This week, the greater Burlington community was hit with one of the biggest storms in its history, with some areas recording as much as 28 inches of snow in a 15-ish-hour period.
28 inches.
In less than a day.
Coming from my own, mostly West-Coast experience, those figures are simply astonishing. What I found most interesting, though, was how many of those native to the area, or even just more familiar with it than I, chose to bide their time while waiting out the storm.
Walking around downtown, I saw a mix of cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, even snowboarders being towed behind trucks tied to paracord lines, all heading to or coming from the busy downtown Church Street Marketplace and the surrounding commercial areas. Snow to the knees, numbingly-cold winds and all. Business as usual.
For many of us, business as usual is coming into our hotels, sitting in warm offices and plugging into phones, computers and assorted office electronics. For me, business as usual often also includes getting to interact with many of our guests on my way through our lobby, and it just so happens that, after the storm, I saw many of our guests spending their time in the exact same ways I was, whether it be cozying up next to the fireplace with hot chocolate and a book, or with an open laptop by a window, enjoying the scenery from a safe, warm distance.
That kind of variety is one of the many things bringing you to Vermont, and we know it. It's the reason why one of our hotels offers discounted ski tickets at the front desk but also generous seating beside a warm fireplace just a few short steps away. Variety.
So however long this winter has left, here's wishing you a safe and warm rest-of-season! ...or, if you'd prefer, a cold, windy one while you ski around town.
Variety!
Stephen Churchill
Social Media Director
Larkin Hospitality
