Husband & I looking for that perfect white Christmas!! Woodstock VT or Stowe? If thats the best then where to stay? Ski ok but great views and nice walks and sleigh rides more important..Looking for your help. B&B are great. Which would you go to?

We absolutely love Stowe and Woodstock, but the perfect Christmas would be at Nestlenook Farm in Jackson, NH. A Victorian Currier & Ives setting that could not be more charming and romantic. Check out their website and request a brochure.

Stowe Vermont's Trapp Family Lodge
It is picture perfect at christmas time. You can almost hear "The Sound of Music" as you approach it. Have been in Stowe, North Conway, and Jackson at Christmas time, all three look like the quintessential small town New England Christmas card.

My husband and I stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge and would not recommend it. In our opinion, it is way overpriced for value received. Service (what there is of it) is very stiff and hardly friendly. It seems they cash in on the "name" here. The dining room is quite austere with nothing appealing on the menu (again with very high prices). The inn is beautifully situated with wonderful views, but for those you can just go for a look-see, along with the hundreds of others trampling the grounds. We did not appreciate having to park across the road and down a hill, where all the prime spots were constantly occupied by the time share/condo folks. While in Stowe, we picked up brochures everywhere for future reference. Believe me, there are much nicer places to stay for the same price or less.

THANKS DONNA, SANDRA & TARA. YOUR INPUT

THANKS DONNA, SANDRA & TARA, YOUR INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW????

Well, it all depends on what you have in mind. Nestlenook Farm could not be more charming, but it's expensive. Woodstock is nice, but quite upscale and, in my opinion, sort of "snooty". If you own a full length mink and lots of heirloom diamonds set in platinum, and plan to arrive by limo, this is your kind of place. Otherwise, call 1-800-24STOWE and request literature. Stowe is a beautiful and charming town with accomodations of every sort in all price ranges -all of interesting, unique, architecture and very nice. The lodging brochure is comprehensive. Highly recommend the Gables Inn - beautiful rooms (some with fireplaces) - best breakfast anywhere. At more moderate prices, you can get a very large room with a kitchen and fireplace at the Snowdrift. At the Cabot outlet in Waterbury (right on the way) you'll find the most wonderful and delicious things for stocking the fridge. But, there are dozens of appealing places to stay. There's also dining of every cuisine imaginable. Our favorite is the cafe at Isle de France, especially in winter with the fire roaring. Fancier (and pricer) is the main dining room. If it's open at Christmastime, dinner at the Cliff House (perched at the top of Mount Mansfield) could not be more romantic, especially the ride down the mountain in the gondola afterward in the dark with the lights twinkling all over. Also nice are the pub at Ye Olde England Inne (British, of course), Gracie's (casual elegance, American), Swisspot (fondue for two), Whiskers (American retro), Edson Hill Manor (upscale, romantic), and lots more. There's a five mile recreation path through the village along the river that's fabulous for walks, not to mention a covered bridge. For skiing, you're right next to Mount Mansfield (highest peak in the Green Mountains) with an awesome lift. Even if you don't ski, this is great fun to ride up and down for the views (or dinner). The shopping is excellent as well. There are scenic drives in every direction. If you run out of things to do, there's the tour at Ben & Jerry's in nearby Waterbury, or the Church Street Marketplace (shopping and dining) in Burlington which is beautifully decorated at Christmastime.

Some place I've always wanted to go at Christmas time was Quebec City, in Canada. We were there in August once, and it was like a storybook. I can only imagine it covered in snow. Kind of like a midieval walled city.

I've never been, but I've always wanted to go to the Balsams Wilderness Resort in Northern New Hampshire. It has an excellent reputation for food, service and ambience. Great place for x-country skiing, sleigh rides, and the pictures sure look beautiful. Its pretty far north, so I think its a hike to get there, but you have a better chance of getting a truly white Christmas.

Well, having lived in the Stowe area for many years, I must say it is the place to be, however, I enjoy it far more in the summer (and I'm a skier). I hate to burst bubbles, but you can't always count on a white Christmas here; all of the Northeast has been a bit spotty the last couple of years. More than likely the peaks will be covered, and ski areas will be making snow, but no guarantees in the lower elevations. Check the Farmer's Almanac.

If you do stay in the area, try skiing over at Bolton Valley in Waterbury; lift lines are much shorter; the locals tend to go here, and the tourists tend to head towards Stowe. Lift tickets are also a little cheaper; it's a quick drive from Stowe Village. They also have night skiing here, which is awesome, but watch the wind chill factors when the sun sets!!

Woodstock is pretty and very quaint, however, it is a tourist town. I don't own a mink coat and never will, but have never felt out of place there. It's a fun town to poke around in, but I wouldn't stay there.

I would go to Stowe. There's not just the skiing but it's a fun town. If you like being in the center of things try the Green Mtn. Inn. It's close to the shopping downtown and restaurants are within walking distance. They have a website at www.greenmountaininn.com

There are also lots of places closer to the ski area. All types of places from small inns to larger hotels. You might try visiting gostowe.com to find a good place and for a list of events, etc.