore this destination. And of course, the fall foliage season is very popular in October.
Best Time To Visit Stowe, VT
Stowe is most definitely a fall and winter destination, as its known for having some of the best fall foliage in the entire state, and also, one of the best ski resorts in the northeast – Stowe Mountain Resort. This is when to expect the highest prices at hotels and accommodations in Stowe.
That said, I think visiting Stowe during these seasons is absolutely worth it. Having been in the fall and winter seasons dozens of times myself, I really think there’s something extra magical about these times of the year in this quaint little town.
More Of My Vermont Travel Guides:
- Vermont Or New Hampshire In The Fall: Which Is Best?
- Best Times & Places To See Fall Foliage In Vermont
- Fun Things To Do In Waterbury, VT
- Best Things To Do In Woodstock, VT
- Best Things To Do In Stowe, VT
- Cool Things Vermont Is Known For
- Awesome Vermont Covered Bridges Road Trip Guide
- Must-See Places On A Vermont Route 100 Road Trip
More Posts You May Enjoy:
- Best Time To Visit New England
- The Perfect New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary
- Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Stowe, VT
- Ultimate Fall In New England Guide
That’s A Wrap On The Best Time To Visit Vermont
And there you have it! So, yes, I do think the best time to visit Vermont is the fall. Honestly, the foliage is such a truly spectacular thing to experience in person, especially, if you can time it just right and see it at peak color. That said, foliage isn’t the only thing that makes Vermont special, and winter is another great time to visit. However, Vermont’s cozy charm is just wonderful year-round. Happy planning!
