Winhall, Vermont: What's Near the Mountain That Most Visitors Miss

Winhall is the town that contains most of the rental properties within 10-15 minutes of Stratton Mountain. The area immediately around it has more to offer than most visitors realize.

The Winhall Country Store in Bondville

The village of Bondville sits at the base of the Stratton Mountain access road. The Winhall Country Store is the closest thing to a proper local store -- coffee in the morning, sandwiches, beer and wine, a small selection of groceries. For morning coffee before you head up the mountain or a quick beer run mid-afternoon, it's exactly what it needs to be.

Ball Mountain Lake Recreation Area

This is the area's underrated outdoor resource. Ball Mountain Lake is a flood-control reservoir managed by the Army Corps of Engineers in Jamaica, about 15 minutes from Bondville. In summer, it offers swimming, fishing, and small-boat use. Usually not crowded, even on summer weekends.

Jamaica State Park

Five minutes beyond Ball Mountain Lake, Jamaica State Park sits along a dramatic gorge of the West River. The gorge trail along the river is among the best short hikes in the area -- well-maintained, interesting terrain, and not crowded during the week.

Weston, Vermont

About 20 minutes north of Bondville. The Vermont Country Store flagship is here and it's worth a visit. Weston also has the Weston Priory, a Benedictine monastery open for public reflection. The grounds and gardens are open to visitors during daylight hours -- a genuinely quiet place.

The Difference Between Tourist Vermont and Local Vermont

The area immediately around Winhall has a quieter texture -- working farms, river roads, small general stores -- that's more representative of actual Vermont than the resort village. If you have a day with no plan, drive slowly. Stop at the country store. Find the covered bridge. Walk the gorge at Jamaica State Park.

Far Away is in the Winhall area. Check availability or see the property.