Stowe’s Not Just About Snow

The Possibilities Are Endless At This Euro-Inspired Resort

The Stowe Mountain Resort experience gets better every year. From Montpelier’s Perry Merrill cutting the first trails on Mount Mansfield in 1934 to the exciting acquisition by Vail Resorts in 2017, this epic mountain has been stacking up the advancements.

In the timeline of modern skiing, much can be accredited to those who initially promoted winter sports in New England, and especially the Stowe area. These ski pioneers were mostly members of the Amateur Ski Club of New York, est. 1931. Their determination to ignite a passion for skiing in North America similar to what already existed in Europe was directed toward Stowe Mountain Resort and successfully secured it as the first pinnacle of winter sports in the east.

Ever taken a lesson at ski school? You’ve got Austrian Sepp Ruschp to thank for creating the first Arlberg technique ski school on Mt. Mansfield, set up along the rope tow on the Toll House slope in 1936. Ruschp was also the first certified ski instructor to graduate US alpine examinations at Woodstock, Vermont. Glad to have safe slopes at your favorite resort? Tip your hat to the first U.S. Ski Patrol, established at Stowe in 1938. Grateful for longer chairlifts that deliver you to greater trail access? Give a nod to 1940, when the world’s longest chairlift of its day officially opened at Stowe.

Now race as fast as you can into the future to find Stowe Mountain today. Those first trails, requiring long hikes or upward skinning, have blossomed into a grand 116 runs. Find your footing on beginner trails (16% of the mountain), dash down the intermediates (59% of the mountain), or hone your craft on expert runs (25% of Stowe.) Equally important is what makes those trails excellent. Consider the details:

SNOW

  • Average annual snowfall: 300+ inches
  • Snowmaking coverage: 90% of terrain, starting in October – with fixed snowmaking guns located on all three of Stowe’s peaks.
  • A season that runs annually from late November until mid-April.

TERRAIN

  • 485 skiable acres
  • Total miles of skiing: 39
  • Longest run: 3.7 miles (Toll Road)
  • Vertical drop: 2,160 feet
  • Summit elevation: 4,395 feet (Vermont’s highest peak)
  • Terrain parks for all ski ability levels and a halfpipe too!

LIFTS

  • The most mile-long chairlifts in the east
  • Two types of gondolas:

1 inter-mountain transfer (10-person gondola)

1 high-speed summit (8-passenger gondola)

  • Three high-speed detachable quad chairs
  • Two triple chairlifts
  • Four double chairlifts
  • Two surface lifts
  • 100% high-speed lift access
  • Lift capacity: 15,516 passengers per hour

FUN FOR KIDS

  • “Kids Adventure Zones” – new for the 2018-19 season. Located throughout the resort, these “well-signed areas give kids and families the opportunity to easily access gentle side-country areas and freestyle terrain that is purpose-built for learning progression.” – Jeff Wise, Stowe’s Senior Manager of Communications.
  • Ice Skating – located by the Spruce Camp Base Lodge, this free, Olympic-sized rink is offered as a complement to your downhill and cross-country experience. Rent skates from Stowe or hit the ice on your own blades.
  • A Kid Zone at the new Stowe Rocks Climbing Center, located in the Adventure Center. This twelve-and-under climbing area has a 12-foot wall featuring crazy-fun climbing holds including airplanes, trains, letters, numbers, boats, and trucks. It’s the best way to introduce the little ones to climb in a safe and approachable environment.

ADDED PERKS

  • Epic Mix – new this winter. This app allows skiers and riders to track their days and vertical feet covered, share photos, earn digital pins, race against the pros and check real-time lift line wait times. All of these Epic Mix features are easily accessible through their chip-embedded season pass or lift ticket.
  • A stay at Green Mountain Inn starting as low as $144
  • Heated pools and hot tubs, spas, and wellness centers featuring saunas and spa treatments.
  • The low-key Linehouse speakeasy, with classy cocktails and a variety of menu items.
  • New resort parking areas.

It’s easy to see why you can stay stoked about Stowe. It’s always been a special resort, with a culture all its own. Some feared the Vail acquisition would strip it of its character. Indeed, its individuality seems only enhanced by the investments made. The slopes still open at 7:30 am on weekends, a distinction not shared by many resorts. The local craft brews and concoctions still flow. And the benefits of skiing and riding at a world-class resort remain too many to list. The first chair for the 2018-19 season is November 16th. Get your Epic Pass now!

Contact