Northern VT

Highland Lodge in Greensboro used to fulfill that descriptor with their little winter cabins out back - but they may no longer be open in the winter as it is now up for sale. Call them. Craftsbury Nordic Center has dorm-style housing and a couple of private rooms at their x-c resort - very inexpensive with a food plan if you want it. Both places have some of the most glorious arboreal woods trails in the state in the winter! I have seen fishers, owls, a fox, a moose and woodpeckers on my ski ventures up there. As for beer "bars" go to the tasting room at Hill Farmstead, and Parker Pie has great taps & pizza. There is literally not much up there in terms of "nightlife."

 

this might not be rustic enough for you, but it's a five minute drive from the Waterbury bars (Heady. Lawson's, HF on tap). the mad river valley is great for outdoor winter activities.

http://www.moosemeadowlodge.com/

 

Here's another one - a mile down the hill from my house! It sits on a steep hillside across the valley from Camel's Hump. Pretty much the middle of nowhere, but only 8 miles to Waterbury. The Camel's Hump trailhead is about a 5 minute drive/25 minute hike. A snowmobile trail crosses the Hump trail about 1/4 mile up from the start and has some pretty good skate skiing when snow is good (if you like uphills). There is state forest land right up the hill closer to the cabin too; you can pretty much snowshoe anywhere. You would want real (i.e. not 'all season') snow tires to go here and all wheel drive is sometimes helpful.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Vacation...4867-Camels_Hump_Cabin-Waterbury_Vermont.html

 

that place looks sweet

 

It probably is... I know a little of its history. The original owner used it as temporary housing for a few years while he built a big house nearby. Then it was a barn while they were into raising goats. Then it sat vacant for 7-8 years (this is when I moved up here). It was bought and renovated 3 years ago; I haven't seen it since it was sold but everyone who stays there seems to like it. The original owner is a retired botany professor from UVM who is reputed to grow some world class 'herbs' (and has 2 super-genius kids who work for NASA). Musicians Patty Casey and Matt Schrag (After the Rodeo) and guitar maker Hyde Baker also live up here... an interesting little community. Matt and the botanist are also sometime homebrewers.

 

Matt is one hell of a musician - got to videotape his "After The Rodeo" trio for public access opening for fiddler Darol Anger's quartet. Next time I see him will have to ask him about his homebrewing. That must make for an interesting neighborhood along with your menagerie, Jerry!

 

We originally met Matt and Bridget at the Alchemist pub about a year before they moved up here; we suggested we all share the big table rather than wait for other tables to open up. We were a little surprised to find out we were neighbors (relatively speaking, about 1.5 miles away) when they made the move. They were married at Yards Brewing in Philly, so definitely good beer fans.

It's funny that the owner of the cabin near here also owns the Stagecoach Inn (familiar to many VT beer fans).