Winter Itineraries
In addition to the abundant on-property amenities, such as wellness treatments at Belden bathhouse and our refined but relaxed restaurant, there's so much to enjoy in our Litchfield County environs in the winter.
Here are some suggestions to inspire you around your next visit.
Outdoor
DOWNHILL SKIING | Our local ski slope is Mohawk Mountain (12 miles), where snowmaking was invented, and is a great place to get your ski legs back. Thirty-eight miles north-west of Belden, Catamount has a notoriously fun lodge scene and is 15 minutes from Great Barrington, with Hy's Fried (38 miles)—our favorite fried chicken, roadside bar with great music—in between the two. In the town of Great Barrington, Butternut offers yet another Berkshires-beloved slope, and is within five minutes of Prairie Whale (35 miles) and Rubiner's (35 miles), our favorite natural wine and cheese shop for miless. Thirty-three miles north-east of Belden, Ski Sundown (25 miles) is another great mountain with approachable runs. All of these mountains offer rentals and mountain cameras so that you can see the conditions to help you choose your destination. Rentals are available at all mountains aside from Catamount.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING | Go cross country skiing or snow shoeing a few minutes from Belden's doorstep at White Memorial Conservation Center (3 miles), Macedonia State Park (24 miles), Topsmead State Forest (3 miles) or Steeprock Nature Preserve (15 miles).
ICE SKATING | As with cross country skiing, you'll need to bring your own skates, but we have skating options galore near Belden. The safest and most accessible option is the public skating rink behind the Litchfield Town Hall (74 West St.), which is open for the season and attracts hockey players, casual skaters, and even puppies. Guests can park behind town hall and the rink is just behind the parking lot. Bantam Lake (3 miles), which may be accessed within White Memorial Conservation Center, is also a great place to skate, icefish or even observe ice sailing. Read more about this local sport here.
Take a horse drawn carriage or sleigh ride at Wood Acres Farm (13 miles from Belden), a wonderful and timeless way to enjoy nature, and quite a setting for a romantic gesture such as a marriage proposal! Belden will provide wool blankets for extra warmth and any other picnic needs to stay warm and joyful.
Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy (2 miles) is welcoming private tours by request this winter.
Entertainment
See a show at Torrington's Warner Theater (6 miles) this winter, which is only 10 minutes from Belden, a movie at the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center (4 miles), which shows international art house films in a lovely small, independently owned cinema, or a recital at Pilobolus (13 miles).
Pop into Litchfield's local galleries, Jennifer Terzian Gallery and Alofft Gallery.
Taste local wine and spirits at Walker Road Vineyards (15 miles), Hopkins Vineyard (12.1 miles), or Litchfield Distillery (3 miles) or dabble in local hard cider from Hogan’s Cider Mill (11 miles), which has been serving Cider since 1912.
Historical & Educational
Visit one of the area's museums, such as the Gunn Memorial Library & Museum (13 miles) or the White Memorial Conservation Center Museum.
Mattatuck Art & History Museum (18 miles), or the The Institute for American Indian Studies (15 miles).
Check out the Oliver Wolcott Library (1 mile) for a wide range of programming.
Barber, Beauty & Wellness
Byrde & The B | We'll pamper you at Belden, but we know when to call an expert: Book a hot shave, beard sculpt, trim, cut, color, or blowout at the Byrde & The B, a seriously luxurious salon from celebrity hairstylist Scott Bond that just opened on the Town Green.
The Spa at Litchfield Hills | Newly renovated and offering so many necessary indulgences for selfcare and pampering, from mani-pedis to treatments, look no further than nearby Spa at Litchfield Hills. We recommend booking ahead of arrival.
Charym | Tucked within YardWorks on West Street is a supremely serene yoga studio, beautifully designed to emulate its name (charym means 'beauty' in Bhutanese). Offering class(es) each day, Charym is a 5-minute walk from Belden and teaches "yoga and meditation for life." Belden's weekend guests may want to opt for a "weekend pass," which allows unlimited access to all classes Friday through Sunday.
Photography credits: Mohawk, Litchfield Historical Society, Ripley, B & The Byrd Man Hot Shave: Cedric Gairard; Phillip Dutton: Bantam Lake Sailing; Plain Goods; Bobcat: Matt Balnis via White Memorial.