FAQs and Property Policies

We offer yoga equipment on-site for up to 25 people, including mats, blocks, yoga blankets and straps. We also have an assortment of floor chairs, cushions and low meditation benches.

Elsewhere in the Retreat Barn we also have books, puzzles, a piano and assorted musical instruments.

There are Bluetooth-enabled PA systems in both the Retreat Barn and the Dance Pavilion. We have an HDMI-enabled projector available, but would advise that it only works at night due to glare from natural light in the space. We also have a large-screen TV that can be brought in by request.

Wifi is available throughout the retreat barn. If you’ve spent time in Vermont, you know that our fair state, while wonderful in so many ways, is not renowned for its wifi speeds. Ours is a satellite connection with speeds of around 15mbps download and 1mbps upload, which works just fine for general web surfing, watching Netflix and things of that nature. If you need a faster connection for making large uploads or conference calls, however, your best bet may be to make a visit to one of the lovely coffee shops in the area. (Our favorite is Front Seat Coffee in Hardwick!)

There are three bathrooms with three flushable toilets on the property, all located in the Retreat Barn. Two of these are on the main level (next to the main level bunk rooms and yoga/lounge/dining space), and the third is in the lower barn area. Additionally, there are three (3) outhouses on the property which you are welcome to use, as well as composting toilets in the upper barn suites and many of the outbuildings. These composting toilets are OPTIONAL and exist simply as an additional courtesy for our guests. Their use is NOT necessary; guests may choose to use the flushable toilets during the entirety of their stay. However, IF GUESTS ELECT TO USE any of the composting toilets, it is our company policy that guests empty said toilet(s) as part of the check-out process. Instructions for how to do so are posted near these toilets and you can see one of the caretakers anytime if you have questions. 

There are a total of three (3) showers on site: two (2) in the two upper barn bathrooms and one (1) in the lower barn bathroom. In the warm weather months, there are also several swimming ponds that are great for cooling off in.

The Retreat Barn is centrally heated and available year-round; it is the central hub of Sky Meadow! The cabins and cottages are not insulated for all-season use and are closed for the colder season from October-May.

To review all accommodations, click here. 

The whole Retreat Barn space, which includes main level bunk rooms, the Sunrise and Sunset Suites, and the Lavender and Sunflower Rooms on the lower barn level, are fully heated during the winter. The outbuildings and cabins are not insulated for all-season use and are therefore only available during the months of June-September. The nights can be chilly even in summer, so you’ll want to bring layers to bundle up if staying in one of those!

To keep our carbon footprint low, none of our structures have air conditioning. However, Vermont stays fairly comfortable all year round. We make ample use of shaded buildings, cross-breezes from the many windows, and also have numerous fans available to keep things breezy in the heat of the summer. The swimming ponds are also wonderful for cooling off in on the hottest days.

There are a number of friendly animals living at Sky Meadow, including alpacas, sheep, chickens, and an incredibly lovable barn cat named Shadow. Most domestic dogs (even the super nice ones!) are not used to free-range animals and can cause some very serious problems. Unfortunately, unleashed dogs in the past have resulted in injuries and even deaths of our animals, so as you can imagine we are extra cautious about having them on the property.

If you would like to bring any dogs with you, please let us know prior to booking about how many and what type, and we will confirm if we can make an exception. Service dogs are welcome, of course, and small animals that remain indoors such as household birds are also not a problem. All dogs, including service dogs, must be leashed at all times while outside (including on balconies/patios), in order to protect their safety and the safety of the other animals who call Sky Meadow home. By reserving our property, you agree to abide by this on-leash policy and ensure that all members of your group abide by it as well. 

Absolutely! When you first arrive you may be greeted by Shadow, our resident barn cat. She is extremely friendly and loves people, so feel free to give her as much attention as you’d like. The alpacas are friendly, if a little skittish. Be gentle, quiet and slow, and they will let you get close and even pet them. As with any large animals, be careful not to approach them directly from behind as they won’t be able to see you — and though they are not at all aggressive, they might kick or spit if spooked. If visiting with children, please help them to practice their calm demeanor and animal safety skills. This knowledge will serve them for life! 🙂 Cinnamon is a brown alpaca, and so is her son, Nutmeg; Mary-Mack is the black and white one. Nutmeg can be a bit defensive of them both. The sheep and chickens are a little more introverted, but everyone’s friendly.

Yes, all the ponds are available for swimming and sunbathing. We have no lifeguards on duty, though, so swim at your own risk and use your own discernment. All ponds are naturally fed by rainwater and remain remarkably clear and clean.

Yes! You are welcome to make your own campfires using the wood and kindling provided. There is a firewood fee of $25 per fire. Please let us know in advance if you plan to have any campfires during your stay so that we can ensure that firewood is available. You are also welcome to bring in or collect your own firewood if you prefer.

Yes! There are trail maps available on the green desk in the retreat barn. You’re welcome to go for a jaunt and explore. Do be aware that our woods are mostly undisturbed and so the trails can be a little hard to follow at times. Please use your best discernment about your orienteering skills. We encourage you to bring a smartphone with a maps app with you — even if you do not get signal, it can typically act as a compass. We’d hate to have to send out a search party!

Our kitchen comes fully equipped with two sinks, a fridge & freezer, 6-burner range and oven, microwave, food processor and toaster. All you need to make and serve meals for a crowd is here, with numerous pots and pans, chef’s knives and cutting boards, baking and serving dishes, plates, cups, mugs and cutlery for 25+ people. The tea bar comes stocked with various teas, ground coffee, sugar and honey, and there is also a variety of organic herbs & spices on-hand for your use.

Yes! Catered retreats include a self-serve breakfast plus lunch and dinner provided by our in-house chef, Justine, using organic ingredients sourced as locally as possible (including produce from right here on the farm!). Our standard menu is vegetarian and includes vegan and gluten-free options by default; we’re happy to accommodate other special requests as well! In general, you can look forward to big colorful salads, fruits and crudités, stir-fries, pastas, curries, artisan breads, fresh-baked desserts and the like. 

For non-catered retreats and events, retreat leaders are responsible for arranging their own meals and will have access to our fully-equipped commercial kitchen. If your event does not include catering, vegetables from our organic garden may be available for purchase upon request.

Our standard menu is fully vegetarian and also includes vegan and gluten-free options by default. In general, you can look forward to lots of colorful and flavorful salads, soups, stir-fries, curries and more, always with an emphasis on nourishing, organic and locally sourced ingredients (including some grown right here at Sky Meadow). Our chef Justine brings extensive experience in farm-to-table vegetarian cooking and baking, so you’re surely in for a treat!

Mealtimes are breakfast at 8am, lunch at 12pm and dinner at 6pm. Breakfast is a self-serve cold bar that features a variety of fruit, yogurt, cereal and granola, fresh bread, hardboiled eggs and the like.

We are happy to accommodate other dietary restrictions, requests or mild/moderate food allergies as well, and will follow up with you about a month ahead of your catered retreat to confirm any additional requests. You will also have access to our coffee and tea bar anytime. 

Sky Meadow has served hundreds of retreats over the years and we are always happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and mild to moderate food allergies, sensitivities and preferences. The comfort and safety of our guests is always our highest priority. Due to the nature of our kitchen, equipment and prep areas, we are not able to absolutely guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur. We therefore ask that groups containing severe food allergies facilitate their own meals. We are happy to provide recommendations for other local catering options by request. 

We recommend each visitor bring a flashlight or headlamp, sunscreen, bug spray, beach towels (if using the swimming ponds), sturdy waterproof shoes (if exploring the woods), an umbrella or poncho in the event of rain, and personal toiletries. The nights can be cool even in the summer, so bringing layering pieces of clothing is a good idea too. Beyond that, we should have most of the amenities you would need on site, including clean linens and towels provided for each guest.

We do not provide any shuttle or transportation services. Guests are expected to arrange their own transportation to and from the retreat. This is a rural, hilly area with gravel roads, so be mindful of how the weather may impact your vehicle. We recommend all-wheel drive and/or winter tires if visiting in the winter or during the early spring melt (affectionately known as “mud season”).

Most flights to Vermont land at Burlington International Airport (65 miles away), roughly a 1.5 hour drive. Other regional options include Montreal and Boston.

We strongly encourage guests to carpool to reduce the number of cars on the property, as parking is limited. Up to 20 cars can park on the premises. PLEASE NOTE: Out of respect for our neighbors up the road, please drive slowly down Winchester Road and be mindful of noise on your way in. Cars must be parked in our lot and cannot park on the side of the road.

Sky Meadow offers our space to independent retreat leaders who organize their own events. If you have questions about a specific retreat or event, please reach out to the leader or organizer of that retreat with any questions. 🙂

Booking is simple! Simply reach out to us using the form on our Retreat Packages page. Let us know your desired retreat option, preferred dates and total guest count. We will follow up with a personalized agreement for your retreat. 1/3 of the total cost of your retreat must be paid at signing in order to reserve your dates. The remaining 2/3 payment is due no later than 10 business days prior to your retreat. Payment via credit card is quick and easy via our online system. We do not accept checks or cash.

1/3 of the total cost of your retreat is paid at the time of reservation in order to reserve your dates. The remaining 2/3 payment is due no later than 10 business days prior to your retreat. You will receive an email when this second payment is due, which includes a link to our payment system. Payment via credit card is quick and easy through our online system. We do not accept checks or cash.

Absolutely! Simply let us know via email and we’ll be happy to update your reservation. You may add additional guests at any time up until your final payment is due, 10 business days prior to your event. At this time your guest count is locked in — for insurance/liability reasons, we are unable to adjust final guest counts or offer refunds for individual guest cancellations less than 10 business days prior to your event.

With the climate being what it now is, we understand the hesitancy around booking due to health concerns. We trust our guests to take responsibility for their personal health decisions and do not require masking, social distancing or proof of vaccination (unless required by state law). Individual retreat leaders are welcome to instate their own policies for their event and participants.

If for any reason the state of Vermont does decide to close down businesses such as ours and your booked dates are affected, we will refund your deposit in full. And if for some reason some or a large number of your retreat‘s guests decide they will not or cannot make it for whatever reason, then we will be happy to apply your deposit toward new dates as agreed to by both parties.

While there is tons to do and see right here on-site at Sky Meadow, there’s plenty more great dining, breweries, outdoor activities, entertainment and more to enjoy in our area. Check out our local attractions guide for our recommendations. Feel free to ask the caretakers if you’re looking for specific recommendations — we’re always happy to help. 

Lyndon Outing Club is our closest ski club, around 20 minutes away, and they also offer mountain biking during the summer! Burke Mountain is around 45 minutes away, and Stowe Resort and Smuggler’s Notch are ~1 hour.

The nearest grocery stores are in Hardwick, around 15 minutes away. Tops Market has the typical grocery offerings, plus a liquor store; there is also Buffalo Mountain Co-op which has a great selection of local and organic products, an amazing bulk section and grab-and-go options.

For basic foodstuffs, toiletries, etc., there is a convenience store in nearby Greensboro Bend called Smith’s Grocery, less than 10 minutes away. They also have some local products, beer, wine, gifts and a deli that serves sandwiches, pizza and the like, plus an ice cream stand during the summer!

Yes. Prior to coming on site, all guests will be expected to sign our Company’s Participation Agreement, which is a release of all legal liability and also contains an overview of Property Rules and Policies (which are also listed above on this FAQ page). 

No, we as an organization do not have any specific religious or philosophical orientation, other than a simple belief that all human beings can benefit from time spent peacefully in nature. No matter your faith or philosophy, you are welcome to visit and enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of our beloved corner of the Northeast Kingdom.