Our area offers endless adventure with plenty of things to do in Vermont! Both onsite and nearby you can enjoy several year round activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, disc golfing, kayaking, horseback riding, and more. Within a short drive of our Vermont cabin resort you can discover unique museums, art galleries and shops, or savor some local libations at wonderful wineries, breweries and distilleries. And even though your Vermont cabin rentals include a fully stocked kitchen, we suggest you explore the local food scene at some of the great restaurants nearby.
Book Direct for Best Rates!
Area Experiences
Create the perfect getaway with the best activities and attractions the Green Mountains have to offer.
Our Favorite Things to Do
Several of the Vermont activities listed below can be enjoyed right here on, or adjacent to, our 350-acre property. Take a look at the Sterling Ridge trail map and peruse our property amenities to plan ahead for your stay at our Green Mountain destination resort.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Hit the slopes with ease by exploring these nearby ski resorts and rental shops:
Area Mountains
- Smugglers’ Notch Ski Area – 10 min drive
- Stowe Mountain Resort – 50 min drive
- Jay Peak – 50 min drive
Rentals
- Triple Diamond Ski Shop – 10 min drive
- No School Snowboard Shop – 10 min drive
Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing & More
Explore the property right here at Sterling Ridge Resort or adventure out to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. Complimentary snowshoes are available for Sterling Ridge Resort guests to use on resort property.
Cross-Country Skiing in the Area:
- Trapp Family Lodge XC, Stowe
- Hazens Notch XC, Montgomery
- Smugglers Notch XC, Jeffersonville
- Edson Hill, Stowe
- Wiessner Woods, Stowe
- Stowe Rec. Path, Stowe
- Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Jeffersonville Trailhead
- Cricket Hill Trails, Hyde Park
Ice Skating:
- Cambridge Community Center (outside)
- Stowe Arena
- Essex Skating Facility
- The Lodge at Spruce Peak
Snowmobiling
Have your own snowmobile? Sterling Ridge Resort has access to the VAST trails and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Swimming & Boating
Explore our large pond in one of our complimentary kayaks, canoes or paddle boats. You’re also welcome to bring your own kayak or canoe for self-guided tours on the Lamoille River, or on our pond.
Swimming Holes
Take a walk on our natural road, through a covered bridge out to Brewster River Park. While there, enjoy a refreshing dip in one of many swimming holes along the way.
Swimming Pool
Take a refreshing dip in our on-site heated outdoor swimming pool, available on a seasonal basis.
Boats
Vermont Canoe & Kayak
In the summer months, take a lazy paddle down the Lamoille with a self-guided tour or guided tour such as “Water & Wine” – the only winery tour available!
Hiking & Biking
The Green Mountains of Vermont are known for hiking and the famous Long Trail. Short drive for hikes on Long Trail such as Prospect Rock (Johnson), Sterling Pond (Smugglers’ Notch State Park) and Laraway (Waterville). These hikes can be challenging so be sure to wear appropriate footwear, bring snacks and water, and wear layers.
Three miles of private trails at Sterling Ridge Resort which connect to the Windridge Community Trails. There is also the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail that winds along the Lamoille River. Both are perfect places for a family walk or a doggie stroll. Maps are available.
Sterling Ridge has private trails that are great for mountain biking. Our trails even connect to the Windridge Community trails that tie into the local mountain bike trails (Midlands Trail) or check out the local Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
- Download our Sterling Ridge Hiking Map
- Guide to local hiking trails available at the office
- Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
- Stowe Recreation Path
- Auto Toll Road
- Long Trail
- Brewster River Park
- Rental bikes available at Bootleggers Bikes
- Mountain Biking – Check out the Vermont Mountain Bike Association’s website for more info.
Golfing
Enjoy a round of golf at nearby courses, each offering unique challenges and beautiful landscapes.
- Bakersfield Country Club – 20 min drive
- Copley Country Club – 25 min drive
- Stowe Country Club – 30 min drive
- Ryder Brook Golf Course – 30 min drive
Tours & Adventure
Explore Vermont in one of these unique ways!
- Lamoille Valley Electric Bike Tours
Enjoy half-day, full-day, and curated rides! - Seg Rides of Vermont Segway Tours
Tour Smuggler’s Notch or plan a group outing. - Sterling Mountain Farm
Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage ride, walking tour, or maple syrup tasting. - Stowe Rocks Climbing Center
Challenge yourself on this indoor rock wall. - Gondola SkyRide
Take the easy way up to spectacular views! - MotoVermont Motorbike Adventure Outfitters
Train or tour the trails on an off-road adventure. - ArborTrek Canopy Adventures
Traverse the treetops on ziplines & obstacle courses. - Golden Dog Farm
Taste, Tour & Play with the cutest Golden Retrievers! - Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball – 55 min drive
Take in a game from our local Minor League team! - Covered Bridge Tour
Drive or bike your way through these scenic thruways. - Eden Dog Sledding
A great adventure in the pristine wilderness on groomed trails!
Shopping
Shopping Areas
Explore a variety of shopping destinations near Sterling Ridge Resort, from charming local boutiques to vibrant downtown areas:
- Church Street in Burlington, VT
50 minute drive - Stowe, VT (Downtown Shops)
30 minutes (summer), 50 minutes (winter) - Live N Comfort Gift Shop
5 minute drive - Vermont Maple Outlet
10 minute drive
Markets & Grocery
For some essentials, gifts and snacks, our Ridge Store may have what you need. For stocking your cabin kitchen, there are a few great places that will have everything you need.
- Hanley’s General Store – 5 min drive
- The Farm Store – 5 min drive
- Cambridge Village Market – 10 min drive
- Johnson’s Sterling Market – 10 min drive
Farmers Markets
Offering a variety of farm, fresh products, locally made artisan products, food vendors and live music! Shop directly from the farmer and get a bounty of fresh, locally grown produce and handmade crafts.
- Jeffersonville Vermont Farmers & Artisan Market
Wednesday: 4:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Oct) - Fairfax Farmers Market
Thursdays 4:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Oct) - Jericho Mills Riverside Farmers Market
Thursdays 3:00 – 6:30 (May – Oct) - Five Corners Farmers Market (Essex Junction)
Friday 3:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Sept) - Burlington Farmers Market
Saturdays 8:30 – 2:00 (May – Oct) - Morrisville Farmers’ Market
Saturday 9:00 – 1:00 (May – Oct) - Northwest Farmers’ Market (St. Albans)
Saturday 9:00 – 2:00 (May – Oct) - Stowe Farmers Market
Sundays 10:30 – 3:00
For more farmers markets checkout www.nofavt.org.
Seasonal Farms & Festivities
Maple Syrup Experiences
If one tradition defines spring in Vermont, it’s maple season — when sugar maples are tapped, sap runs strong, and sugarhouses fill with steam and fire.
At Sterling Ridge, maple isn’t just something we talk about; it’s part of who we are. Owners Barb and George operate Rock Maple Mountain, a large certified organic family-run maple syrup operation. The sap comes directly from the surrounding trees, so guests aren’t just near maple production — they’re staying in the middle of it. You can walk the forest and see our taps and pipelines. During maple season, guests can also enjoy a taste of our syrup at check-in and have the opportunity to experience authentic Vermont sugaring up close through sugarhouse tours and special events.
- Maple Open House Weekend: Each March, sugarhouses across Vermont open their doors for Maple Open House Weekend. Guests of Sterling Ridge are invited to visit the Salg family sugarhouse in Enosburg Falls for a behind-the-scenes look at how Rock Maple Mountain syrup is made. You’ll also receive a Maple Map at check-in to explore other local sugarhouses throughout the weekend.
- Vermont Maple Festival: Celebrate the season at the three-day Vermont Maple Festival in nearby St. Albans, featuring tastings, cooking demonstrations, crafts, live music, pancake breakfasts, and plenty of maple-inspired treats. Sterling Ridge is the perfect home base — close to the festivities, yet tucked away in the mountains where you can return to your private cabin, relax fireside, and savor the quieter side of Vermont spring.
Farmers Markets
Offering a variety of farm, fresh products, locally made artisan products, food vendors and live music! Shop directly from the farmer and get a bounty of fresh, locally grown produce and handmade crafts.
- Jeffersonville Vermont Farmers & Artisan Market
Wednesday: 4:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Oct) - Fairfax Farmers Market
Thursdays 4:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Oct) - Jericho Mills Riverside Farmers Market
Thursdays 3:00 – 6:30 (May – Oct) - Five Corners Farmers Market (Essex Junction)
Friday 3:30 – 7:30 (Jun – Sept) - Burlington Farmers Market
Saturdays 8:30 – 2:00 (May – Oct) - Morrisville Farmers’ Market
Saturday 9:00 – 1:00 (May – Oct) - Northwest Farmers’ Market (St. Albans)
Saturday 9:00 – 2:00 (May – Oct) - Stowe Farmers Market
Sundays 10:30 – 3:00
For more farmers markets check out www.nofavt.org.
Fall Foliage & Farms
Vermont is bursting with color—crimson, ginger, gold—over hills and mountains. You can view Vermont’s fall foliage in many different ways. Fall in Vermont also brings us apples, pumpkins, and other locally grown produce!
- Valley Dream Farm – Cambridge, VT
Pumpkins, flowers and more - Stony Grove – Jeffersonville, VT
Apple, blueberry, and lavender picking - Chamberlin’s Farm & Market – Underhill, VT
Pumpkins - Chapin Orchard – Essex Jct
Apples, pumpkins and more - Adams Apple Orchard & Farm Market – Williston, VT
Apples, pumpkins and more - Allenholm Farm – So. Hero, VT
Apples, pumpkins and more - Hackett’s Orchards – So. Hero, VT
Apples, bakery, cider mill - Shelburne Orchards – Shelburne, VT
Apples and more - Burtt’s Apple Orchards – Cabot, VT
Apples, pumpkins, and cherries
Corn Mazes
- Percy Farm Corn Maze, Stowe, VT
- Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze, Colchester, VT
- Vermont Corn Maze, Danville, VT
“Depending on when you time your trip, the colors will be either descending toward the greener valley or brightening the lowlands as the summits turn the dun shades of late autumn.”
Yankee Magazine
Fishing
Discover a range of fishing opportunities with local experts and guides who offer everything from fly fishing to guided trips in the area. Or bring your own gear to spend a lazy afternoon enjoying catch-and-release fishing in one of our on-site ponds.
- Green Mountain Troutfitters – Learn from the guys who specialize in fly fishing and pretty much anything that involves fishing!
- Bass Fishing Vermont – Guided fishing trips around Vermont.
Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
Vermont is known for producing some of the best libations! Be sure to sample a few from local markets or at local restaurants, or visit some of the area’s breweries, wineries and distilleries for a more immersive experience.
- Red Leaf Gluten-free Brewery
- Lot 6 Brewing
- Smugglers’ Notch Distillery
- Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits
- Brewster River Pub & Brewery
- Ten Bends Beer
- Lost Nation Brewery & Tap Room
- Rock Art Brewery
- The Alchemist Brewery
- 14th Star Brewery & Taproom
- Magic Hat Brewery
- Hill Farmstead Brewery
If you can’t find the time to tour and taste, we’ve got you covered! We proudly offer a Wine Basket & Beer Basket, filled with local libations and complementary snacks.
Spa at Sterling Ridge Resort
Located right on the grounds of Sterling Ridge Resort, The Spa at Sterling Ridge offers a convenient escape into wellness. Our expert therapists provide a range of personalized massages and Ayurvedic treatments, all designed to restore harmony to your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re seeking stress relief or a holistic healing experience, our spa is a sanctuary just steps away from your accommodations. Indulge in the ultimate relaxation without leaving the tranquil beauty of our Vermont resort, and let your worries melt away.