We'd like to take a weeklong New England cross-country skiing trip in late January 2009. Someplace with good trails and also other things to do; prefer a village/small town with restaurants, shops, that kind of thing

NOT Jackson, NH, or Stowe, VT. Have done both. Hoping for someplace different--maybe the Berkshires or Maine or...? Any good cross-country skiing around Middlebury?

Suggestions for a good inn (not too "quaint" or kitschy) also appreciated. Lounge with fireplace a must. Room with fireplace a bonus.
Thank you!

Would suggest someplace in Maine, NH or Vermont. The further south you are, there are no guarantees of snow for cross-country skiing.

Bethel Maine. There are 2 great X-ctry areas there, one at the Bethel Inn and Country Club, the other at the base of Sunday River. If the Bethel Inn is in your price range, it would be a very nice place to stay.

There is a great x-country center near Middlebury. I believe it is run by Middlebury College at the BreadLoaf campus up in Ripton. Burke, VT might also be another option.

Thank you. I looked at the Bethel Inn site, it's not quite what we had in mind. It does offer a full range of activities. Will check out other places in the area.
Middlebury is one of the places we'd like to try for an overnight visit, so we're glad there's cross country skiing nearby. We'll look into it...for some reason, I thought their trails were only for MC students.

Nope, the Middlebury downhill and x-country ski areas are open to the public. It's at a high elevation too so you have a good chance of some good snow!

Thanks again! I think we may try to book into the Swift House and spend a few days on the slopes (maybe even a downhill afternoon) plus explore Middlebury and wander up to Burlington.
We would love to visit the Morgan Horse Farm, but it's closed to visitors in winter. We might drive by anyway in case the horses are out in their pastures. So pretty in the snow!

Here is the info on the xcountry area at Midd:
http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/facilities/rstc/
http://www.skivermont.com/crosscountry/resort/rikert
The Snow Bowl for downhill is just up the road from the X-country area.
If you do end up decided in MIdd, be sure to post back as I'd be happy to offer more specifics for restaurants, other things to do etc.

Many thanks! We already looked at those links. It seems like the Middlebury ski area will be quiet and relaxing, especially during the week, which is what we're looking for.

I also did a Fodors search on Middlebury and found several of your helpful posts on the area.

So we now have to figure out our exact travel dates, contact the Swift House, and save our pennies for a nice purchase (or two) at Frog Hollow.