Stowe, and the nearby Burlington, has a cool outdoorsy, hippie vibe. While I’m not much of a skier, I do love sitting by fires reading books, so I was very happy.

We stayed at a former motel turned hipster hotel. White, black, neutral decor. Small bedrooms, large common areas. A beer tap in the lobby. We could have stayed there all week.

Here are some tips from our last trip to Stowe. And here’s a story about our trek to visit Steve’s ancestors in Vermont. Tips from this trip:

• Lunch on the drive up – Bolton Landing Brewing Company
• Talta Lodge – hipster hotel
• Cross country skiing at Trapp Lodge
• Decent meals in Stowe – Piecasso and Idletyme. Breakfast by a huge fire at The Round Hearth.
• Excellent meal in Burlington at the Farmhouse Tap and Grill.
• Good shopping in Burlington at Church Street.

Pictures from the trip. (Click on one to start a slide show.)