Stowe, Vermont Skiing, Snowmobiling, & Winter Family Fun - Things to Do In Stowe

Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding in Stowe Vermont
Many fantastic changes are taking place at Spruce Peak as part of the Stowe Mountain Resort's $300 million revitalization project, making your Stowe, VT vacation even more enjoyable. The "new" Spruce offers an amazing ski experience - a true mecca for beginners, intermediates and families in particular. The addition of two new lifts and state-of-the-art beginner terrain is a tremendous boon for beginners. Spruce offers the finest intermediate terrain in the east!

The sunny face of Spruce Peak is more accessible and fun to ski than ever. The new Sensation high-speed quad cuts travel time to the top of the slopes in half. Major enhancements to the classic Main Street trail include a fully automated snowmaking system (the only one in New England), providing top-to-bottom snow coverage and conditions similar to perfect Utah powder on any given day. Combined with its spectacular views of Mt. Mansfield, characteristic side routes and sheltered glades that have been left untouched, Main Street tops the list of sweet cruising runs anywhere in the country, making our Stowe, Vermont ski packages worth every dime!

The revitalization of Spruce Peak is a ten year project that includes the addition of a luxurious base lodge, outdoor skating rink, performing arts center, restaurants, shops, a mountain links 18-hole golf course and more. The long-awaited connector lift between Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield - called "Over Easy" - transports you over Route 108 quickly and easily, making both mountains more accessible than ever.

Most of the resort's 48 ski trails were hand-cut in the early 1900s - long before bulldozers helped to get the job done. The famous "Front Four" trails, including Nose Dive, Goat, National and Starr, continue to awe and humble even the most experienced skiers and riders. Beginners and intermediates will find unmatched terrain, both on Mt. Mansfield and adjacent Spruce Peak when they ski Stowe, Vermont. Spruce offers gentle, sweeping terrain for those just starting out or skiers who would like to hone their skills. Every trail offers a unique experience - no two are alike - and skiers of all abilities who ski Stowe continue to delight in the conditions and terrain.

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-café 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.

For Stowe, Vermont vacations, our Reservations staff is happy to customize your 2+ day "Stay & Ski/Ride Package", offering many added benefits, based on the number of nights that you would like to stay and the number of days that you would like to ski! Call 800-253-7302, e-mail to info@gminn.com or send us an instant message.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Stowe offers renowned terrain for cross-country skiing & snowshoeing! Enjoy the largest network of groomed terrain in the Northeast at three inter-connected touring centers, the Stowe Recreation Path - a relatively flat, scenic path, and the Inn’s private 120 acres of beautiful off-site trails. 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!

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

Stowe Mountain Resort (complete touring center offering lessons/rentals) – Stowe.com, (802) 253-3000

Edson Hill Manor (touring center offering lessons/rentals) – stowevt.com, (802) 253-7371, (800) 621-0284

Umiak Outfitters (snowshoe/cross-country ski rentals/guided tours) – Umiak.com, (802) 253-2317. Inquire about vouchers and packages available from the Inn for the winter season!

AJs Ski & Sports (snowshoe/cross-country ski rentals) – AJsSports.com, (802) 253-4593, (800) 226-6257

Snowmobiling
Experience the thrill of snowmobiling during your visit to Stowe! The extensive, expertly groomed VAST trail network winds around the area, offering a mecca for those bringing their own snowmobiles (a VAST membership must be purchased for trail access - please visit VTVAST.org for complete information). For those who would prefer to rent or enjoy a guided tour, we recommend Stowe Snowmobile Tours, located at Umiak Outfitters, just south of Stowe Village on Route 100. Inquire about vouchers and packages available from the Inn for the winter season!

Snowmobile tours are available for beginners to experts, and include a two hour, 20-25 mile excursion through snowy forests and fields, affording mountain and valley views along the way. You will enjoy all new snowmobiles with heated handle grips; choose to ride single, double or as a passenger with one of their friendly, knowledgeable guides. Helmets and boots are provided, but plan on dressing warm for the great outdoors! Tours leave every two hours, Midweek (non-holiday) from 9:00AM through 5:00PM, and Weekends and Holidays every two hours from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Call (802)253-6221 to reserve your snowmobile adventure prior to arrival, or for further information. Walk-ins are welcome, based on availability!

Sleigh Rides
A horse-drawn sleigh ride is a classic experience not to be missed during your time in Stowe! Be it a romantic excursion for two, or a family affair, 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.

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, everyone 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 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! That close, the Arena offers public skating and skate rentals most days (please call 802-253-3721 for hours of operation as they change daily) from late October through late March.

Sled Dog Tours
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.

For more information visit DogSledRidesVermont.com, call 802-635-9070 or email info@edenmountainlodge.com.

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 - including Swedish Deep Tissue, Relaxation and Aromatherapy - from five professionally certified massage therapists. Please click here for complete information on massage.

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!

Ice Climbing
Nearby Smuggler's Notch (fondly referred to as "The Notch" by locals), nestled in Vermont's Green Mountains, provides a superb playground for ice climbing. Terrain varies from easy sloping gullies to long vertical ice faces.

For experienced climbers with all the gear, An Ice Climber's Guide to Northern New England may be purchased online or at the nearby Mountain Sports & Bike Shop.

For more information about ice climbing in Vermont, visit the Vermont Outdoor Guide Association's climbing page. Guided ice climbing tours are available through Vermont Adventure Tours.

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!

Guests of the Inn enjoy exclusive shopping discounts to many shops and services around the area during their stay!

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).

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 après ski fun and frolic, renowned establishments such as The Matterhorn, The Rusty Nail and The Shed 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 winter highlights, please visit our Special Events Calendar or the Stowe Area Association web site at GoStowe.com.

Perhaps the greatest amenity that the Green Mountain Inn can boast is our 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 winter activities that may be enjoyed just outside our door…