VERMONT By Heather Burke The maple trees lined Darling Hill Road, sprawling farms dotted the rolling white hills and tall snow banks surrounded us. We had arrived in the picture perfect Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.  Nestled amongst all this natural beauty is the Wildflower Inn. We had
been to charming inns before, but that was prior to having kids. This
time we brought the kids with us. The tastefully appointed inn not
only welcomes children, it caters to them. And as every parent knows,
when the kids are catered to – happy parents are the result. Arriving at the Wildflower, our children were delighted to see deep sparkling “clean snow”, my daughter’s words. Our six-year-old son headed straight for the sledding hill. Sleds are provided at the foot of this long rolling sledding hill complete with a jump halfway along your descent. A snow bank larger than her, dwarfed our five-year-old girl during her “king of the mountain” game. My husband and I settled into our charming “Carriage-house” room complete with handmade quilts and broad wooden beams. We could keep tabs on the kids from our room’s balcony, which afforded us a fabulous view of nearby Burke Mountain, where we’d be skiing tomorrow. I wondered if the innkeepers had specially selected this vista for us, knowing we are skiers. Apparently only 20% of the Wildflower guests come to ski.  Mary O’Reilly greeted us like long lost friends and even shook hands
with our children when we checked in. This idyllic inn is owned and
operated by Mary and Jim O’Reilly. It is no surprise to learn that Jim
and Mary are not only partners in running the 23 room family inn since
1984, but they have 8 children of their own. Their desire to share
their beautiful setting in Vermont with other families is apparent.
“We have always had a family focus”, says Jim. “Then we realized there
was a great need for inn retreats once you have children”. The
O’Reilly offspring can be seen enjoying the inn’s special activities
alongside the visitors. According to Jim, “Our own kids have dictated
the amenities we’ve added, from the swimming pool and tennis courts in
the summer, to the sledding and ice skating in the winter.” Tom, the
eldest son at eighteen, has developed their website,
www.wildflowerinn.com. The O’Reillys are believers in treating guests,
as well as staff, like part of the family. Jim & Mary are dedicated
toward keeping their staff cheery and clued-in. The staff members’
biographies are part of the inn-room guides. With job longevity at a
shortage these days, that’s a commitment in ink. Their faith is not
misplaced; most of their help has been with them for years!We were just in time for afternoon tea and cookies, served at the main inn, along with Vermont cheddar cheese and crackers. Parents gather in the fireside room over tea or a cocktail while kids giggle and romp in the adjacent playroom. My daughter was enthralled with the dress-up area, chock full of vintage costumes. Our son made some fast friends at air hockey, then drifted to foos-ball. It was a treat for parents to sit & chat. The conversation stemmed from the ladies’ delight over finding an inn where parents don’t have to hover over their child’s every twitch in fear of breaking rules or worse, antiques. The discussion led to who had signed up for Jim’s guided moonlight snowshoe tour leaving the inn at 8pm that evening, (no excuses – child care would be provided). The evening’s dinner menu offered such treats as sesame encrusted tuna and medallions of New Zealand lamb paired with an international wine selection. The children could choose from fun foods like dinosaur chicken nuggets. Our kids loved being served in the gracious dining room. I loved relaxing over my gourmet creations knowing that when the kids’ plates were clean, long before ours, they could walk themselves to the playroom. We were able to finish our wine in peace while the kids made more pen pals.  Mornings are special at the Wildflower. Jim greets each of his guests
personally as he pours freshly brewed coffee. Fresh fruit and warm
from the oven, home-baked breads are offered while you await your
specially prepared breakfast entrée. The artfully crafted
snowman-shaped pancakes complete with chocolate chip buttons were a
hit with our munchkins. The Mexican egg frittata was mucho spicy, a
grownup pleaser.Our prime objective in venturing north to Vermont was to ski Burke Mountain. As we drove the three-mile trip from the Inn, there was no skier traffic. We were one of only two-dozen cars at the ski area parking lot. We enrolled our kids in group ski lessons, which turned out to be a private for my 6 year old son, and a semi-private for my daughter as she joined another young boy whom she had met at the Wildflower. If their ski programs lack organization that bigger ski areas have, they more than compensate with super friendly, personalized attention. To say that Burke is not crowded would be the understatement of the millennium. It feels more like a private ski hill. But the trails are worthy of any big mountain resort. Burke has a wonderfully gentle beginner area with a handful of trails serviced by a double chair from the base lodge. A long quad from mid-mountain brings you to the top where you find scenic winding blue cruisers like Powderhorn and Carriage Road, to well-pitched, black diamond runs like Wilderness and Fox’s Folly. East Bowl is a real adventure as you must traverse out to the far eastern boundaries, catch a glimpse of Mount Washington and then enjoy a truly isolated ski run on natural snow. Burke’s classically narrow New England trails have 50% snowmaking, primarily the west side, while the east side is au naturel. I am told that on a powder day you can find fresh tracks all day and I believe it. The glade skiing and riding at Burke Mountain is incredible, and arguably some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the East. “Chief”, the friendly patroller reminded us, “The printed policy on the trail map is that you may ski in the woods on or off trails within the ski area boundaries, but you are on your own as these areas are neither open nor closed, so they are not patrolled”. Once you bushwhack through that verbiage, you will be in some beautifully pruned glade runs like Cave Man and Throbulators. Home to Burke Mountain Academy, this ski area is one of the finest training facilities fostering racing legends like Julie Parisien. We watched some of the race training, and I was amazed at the skill, not to mention the speed, that these upcoming racers demonstrate on the purposely steep, icy course. We stayed with the white carpeted, well-groomed Willoughby, with stunning views of the unique Mt. Pisgah, as well as Jay Peak and Stowe’s Mt. Mansfield. We had come to ski Burke Mountain, and the Wildflower Inn was a bonus of winter adventures and country pleasures. The worry-free family atmosphere mended my fried nerves. I savored the fabulous meals while not having to cook, as I do when we rent a condo or suite. The kids went from one exciting activity to another, and felt rather privileged to be roaming this lovely Inn. Not once did they even remark that there was no TV, fridge or phone, which are the first amenities they locate when we check-in to a condo. Lodging if you go: The Wildflower Inn – Innkeepers Jim & Mary O’Reilly have created the perfect 4 season retreat for families, with plentiful activities and fine dining in a charming hill top setting. Darling Hill Road, Lyndonville, Vermont 1-800-627-8310 or www.wildflowerinn.com Burke Ski Area has slopeside condominium lodging and packages including lifts & lodging. Call 1-877-BURKE VT. Dining if you go: The Wildflower Inn has sumptuous dining in a lovely inn atmosphere. A family seating and a fun children’s menu are available. Call 1-800-627-8310 for dining reservations. The Old Cutter Inn on the Burke Mountain Access Road specializes in a continental menu authentically prepared by Swiss Innkeeper/Chef Fritz Walther at this circa 1845 farmhouse. Rahmschnitzel is a local favorite. Sunday Brunch complete with Belgian waffles makes for a perfect ending to any weekend stay. Call 1-802-626-5152. Rooms are also available. The Kingdom Café upstairs in the Burke base lodge is my tip for “on mountain” lunch, or cozy up to the fireplace at the J-bar for a cocktail. |