Lodging, Cross-Country Skiing, and

Snowshoeing at Wildflower Inn

2059 Darling Hill Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851

The Wildflower Inn (800-627-8310, 802-626-8310, www.wildflowerinn.com) has groomed trails for xc skiing and snowshoeing with rolling hills, pristine lakes and spectacular views that network into 50 miles of the Kingdom Trails in the area (www.kingdomtrails.org). Part of this trail network traverses the inn's 570 acres nestled in the hills of the Northeast Kingdom, one of Vermont's most beautiful regions that is mostly undiscovered.

The Wildflower Inn has been named New England's Best Family Resort by both Yankee Magazine and Boston Magazine's New England Travel and Life. The inn has a balanced mix of vacation experiences including great kids' activities, private time for parents to be a couple, and unstructuted time for family fun and togetherness. For the kids there are play areas, a petting barn, and a specialized kids' meal menu.

Kingdom Trails is a nonprofit conservation organization working in partnership with private landowners, local businesses, and government agencies to manage outdoor recreational opportunities and preserve land.

The inn has snowshoe rental equipment to use available at the Main Farm House at $20 for a full day and $10 for half day. Kids' snowshoes are $10 for the full day and $5 for halfday. XC ski equipment rentals and instruction are available at East Burke Sports (802-626-3215, www.eastburkesports.com).

The Inn has a variety of accommodations with panoramic views, charming suites, and full country breakfast including classic rooms starting at $119 1, 2, or 3 room suites; and the School House Cottage. The Inn also offers the on site Juniper's restaurant for dinner.

The Stepping Stone Spa & Wellness Center is an off site health facility where guests can enjoy massages, body wraps, salt glows, personal training, sauna therapy, cafe meals, and more. The "Pampered in the Kingdom Package" (12/8-3/31) offers 2 nights, full breakfasts, choice of spa treatment, spa basket, sauna therapy, champagne, a dinner at Juniper's, and chocolate covered strawberries for $369 pp/double occ.

Nearby there are attractions such as the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium and the Cabot Creamery. Burke Mountain Resort, which has 60 km of trails for xc skiing and slopes for alpine skiing, is only 5 minutes away. Jay Peak, which is legendary for powder and glade skiing is 50 minutes away.

There are packages for a Family Vacation or a Romantic Escape. The "Feel the Fir Package" includes a tractor pulled hay ride on a Christmas Tree farm, fresh cut tree or wreath, evergreen tree identification kit, and trail maps for 3 days and 2 nights with full breakfast and afternoon refreshments.

Directions: 4 miles from I-91 Exit 23 north through Lyndonville, VT on US Route 5. On Route 114 for half mile, left turn following the second bridge you cross onto Darling Hill Road and 2 miles further on left.