Winter on Bray Hill is spectacular–especially at the Bray Hill House vacation rental on the hilltop. It is remote and peaceful, and the view is unmatched. The enchanting scene is like a Thomas Kinkade picture with the warmth and glow from inside radiating outward, set in the frozen cosmos of forest, nature and snow. It is possible that you will need the all-wheel drive and your winter driving prowess to get here, but that is part of the adventure.
Outside, Adventure Awaits
Nature
Enjoy the moment of uitwaaien, a Dutch expression that means “Take a refreshing break outdoors to clear your head,” that is enhanced by the cold, clean crisp air. Your lungs will thank you. The cosmos of nature is what makes it so special. Explore together on a small adventure in the woods. What will you see? Maybe an owl on a branch hunting for food. On your adventure you may come across fresh tracks in the snow from animals that call this property their home; bear, deer, moose, songbirds, foxes, and grouse can all be found here. Whether you see any animals or not, you will have fun and you will be able to let go of everyday worries for a while!
Sledding & Snowshoeing
Pack your snow pants because we have sleds for the children and snowshoes for everyone. Sledding on the lawn or driveway, building a snowman, or snowshoeing on the trails will flush your cheeks, enliven your senses, and maybe tucker you out. The weather changes quickly. When you arrive, it might be calm, cold, and clear, and the snow might squeak as you snowshoe through the woods. The next day, old-man winter might be bearing down, and a gusty storm might be blowing snow outside, creating a tall pillow drift across the walkway.
Cross-Country Skiing
Bring your cross-country skis! The nordic touring variety with good ankle support and wider stable base are best. The blazed trail through the woods will not be groomed so you will be breaking fresh tracks through the frozen landscape. There is some uphill and downhill on the .75-mile loop, enough to do some gliding and get your heart pounding, but if you stop you can experience the complete solitude. Once you get the lay of the land you can pretty much use the whole property as your playground as long as you like.
Super Snow Moon Snowshoeing
Each month brings a new full moon, and few things go better together than a fresh blanket of snow in the forest and a snow moon; unless it’s a super snow moon, when the moon is closest to earth in its orbit (like it was in February 2020). At the Bray Hill House, our snowshoes are just the thing you need to help you walk comfortably through the spellbinding night scene. The snow blanket on everything and the remoteness of the location means the experience will be yours to share with your company.
Looking out from the house, the full moon makes an amazing silhouette of the mountains–especially when everything is covered with snow. The scene can be dramatic when the moon is low on the horizon rising up from behind the mountains in the east, and then taking up the night sky.
Star Gazing
Without light pollution, clear, moonless, starry nights offer memorable beauty of the constellations in the eastern sky. Bundle up and sit out on the deck or walk around the yard stargazing. The view is directly east. Simple websites like Sky & Telescope allow you to put in the zip-code 03583 to identify constellations and to find out what celestial events are visible during your stay. Delightful smartphone Apps like SkiSafari use GPS in your phone to identify your location and show you the constellations that are visible.
Inside, Wind Down
Outside is exhilarating, but of course your chilling winter exploits would not be complete without hot chocolate, wine or sangria. Something to warm you from the inside!
Inside is where you want to relax with your friends and family. Build a fire in the Russian fireplace and let the warm radiant heat from the masonry blanket the house as you spend time socializing over wine and food, playing games, or doing puzzles. With a fine selection of both, you’ll certainly find something everyone will enjoy.
Perhaps games like Scattergories, Clue, Spot It, or Cards Against Humanity will entertain you. Or settle down with a puzzle for the evening with art by Normand Rockwell or Thomas Kinkade. Choose some relaxing tunes on the HiFi powered by Google assistant to help you find just what you want to hear from YouTube Music Premium. We hope all your nights are cozy, happy, and memorable when you stay at the Bray Hill House in the winter.
Review by Karen C. of Massachusetts - Peaceful Retreat
“Everything was beyond our expectations, from the exquisite details to the stunning views. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen was a dream and the sauna was an added bonus. The Bray Hill House has every amenity one could think of. We were able to do some hiking along the property and enjoy the tranquility when we arrived back after long days of skiing. The children enjoyed the house to its fullest by playing some of the supplied games, sleds, puzzles and PS3. Cleanliness and organization were top notch. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to staying again in the near future.”
