Troutbeck is truly a four-season destination. Winter here means easy access to nearby family-friendly ski slopes, such as our closest, Mohawk Mountain (where snow making was invented!), which lends itself perfectly for an apres ski dinner at restaurant the Pink House in West Cornwall. In Hillsdale, there's Catamount, with excellent apres to be had at Hy's Fried and Little Cat, and in Great Barrington, Butternut Ski Resort, which is very close to our favorite Great Barrington cheese and natural wine shop, Rubiner's, No Comply Foods for a great brunch, and Prairie Whale where you should go for post-slopes dinner. Ski school for the kids and uphill "skinning" make for excellent pastimes, especially when a plentiful meal near one of Troutbeck's very own roaring fires is planned for after.

Right here in Amenia, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing is even closer: on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail (access point is a 5 minute drive from Troutbeck) or at nearby Wethersfield, one of the region’s most distinguished estates and gardens, where hiking, snow showing or cross country skiing is available on their maintained trails for $10 per day. Our friends at nearby Elk Ravine Ranch offer tours of their exquisite Highland cattle and carriage rides (in snow too!) pulled by their beloved horses. If you are looking for an excellent restaurant within 6 minutes of Troutbeck, look no further than Isabela in Amenia, where chef Jose Ramirez is sourcing pristinely with suprising effect.

Twenty minutes south, in Millbrook, there's antiquing galore, plus uber-chic shops Creel & Gow and Orangerie, a wonderful book and toy shop, Merritt Bookstore, and restaurant Canoe Hill. Newcomer, House of Stefas, serves upscale Greek and Mediterranean in a exhuberant space.You’d be surprised what an appetite you can work up from a morning of skeet shooting at Orvis Sandanona. Nearby Millbrook School’s Bontecou ice rink is open to the public every Sunday now through February 22rd from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and is another excellent source of family fun, as is their Trevor Zoo, where rescued animals – including red pandas, grey wolves, otters and reptiles – are cared for by students.

If antiquing and meandering through charming villages is your speed, Troutbeck is surrounded by those aplenty. Ten minutes from here, Millerton boasts antique shops and the stylish Nordic-chic brand, Westerlind in a historic former department store. Stay for an aperitivo at Willa, the wine bar from former Troutbeck sous chef Daniel Meisner, or grab a meal at Pasture Kitchen, a locally sourced informal restaurant.

Book a meal in exquisite Pine Plains restaurants Stissing House from chef Clare DeBoer or Champêtre from legendary restaurateurs Michel and Patricia Jean. Fifty minutes away, Hudson, with an unparalleled selection of antique shops and eateries (we love Feast & Floret and Café Mutton).

Eight minutes from Troutbeck, Wassaic boasts the dreamiest baked goods at Vitsky Bakery from former Troutbeck pastry chef Ariel Yotive, Ten Mile Table wineshop, the Lantern Inn for woodfire pizzas, natural wine and the best vibes in a historic barroom, and cultural institution, Wassaic Project, which has an Art Nest every Saturday for children from 12-5pm. Tenmile Distillery is also a stunning place to get cozy and sip 100% New York State grown, milled, distilled and bottled whiskey, gin and vodka, in seriously excellent drinks at their bar.

If you’re taking Metro North Railroad up from Grand Central Station to Wassaic (an 8 minutes drive from Troutbeck…taxis or a pick-up in one of our BMWs may be arranged ahead) and not you're planning on leaving the property, there’s much to do on site....

The Barns offers an abundance of ways to recharge and replenish with Treatments by Wildsmith, such as massage, facials, a special treatment for expecting parents and more, all tied to our circadian rythms and our needs dpending on the time of day.

Take advantage of our daily Wellness classes (included in room rate) and book a session with our on-site personal trainer, which should of course be followed up by acupuncture and a massage from one of our lauded practitioners. Sound baths and astrology may also be organized, tailored to the centering you most crave.

There's so much to enjoy in winter in our corner of Dutchess County, on the border of Connecticut!