West Dover combines a well-known ski resort with a historic village center and a range of outdoor activities. Mount Snow is located in West Dover. The town center is also home to the Horace Hill Recreation Area, just off Vermont Route 100. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering whether winter sports, architecture, hiking and cycling, or golf will shape your stay.
Winter Activities Around West Dover
Mount Snow is a ski resort with 86 trails across 601 acres and 18 lifts. These figures provide a concrete overview of the resort; its statistics may be updated. So if you’re basing your plans on these numbers, check the latest information before your trip.
In winter, Horace Hill offers opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and backcountry skiing. The recreation area covers 53 acres and is in the center of West Dover. This gives you a choice of additional winter activities beyond the ski resort. Which ones suit your stay depends on whether you want to focus on the resort or on these options in the town center.
Village History and Architecture
The West Dover Historic District is a well-preserved 19th-century village. Its buildings date from around 1805 to 1885. This time span brings the district’s historic character to life without reducing its buildings to a single date of construction.
The Historic District includes 20 contributing principal buildings, mostly in the Federal and Greek Revival styles. These labels provide a brief framework for the district’s architecture. Visitors interested in local history and building styles will find a different focus here than at Mount Snow or Horace Hill in winter. I Love Art Space has a gallery area and a workshop space in West Dover. If you’re considering a visit, check the opening hours and program in advance, as both may change.
Valley Trail and Golf Course
The Valley Trail is a scenic walking and cycling path connecting Dover and Wilmington. It runs for five miles and crosses varied terrain. There is a paved section in the West Dover Historic District. Its total length and this difference are useful to consider when comparing the trail with other activities you have planned.
Another option is the Mount Snow Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course. It offers views of the Green Mountains, including the peaks of Mount Snow and Haystack. If golf is part of your trip plans, check the course’s availability before you travel. This helps distinguish it from the town’s features described as year-round and the activities specifically described as winter offerings.
Getting Around and Finding Hotels
The free MOOver shuttle has more than 30 stops along the Route 9/Route 100 corridor between Wilmington and West Dover. Routes and schedules may change, so check the latest information before planning your travel around them.
These options give your plans direction without requiring all your activities to have the same focus. Compare them based on which topics you actually want to include in your stay, and take any relevant schedule or availability information into account when planning.
Discover more destinations: Brattleboro, Rockingham, Newfane, Dummerston, Stratton, Whitingham, Halifax, Wardsboro
For the broader travel overview: Windham County.
