Even though the economy has been a little shaky lately, one thing that has helped our state's economy is the abundance of snow we've had thus far this winter season! As most know, Vermont has some of best skiing/snowboarding on the East coast. Even though most of our ski resorts make their own snow, they definitely rely heavily on natural snow to cover their trails. Thankfully this season, Vermont has had it's share of snow. We've had at least 5 or 6 decent storms so far, giving Burlington and the Champlain Valley over a foot of  snow on a few occasions and giving  higher elevations several feet of snow! This natural snow may be a pain sometimes - shoveling, plowing, icy roads, etc. - but for most of us Vermonters who live here for a reason and gladly endure 5 month winters, we love to play in it! Whether we're skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, or simply making snow angels, Vermont just wouldn't be Vermont without snow! If you like to play in the snow too, here are some great websites to check out:

Sugarbush Resort - downhill skiing and snowboarding. It's their 50th anniversary - check out their website for deals!

Mad River Glen - a cooperative resort (owned by its skiers) downhill skiing only (no riders) - Ski It If You Can!

Stowe Mountain Resort - downhill skiing and snowboarding - Vermont's biggest and most popular mountain.

Smuggler's Notch - downhill skiing and snowboarding - get $20 off coupons for lift tickets when you buy Coke products at participating Mobil Gas Stations!

Catamount Outdoor Family Center - for cross country skiing and snowshoeing

Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce's Visiting/Tourism Web Page - Winter Outdoor Recreational Activities

Leddy Park Arena - ice skating and hockey

Penguin Plunge - Vermonters jump in the icy cold Lake Champlain in February to support the Special Olympics!

Burton Snowboards -  leading snowboard manufacturer worldwide started in 1977 by Jake Carpenter in Londonderry, VT with it's headquarters and flagship store in Burlington.

Vermont Weather Forecast from WCAX

And if you're from out-of-state but just love Vermont and its long, cold winters and you're thinking about moving to our beautiful state - give me a quick call or email -  my team will help you find your dream winter home!

Camel's Hump Winter '08-'09

Thank goodness all of the holidays are over with!! They seemed to last forever this year and they were all crammed into about four weeks! It was fun while it lasted, but now back to business!! Let's hope 2009 has alot to offer home buyers and sellers this year! I think it will. With interest rates hanging in around 5%, this may be the year for first time home buyers to make it happen. In addition, the government is offering upto $7500 for a tax credit for first time home buyers if they buy between April and June.  For more information on this, visit FederalHousingTaxCredit.com. This is all good news for home sellers too! With low interest rates, that means buyers will be out there looking more and hopefully making some offers. We've already see ALOT of activity this year so far in our office, Hickok & Boardman Realty.  I have high hopes for the real estate market this year!Looking to buy? Contact me now for a FREE Buyer Consultation!Looking to sell? Again, give me a call or email for a FREE Market Analysis of your home!Looking to find our more information on the low mortgage rates everyone is talking about? Talk to our good friend Nick Parent from Spruce Mortgage.

With a failing economy and tons of job losses, this holiday season will be a tight one for all of us. However, it seems that the non-profit business sectors and the people who take advantage of their services, may be the ones who have been hit the worse. Therefore, this holiday season, those of us who still have jobs, homes and presents under our trees, need to think more about the less fortunate in our communities (and maybe less about what size flat screen TV we want to buy for our own family!) Here is a list of social service non-profit organizations in Chittenden County, VT that my husband, Mike Simoneau, and I have donated to in 2008.  They are happy to take donations of any size and sometimes nature, so please visit their websites for information. And if money is too tight for you this year, then volunteering is always a good way to go as well!

Howard Center for Human Services

Lund Family Center

St. John Vianney Parish

Chittenden County Emergency Food Shelf

United Way of Chittenden County

Homeshare Vermont

South Burlington Girls Lacrosse

South Burlington Youth Football

South Burlington Youth Soccer Association

South Burlington High School Parents Association

Greater Burlington Boys and Girls Club