Heermansmith Farm Inn

Coventry, Orleans County, Vermont

"Heermansmith Farm Inn, Irasburg, 05845. 802-754-8866. 10 km groomed skating lanes, 10 km marked outlying trials, 20 km total trails. Cafe/restaurant, lodging on site, ski packages. Free weekend trail fee." -1993

Location: Rte. 100, Wardsboro, Vt. 05360

Directory listings: 1989-1993

Known operators: Jack and Louise Smith

Today: out of operation

History

Aside from its listing in ski touring guides between 1989 and 1993, what we know about Heermansmith Farm comes from various guidebooks and newspaper articles. A 1995 article explains that Heermansmith farm, halfway between Coventry and Irasburg, has been in the Smith family since 1807. An excerpt from Inn Spots & Special Places in New England by Nancy and Richard Wordworth offer the origins of cross country skiing at Heermansmith Farm:

"It's the family home of Jack and Louise Smith, part of the Heerman family who have been dairy farmers here for five generations. The Smiths began serving ice cream to people who came to pick the strawberries in their fields. When someone suggested they should offer cross-country skiing in the winter, they found that skiers wanted something to eat. So in 1982 the Smiths opened they 1860 home to guests in a homey yet elegant dining room and then began putting up guests overnight."

As recently as 1999, Heermansmith offered 19 miles of touring trails (6 mi. groomed) according to Elizabeth L. Dugger's Adventure Guide to Vermont: "...Heermansmith Farm doesn't offer a ski shop, rentals, and lessons (but go anyway for the wonderful peace at this little inn)." The owners and operators Jack and Louise Smith married in 1971 and served as innkeepers at Heermansmith Farm for 25 years.

Today, Heermansmith Farm is closed indefinitely and the inn now exists as a private residence.

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See full listing of directory entries for Heermansmith Farm Inn here.