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
TERRAIN
LIFTS
1 inter-mountain transfer (10-person gondola)
1 high-speed summit (8-passenger gondola)
FUN FOR KIDS
ADDED PERKS
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!