The fantasy of a winter day in Greater Boston goes something like this: It’s sunny but crisp. The ground is covered in fluffy white snow; not even a snowbank is dirty. The trees are heavy with snow, bending like a sparkling canopy.

The reality: full-on snowy days around Boston are not the norm.

But thanks to the mountains both north and west of us — and their colder, snowier climate — that quaint, snowy winter-town vibe is just a quick jaunt away.

The Green Mountains, White Mountains, Berkshires and the many mountains of Maine are all accented with perfect little spots that look like Hallmark Movie settings. They are charming  winter hamlets; spots worth packing your parka, cranking up your car and heading to for a magical winter escape.

Choices are countless. Here are a few of my favorites:

Rangeley, Maine: It’s easy to miss this little oasis of winter perfection tucked way up in near Saddleback Mountain. After all, most folks head there for the skiing. But Rangeley (https://www.rangeleymaine.com)  is totally worth a winter visit, whether you ski or not.

The Main Street area of the town is dotted with restaurants and bars that would make a foodie swoon. There are galleries to poke through and plenty of ways to live your winter town dream, like skating on Haley Pond or sledding at Mingo Springs Golf Course. You can even join a barn quilt tour.

A must stop is the Corner Bar, where they treat their cocktails like pieces of art and create amazing daily deviled egg specials.

Tuck up next to the crackling fire at the Rangeley Inn and Tavern (https://www.therangeleyinn.com) and savor their seasonal cocktails and amazing food. It’s a great place to stay as your base camp as well.

With an average of 200 inches of snow a year, you’ll find plenty of winter there.

Williamstown, Massachusetts: When James Taylor sings about the beauty of a place, you know it’s real. The Berkshires in winter are a wonder. And since this mountainous, tree-laced region takes only an hour to drive from one end to the other, it’s easy to settle into a home base and experience it all.

Williamstown (https://destinationwilliamstown.org), with its quaint vibe, wonderful museums and galleries, ample lodging and plenty of great and varied dining, makes a great central spot.

While the winter snow average comes in just below 70 inches, you are almost always going to see some, at least on the snow-covered peaks around you.

More often than not there’s snow lacing the tall trees that line their downtown shopping and dining area, a perfect spot to double button that warm winter coat and meander, hot beverage in hand.

The Clark Institute of Art is a warm and beautiful escape for when you want to be inside, and the 100-plus miles of winter hiking and snowshoe trails are idea for some rosy-cheeked outdoor fun.

History buffs will want to explore the Chapin Library of Rare Books and Manuscripts, where you can see an original version of the Declaration of Independence.

Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire: The Mac Daddy of all ski towns (MWV is a perennial top choice on best town lists annually), the Valley is also the perfect winter spot.

Tucked into the base of famed Mount Washington, the Valley (https://www.visitmwv.com), centered by North Conway, has it all. The true center of North Conway, with its historic train station, cool locally-owned shops (don’t miss Spruce Hurricane for cozy attire), is a destination in itself.

There you’ll find what feels like endless food choices (try breakfast at Peaches and do not miss the Baconator grilled cheese at Cheese Louise’s new North Conway location).

You can shop the outlets, poke through galleries, take a drive up Mount Washington itself via snow coach, or take a winding drive through beautiful Jackson (stop for a warm drink at the J-Town Deli and if it’s apres, head to the Wildcat Tavern to live like a local.

There’s every kind of lodging, from cozy to posh, intown and busy or tucked away in the trees or mountainside.

And should you want to feel the ski resort atmosphere without the skiing itself, head up to Cranmore Mountain Resort for tubing, hanging in a lovely new base lodge and even deep diving into apres – the scene is there for every age.

Looking for a snow-covered escape? Head to Rangeley, Maine and the Rangeley Inn for a winter wonderland. (Photo courtesy Rangeley Inn)
The lovely shops of North Conway are decked out for the season and ready for visitors. (Photo Moira McCarthy)