Greetings from Burke, VT

December 2022

Happy Holidays!

Burke is open for Winter Business and holiday shopping! The snow guns have been blasting on the mountain and the lifts are spinning! We're waiting on a little more natural white stuff, but Fat Bike and Nordic trails should be ready for bikes and snowshoes soon. Snowmobile trails open mid-month (weather permitting) and soon enough, the lakes will be frozen and ready for winter anglers.

Winter Adventures Await!

Things to do

There's lots going on this month to ring in the holidays and the winter season. On Sunday, December 11th, Santa will make his Annual visit to West Burke and later on, there will be a Tree Lighting & Holiday Party in East Burke.

Events happening this month include:

December 2nd - Lyndon Institute Centennial Celebration Auction & Social

December 2nd - 9th - SOLO Wilderness First Responder Course

December 3rd - Open House at Sweetwater Studios

December 3rd & 4th (and 17th & 18th) -

The North Pole Express

December 8th- Soweto Gospel Choir

December 10th - Winter Bazaar

December 17th - Tending the Coals Retreat

December 31st - First Night North

December 31st - New Year's Eve Party at The Tamarack Grill

Ongoing events...

Monday Night Trivia at The Orange Rind

Live Music at the Bear Den

St J Winter Farmers' Market

MORE EVENTS...

Deal of the Month

A great place to find amazing deals and give back to the community is H.O.P.E. in Lyndonville. The initials stand for Helping Other People Everyday.

H.O.P.E. is a non-profit organization working with other local groups to provide basic needs to local families and community members. They do so in many ways including a Backpack Program that provides food to local kids in need. They also offer a Summer Produce program, run a diaper bank and provide assistance and basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness in the area. The Christmas Program Wishlist collects donations and works with local schools to provide gifts for kids in need.

One of the main ways they raise money for these programs is via sales at the H.O.P.E. thrift shop. You'll find great deals on all sorts of items including:

Household Decor

Kitchen Goods

Jewelry

Clothing

Shoes

Winter Coats

Books

Toys

Musical Instruments

Furniture

And More!

Be sure to check their facebook page for info about weekly deals and special events.

CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can help and/or donate to H.O.P.E.

Unpack & Unwind

Whether you're enjoying a getaway for two or you're here on a family vacation, lodging choices abound in and around Burke.

The Wildflower Inn offers a scenic, hillside location with Nordic and Fat Biking trails out the door. The Inn has 25 rooms including 2 and 3 bedroom suites. If you plan to stay a while, ask about weekly, monthly or winter season rates. This month, the Inn is having a Scavenger Hunt to help you explore and maybe win a prize!

Be the first one on the slopes when you stay at Burke Property Rentals, located on the Mountain Road. Newly renovated rentals sleep from 7-14 people and include amenities such as spacious kitchens, laundry rooms, WiFi and storage for skis, bikes and other winter gear.

Feel like a Vermonter at a three bedroom farmhouse tucked away on a quiet road. Caledonia Cottage is just a quick drive to Burke Mountain, Kingdom Trails and VAST trails. There's plenty of room for a snowmobile trailer and the barn offers storage for winter gear plus a workbench for bike repairs or ski tuning. There's even a ping pong table!

MORE LODGING...

Gift Ideas from Burke

For great and unique gift ideas, think Burke! The NEK Country Store is loaded with locally made products including knitted items, photography, wooden crafts, specialty foods and more.

Down the road, the walls and shelves of Cafe Lotti are adorned with artwork, pottery, hand-made soaps, chocolate truffles and more one-of-a-kind gifts.

For the skiers and bikers on your list, check out East Burke Sports and Village Sport Shop for winter gear including top name skis, fat bikes and more. Of course, no true Vermonter, or fan of Vermont, doesn't have at least one Skida hat.

For amazing gifts and an amazing experience, head to Sanderson's Wooden Bowls where Sam and Weeza make beautiful, hand-turned wooden bowls. They also raise a very friendly crew of goats who are happy to meet visitors.

Of course, the gift of an experience is always a great idea. Gift certificates for lodging, dining, trail passes, lift tickets and other attractions are a great way to share the area with friends and family.

MORE SHOPPING...