[JANUARY2025] I post blogs infrequently because I prefer to save it for when there’s something new rather than “repackage” previous content as seems to happen on social media with some regularity. A sort-of exception is my annual declaration of the start of snowshoe season!

Technically, snowshoe season started in early December when we got a big dump of snow. It was up to the knees–criteria for the declaration–and snowshoes really were necessary for getting around the property. But then it got mild, the snow settled and melted within a few days. The same thing happened again a couple weeks later.

However, right after the passing of 2024, we began getting snow. And more snow. In fact, over the past few weeks we have been under snow squall warnings more days than not. The settled snow depth is now 18-24″ in the open and 12-18″ in the forest, higher where there has been drifting.

If you’re a guest who loves snow, you’ll be in heaven, it’s a winter wonderland. And if you don’t have your own snowshoes, there are a couple loaner pairs hanging on the outside of the Guest Cabin. If you’d rather be warm and cozy looking out at a snowy forest than actually march around in it, you’ll be happy too! There’s a trodden down path along the short trail from parking to cabin, no snowshoes required.

You’ll also be warm. That cast iron woodstove in the cabin looks traditional but it’s actually a modern, EPA-certified, efficient stove that can keep you snugly warm. It’s a clever design Jøtul, a Norwegian company founded in 1853 that should know a thing or two about staying warm in winter!

Last month, I had an inquiry from a potential guest concerned about whether they would be warm enough in the depths of winter. I responded that as long as you tend the fire you should be plenty warm but also suggested she could get first-hand perspective by looking up previous reviews on Airbnb (there’s almost 10 years worth now!) from guests who had stayed in Jan or Feb. Just a few days later she booked a stay.