Vermont, Staking Claim for ‘World’s Best Foliage’ Provides Weekly Foliage Reports

After years of watching other states attempt to position themselves as autumn destinations, Vermont has thrown down the gauntlet and declared itself the home of the World’s Best Foliage.

“No one does foliage better than Vermont,” declared Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. “Three-quarters of our state is forested, and we have the highest percentage of maple trees in the country. With our flaming reds, blazing oranges and glowing yellows, we have the most vibrant fall colors in the world.”

In previous years, states as far away as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona have claimed their fall season was as pretty as Vermont’s. “Clearly, we’re the bar,” said Megan Smith, Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. “Our fall advertising campaign will articulate the myriad reasons we have the World’s Best Foliage. Our hope is that people will be inspired to come see it for themselves.”

Smith added that Vermont’s fall campaign isn’t just about bragging rights. Visitors spend $460 million during the foliage season, which represents about a quarter of overall visitor spending each year. Nearly 3.5 million people travel to Vermont in the fall to experience its unique working landscape of bucolic villages, pastoral meadows, and forested hillsides.

To help visitors plan their trip during “peak” season, the state’s official tourism website, www.VermontVacation.com, will offer weekly foliage reports, Best Bets for driving tours, and a foliage tracker. The website will rely on information from the state’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and its commissioner, Michael Snyder. Snyder is a well-regarded forester, and with over 30 years of professional experience, has earned the title of Vermont’s official Foliage Forecaster.

“Predicting fall’s color changes is part science and part luck,” admitted Snyder. “We know the science of color change and the factors that influence it, but we don’t know exactly how it will unfold in any given year. The good news is, our foliage is like a day on the slopes—when it’s good, it’s great. And even when it’s a bit off, it’s still really good.”  Snyder says Vermont’s abundant spring rain and summer sunshine have created the right conditions for a spectacular fall in 2015.

To see the top reasons why Vermont has the World’s Best Foliage, go to www.VermontVacation.com/worldsbestfoliage.

 

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Topnotch Partners with Outfitters to Offer Excursions to Immerse in Stowe, Vermont’s Fall Foliage

With the highest percentage of maple trees in New England, Vermont’s reputation as the most vibrant destination for fall foliage is undisputed.  At Topnotch Resort in Stowe, travelers are encouraged to do more than peep at leaves from the car window and has a new program of activities for guests to explore the resort’s natural surroundings, in and among the colorful maple trees.

The new Topnotch Experience Center has been designed to create customized and memorable guest experiences. For the nature-loving, active travelers, the resort offers an array of new activities like Pilates sessions under a canopy of trees in the forest, introductory climbing and bouldering, guided river walks for kids and wake-up foliage hikes. For foodies, visits to local selection of Vermont’s many blossoming Micro Breweries, Creameries and Organic Farms are offered as well as on-site Mixology classes to whet guest appetites.

“The new programming utilizes every one of the 120 acres and acclaimed facilities that have long been the essence of the Topnotch experience, from the base of Mt. Mansfield to the equestrian center and the five-mile Rec trail around Stowe,” says Bob Sassani, general manager of Topnotch Resort. “With vantage points to see foliage right from the windows and outdoor space of our restaurants and from inside the guest rooms, our guests also have the opportunity to not just look, but to get out there and do.”

In addition to a roster of complimentary activities for kids and grown-ups – like hair braiding in the salon, guided nature walks and more – Topnotch offers activities through partnerships with local tour operators and outfitters including:

• Sunrise Mountain Guides offers morning three to six mile runs or hikes, half day hike options and introductions to climbing and bouldering. Prices range from $25 to $150, per person.
• Daily guided mountain bike tour through the forests of the Green Mountains led by Mansfield Cycle Bike Tours, priced at $180.00, per couple.
• New fitness classes like stand up paddleboard classes in the resort’s indoor pool to tone and learn the basics ($20 per class); and “Into the Woods” hike and Saturday mornings Pilates sessions.
• Topnotch Beer Tastings are held every Tuesday evening starting at 6pm at The Roost in the resort, priced at $10 per person.
• Five-hour Topnotch Guided Brewery tours to The Crop Brewery, The Rock Art Brewery, The Lost Nation and the von Trapp Brewery, led by Greg Doremus of Vermont Guided Tours, priced at $125 per person.

Leading the charge on program development, Topnotch has enlisted the expertise of Jesse George, the resort’s new “Experience Manager” to research, create and implement activities suited for a wide variety of personalities and ages as well as build partnerships with local vendors.  “The new Experience Center pulls in Topnotch elements and amenities across spa, fitness, and dining, as well as valued partners like Sunrise Mountain Guides, Mansfield Cycle, Vermont Guided Tours and Paddle North to create bespoke vacations for each and every guest,” explains George.

Set within 120 acres of woodland at the foot of Mount Mansfield in the village of Stowe, Vermont, Topnotch Resort blends the gracious charm of a ski lodge with the luxurious amenities of world-class resort. A recent $15M renovation encompassed all 68 guest rooms, 9,000 square feet of meeting space and added a new concept restaurant, The Roost, to complement the locally sourced, full-service restaurant Flannel.   Additional accommodations can be found in a variety of Resort Homes. Amenities at the luxury boutique resort include the 35,000 square foot Topnotch Spa; the Tennis Center with four indoor and six outdoor courts; a state-of-the-art Fitness Center; and water features such as an indoor pool, a whirlpool/Jacuzzi, and two outdoor pools with mountain-views – one of which is heated year-round. Among the outdoor pursuits is cross-country and downhill skiing, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.  One of members of the MetWest Terra Hospitality collection of boutique hotels, Topnotch Resort is a AAA Four-Diamond property and a Preferred Boutique Resort. www.topnotchresort.com

For more information on Topnotch Resort and the new “Activities & Experience Center,” visit www.topnotchresort.com or call 1-800-451-8686.

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Vermont Fall Foliage Lodging Packages Give You Time to Immerse in Changing Colors, Outdoor Activities

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The ideal Vermont foliage experience involves total immersion. Take time to meander back roads and find the perfect resort or historic inn; grab a warm blanket and stay a while.

Lodging packages offer up all the state’s finest amenities, many paired with foliage season activities to get up close and appreciate the changing colors. Choose from canoe trips, mountainside yoga, biking, golf, ziplining, food festivals or spa retreats; plus there’s more than 50 midweek packages at VermontVacation.com:

Best Western Canoe & Stay, Mendon
www.visitvt.com/CWT/External/WCPages/WCCoupons/CouponDisplay.aspx?CouponID=60

Killington Resort’s Fall Foliage & Gondola Package, Killington
www.killington.com/summer/plan_your_trip/packages_and_specials/featured_packages/index.html/206041760

Latchis Hotel & Theatre: Hollywood, Dine, and Recline, Brattleboro
www.visitvt.com/CWT/External/WCPages/WCCoupons/CouponDisplay.aspx?CouponID=62

Mountain Top Inn & Resort Autumn Midweek 50% Off, Chittenden
www.mountaintopinn.com/seasonal_specials.html

Okemo Foliage Package Includes Third Night Free, Ludlow
www.okemo.com/okemosummer/resort/accommodations/packages/fallfoliage.asp

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa’s Best of Package, Stowe www.visitvt.com/CWT/External/WCPages/WCCoupons/CouponDisplay.aspx?CouponID=73

Smugglers’ Notch Resort Canoe, Zip Line or Food & Wine Packages, Jeffersonville
www.smuggs.com/pages/fall/packages.php

Sugarbush Bed & Breakfast Foliage Package, Warren
www.sugarbush.com/vermont-resort-dining-lodging/ski-stay-packages

Stratton Mountain Savor the Seasons Foliage Package, Stratton
www.stratton.com/deals/hot-deals/savortheseasons_2011.htm

Trapp Family Lodge History Package or Three Day Yoga Retreats, Stowe
www.trappfamily.com/accommodations/specials-packages

Wildflower Inn Northern Woods Pedal and Paddle Package, Lyndonville
www.visitvt.com/CWT/External/WCPages/WCCoupons/CouponDisplay.aspx?CouponID=65

Visitors can complete their calendars with more Vermont Fall Foliage Events or review comprehensive Fall Foliage information at VermontVacation.com.

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