Vermont

For the past 15 years, HGTV has been giving away a Dream Home to one lucky winner. This year, the home is a spacious ski retreat in Stowe, VT, that can house up to 14 people comfortably. It sounds like the perfect destination for ski bums who want to bring a posse of friends for some weekend adventuring.

You can enter twice a day to win the home, whose exterior architecture was inspired by Adirondack Great Camps from the late 19th century. The home is quite lovely, with most furnishings provided by Vermont-based Ethan Allen. Modern art, thoughtful designs, including a bunk room for wedging in as many pals as possible, and ski- and outdoor-adventure-oriented features make this the perfect ski lodge.

I recently had the chance to chat with designer John Gidding and builder Jack Thomasson about the home's layout and construction. Keep reading to watch a video discussing some of my favorite features in the house and to take a tour of the spaces I mention in the interview.

After looking at the 100 largest metropolitan areas in America, Burlington, VT, came out on top as Self magazine's "fittest, healthiest, and happiest" city to live in for women. The magazine studied almost 8,000 different pieces of data in 50 categories and consulted a panel of experts to come up with its rankings. Information factored into the creation of this list includes rates of diseases, air quality, unemployment statistics, and health habits such as exercise and smoking.

The New England city boasts some of the lowest rates of cervical and ovarian cancer deaths in the country, and healthy habits prevail: women walk to work regularly and don't smoke. Where Burlington really shines is in nutrition and food — the city has six times as many food co-ops than the national average, and its farmers markets accept food stamps.

What to see how your hometown fared?  Check out the entire ranking here.

I love the idea of creating a getaway that's all about family. Those were exactly the intentions of architect Kyu Sung Woo, when he decided to build a three-home compound outside of the small town of Putney, VT.

When Woo was forced to flee his hometown during the Korean War, he decided that he would re-create a family home for his extended relatives when he had the opportunity. Now, the sleek, understated, and pristinely beautiful home provides a retreat for his wife, children, and grandchildren.

For the complete tour, read more