For those looking to get out of the city and experience all that winter has to offer, Stowe, Vermont’s charming ski resort, is your best bet. About a three-hour drive from Boston, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities here, with options available for the adventurous and the more laid-back.
From snowshoeing and ice skating to a gondola ride to Vermont’s highest peak, it’s not just skiing in this town, although it’s a popular spot for enthusiasts. Plus, there are plenty of places to enjoy hearty meals, pizza, New England brews, and fresh fondue, or skip the snow altogether and explore a quaint main street. Here are all the best things to do in Stowe this winter.
Hit New England’s most popular slopes
The Boston area is full of places to hit the slopes of nearby mountains. But as the “Ski Capital of the East”, you can count on Stowe to provide some of the best conditions you can imagine. Stowe Mountain Station, celebrating its 85th season of lift service, is the premier destination for outdoor activities as it is surrounded by Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. With over 480 skiable acres, choose from a standard lift ticket to explore on your own or private or group lessons taught by world class instructors. Rentals are also available, but make sure book your equipment online in advance.
Get ready for a day of snowshoeing
If skiing really isn’t your passion, don’t worry. Stowe is a snowshoe mecca, with trails including the world-renowned Stowe Recreation or “Rec Path”, which ends with a covered bridge giving scenes straight out of a movie. There is also Kirchner and Wiessner wood with trails to the first Trapp Family Lodge. Are you looking for shoes? To verify Umiak Outdoor Outfitters essentially. The store also offers racket and snow tubing trips starting at $69 per adult, which will get you not only the equipment, but also snacks like the local Cabot Cheese and hot cider from Creuse Cold Cider House.
Or you can hit the ice
In the heart of the resort, you will find Spruce Peak Village, a destination equipped with everything you need to live your après-ski dreams, including an outdoor skating rink. With no admission charge (unless you need to rent a pair of skates), the backdrop is simply magical as you’re essentially swallowed up by the ski slopes. After doing a few laps around the ice rink, relax at the Flag of the Whistle Pig, which overlooks the skaters. You can grab a seat inside or enjoy the heated pergola while sipping on “winter warmers” like Puffy Coat, a mix of PiggyBack Rye, Vanilla Simple Syrup, and Vermont Hot Apple Cider.
Ride the slopes in a gondola
If you’re looking for top notch views, take the Stowe Gondola SkyRide climb Mount Mansfield for an unforgettable experience. Running now through April 2022, you can buy tickets online ranging from $26 per child to $37 per adult. Pro Tip: When you get to the top, visit Restaurant of the cliff for a panoramic view—just make sure take a reservation in advance.
Cycling, yes cycling, with Lamoille Valley Bike Tours
Who said you had to wait for summer to go for a bike ride? With Johnson Lamoille Valley Bike Tours (about a 20 minute drive from Stowe) you can hire a fat tire e-bike to (safely) glide over fresh snow along the car-free Rail Trail or local side roads. The self-guided e-bike adventure also includes a tour of Johnson’s Village, a stop at the brewery, a fireside marshmallow roast, hot chocolate, and a tasting of local cheeses at their trailside center.
Dine at one of the many local restaurants
Stowe has a host of healthy slopeside dining options like family run Harrison Restaurantwhich serves New England seafood specialties, from oysters to crab cakes, and matterhorn, a favorite spot for après-ski adventures, serving everything from sushi to brick-oven pizza. We’re not done yet—The bench is home to quality comfort food, from California-inspired dishes featured at Plaquebrunch at Butler’s Pantryand the record collection at the restaurant Doc ponds are all worth adding to the list. And no visit to town is complete without grabbing a few bottles at Vermont’s first and only natural wine store and restaurant, Cork.
Stop for a slice at Piecasso
While we’re talking delicious meals, you can’t pass them up. Piecasso. The family business, committed to artisan pizza and attentive to the “little things”, is an essential Stowe stop. Specialty toppings range from Vermont butter and goat cheese to Rhapsody organic tempeh, while pie options include portobello, veggies, pesto, barbecue and more. It’s also worth mentioning that the restaurant does Italian-inspired appetizers and martinis, and offers Vermont microbrews to please just about everyone in your group.
Have a drink in an authentic brasserie
Stowe is very clean Beer Alchemist and Idletyme Brewing Company are go-to places for those grainy double IPAs, but there’s also the ban pig to Waterbury (about 15 minutes by car) and Rock Art Brewery to Morrisville (about a 10 minute drive) which will not disappoint. If you’ve had too many APIs to count, there’s always Stowe Cider and the previously mentioned Creuse Cold Cider House for hard ciders made in New England.
Walk down Main Street
Historic downtown Stowe is an iconic strolling location, home to Main Street’s country store, ski and snowboard museum, chocolate factory, breakfast and lunch cafeand many more to discover, without forgetting black cap coffee (with beer and wine to be won) and Swiss Fondue by Heinzserving you guessed it, an authentic Swiss fondue around a candlelit dinner.
Stay a little and book a few nights
Stowe is full of cozy cabins and winter stays. A look at the Airbnb results, and you’ll be happy to know that you have some solid options. But in case they fill up fast, it’s also worth checking out The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Talta Lodgeand as mentioned, Austrian inspiration Trapp Family Pavilion. If you find availability at Trapp Family Lodge, you don’t have to leave the premises to enjoy everything from a bakery (which hosts Fondue Friday) has a bierhall at home tastings wine cellar.
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