Conditions Report
Industry News
Report from Sunday, March 17, 2024
The Northeast is home to ski resorts with great terrain, deep history, and that old ski vibe everyone loves. Some big mountains spread throughout New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont will challenge even the most experienced skiers or riders. According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), the Northeast had 145 ski areas operating during the 2022/23 season. Vermont is home to 26 ski areas, and Stowe Mountain Resort is one of them.
Stowe is located in the Green Mountains and is the birthplace of alpine skiing in Vermont. It was the location of the first lift-served runs on Mount Mansfield in 1937, the birthplace of the 10th Mountain Division, and home to the nation’s oldest Ski Patrol. Nestled on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe is one of the most fabled ski resorts in the East. It is a destination resort that should be on every skier or rider’s list.
Quick Facts and History:
- Founded in 1937
- Home to the Mansfield Mountain Ski Patrol, which is the Oldest Ski Patrol in the United States. (1934)
- Summit Elevation: 4,395 feet
- Highest Skiing Elevation: 3,625 feet
- Skiable Terrain: 485 acres
- Trails: 116
- Lifts: 12
- Terrain Parks: 1
- Average Snowfall: 314 inches
There are two sides to Stowe Mountain Resort, the Mansfield and Spruce Peak areas, which are connected by the Over Easy Gondola. The Mansfield side has that classic Vermont ski resort vibe with all the history, the legendary front four, and trails cut back in the 1930s. The trails on the Mansfield side are steep and narrow and offer a variety of great terrain. The trails on this side of the mountain give guests a premium Vermont mountain experience that you cannot get anywhere else.
Spruce Peak is the newest terrain geared towards beginners and intermediate skiers/riders. It has that feeling of being at a western ski resort with its ski village where guests can walk around and grab food, shop, and relax. Stowe’s only ski-in, ski-out luxury hotel is located at Spruce Peak and has everything a guest could want in a ski village. Everything is centrally located, making it easy for guests to check out all its amenities, including an award-winning Spa, full-service fitness center, all-season heated pool, and four on-property dining outlets. Guests can also enjoy outdoor ice skating, a world-class Adventure Center with an indoor climbing wall, shopping, multiple dining outlets, and the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center.
If you are looking for something to do off the mountain, there are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and other lodging options. The town of Stowe is only minutes away and is home to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. It is a great place to check out for anyone who wants to take a look at all the history the state of Vermont has in snow sports. Topnotch Resort is another great place to stay. It is a sophisticated gem where alpine luxury is served on an intimate scale. It is a dog-friendly resort with food and water bowls and a dog mat for your loyal companion to lay on when you arrive in your room.
It was a beautiful blue bird day when I visited Stowe, and the weather was in the 50s with a slight breeze. It was some of the best spring skiing that I have ever experienced in my life. Conditions were great considering the warmer temperatures, and the front four at Stowe were closed in the morning. The Front Four at Stowe is a must-ski when visiting the mountain, and the trails are Goat, Liftline, Starr, and National. Later in the day, ski patrol opened Liftline, a double diamond slope, and I had to chance to hit it. It sits directly under the Four Runner Quad Lift and is steep and a little icy at the top. Halfway down the run, it became less steep, and the conditions were fast.
I had skied some pretty steep terrain this season, and Liftline is steep at the top and a little icy. I was at the top of Liftline and choosing my line down the run when I somehow managed to catch an edge. I started slipping off the slope on the skier’s left towards Goat and into the trees. It had never happened to me before, and I will never forget it. Slipping backward towards the trees is something no one wants to experience, and it was a lesson for me to always be cautious even when I am not skiing fast. It also was a great reminder of why the Front Four at Stowe are legendary.
Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the mountains that everyone should check out if they ever get the chance. The mountain’s atmosphere, history, and vibe are something you can only find in Vermont. It offers terrain for all levels of skiers, great lodging options, and some of the best après-ski scenes in the Northeast. Stowe is on the Epic Pass, allowing guests to check out other resorts in the Northeast, such as Okemo, Hunter, and Mount Snow. The Epic Pass allows guests to ski or ride at 42 different ski resorts worldwide. If you are ever in the Northeast, Stowe is well worth the visit and the chance to experience a premier skiing & riding destination in Vermont.
For more information, visit Stowe’s website.
