[New] Welcome

y childhood home was on a mountainside. My father used to joke that it’s no wonder one of my legs didn’t grow longer than the other after years of playing in our steeply graded yard. As an adult, I’m absolutely a flatlander: my home overlooks Massachusetts Bay with barely an incline in sight. So this issue’s homes spark a bit of nostalgia for me. Three are nestled among New England’s most iconic mountain ranges: the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Berkshires. Two are slope side, including one where the homeowners can check trail conditions simply by looking out the window. The third, a primary residence in northern Vermont, blends seamlessly with the landscape, right down to the shou sugi ban exterior finish that makes the structure all but disappear into the trees. Inside each home, all of the comforts of winter living can be found: clever accommodations for inevitable guests (with two of the most magical bunk rooms I’ve seen), cozy nooks for tucking away with a book (in addition to nooks for the books themselves), and an indoor basketball court that will chase away your cold-weather blues in the time it takes to lace up your sneaks.

It may seem obvious, but I believe the more positive mindset we have about winter, the happier we will be. Consider also that enjoyable winter experiences as a child shape our outlook on the season as an adult. My childhood memories are full of epic sledding and ski excursions, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the first snowfall gives me a thrill. I hope this issue inspires you to act on your own winter getaway dreams and gets you excited about the happy times you know lie ahead.

JENNA TALBOTT @jennatalbott

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