The Longest Natural Ice Skating Trail In The U.S. Is Tucked Into A Fairytale Winter Town Just A Short Trip From NYC — With Bald Eagles, Winding Forrests, And Snowy Mountain Views
The month of love is quickly approaching, and as winter stretches on in NYC, so does all of the magic this season has to offer. Sure, the holidays may be over and the decorations packed away, but the first few months of the year bring a charm all their own. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, NYC winter has a way of making romance feel cinematic —even when you can’t feel your toes. Fogged-up café windows , scarfed-up strolls , and the warmth of hot chocolate seeping through your mittens are gentle reminders that this is a city straight out of a rom-com. And when it comes to classic cold-weather dates, few things beat ice skating with the one you love. New York City may be home to some truly iconic rinks , but as February settles in and the city hums with Valentine’s energy , the urge to trade subway rumble for something softer—and snowier—feels irresistible. And if NYC winter is a rom-com, then a Vermont road trip is the breathtaking climax , especially with a special someone or your closest friends. About five hours away, tucked into the quiet beauty of Fairlee, Vermont, sits a storybook town that feels worlds away from city life. Once there, you’ll find a true winter wonder : the Lake Morey Ice Skating Trail , winding nearly 4.5 miles and earning its title as the longest natural ice skating trail in the country. ⛸️ A 4.5 mile natural ice trail ----------------------------------- When conditions align , the lake becomes a gleaming ribbon of ice, edged by snow-dusted trees and postcard-worthy lakeside homes. Unlike the tight, crowded loops of a city rink, this is wild ice —nearly 4.5 miles of open trail tracing the lake’s edge. And because it’s entirely natural , the ice feels alive, singing and pinging beneath your skates, delivering a one-of-a-kind glide that fully immerses you in the winter landscape. It’s wide enough for friends to skate side-by-side and long enough to find moments of total solitude , where the only sounds are your own breathing and the wind through the pines. Keep your eyes on the open sky —the lake is a favorite hunting ground for bald eagles , which often soar overhead as you glide. 🏨 Inside Lake Moree resort ------------------------------ Serving as the heart of the action , the Lake Morey Resort is the perfect home base for a winter escape. The resort manages the trail and offers a cozy Clubhouse where you can lace up, warm up, and escape the chill. For those without their own gear, the resort makes it easy with skate rentals , including figure skates , hockey skates , and specialized Nordic skates —long-blade skates designed to glide smoothly over the natural bumps and cracks of lake ice. Traveling with someone who’s not quite blade-ready? Rent a Kickspark , a traditional Finnish sled that lets you scoot effortlessly across the ice. Inside the resort, crackling fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows keep you cozy while ensuring the frozen wonderland is always in view. ⛷️ Nearby skiing and snowboarding ------------------------------------- When in Vermont, right? If you want to turn your skating trip into a full-blown mountain adventure, Fairlee is perfectly positioned near some of Vermont and New Hampshire’s best slopes. A quick drive will take you to Dartmouth Skiway , a charming and accessible mountain perfect for a relaxed afternoon of turns. For those seeking more vertical , the legendary peaks of central Vermont are within reach, offering world-class terrain for every skill level. Whether you prefer the groomed cruisers of a family-friendly hill or the challenging glades of the Green Mountains, you can easily spend your morning on the lake and your afternoon on the lifts. 🗻 What else to do in Fairlee, Vermont ----------------------------------------- Fairlee may be small, but it’s packed with winter charm beyond the ice. Strap on snowshoes and explore the wooded trails overlooking the lake, offering a bird’s-eye view of skaters below. The area is also a hub for ice fishing , where colorful shanties dot the lake as locals wait for a catch. For a slower pace, take a scenic drive to nearby covered bridges —often called “kissing bridges”—that look straight out of a postcard when dusted with fresh snow. 🚗 How to get there from NYC ------------------------------- The journey from NYC to Fairlee is a straightforward and scenic five-hour drive that serves as the perfect transition from city life to country quiet. Most travelers take I-95 North to I-91 North , a route that carries you through the rolling hills of Connecticut and Massachusetts before entering the heart of the Connecticut River Valley. For those who prefer to skip the driving, the Amtrak Vermonter offers a relaxing train ride to nearby White River Junction, where a short car service can take you the rest of the way to the lake. Whether you come for the skating, the scenery, or a little winter romance, Fairlee offers the kind of escape that lingers long after the weekend ends. It’s proof that sometimes all it takes is a change of pace, a frozen lake, and someone special by your side to fall in love with winter all over again. To learn more about Lake Morey and plan a trip for yourself, see their official website. Source: https://secretnyc.co/longest-natural-ice-skating-trail-vermont-nyc/