The eighteenth-century town of Stowe symbolises New England and attracts a mixed clientele of wealthy Bostonians and New Yorkers as well as a smattering of skiers from Britain. Stowe is a typical Vermont town of red-and-white, weather-boarded houses set around a steepled, white church onattractive Main Street, where most of the shops and some of the hotels arelocated. The main highway out of the village gently winds its way through 5 miles of stunning scenery - so similar to their Austrian mountain home that the Von Trapp family decided to settle in Stowe - to the main ski area at Mount Mansfield, at 1340m the highest peak in Vermont. Together with neighbouring Spruce Mountain, the ski area offers 480 acres of varied terrain suited to all types of skier. The resort boasts an enviable natural snow record - almost 260 inches per year - but still boasts the capability to cover 73% of the marked piste with modern snowmaking equipment. Getting around the resort is quick and easy thanks to a state of the art lift system currently featuring the world’s fastest Gondola. With an abundance of non-ski activities - including the world famous Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory - and a warm Vermont welcome, Stowe is definitely one of the most popular East Coast ski destinations.
The Skiing
With 48 trails on offer spread across two mountains there is plenty of skiing for everyone. A 5-minute ride on the free shuttle bus makes the transfer between the two quick and easy. Beginners are well catered for on Spruce Mountain. The wide, protected nursery area, offers a confidence building start on the aptly named ‘Easy Street’ and ‘Mighty Mite’ runs before venturing higher up to a variety of mainly blue, wooded runs. Across the valley road on Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, two fast lifts serve nearly all the trails. An eight-person gondola up to the Cliff House restaurant offers a choice of mainly blue runs down, including the 3.5-mile ‘Toll Road’. While the Cliff Trail links over to the main part of Mansfield. On this sector a high-speed quad carries skiers to the self-service Octagon Web Cafè, with superb views. The more challenging Nose Dive and Perry Merrill will test the nerve of the more confident skier whilst the advanced Skiers will head straight for the renowned ‘Front Four’ - Starr, Liftline, National and Goat - runs on Mount Mansfield. A range of steep, mogul and narrow chutes rightly considered some of the toughest slopes in the East. If skiing all day is not enough, Stowe offers some of the longest night skiing in New England from the top of the gondola. Snowboarders and free skiers are well catered for in the specially created terrain parks at Tyro (including a half pipe), Midway and Spruce. All pistes are impeccably groomed each night to ensure they are always in the best possible condition.
Additional Activities
A multitude of après ski activities are available in and around Stowe to keep everyone happy. Shopaholics can visit the Manchester Common and Essex Junction outlet centres, before visiting Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory for an insight - and taste - the world famous ice cream. Also on offer: - 4 screen cinema; outdoor ice-skating; sleigh rides; sports centre; night skiing; 10-pin bowling; karaoke nights and weekly ‘teen’ disco at the Rusty Nail.
Accommodation
We work with a number of different hotels and lodges in Stowe but we find that the Northern Lights Lodge receives consistently high reviews from our clients.
Northern Lights Lodge
Built in the Austrian style in keeping with the surrounding scenery, Al and his Northern Lights team will ensure a warm welcome for all skiers at the lodge. A relaxed comfortable atmosphere is the order of the day with groups able to relax in the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna before trying out their singing voices during the Karaoke night or in the large games room. Alternatively sit back and enjoy a movie in the small cinema room. Accommodation is in two adjacent building sharing the same large alpine style dining room. The hotel is on the mountain road only 10 minutes from the ski area.
