NESEA Winter Break 2027
Waitsfield, VT 05673
United States
Have you ever left a NESEA event and wished you just had more time to get to know those cool people? Join us for a weekend of winter fun for NESEA community members who want to hang out with fellow nerds. With Yestermorrow Design/Build School as our home base and clubhouse, we will play together, share stories, ask questions, and build community while enjoying all Vermont has to offer in the winter.
Choose your own adventure with a variety of activities throughout the weekend. If you’ve got an idea for an activity, we welcome it. It’s not a conference, it’s NESEA Winter Break!
This is a member-driven event that aligns with many of NESEA’s Core Values:
• We care about each other and our community
• We challenge ourselves and each other to grow
• We innovate
• We have fun together
Your registration covers your meals Friday evening-Sunday morning, and gives you access to the Yestermorrow campus (our hub / indoor activity center). You have the option to stay at Yestermorrow or to arrange other lodging close by.
Registration Now Open!
Pricing and Lodging
We have two pricing options available, dependent on your lodging preference:
Lodging Included: Stay on Campus at Yestermorrow in a dorm/bunkhouse (shared room, shared bathrooms) $225 member /$250 non-member
Limited capacity - first-come, first-served. Please specify in the registration form if you have a specific request for roommate.
Lodging Not Included: Stay Next Door at Madbush Falls (private room, private bath) or elsewhere $135 member/ $150 non-member
By selecting this option, you are responsible for booking your own lodging. We have a secured a block of rooms at Madbush Falls, just two minutes from Yestermorrow, for your convenience. Rooms at Madbush Falls are $279 per night. After you book your event registration, your email confirmation will contain a booking link for our room block.
NESEA Members receive a 10% discount on registration
Scholarships available for emerging professionals: contact fmacgregor@nesea.org for details.
Cancellation: full refund, less credit card processing fees, if you cancel at least 5 days in advance.
Activities
Potential Activities (dependent on registrants’ interests and weather conditions) Volunteers wanted to help spearhead activities!
- Alpine skiing at Sugarbush or Mad River Glen*
- Nordic skiing at Blueberry Lake or Ole’s*
- Adventure sledding on Lincoln Gap
- Wild ice skating on Lake Champlain or rink skating at the Skatium*
- Snowshoeing/hiking
- Prickly Mountain architecture tour
* Lift tickets or gear rental are not included in registration, and the costs are the responsibility of the participant.
On-campus activities:
- Igloo building
- Bonfire
- Pecha Kucha slide show
- Building science charades
- Make your own clothes or furniture with smart membranes
- Micro Presentations: 2 words, 2 images, 90 seconds of mime
- Movie night
Prospective Schedule
This is a representative schedule: details to be finalized, and some activities will be weather-dependent and/or available for additional cost). Volunteers wanted to help spearhead activities!
Friday:
(Optional) Ski day at Sugarbush
3-6 PM Check-in at Yestermorrow
5-6 PM Social hour
6-7 PM Welcome dinner
7-9 PM Evening activities:
- Movie night: My Design/Build Life film screening
- Ping pong tournament
Saturday:
7-9 AM Breakfast (bag lunch available)
8-9 AM Yoga/stretching/meditation
9 AM-12 PM Morning activities:
- Nordic skiing at Blueberry Lake
- Crafting
- Alpine skiing at Mad River Glen
12 PM Lunch
1-5 PM Afternoon activities:
- Adventure Sledding at Lincoln Gap
- Board games
- Alpine skiing at Mad River Glen
- Wild ice skating on Lake Champlain
5-6 PM
Social hour
Sauna session at Madbush
6-7 PM Dinner
7-9 PM Evening activities
- Bonfire
- Music jam
Sunday:
7-9 AM Breakfast (bag lunch available)
8-9 AM Yoga/stretching/meditation
9 AM -12 PM Morning activities:
- Prickly Mountain Architecture tour
- Igloo building
12 -1 PM Lunch
1-5 PM Afternoon activities:
- Madsonian Museum tour
- Snowshoe hike
- Skating at the Skatium rink
5 PM Check-out and departure
Meals
A Welcome Dinner on Friday night
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Saturday
Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday
* Bag lunches will be available for folks going out on adventures for the day
** The kitchen is happy to accommodate the following dietary restrictions: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (non-Celiac), and dairy-free. All food is prepared on shared equipment, and we cannot guarantee that food is allergen-free for those with severe allergies; please specify your needs at registration
*** Alcohol is permitted, but you’ll need to BYOB