Winter Offerings

Hello friends of the Featherbed,

It's nearing the end of stick season, that quiet time of year that rests between the grandeur of fall foliage and the magic of winter. It's the time when Vermont innkeepers turn off their alarm clocks, get some rest, get stuff done, and enjoy the sometimes bewildering lack of structure that allows us to reconnect with friends and family. And take a vacation!

After almost six months of being at it for seven days a week, we went on an honest-to-god vacation in Portugal, spending most of our time on the stunning island of Madeira. (If you're thinking of going there any time soon, let us know. We'd love to help you plan a trip to this very special place.) We got home just a few days ago, feeling gloriously restored and rejuvenated (the feeling we hope you have after a stay the Featherbed Inn).

As stick season moves us away from autumn, winter is very much in the air. Several inches of snow already covers the ground, with more on the way, giving us a delicious taste of what's ahead. Sugarbush opens today (yay!), and Mad River Glen follows suit on Saturday (yay!). People around here are itching to play in the snow. We certainly are. Are you?

So here are a few announcements to get your winter juices flowing:

• Ski and Stay! If you've been wanting to ski at Sugarbush but don't have an Ikon pass (and you're sticker-shocked by the cost of a day pass), we've got a sweet offer for you. We're offering heavily discounted tickets that can be used any day — weekends, holidays, whenever you'd like. Call us if this interests you, and we'll get you set up.

• Christmas dinner! Still trying to figure out how to spend Christmas week, and worried that you might starve to death if you come to Vermont and find all the restaurants closed on Christmas day? How about a Featherbed Christmas/Hanukah feast? We don't yet have a menu planned, but it might (or might not) include Karen's not-exactly-traditional-but-exquisitely-delicious Christmas brisket. And lots of other delights. Let us know if you'd like to celebrate with us.

• Sauna and cold plunge! Mick has been working day and night to get the finishing touches in place, and our gorgeous sauna will be up and running by ski season. With a cold plunge nestled between the sauna and the hot tub. Sweet.

Those are the major headlines. For details, you'll have to come stay with us so we can sit around the fire (or in the sauna or in the hot tub) catching up with you.

Think snow!

Karen and Mick