Independent farms, a creative hub and an outdoor lifestyle in Windsor County
Miles from any major city and 14 miles west of the Vermont-New Hampshire state line lies the rural community of Pomfret. Residents live amongst quiet Vermont farmland, where folks can pick apples at Moore’s Orchards and enjoy a dinner made with freshly harvested vegetables at Cloudland Farm’s restaurant. Pomfret is a sparsely populated area of under 1,000 with an overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score. Between the Appalachian Trail winding through Pomfret’s thick forests and the Saskadena Six ski area at the center of the community, outdoor recreation is a way of life here.
Hidden amongst the bucolic scenery is a vibrant arts scene. “Pomfret has its fun little base center next to Saskadena Six where a philanthropic woman developed the Artistree Community Arts Center and the Teago General Store,” says Eric Johnston, a Realtor at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty who’s lived in the area for over two decades. “She added in the theater and an art studio, and people use it from all over the Upper Valley. It’s a great opportunity for culture in a rural area.” When it’s time to run errands beyond going to the general store, or explore more of what Windsor County has to offer, residents can drive about 6 miles south to the neighboring town of Woodstock.
Skiing Saskadena Six and hiking the Appalachian Trail
Not all communities have their own ski resort, but Pomfret locals can start the day with a couple of runs down the mountain. Saskadena Six was established in 1936, making it one of the first ski areas in the country. It offers beginner-friendly slopes, lessons for skiers and snowboarders and bike trails in the summer. Hikers and cross-country skiers can find trails throughout Pomfret’s undeveloped areas and at Amity Pond Natural Area State Park. This state park has 2.7 miles of trails through meadows and forests, and hunting and camping are also allowed. The Appalachian Trail (AT) goes through the community and there are several access points from Pomfret’s country roads. The AT stretches over 2,000 miles, making it the longest linear national park in existence. Conversely, one of the nation’s smallest national parks is a few miles away in Woodstock. “Woodstock is a destination area with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park,” Johnston says. The park includes a protected forest and 19th-century mansion alongside a dairy farm where visitors can learn about the region’s agricultural history.
Homes overlooking the Green Mountains
Some of the tree-lined residential streets are dirt or gravel single-lane roads. Homes look out toward the tree-covered foothills of the Green Mountain range. Many yards have gardens, and some also have barns or greenhouses. The residential landscape includes ranch-style homes and farmhouses. Most prices fall between $480,000 and $730,000, depending on size and acreage. However, spacious countryside homes occasionally hit the market between $1.9 million and $3.3 million, surrounded by acres of private land, which may include manicured gardens, ponds and lots of trees.
Pomfret students zoned for highly rated schools
Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76, rated B-plus on Niche, serves the community of Pomfret. Students may begin at Woodstock Elementary and then advance to Prosper Valley School for fifth and sixth grade; both schools are rated A-minus. Woodstock Union High School and Middle School, rated B-plus, serves seventh through twelfth graders. It offers private music lessons during the school day at no extra cost for students interested in voice, percussion, woodwinds or brass instrumentation.
Pomfret’s farmstands and farm-to-table dining
Pomfret makes it easy to eat locally. On the Edge Farmstand, open Thursdays through Sundays, provides fresh eggs, pork, beef and pastries. At Teago General Store, locals can get a sandwich to order, pick up some groceries and check the post office boxes. Woodstock Farmers’ Market offers a wider grocery selection in Woodstock, especially for produce. For an elegant dinner out, Cloudland Farm’s farm-to-table restaurant serves meals made with locally grown vegetables and chickens raised on the farm. It’s open only for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and reservations are booked weeks in advance. Abracadabra Coffee Company, open seven days a week, serves caffeinated beverages and pastries like apple cider donuts in a rustic, casual atmosphere.
Pomfret’s hometown artists and farmers
Community organizations encourage getting hands-on with Pomfret’s local arts and agriculture. Artistree Community Arts Center hosts dance classes, showcases local art and functions as a social space. This creative hub organizes youth summer camps for all interests, from baking to quilting to building whimsical homes for gnomes. It’s located down the street from the Grange Theater, an affiliated venue for local productions. Residents can also visit Sugarbush Farm, a 550-acre property that’s been family-owned for four generations. Visitors can meet goats, sample cheese and learn how syrup is made from tapping maple trees.
Driving the rural roads through the Green Mountains
Pomfret is a car-dependent area. Country roads connect to State Route 12, which leads to Woodstock, where more stores, restaurants and Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center are located. About 7 miles away, drivers can find access to Interstate 89, which stretches across Vermont and leads into New Hampshire. Air travel at Burlington International Airport is about 80 miles north.
