Bryan and I kicked off our New England ski weekend with the first flight out of Dallas to Boston. We almost always choose the earliest flight of the day — it helps avoid delays and gives us the maximum amount of time once we arrive.
As we were going through security at DFW, my bag suddenly got stopped by TSA. I was confused because I consider myself a pretty good packer — no liquids, nothing questionable. After a quick search, the agent pulled out the culprit: a large stash of hand warmers.
Apparently, packing too many hand warmers in your backpack will trigger TSA’s scanners. Once I explained we were headed skiing in Vermont, they laughed and let me keep them.
The flight to Boston was smooth, and once we landed we grabbed our rental car and hit the road toward Hanover, New Hampshire to visit my brother.
A Giant Pretzel and a Scenic Drive
On the drive north we stopped at Sam Walker’s American Tavern, where we shared what might have been the largest pretzel I have ever seen along with a quick cocktail. It was the perfect road trip pit stop before continuing on to Hanover.
My brother’s house was adorable, and after a full day of travel we kept the evening simple. He cooked dinner for us and we spent the night relaxing and catching up.
Skiing “The Beast of the East”
Sunday morning we were up early and ready for the main event: skiing at Killington Resort in Vermont, famously known as “The Beast of the East.”
There was just one small detail — I hadn’t skied in over 20 years.
Out of the five of us skiing that day, I was definitely the slowest. I took a few wrong turns and more than once ended up on the completely wrong trail trying to find everyone again.
Enjoying the view from the top of Killington Mountain in VermontAt one point I took a spill and watched my helmet and goggles roll down the mountain and disappear into a snow ditch.
Not just any ditch — an eight-foot-deep snow ditch.
Bryan and I had to ride the lift back up to the top and ski down again to try to retrieve them. When we found the spot, Bryan climbed down into the snow to grab them and almost couldn’t get back out. He had to pull himself up using tree branches.
Needless to say, he was definitely my hero that day.
Despite a few bumps and bruises, it felt amazing to be back on skis again.
Tex-Mex in New Hampshire
After skiing we headed back to relax, freshen up, and take a little Advil.
That evening we went to a local restaurant in Hanover called Tacos Y Tequila. The Mexican food was actually pretty good… but let’s just say it doesn’t quite compare to the Tex-Mex we get back home in Texas.
Lou’s Diner and a Vermont Day Trip
The next morning we started the day at Lou’s Diner in Hanover, a local favorite. Breakfast included their famous cider donuts and homemade maple syrup, which were absolutely worth the stop.
From there we drove through the Dartmouth area, which looked beautiful covered in fresh snow. Dartmouth’s campus feels like something straight out of a movie.
We also learned about Simon Pearce, the famous glassblower known for his Vermont glass and pottery.
Exploring Woodstock, Vermont
Next we drove to the charming town of Woodstock, Vermont, where my brother and Holly will be getting married in the fall of 2027 at Robinson Farms.
Woodstock is exactly what you imagine when you think of a classic New England town — covered bridges, historic buildings, and beautiful snowy streets.
Exploring charming Woodstock, VermontWe walked around the town, did a little shopping, and of course I had to pick up a new Christmas ornament.
We also stopped at the Woodstock Inn for a drink at the Red Rooster and a cup of their excellent clam chowder.
Later we discovered a really cute cocktail bar called Au Comptoir, which was a great little find before heading back to Hanover.
Trivia Night and Lots of Laughs
That evening we had dinner at Murphy’s on the Green and ended the night playing trivia, Euchre, cuddling with their sweet dog Morale, and sharing lots of laughs.
Trips like this remind me how special it is to spend time with family.
A Snowy Afternoon and a Brewery Stop
The next day Bryan and I explored a little on our own. We headed toward Windsor and stopped at an Irish pub called Salt Hill, where Bryan ordered a Harp and we enjoyed a great lunch.
We also visited Harpoon Brewery, where I opted for an apple cider since they didn’t have wine — and it was surprisingly good.
By that point it had started snowing pretty heavily, which made everything look even more magical.
We eventually headed back to pack up, say our goodbyes, and check into our hotel for the night. Bryan and I finished the evening with a nice date night dinner at Pine Restaurant.
One Last Stop in Boston
On our final day we drove back to Boston, but we had plenty of time before our flight, so we made one last stop in Beacon Hill.
We visited the iconic Cheers bar, walked the charming streets of the neighborhood, and of course stopped for photos on Acorn Street, one of the most photographed streets in America.
We also walked past the Massachusetts State House and got to see where my brother used to live when he lived in Boston, overlooking Boston Common.
It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip.
A Few Funny New England Observations
Travel always comes with a few unexpected discoveries, and this trip had a few that made us laugh.
One thing we learned quickly is that ranch dressing in the Northeast is definitely not the same as ranch dressing in Texas. We first noticed it when we ordered ranch at the Irish pub Salt Hill, and then again when we asked for it at Cheers in Boston. Let’s just say Texans take their ranch very seriously.
Another thing that surprised us was just how massive Killington Mountain really is. Bryan kept commenting on the sheer size of the mountain. With so many trails and lifts, it’s easy to see why Killington is known as “The Beast of the East.”
And finally, during our drive back to Boston we discovered something else about life in the Northeast. With all the melting snow along the highways, slushy water was constantly spraying onto our windshield. We went through an incredible amount of windshield wiper fluid just trying to keep the windshield clear.
I joked that people in the Northeast must go through windshield wiper fluid the same way Texans go through sweet tea. Sure enough, when we stopped for gas, there were entire pallets of windshield wiper fluid stacked right outside the front door of the gas station. Mystery solved.
A Perfect Ending
After a few last photos and one more walk through the city, we headed to the airport for our flight home.
We made it back to Dallas just in time — right before a huge lightning storm rolled in.
And after a weekend of skiing, snow, family time, and exploring New England towns, it felt pretty good to be home.
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