Green Mountains in June

Fall foliage season (late September through mid-October) brings the crowds and the highest prices, but there's a reason. The maples here turn colors you don't see elsewhere — deep reds, bright oranges, and yellows that practically glow. Peak color usually hits the higher elevations first, then moves downhill over 2-3 weeks. Winter means skiing, obviously. The season runs December through April, with the best snow typically January through March. But here's what they don't tell you: January and February can be brutally cold. We're talking -20°F on bad days. March offers better weather with decent snow. Summer (June-August) is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor festivals. Temperatures stay comfortable even at elevation, and the black flies that plague spring are mostly gone by July. This is prime time for the Long Trail and camping. Spring comes late and messy. Mud season (April-May) makes many trails impassable, and it's genuinely ugly. But if you can handle it, you'll have the mountains almost to yourself, and maple sugaring season runs March through April. Winter sports continue into December and January with reliable snow at higher elevations. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing offer quieter alternatives to the downhill scene.