Lake Morey Skate Trail — No Vermont winter bucket list is complete without a trip to Lake Morey Skate Trail in Fairlee — North America's longest natural ice-skating route. The 4.3-mile loop winds around the entire lake and requires the rare alignment of weather variables, from temps to water currents, to open for public skating. The fleeting season is generally about a month long, starting around mid-January. When ice conditions are good, you'd better be ready.
But the experience is worth the wait. The path boasts a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, making it feel more picture-perfect postcard than packed ice rink. Another great thing about Lake Morey Skate Trail? It's free. While management of the trail switched from Lake Morey Resort to the Town of Fairlee this year, resort guests can borrow skates at no extra charge, and day visitors can rent from the resort's clubhouse for $25.
We recommend dressing warmly in your thickest wool socks and bringing a camera to capture the spectacular scenery — for as long as your frozen fingers can hold out, anyway.
Other Finalists
- Arthur Park
- C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena
- Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena at Leddy Park
- Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink