Stowe Vermont Hotels, Lodging & Vacations, Mountain Resort, Golf in Stowe Vermont

Spring in Stowe, Vermont - Golf and much more!
“Spring is when life’s alive in everything” - Christina Rossetti, English Poet, 1830-1894

Spring is a glorious time of renewal in our mountains and valleys, perfect for getting married in Vermont! The sweetness of maple sugaring season lends itself to a romantic getaway to Vermont. The legendary spring skiing and snowboarding at Stowe Mountain Resort, biking and rollerblading on the Stowe Recreation Path, fly-fishing, and opening day at our Stowe, Vermont golf courses all contribute to the excitement of spring in Stowe! Often referred to as our “serenity season”, we encourage you to visit to enjoy its many pleasures.

There is no better time to learn about the history of sugar making and enjoy its sweet flavor than during “boiling” season - an annual rite of spring. Join us for Vermont's 9th Annual Maple Open House Weekend from March 22 - 29, 2009. State-wide events (fun for the whole family) will take place – including samplings of the delectable “sugar on snow” culinary treat. We’ve highlighted some of the local events taking place during that weekend…

Nebraska Knoll Sugarhouse (Stowe) - “Sugar on Snow” demonstration & sampling, sugar house tours. (802) 253-4655.

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks (Montpelier) - Ski right to their maple trees on the Morse Farm Ski Center Trail System – ask for a free voucher for skiing (rentals available). “Sugar on Snow” and other events! (802) 223-2740.

Spring Skiing & Riding
For many locals, March and early April are favorite months for skiing & riding! March often comes “in like a lamb, and out like a lion” – historically, snowfall records have been broken in this glorious month on the mountain. Longer days, sunny skies, warmer temperatures and fun-filled spring events at the Stowe Mountain Resort contribute to ever-popular spring skiing traditions. Enjoy a spectacular sunrise service atop Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, on Easter Sunday morning.

The Stowe Mountain Resort offers complete services for all abilities and interests - including lessons from the renowned Stowe Ski & Snowboard School, equipment rentals, specialized programs for women, children and telemark skiers, retail shops, an outstanding cross-country ski touring/snowshoe center, restaurants, a cyber-cafe and more. Free trolley transportation is available from just outside the Inn's door to the Stowe Mountain Resort. For complete resort information, visit Stowe.com.

One of the many rites of spring is the onset of cycling season! Mountain and road bikes are brought out of hibernation and tuned up to hit the road, trail or path. Cyclists of every ability and interest will enjoy Stowe’s prolific terrain. The famous 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path, a gentle paved trail that starts just across from the Inn in Stowe Village and then winds its way through forests and meadows and over 11 arched wooden bridges, is perfect for families and for those who prefer a leisurely scenic ride. You will also discover countless “off the beaten track” dirt and paved roads and vigorous wooded trails for experienced cyclists. There are 103 miles of road in Stowe alone – 29 miles are blacktop and 74 are unpaved for mountain biking.

Bicycle rentals, including touring and mountain bikes, bicycles-built-for-two and children’s “trailabikes” are readily available. Guided mountain bike tours are also offered through several outfitters, one company offers a tour that combines hiking, mountain biking, a picnic lunch and swimming.

Bike Rentals (partial list):
AJs Ski & Sports (802-253-4593 / AJsSports.com)
Mountain Sports & Bike Shop (802-253-7919 / BikeStowe.com)
Action Outfitters (802-253-7975 / ActionOutfitters.net)

The Stowe Recreation Path
The award-winning Stowe Recreation Path is one of the “crown jewels” of Stowe’s outdoor world. Completed in 1989, this 5.3-mile paved, scenic path provides a wonderful, safe non-motorized haven for cyclists, runners, walkers, rollerbladers – and those who just wish to enjoy a spring picnic or soak their feet in the beautiful West Branch river. The path begins just across from the Inn in Stowe Village, and then winds through forests and meadows, crossing the river over 11 arched wooden bridges. The pastoral views and dramatic mountain scenery are simply breathtaking. Along the way, you may enjoy unique shops, restaurants and places to enjoy a cool beverage. Access to the path is free.

Rollerblade and bicycle rentals for all abilities and interests (including road, mountain, children’s bicycles and “trailabikes” for tots) are readily available.

Bicycle/Rollerblade Rentals:
AJs Ski & Sports (802-253-4593 / AJsSports.com)
Mountain Sports & Bike Shop (802-253-7919 / BikeStowe.com)
Action Outfitters (802-253-7975 / ActionOutfitters.net)

Spectacular mountain views and outstanding courses for every ability level are the hallmarks of golfing in and around Stowe! The Inn is within a fifteen minute drive to four golf courses – from the “challenging yet forgiving” Stowe Country Club to the exclusive, award-winning Country Club of Vermont to the relaxed atmosphere of The Farm Resort and Copley Country Club. Opening day varies per club, but it is safe to say that by mid-May, golfers will be out in full force sharpening their skills for the season!

Stowe Country Club / Stowe Mountain Resort – offering 360 degree views of Stowe and the Green Mountains, this course is often referred to as a “challenging but forgiving” 18-hole course. Undulating fairways, manicured greens and our clear mountain air will be a true pleasure to be savored. Before teeing up, take advantage of a huge 40-acre practice area, or reserve some instructional time with a PGA or LPGA certified pro. At the end of your round, relax in Kirkwood’s Pub and peruse the fully-equipped pro shop. For more information, visit Stowe.com or call (802) 253-4893. Stowe Country Club also offers a Customer Rewards Program, including a Frequent Player Card which offers discounted greens fees & the ability to earn a free round of golf!

Country Club of Vermont - This exquisite gem of a course is just a 20-minute drive to Waterbury Center. Majestic views and sweeping panoramas arising in every direction are just the beginning – this Graham Cooke course itself is a thing of beauty. Abundant sweeps and swales adorn every fairway and green and greens and tees are mowed and topdressed only by hand. This care shows, and lures members from near and far. For further information on the course, call (802) 244-1800 or visit CountryClubVT.com.

The Farm Resort – Just a short drive from the village, you may enjoy a truly relaxed atmosphere for golfing. The Farm offers a hilly 9-hole course, driving range, pro shop, carts and rentals. Vouchers for greens fees, including cart rental, may be purchased through our front desk. Reservations are always recommended, particularly on weekends. www.FarmResortGolf.com, 802-888-3525.

Other popular courses within a 45-minute drive include the Sugarbush Golf Course (802) 583-6725, Vermont National Country Club (802) 864-7770, Blush Hill Country Club (802) 244- 8974 and Copley Golf Course (802) 888-3013.

For families and those looking for a different sort of golf experience, we recommend the Stowe Golf Park, an 18-hole miniature golf “putting” course. Unique among mini-golf parks, the course strives to simulate a real golf environment. Refreshments are available at the snack bar. Open from 10AM to 9:30PM daily during the warmer months.

Horseback Riding
An ever-popular activity for all, provides a wonderful opportunity to get “off the beaten track” and experience the beauty of our woodland trails, fields and forests. Whether you prefer a leisurely guided trail ride or an exciting backcountry adventure with a picnic lunch, options abound in and around Stowe. We’ve highlighted several of the companies that offer horseback riding...

Edson Hill Manor – trail & carriage rides for all abilities, including trotting and cantering for intermediate to advanced riders. Trail rides are 55 minutes long and are offered from 9am-3pm daily by appointment only. Longer rides are available with advance notice. (802) 253-7371.

Windy Willows Farm – Nestled in the hills high above the village of Johnson. Explore hidden trails that will lead you through lush forest and pristine wilderness, along winding brooks, open meadows and old stone walls. About a 30 minute scenic drive from Stowe. (802) 635-7300.

Trapp Family Lodge Wagon Rides – fun for the whole family.
Please call for pricing. (802) 253-8511.

Gentle Giants Carriage & Wagon Rides - Scenic rides through a covered bridge onto a winding wooded trail along an open brook, then out into a meadow trail with spectacular views of Mt. Mansfield. Located at 4000 Mountain Road. Open daily 11am - 5pm (weather permitting) for reservations and information call 253-2216.

Along with Spring comes a heightened enthusiasm for all types of water sports – including canoeing and kayaking! In our area, rivers, lakes and ponds come to life, just beckoning you to set out for a leisurely paddling excursion or more vigorous “white water” adventure for the experienced.

Umiak Outfitters provides wonderful services for all abilities – including rentals, guided tours and seasonal programs (including children's options). Rental outposts are set-up at Lake Elmore and on the Lake Champlain waterfront. Call (802) 253-2317 or visit Umiak.com.

Kayak Fishing of VT offers full and half-day guided kayak fishing trips from mid-May through October. For more information and reservations please call 802-309-1225, e-mail to vtkayakfisherman@yahoo.com or visit VTKayakFishing.com.

Swimming
Visitors to Stowe are amazed at the wonderful addition of a state-of-the-art swimming facility to our area’s list of recreational amenities! Housed in a beautiful “barn”, The Swimming Hole offers a competition-sized pool with diving board, a toddler and child swimming pool with water-slide and fun water fixtures and a complete weight and cardiovascular training circuit. Visit TheSwimmingHoleStowe.com for more information.

The Inn also offers a unique swimming experience, not often found in Northern Vermont – our outdoor swimming pool is heated and open year-round! Enjoy a relaxing soak as spring transitions to summer, and warm up in our poolside lounge area with fireplace.

Along with Spring comes the big meltdown – our area ponds, streams and rivers come to life and are just beckoning the fishing enthusiast! A remarkable rebirth of “the art of fishing” has occurred in Stowe over the past ten years, allowing for a world of new opportunities for guided excursions, clinics and enhanced natural resources for anglers of all abilities.

Interest in fly-fishing in particular is soaring. Private reclamation projects along the banks of the famous Lamoille and Winooski Rivers, extensive stocking programs and the explosive growth of “catch and release” have helped the sport to flourish. Hone your skills and enjoy extensive local knowledge of when and where to fish with a guided excursion. You may find yourself casting from a float tube on pristine Sterling Pond (4,000’ above sea level), from the banks of one of our legendary rivers or from the peaceful, trickling West Branch river that winds through Stowe.

Fly Fish Vermont- Want to experience something unique while on your Vermont Vacation? The Fly Rod Shop in Stowe offers an experience that is fulfilling because their guides are not only great instructors but great fisherman. They offer river or stream instructional tours for all ability levels and their drift boat trips go down some of Vermont's most pristine waters. Whether you want to fish for rainbow, brown or brook trout,or try your hand at a landlock salmon, small mouth bass or northern pike, The Fly Rod Shop can fit your needs whether it's spin or fly fishing. They also offer a Junior Kids Fishing program, Weekly Free Casting Clinic's, Fly Fishing School's, equipment rentals and they are one of Vermont's best equipped retail store's carrying everything for your fishing needs. For more information please call 802-253-7346, email angler@flyrodshop.com or visit www.flyrodshop.com.

Green Mountain Troutfitters - Full service fishing retail outlet in close proximity to some of Vermont’s finest fishing. Fly and spin tackle, fishing licenses, clinics & classes, guided trips, equipment/watercraft rentals, books/videos, excellent service/advice, FREE fly fishing clinics! For more information please call 495-4271, email info@gmtrout.com or visit http://www.gmtrout.com/.

Kayak Fishing of VT - offers full and half-day guided kayak fishing trips from mid-May through October. For more information and reservations please call 802-309-1225, e-mail to vtkayakfisherman@yahoo.com or visit VTKayakFishing.com.

Resources:
Catamount Fishing Adventures - CatamountFishing.com, 802-253-8500.

Soaring
Treat yourself to an unforgettable adventure – soaring high above the mountains and valleys of Stowe! The premier soaring site in New England, Stowe Soaring offers glider rides, instruction and rentals from May through October. Soaring offers a smooth, graceful ride on silent wings. Pilots are highly experienced and for the adventurous they will show you beautiful maneuvers and even give you a turn at flying!

Stowe Soaring – at the Stowe/Morrisville Airport: StoweSoaring.com, (802)888-7845 or (800)898-7845.

Several options exist in Stowe for the tennis enthusiasts. Just a few blocks away from the Inn, you may play on courts at the Stowe Recreation Center, there is no charge for court-time as it is “first come, first serve.” Free, public use is also offered at the Stowe High School (about a 10 minute drive from the Inn). Indoor clinics, court time and and additional services are also offered at the Topnotch Resort & Spa, Stoweflake Resort & Spa, Trapp Family Lodge and several other area locations.

There is no better way to soothe and revitalize sore, tired muscles after a day of exhilarating winter fun than with a massage! The Green Mountain Inn offers the best resort rates for 25 to 80 minute treatments - from professionally certified massage therapists. Please visit our massage page for complete information on our massage treatments.

Should you wish to plan a day at the Spa, take a yoga or exercise class, or schedule an individual spa treatment, Stowe boasts two world-class spas - each within minutes from the Inn - that offer everything from facials to mud-wraps and much more!

A Grazing Tour
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).

Galleries, Shops & Antiques
The Stowe Area offers a wonderful shopping experience not often found in today's world of big chain stores and mega shopping malls. Each of the area's over 95+ shops, specialty and antique stores is independently owned - most are family operated. From exquisite hand-made quilts and crafts, Vermont specialty foods, ski and sports attire, fine art, books and more, you are sure to find unique treasures while enjoying the peace and charm of shopping in Stowe.

When staying a the Inn, be sure to visit our outstanding shops in the Old Depot, including Bear Pond Books, Vermont Furniture Works, The Stowe Mercantile, and Main Street Market. Here you will discover everything from penny candy to hand-crafted Vermont furnishings!

It is no wonder that Stowe has been touted to offer the "best dining outside of Boston and Providence". An amazing variety is available in over 65 restaurants and eateries - many receiving the highest reviews from such publications as Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Ski Magazine and the Wine Spectator. From Italian, Mexican, Thai and classic French to cozy pubs, bakeshops and fondue, your plate will be full while indulging in some of the best dining in the Northeast!

For those looking for apres ski fun and frolic, renowned establishments such as The Matterhorn, The Rusty Nail and The Shed Restaurant & Brewery will fit the bill. Many resorts and pubs offer entertainment throughout the season for every taste - from classic piano tunes to dancing the night away!

Arts & Events
Visitors to the area are truly amazed when discovering the eclectic, thriving arts community that exists in our relatively small resort town. The natural splendor and appeal of our lifestyle and landscape has long attracted gifted performers, artists and craftspeople to live and work in Stowe. A calendar that is rich and abundant with arts and cultural events is offered year-round. Musicals, comedies, dramas, choirs, orchestras, dance, films, festivals, concerts, art exhibits at the Helen Day Arts Center, glass blowing, clay workshops and more are just some of the activities and events offered in and around the area. For spring highlights, please visit our Special Events Calendar or the Stowe Area Association Web site at GoStowe.com.

In & Around the Inn & Stowe Village
Perhaps the greatest amenity that the Green Mountain Inn can boast is it's ideal central location in the heart of the historic Village. The Inn truly embodies all of the charm and character that has made Stowe a famous destination resort through the ages. In addition to those listed above, we've highlighted just some of the spring activities that may be enjoyed in this world that is just outside our door…