Things to Do in Burlington in February

February Weather in Burlington

-1°C (30°F) High Temp

-12°C (10°F) Low Temp

38 mm (1.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Peak winter festival season with Burlington Winter Festival (Feb 1-28) featuring ice sculptures, pond hockey, and heated outdoor vendor markets along Lake Champlain waterfront
Spectacular frozen Lake Champlain creates unique winter activities - ice fishing shanties appear 1.6 km (1 mile) offshore when ice reaches 20 cm (8 inches) thick by mid-February
Vermont maple sugaring season begins late February - sugarhouses within 32 km (20 miles) of Burlington start maple syrup production with fresh snow still on ground
Lowest hotel rates of the year - downtown Burlington accommodations drop 40-60% compared to summer peak, with mid-week rates often under $90 USD per night

Considerations

Lake-effect snow can dump 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) in 6 hours with little warning, making driving treacherous and flights delayed frequently at Burlington International Airport
Most Lake Champlain boat tours and waterfront outdoor dining completely shut down - the lake is typically 60-80% ice-covered by February
Daylight hours are still short at 10 hours daily, with sunset at 5:30 PM limiting afternoon outdoor photography and sightseeing time

Best Activities in February

Stowe Mountain Resort Winter Sports

February delivers Vermont's most reliable snow conditions with 180-220 cm (70-85 inches) base depth and temperatures perfect for powder skiing. Stowe, 48 km (30 miles) from Burlington, operates full capacity with all 116 trails open. Mid-week lift tickets cost $89-109 vs $150+ on weekends. The mountain's micro-climate creates consistent snowfall when Burlington gets rain.

Booking Tip: Book lift tickets 7-14 days online for 20-30% savings. Equipment rental packages typically cost $45-65/day. Multi-day packages through mountain lodges include lift tickets and gear for $280-380 total. Look for Tuesday-Thursday deals.

Shelburne Museum Winter Tours

February transforms this outdoor museum into a snow-covered New England village. The heated galleries showcase Vermont folk art while grounds tours on snowshoes reveal 19th-century buildings against Lake Champlain's frozen shoreline. Admission drops to $15 (vs $25 summer rate) and crowds disappear - you'll often have galleries to yourself.

Booking Tip: Museum offers guided snowshoe tours Saturdays at 10 AM and 2 PM for additional $10. Reserve 3-5 days ahead as tours cap at 12 people. Heated shuttle between buildings runs every 15 minutes when temperatures drop below -7°C (20°F).

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Experiences

When ice reaches 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) thick by mid-February, local guides set up heated shanties 0.8-1.6 km (0.5-1 mile) offshore targeting northern pike, perch, and lake trout. The experience includes gear, bait, and ice shelter rental. Success rates peak in February with fish moving to shallow winter feeding areas.

Booking Tip: Half-day guided trips cost $120-180 per person including equipment and shelter. Book through Vermont Fish & Wildlife licensed guides 5-7 days ahead. Ice conditions vary - guides monitor 15-20 cm (6-8 inch) minimum thickness daily before confirming trips.

Church Street Winter Market Food Tours

Burlington's pedestrian Church Street transforms into a winter wonderland with heated outdoor market stalls every Saturday 10 AM-2 PM in February. Local vendors sell hot maple products, artisanal cheeses aged in nearby caves, and craft spirits from Cold Hollow Cider Mill. The indoor Skinny Pancake and other establishments offer warm-up stops every 100 m (328 ft).

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours work best - start at top of Church Street at 10 AM when vendors are setting up. Budget $25-40 for tastings and samples. Saturday afternoons get crowded with locals, so morning visits offer better vendor interaction time.

Green Mountain Forest Snowshoeing

February snow depths of 60-90 cm (24-35 inches) create perfect snowshoeing conditions in Camel's Hump State Forest, 24 km (15 miles) southeast of Burlington. Marked winter trails range from 2-8 km (1.2-5 miles) with minimal crowds and pristine snow. Clear February days offer 50 km (30 mile) views to Lake Champlain and Adirondacks.

Booking Tip: Snowshoe rentals cost $20-30/day from Burlington outdoor shops. State forest parking is free but lots fill by 9 AM on weekends. Guided tours through Green Mountain Club cost $35-45 per person and include snowshoes. Book rentals 2-3 days ahead during February school vacation week.

Vermont Brewery Winter Warmers Tour

February showcases Vermont's craft brewery scene at its coziest. Zero Gravity, Foam Brewers, and Burlington Beer Company release limited winter warmers and barrel-aged stouts only available this month. Walking between breweries covers just 1.2 km (0.75 miles) through downtown, with heated indoor taprooms offering refuge from cold.

Booking Tip: Brewery crawls work best Thursday-Saturday when all locations open by 3 PM. Budget $6-9 per pint and $3-5 for 4 oz tastings. Some breweries offer winter warmer flights for $12-16. No reservations needed except for group tours of 8+ people.

February Events & Festivals

February 1-28

Burlington Winter Festival

Month-long celebration featuring ice sculpture competitions along Lake Champlain waterfront, outdoor pond hockey tournaments, and weekend markets with heated vendor tents selling local maple products and craft items. The festival's signature fire and ice ceremony occurs mid-month with synchronized ice carving and fire performances.

Late February

Vermont Maple Open House Weekend

Late February weekend when 40+ maple sugarhouses within 48 km (30 miles) of Burlington open doors for free tours, tastings, and demonstrations of syrup-making process. Many offer fresh maple snow candy made by pouring hot syrup over clean snow. This marks the traditional start of Vermont's maple season.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated waterproof boots rated to -25°C (-13°F) - sidewalks get icy and you'll walk on packed snow daily

Layering system with merino wool base layer, fleece mid-layer, and windproof shell - indoor heating can be 22°C (72°F) while outdoor feels like -23°C (-10°F)

Waterproof gloves plus liner gloves - you'll remove outer gloves frequently for photos and phone use in cold

Wool or synthetic beanie that covers ears - wind off Lake Champlain adds 5-8°C (10-15°F) to cold factor

Sunglasses for snow glare - UV reflects strongly off snow even with low UV index of 2

Hand and foot warmers (chemical heat packs) - useful for outdoor activities lasting more than 2 hours

Moisturizer and lip balm - indoor heating drops humidity to 20-30%, much drier than normal 70%

Ice cleats or yaktrax for boots - Burlington sidewalks develop ice layers from freeze-thaw cycles

Waterproof phone case or ziplock bag - snow and condensation from temperature changes can damage electronics

Thermal underwear for legs - even with pants, wind chill penetrates regular clothing during outdoor activities

Insider Knowledge

Lake Champlain creates its own weather - check Burlington weather separately from surrounding areas as lake-effect can cause 10-15°C (20-25°F) temperature differences within 16 km (10 miles)

Most locals start cars 10-15 minutes before driving in February - if renting a car, request remote start or plan extra time for windshield defrosting

Burlington International Airport experiences 60% more delays in February due to snow and de-icing - book morning flights when possible and avoid Sunday evening departures

Church Street Marketplace shops stay open later (until 8 PM) on weekends in February for winter festival crowds - best shopping deals occur weekday afternoons when stores are nearly empty

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating lake-effect snow intensity - Burlington can receive 15 cm (6 inches) while areas 8 km (5 miles) inland get no snow

Not checking ice conditions before planning Lake Champlain activities - ice thickness varies dramatically and can be unsafe in areas with currents

Booking only weekend accommodations - Burlington's winter charm shines on weekdays with lower prices, smaller crowds, and better restaurant availability