Looking for the best snow this side of the Mississippi? Gear up and head to Stowe for an amazing winter weekend.
Charming Vermont town? Check. Killer slopes? Check. Luxe spot to stay and après? Check, check.
When it comes to Northeast ski spots, Stowe checks all the boxes for those looking for a luxury experience. We laid first tracks to scope out where to stay, spa and shop so you can have the ultimate winter weekend.
Incredible landscapes and plenty of slopeside amenities make winter the perfect time to experience Stowe.
WEAR
There is an old saying about dressing for a day on the mountain in New England: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.” Gear up with a layered approach. A base layer made of 100% merino wool fabric offers breathable warmth, perfect for skiing and snowboarding. An insulating second layer is also essential on a midwinter’s day in Stowe. Ideally a full-zip, lightweight, long-sleeve jacket with insulation is best both on the slopes and as cozy après-ski attire. (You can snatch these up at the True North shop in Spruce Peak if you forget anything.) The third and outer layer should be your most technical, offering complete protection from both wind and moisture. The best-in-class ski jackets use GORE-TEX Pro fabric and prove to be the lightest in weight and most versatile in use for any season on the mountain. The leading brands you’ll see around Stowe include Arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, Patagonia and KJUS. Majola is also a premium mountainwear brand from Scandinavia with its only U.S. retail store located in Stowe.
Soar to the top in Stowe’s famous Gondola SkyRide
GEAR UP
If you need equipment rentals or want to demo the latest equipment, the best option by far is reserving what you want directly at the mountain. Stowe Mountain Resort offers pickup locations at any slopeside rental or demo shop and village or hotel locations in Stowe. Any adjustments, equipment changes or repairs can also be done on the spot without interrupting your day on the slopes. On-mountain shops offer premier ski and snowboard equipment from top brands with personalized gear service by an expert team.
An outdoor skating rink sits in the heart of Spruce Peak Village and is surrounded by majestic mountain views.
BOOK IT
Umiak Outdoor Outfitters (umiak.com) in Stowe is a place where you can book custom adventures on the snow and off the mountain. You can go dog sledding with an experienced musher and their huskies for a day adventure or at sunset. Snowshoeing is also a wonderful way to experience Stowe’s winter wonderland. Available during the day or in the evening using headlamps, the excursion takes you on a guided tour that concludes with a toasty fire, local cheeses and hot mulled apple cider. A favorite among young families is the Umiak tubing and sledding adventures, which include two hours of sliding and gliding on a private, scenic hill in Stowe.
DINE
Open daily for lunch and distinctively situated atop the Mansfield Gondola on the shoulder of Mount Mansfield, the Cliff House Restaurant at Stowe Mountain Resort brings dining to new heights. The rustic interior pays homage to the Austrian roots of our chalet with spectacular panoramic-view seating and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the surrounding alpine peaks. Reservations are required this winter on Tock.
Owned and operated by chef Michael Kloeti, Michael’s On The Hill (michaelsonthehill.com) serves dishes inspired by farm-to-table European comfort food. As a proud member of the Vermont Fresh Network, Local First Vermont, Farm Plate & Slow Food, the restaurant prioritizes the use of local, organic products in every dish.
With 116 trails, there is something for skiers of all levels at Stowe.
STAY
Located right at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, The Lodge at Spruce Peak is New England’s only luxury ski-in, ski-out hotel. Après options abound with a full-service spa and salon, fitness center, heated outdoor pool, dining options and direct access to the Plaza, which boasts ice skating on an outdoor rink and fireside apps and sips at The WhistlePig Pavilion.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Stowe is part of Vail Resorts’ incomparable assembly of 37 ski resorts across North America. The greatest benefit of this is the Epic Pass. From single-day passes to products that offer unlimited, seasonlong access to every resort, purchasing an Epic Pass in advance of your skiing getaways has many benefits. Skipping the ticket windows and going direct to the lifts is the first convenience you’ll experience. Also, as a passholder you’ll be a part of the Epic Mountain Rewards program, with benefits all around the resort including dining, lessons, rentals and other perks.
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
