Superb!5 / 5Jul 27, 2012
DDeb
classic new england sking without all the hoopla, which I hear is about to change with the addition of condos and homesBuild your Stowe Ski Trip
Learn more about Stowe
Pros
- There’s plenty of challenging terrain to explore
- The lifts are efficient and fast, meaning you can get up the mountain faster
- Endless dining and drinking options are available in downtown Stowe
Cons
- Most expensive resort in the East and crowded on the weekends
Overall
Consistently ranked as one of the top-ranking ski resorts in Vermont, Stowe is as posh as it is popular. The expert terrain draws quite some attention in the Northeast with challenging trails and incredible out of bounds skiing. Off the mountain, it's all quite glamorous with everything from luxurious accommodation to fine dining.
Best month to go
January and February
When there has been a decent snowfall, the best months to visit Stowe are January and February. You should avoid going on President's Week because all of New England will be on school vacation.
FLY TO
Burlington Airport
DRIVE TO
Stowe Mountain Resort (1 hour)
Stowe Village (8 mi)
- Budget to luxurious accommodation available
- Offers a variety of restaurants and facilities
- Free shuttle to the ski resort
Stowe Mountain Lodge
- High-end ski-in/ski-out accommodation
- Offering everything from studios to suites with full kitchen
- Full service spa
For beginners
Given the high prices of everything here, Stowe is probably not the best value for beginner skiers. Nevertheless the base of Spruce Peak has a beginner area while for boarders, there are 6 terrain parks within Midway Small Park to practice at. The best beginner run is Toll Road to Lower Toll Road - it goes from summit to bottom, is long and winding, and a good challenge for beginners who are ready for to step it up. It's also the longest run at Stowe!
For intermediates
Stowe is perfect for intermediate skiers and snowboards with 55% of the trails being blues! The best intermediate trails are the long cruisers like Main Street which is wide with great views from all directions. Boarders will enjoy the Lower Standard Medium Park.
For experts
Serious skiers will be thankful for how steep Stowe mountain is. Stowe is known for its infamous Front Four double-black diamond trails (National, Goat, Starr and Liftline). They are the most challenging trails, narrow, with boulder drops and ledges on one and ungroomed terrain so be prepared for moguls. Expert boarders should try out Tyro Large Park for massive jumps, boxes and rails.
Find freshies
Access the woods by taking the Sensation Quad for the best freshies and evenly spaced tree skiing! You can also hike off the Gondola to the summit towards Hourglass Chute and Hellbrook.
Ditch the crowds
Crowds can be found near the Adventure Center and Toll House Double because it services the less experienced skiers. You can avoid the crowds by sticking with the trails off the Fourrunner Quad since it is more suitable for advanced skiers. Be sure to also jump on the lifts as they open before the crowds start rolling in!
Non skiers
Stowe is a great pick for non-skiers, as there is so much to do outside of skiing. The nearby historic village of Stowe, accessible by the free shuttle bus, is great for shopping and dining. For the adults, there are luxury spas, a great après-ski atmosphere, and Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, which hosts various cultural events. If you fancy something a bit more active, there is also ice-skating, indoor rock-climbing, hiking one of the best winter hikes in Vermont, and snowshoe tours.
Families
If you've got little ones starting out on the snow for the first time, Stowe has an amazing ski school! For families with varied ski levels, the Mount Mansfield area has a simple gondola crossover, allowing easy access to beginner/intermediate/advanced terrain all in one area.
Save up to 35% when you book a Stowe package!
View Stowe packages
Stowe Reviews
Very Good!4 / 5Jun 10, 2012
TTara
I believe that Stowe has some very challenging terrain and some easy stuff as well. The trails seem twice as long as some of the other resorts I have been. I believe Stowe is just an all around good time.Superb!5 / 5Mar 28, 2012
SStephen
i love stowe it is a small alpine town a place where you can regroup with your family and ski all day. and you have many choices to dine at in the evening.Superb!5 / 5Feb 14, 2012
JJason
It had plenty of runs to choose from and enough to challange me all day long.Superb!5 / 5Oct 07, 2011
JJohn
terrain & scenic beauty unlike anywhere else in the northeast. travel distance as compared to anywhere out west makes this more attractive to me than Jackson Hole, for example. Obviously, JH as well as Alta & others are more exciting but too far away.Average!3 / 5Sep 08, 2011
RRob
Best terrain selection in the EastSuperb!5 / 5Jun 17, 2011
MMarcq
its the biggest and best snow and best lifts. even tho its the furthest from my house we still love itSuperb!5 / 5Aug 20, 2010
JJeff
Stowe has the best balance of features for me (a skier) and my wife (a non-skier).Very Good!4 / 5Feb 24, 2009
RRick
I like different areas for different reasons. Stowe has wonderful challenging terrain, great scenery and enough good skiers to make me put up with the "show" crowd. You don't list the resort I would have chosen, Whiteface. The top of that mountian can't be beat on a good day :-) Of course, the snow in Utah (Alta) is wonderful. Vail's bowls are... MorePoor!1 / 5Jun 10, 2006
LLucy
Don't have much that I saw