Columbus Day weekend in Vermont is the fall long weekend everyone circles on the calendar, and around Mount Snow it lands right in the thick of leaf-peeping season. In 2026 the holiday falls on Monday, October 12 — giving you a three-day stretch (many families stretch it to four) to soak up rolling hillsides of red, orange, and gold in the Deerfield Valley. It is also the busiest fall weekend in West Dover and Wilmington — the color is spectacular, and so is the demand.
When Columbus Day Weekend Falls in 2026
The federal Columbus Day holiday is always the second Monday of October, which in 2026 is October 12. That makes the long weekend Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12. Vermont officially observes the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, so you will see both names locally — same Monday, same reason the valley fills up. Schools and many offices are closed, which is exactly why this weekend draws leaf-peepers from Boston, New York, and Connecticut in a steady stream up Route 100.
Will the Foliage Be at Peak? 🍁
In most years, yes — or very close to it. Southern Vermont’s color is staggered by elevation, and that works in your favor over a long weekend. The high ridgelines and Mount Snow’s summit tend to turn first, often in late September and early October, while the valley floors around West Dover and Wilmington color up a bit later and hold through mid-October. Columbus Day weekend sits right in that sweet spot, so even if one elevation is just past its brightest, another is usually lighting up. Timing shifts year to year with the weather — some autumns peak a touch earlier, some run into the third week of October — but this weekend is one of the most reliable bets on the calendar for strong color. For a fuller breakdown of timing and the best vantage points, our Mount Snow fall foliage guide maps it out.
Making the Most of Columbus Day Weekend in Vermont
The beauty of this weekend is you can chase color up and down the mountains. A few favorites:
🚗 Take a foliage drive. Route 100 north and south of West Dover is one of the prettiest stretches in the state this time of year, and it links up with the region’s historic covered bridges for the classic Vermont postcard. Our Route 100 scenic drive guide lays out the route.
🚡 Ride the lift. On select fall days into October, Mount Snow runs its scenic chairlift to the summit for a top-down view of the color — check mountsnow.com for the current weekend schedule before you go.
🍎 Pick apples and hit a farm stand. The orchards toward Brattleboro and Dummerston are in full swing in October; our guide to apple picking near Mount Snow covers the best of them.
🛍️ Catch a Columbus Day sale. The Vermont Bowl Company in Wilmington holds one of its two annual seconds-and-overstock sales on the lawn over Columbus Day weekend — a fun, only-that-weekend stop for a Vermont-made souvenir.
🔥 Come home to the fire pit. After a crisp day out, the hot tub, fire pit, and a slow evening on five quiet acres are what many guests remember most.
Why to Book Early for This Weekend
Here is the part locals will tell you straight: Columbus Day weekend books up earlier than any other fall weekend, and larger homes go first because they suit multi-family leaf-peeping trips. Reserving well ahead is the difference between landing the dates you want and scrambling. Our post on when to book a Vermont fall foliage trip covers the lead times. With eight bedrooms and room for 20-plus just minutes from Mount Snow, this is a natural home base for a big group chasing peak color.
🗺️ More to Explore Near Mount Snow
- Vermont fall packing list — What to bring for October’s layers, mud, and rain
- Mount Snow Fall Foliage Guide — Peak timing, best views, and foliage drives
- When to Book a Vermont Fall Foliage Trip — Lead times and what fills up first
- Things to Do in October — A full month of Deerfield Valley fall
- Apple Picking Near Mount Snow — Orchards and farm stands for fall harvest
- Route 100 Scenic Drive — The classic Vermont foliage road trip
- Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes Near Mount Snow — where to pick pumpkins and find a corn maze this fall
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Columbus Day weekend in 2026?
Columbus Day is Monday, October 12, 2026, making the long weekend Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12. Vermont observes the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Is Columbus Day weekend a good time to see fall foliage in Vermont?
It is one of the most popular foliage weekends of the year in southern Vermont. Color is typically at or near peak across the Deerfield Valley in mid-October, though exact timing shifts with the weather each year. Because color turns at different elevations at different times, you can usually find strong foliage somewhere nearby all weekend.
How busy is the Mount Snow area over Columbus Day weekend?
Very. It is the highest-demand fall weekend in West Dover and Wilmington, so restaurants, shops, and roads are noticeably busier than a typical October weekend. Reservations for dining and lodging are strongly recommended, and booking your stay well in advance is the smart move.
What else is there to do near Mount Snow that weekend?
Plenty beyond leaf peeping — scenic chairlift rides on select fall days, apple picking, covered-bridge and Route 100 drives, hiking to a fire tower or ridgeline view, and downtown Wilmington’s shops and cafes. Valley View Villa’s hot tub, fire pit, and hiking trail round out a relaxed fall weekend.
How far is Valley View Villa from Mount Snow?
The villa is about a 5 to 10 minute drive from Mount Snow’s base, which makes it easy to head up for a lift ride or a foliage view and be back at the fire pit in minutes.
