Family Winter Fun - Stowe and the surrounding area is a perfect vacation destination for families!

Families love our friendly, relaxed atmosphere and wonderful amenities to be enjoyed all year long – including our year-round heated outdoor pool with fireside warm-up area, complimentary afternoon tea, cider & cookies and Game Room with arcade games and air hockey table. The Main Street Games Tables (open nightly during the winter season) offer classic board games such as Monopoly, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Checkers & Chess, to be enjoyed by the fire.

Things to Do In & Around Stowe:

In Stowe Village
There are many great family activities offered in and around Stowe Village!

The Painting Place is a great way for kids and adults to unleash their creativity by painting their own pottery. What could be better than a hand-made souvenir from Stowe! And no visit to Stowe would be complete without a walk on the Stowe Recreation Path.

Sometimes the small things in life are the most enjoyable – the local kids will tell you that there is no better place to visit in Stowe Village than Lackey’s Variety Store – offering everything from candy and treats from the ice cream freezer to novelty toys and coloring books!

Other great shops in the area are the Stowe Mercantile & Bear Pond Books (located in the Inn’s Depot Building), the Yellow Turtle (children’s specialty clothing, ski clothes and accessories), Once Upon a Time toy store, and Shaw’s General Store in the Village.

In addition, kids and adults love the old-time atmosphere of the Depot Street Malt Shoppe, located just across from the Inn – if you haven’t had an egg cream, root beer float or banana sundae in a while, this is your chance!

Family Reunions & Holiday Festivities
The Green Mountain Inn has long been a popular gathering spot for memorable family reunions and holiday festivities! Please visit our holiday pages or call for further information and reservations. For family reunions or gatherings, please inquire about special group offerings (typically for groups of 10+ rooms) by contacting our Event Sales Manager at sales@gminn.com or by calling (802) 253-4400, ext. 601.

Skiing, Snowboarding & Childcare
At the Stowe Mountain Resort
Voted #1 as the "top destination in North America" by Skiing Magazine (November 2003), the Stowe Mountain Resort offers many children’s programs, both on and off the slopes!

Learn-to-Ski/Ride programs are headquartered at Spruce Peak, providing all new state-of-the-art terrain and lifts. For more advanced skiers and riders, Mt. Mansfield offers unlimited challenges and exploration. For further details on the various programs available, to make advance reservations, or if you have questions as to which program is right for your child, call (802)253-3000, or visit: Stowe.com/lessons/children.php

We have highlighted some of the options available at the Stowe Mountain Resort below:

Kids Adventure: Ages 4-6, skiing, all levels
Kids Adventurers must be out of diapers, and willing to ski and take part in a group environment. Your child is in the care of Stowe's professional staff for games, ski coaching, snack, lunch, and lots of fun! Drop your child off in the Adventure Center between 8:00 - 9:00 am.

Mountain Adventure: Ages 7-12, skiing or riding, all levels
Learn new skills, explore the mountain, and have a blast with a coach and peers of similar ability in an action-packed day. Lift, snack, and lunch included.

Who: 4-14 yrs ski or snowboard
What: Full day adventure program, 9:30-3:30
Where: Children’s Adventure Center
When: Groups form at 9:15 and leave promptly at 9:30
Price: Mid-week & non holiday: $105* includes lift, snack, and lunch;
Weekend & holiday: $125* includes lift, snack, and lunch

*Price includes VT meals tax.

Holiday Adventure: Ages 11-14, Skiing and Snowboarding, Advanced levels
Together with peers and a guide from the Stowe Ski and Snowboard School, advanced skiers and riders will explore the amazing terrain Stowe has to offer: cruisers, glades, bumps, park & pipe, and steeps! Includes full day of fun and coaching, lift access and lunch on the mountain. Holiday periods only.
Who: Advanced skiers and riders, 11-14
What: Holiday Adventure, 9:30-3:30
Where: Spruce Peak
When: Groups form at 9:15 and leave promptly at 9:30
Price: Mid-week & non holiday: $105* includes lift, snack, and lunch; Weekend & holiday: $125* includes lift, snack, and lunch * Price includes VT meals tax.
A $20 fee will be charged for late pick-ups.

The Big Easy
Reservations only. Space in lessons is first come, first served. Call 800-253-4SKI (4754)
A 2-hour Big Easy semi-private lesson with no more than a 3 to 1 student to teacher ratio offers the hands-on attention required to get the right start. 4-6 year old children who are enthusiastic about learning to snowboard can opt for this semi-private lesson or private lessons.

Skiing or Snowboarding, Beginner levels
Just starting out and looking for a slightly smaller group size? This lesson package includes a two hour semi-private session with up to 2 other students of similar age and ability. Access to the carpet lift and beginner chairlift is included. Choose morning or afternoon session for the same price!

Who: Skiers or riders, 4–14 years, Kids level 1 only
What: Semi-private lesson, 3:1 ratio
Where: Spruce Peak
When: 1 - 3 pm
Price: Mid-week and non-holiday $68; Holiday and Weekend $82 (beginner lift included)

3 Ski
Just for 3 year olds! A fun, no-pressure introduction to the sport of skiing with Stowe's specially trained instructors. Lesson includes appropriate amount of skiing, snow games and a ride on the Spruce Caboose. 3:1 child to instructor ratio. Kids need to be toilet trained and willing to participate. Beginner lift ticket included.
Who: Skiers, 3 years old only, all levels
What: Semi-private lesson, 3:1 ratio
Where: Spruce Welcome Center
When: 10 am - 12 noon
Price: Mid-week and non-holiday $68; Holiday and Weekend $82 (beginner lift included)

Reservations only. Space in lessons is first come, first served.
Call 800-253-4SKI (4754)

Interested in a full day of daycare for your 3 year old with a morning ski lesson? Reserve space at Cubs Daycare and ask about the ski lesson option.

Cubs - Programs for infants and toddlers
Cubs is a state licensed program for children 3 months to 3 years, dedicated to providing a warm, safe and fun environment that is developmentally appropriate. The facility is located in a cozy ski chalet nestled at the base of Little Spruce, providing easy access to the slopes. Three year olds can opt for an introductory morning ski lesson. Children 4 and up should check out our full day programs or our semi-private ski and snowboard lessons.

Advance reservations are required and/or strongly recommended for all programs.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Stowe offers renowned terrain for cross-country skiing & snowshoeing!

Enjoy the largest network of groomed terrain in the Northeast with three inter-connected touring centers and the Stowe Recreation Path. In addition, miles and miles of backcountry trails are available for those looking for a different challenge. Or take a gentle, guided trek from nearby Umiak Outfitters. Rentals for snowshoes and cross-country skis are plentiful in the area, and virtually no prior experience is necessary for snowshoeing!

Area Information:

Trapp Family Lodge Cross-Country Ski Center (complete touring center offering lessons/rentals) – TrappFamily.com, (802)253-8511 or (800)826-7000.

Sledding
Just a short walk from the Inn, Marshall Hill provides a wonderful environment for sledding and tobogganing! Next to the Leathers Playground (at the Stowe Elementary School) and the Jackson Ice Arena, tots to teens will thrill in this clean, good old-fashioned outdoor activity. Warm-up back at the Inn by the fire at afternoon tea, at The Whip, or in the Inn’s heated outdoor pool with fireside warming area.

Sleds (including the infant "bucket" style) and toboggans may be rented at Shaw’s General Store in Stowe Village.

Ice Skating
You can practically hear the thunder coming from the nearby Jackson Ice Arena when a local hockey game is taking place! The Arena offers public skating and skate rentals most days (please ask our Front Desk for a specific schedule) from late October through late March. Ice skating is classic, old-fashioned fun for the whole family!

Mush! If you've never been dogsledding it is time that you have this experience. If you've already been, you know why it's time to go again. Eden Mountain Dogsledding is the place to go to have an authentic dogsledding experience. Visit this working kennel tucked in Vemont's best snowbelt. Their ten miles of private trails are kept exclusively for dogsledding. Their kennel of twenty-five Alaskan Huskies live to run and pull. All the dogs are racing and working dogs. Eden Mountain Lodge is located twenty-five miles north of Stowe. See what it's like to take a ride with these amazing animals. Cozy up in a comfortable, one-of-a-kind touring sled, or dare to drive your own team. Eden Mountain Dogsledding is looking forward to tailoring your ultimate dogsledding experience.

Sleigh Rides
A horse-drawn sleigh ride is a classic experience not to be missed during your time in Stowe!

You will stay warm and toasty under blankets as you are whisked through snow-covered forests and fields under starry skies or while enjoying stunning views during the daylight hours. Reservations may be made through the Inn and billed to your room account if you prefer. You may also order sleigh rides from our Optional Amenities Menu.

From the Stowe Winter Carnival in January, to on-mountain events such as weekly Torchlight Parades & Fireworks and Pizza & a Movie (including a night Ski ticket) to "Family Night" at the Rusty Nail, you are sure to fill up your days with family fun and frolic!

Please visit our Events Calendar for a complete schedule of planned events to date.

Within an Hour of Stowe
Tour at the famous Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory (your family visit just wouldn’t be complete without this stop), where you will enjoy a free sample at the end! There is a small charge for the 30 minute tour. Graze at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, a working cider mill that hosts 200,000 visitors a year. En route, be sure to stop at the Cabot Cheese Annex/Lake Champlain Chocolates, where you’ll savor delectable samples of award-winning cheeses. Learn about the state’s most famous product at the Morse Maple Sugar Farm (located in Montpelier, just a 30 minute drive from Stowe).

Visit a working farm in the Stowe area – such a joy for children of all ages to experience Vermont’s traditions and rural heritage.

Also a leisurely 30-minute drive from Stowe is Montpelier, the state’s capital (the smallest in the country!). The Vermont Historical Society, Hubbard Park, Morse Sugar Farm, unique shops and the impressive Rock of Ages Granite Quarry offer a nice day trip.

Venture to the Burlington area (about a 45 minute drive from Stowe) for a fun-filled day of exploration. We highly recommend visiting the Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum and Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (offering tours and a retail shop) in Shelburne, the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington and the waterfront park area. For great buys on name brand children’s clothing, visit the Essex Outlet Fair in Essex (just outside of Burlington).

Child Care
Though the Inn does not offer child care services, we will be happy to assist you in arranging a sitter by providing you with the Stowe Area Association list of child care providers (including details of any certification and special training received), upon request. Please call our Reservations Staff at (800)253-7302, or e-mail to info@gminn.com for further information, or inquire during your stay. We highly recommend arranging child care in advance, especially during peak weekends and holiday periods, due to the high demand. During the winter months, the Stowe Mountain Resort offers day time child care and ski/snowboard programs for children – further information may be found below under the "At the Stowe Mountain Resort" section of this page.

Winter Family Fun in Stowe