With terrain on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the best places to ski on the East Coast. Many compare the fresh powder and luxe ski amenities to that of Colorado, earning Stowe Mountain Resort the nickname, “Aspen of the East Coast.” But there’s no shortage of New England charm at this quintessential ski resort three hours north of Boston.
Stowe Mountain Resort offers some of the best skiable terrain in New England—523 skiable acres in total— top tier for all ski levels, with comfortable amenities to ensure a seamless experience on and off the mountain.
Skiing Stowe Mountain Resort
The expansive ski resort is set on Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield—4,395 feet at its tallest point. Whether you’re skiing on a wedge down a green trail or carving out some serious tracks on a black diamond trail—skiing the highest peak in the state comes with some gorgeous scenery and bragging rights.
Stowe Mountain Resort boasts 127 trails total with 27 miles of groomed trails and over 18 miles of backcountry terrain. The trails breakdown is 16% beginner, 55% intermediate, and 29% advanced with 12 lifts total, including two of the iconic red Stowe gondolas. Find all of the trails on this nifty map.
While Stowe welcomes many advanced and even professional X Games-level snowboarders like Jack Mitrani, some recognize Stowe to offer some of the best beginner trails on the east coast.
Learn to ski at Stowe
Stowe Mountain Resort offers a robust lessons program for those wanting to learn to ski or just freshen up their skills. Child or adult group lessons cater to a social lesson experience with a unique comradery, pairing sub-groups based on skill level, so attendees can advance at the right speed.
Stowe also offers first-timer lessons covering all the basics like turns, skiing on a wedge, and chairlift etiquette. For those seeking one-on-one instruction, find half-day (3-hour) and full-day (6-hour) private lessons. The resort also offers a series of diverse signature experiences and long-term lesson programs.
Dine on Vermont’s highest peak
Home to one of the “best ski restaurants in America according to USA Today readers,” Cliff House is enough reason to visit the ski resort—even if you don’t ski.
Ride one of Stowe’s iconic red gondola’s for a mountaintop lunch with breathtaking views. Another mountaintop favorite is the Octagon Cafe, accessible by the FourRunner Quad chairlift for beautiful slopeside dining.
Après-ski
It could be argued that the views from below are just as stunning as those from above. At the mountain base, find several tasty dining options, with equally delicious views of the slopes. At the base, visit the Spruce Peak Base Lodge for an expansive, exposed-wood cafeteria with 360° views. Alpine Hall and Tipsy Trout offer refined dining options for lunch and dinner in an elegant setting using locally sourced ingredients.
Hotels in Stowe, Vermont
Stowe has two mountainside resorts that are at the base of the ski resort, Topnotch Resort and The Lodge at Spruce Peak. The Lodge at Spruce Peak is Stowe’s only ski in/ski out resort where guests can glide straight from bed to the slopes!
For a truly unique hotel in Stowe, Vermont, stay at Outbound Stowe. Enjoy one of the spacious pavilions or reserve one of the property’s charming A-frame cabins for the perfect retreat grounded in nature. There’s a complimentary shuttle that runs all day from Outbound Stowe straight to the slopes, so it’s easy traveling to and from the mountain!
About Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort is heralded as one of the East Coast’s premiere alpine destinations for skiing, snowboarding and more! The resort is perfect for boundless winter adventure, offering diverse terrain, a beautifully organized ski school and rental program, and over 11 on-site dining options and a mountain view ice skating rink for some fun après!
Stowe Mountain Resort is part of the Vail Resorts collection which includes a portfolio of 42 mountain resorts in North America, Europe, and Australia!