Vermont is a small New England state of extraordinary natural beauty, famous for fiery fall foliage, world-class ski resorts, covered wooden bridges, and a thriving farm-to-table food culture. Burlington, its largest city, sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain and buzzes with craft breweries and independent shops. From the rolling Green Mountains to maple-syrup farms and award-winning cheese dairies, Vermont rewards travelers who seek authenticity over spectacle.
Vermont has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, making it one of the best skiing destinations on the East Coast. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights. Fall foliage is the state's most famous attraction, typically peaking from late September (higher elevations) through mid-October (valleys). Spring is characterized by 'mud season' (mid-March to late April) when melting snow makes dirt roads and trails impassable. Annual precipitation is approximately 40 inches (1,016 mm) spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Ski Season, Spring / Mud Season, Summer, Foliage Season
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- Peak foliage (Oct 1–20)
- Level
- Extremely high
- Note
- Book accommodation 6–12 months ahead; prices 2–3x normal rates
- Period
- Ski holidays (Dec 26–Jan 2, Presidents' Week)
- Level
- Very high at ski towns
- Note
- Stowe and Killington fill completely; book 3–6 months ahead
- Period
- Summer weekends (July–August)
- Level
- Moderate to high
- Note
- Burlington and lake areas busy; book 1–4 weeks ahead
- Period
- Shoulder seasons (May–June, November)
- Level
- Low
- Note
- Best value; some attractions may have reduced hours
- Period
- Mud season (April)
- Level
- Very low
- Note
- Many inns close; unpaved roads restricted; not recommended for first-time visitors
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Vermont Maple Festival
Annual celebration of maple syrup season with pancake breakfasts, sugarhouse tours, and the Miss Vermont Maple crown
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
10-day jazz festival with 200+ performances across Burlington venues; many free outdoor shows
Vermont Brewers Festival
Two-day craft beer event with 50+ Vermont breweries; tickets sell out early at vtbrewers.com
Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival
Week-long festival celebrating early foliage in Vermont's most remote region
Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
Arts and crafts fair during peak foliage; outdoor market on the Stowe Village Green