“Everything here is just so cute,” my brother said. “I am sorry, but that’s just the best word for it.” And that is what a trip to Stowe feels like: cute, perfectly packaged, postcard, easy, peaceful, quaint, calm. Pick your word but of all the things to do in Stowe, VT in the winter every one felt like living in a Norman Rockwell painting. I loved it.
I went for the skiing. I love skiing and try to get out to explore huge slopes with big reputations as much as I can. Alas, it isn’t something we get to do much as a family trip due to the insane price tag skiing now requires. It is sad. But being outside, swishing down a mountainside in crisp snow, feeling the lungs on fire and the quads screaming is just living at its highest to me. I can’t get enough.Â
Usually, my brother and I try to haul out West, where snowfall is bigger and more predictable. But this year, given jobs and other “adulting” demands, I proposed we try something easier to get to, something in the northeast. Stowe it was.
We, once again!, had to book it out of town early, barely getting out ahead of the noreaster that hit New York, but I loved the few days I got in this little Vermont town. I would go back to Stowe in the summer, too, with Mr. Family Trip, who loves mountain biking as much as I love skiing.
Things to do in Stowe, VT in the Winter
Table of Contents
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Activities and Excursions
Ski at Stowe Resort
Stowe Resort sits at one of the highest peaks in Vermont and is the fifth largest ski resort in the northeast. It is ranked on multiple websites and in books as a “must ski.” It is a 2,360 feet vertical drop from the top of Mount Mansfield. There are 116 trails (55% of those are intermediate) and over 485 acres of skiable terrain.
Being in the northeast, snowfall can be unpredictable. Throughout the season, they average over 300 inches of fresh snow, and there is snowmaking ability. That being said, when I was there, it was late January (peak snow season) and it was 50 degrees and raining. Heading to Stowe to ski can be a bit of a risk. (And you all know I tempt the weather gods a lot.)
Stowe was purchased by Vail Resorts a few years ago and the accompanying investments in upgrades make Stowe gorgeous. It also, of course, makes Stowe expensive to ski.Â
- Visit the ski resort website at www.stowe.com.
- Rent your gear off-mountain from AJ’s Ski & Sports.
Walk the Recreation Path
The Stowe Recreation Path, which begins (or ends, depending on which way you go) right behind the church in downtown Stowe is a 5.3-mile paved path with a gentle slope.
In warmer months, it is popular as a one-way bike route. But it was easy to walk and I enjoyed doing a couple of miles out and back on a warm wintry day as the snow melted.
The path was not cleared of snow, so proper footwear was required. But it was a lovely, safe walk for me as a solo adventurer.
- For more on the Stowe Recreation Path visit www.stowerec.org/parks-facilities/rec-paths/stowe-recreation-path/.
Visit a Sauna or Get a Massage
After a long day of skiing or otherwise enjoying the wintry outdoors, getting a massage or experiencing a barrel sauna followed by a cold plunge feels wonderful.
Stowe has a few luxury spas to choose from, such as at Topnotch Resort and Spruce Creek. But you will need to book well in advance and be prepared to pay luxury prices.
We found the new Calm Company and booked a one hour sauna experience that we loved. We were not only given the entire private outdoors patio but also an indoor room with all the comforts and amenities we wanted. We brought some food and beverages and our only regret was that it was over too fast.
- Make an appointment at the Calm Company online.
Walk Downtown Stowe, VT
Downtown Stowe is not large at all – maybe two blocks. But some local merchants sell goods from historic buildings. It is a fun scene to take in.
Go Snowmobiling
I don’t snowmobile, but my siblings do and this was their favorite part of the trip. They went through a tour operator and explored Mount Mansfield State Forest for hours. Snowmobiles don’t need feet of snow underneath them to run, so even though the snow was melting away in downtown Stowe, they had plenty of snow to have an epic experience up the mountain.
- Book through Snowmobiling Stowe.
Taste Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry's Headquarters
This is an easy drive from Stowe, VT, on the way to Burlington. The tour itself is only 30 minutes, but the best is being able to taste! There are plenty of photo opps and I also enjoyed learning about all the flavors that are no longer made.
- Get information on Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tours online.
Visit Moss Glen Falls
The falls are only about a quarter mile from the parking lot and while the path can be slippery and icy, you likely will not need anything but snowboots and some resolve. We thought the frozen waterfall was beautiful, even if we couldn’t get up to the higher lookout due to ice. Our entire excursion took only an hour.
- For a map of Moss Glen Falls visit gostowe.com/hiking-moss-glen-falls.
Visit Von Trapp Family Lodge: Ski or Snowshoe
This is the Lodge the famous Von Trapp family from the Sound of Music created when they found their way to America. The Lodge is cozy, old, traditional, and stepped in the history of the family. In the maze-like building, there are hundreds of press clippings and memorabilia displayed. The Lodge is still owned by the family, as well.
Staying here would be fun, but it is more remote and isn’t cheap. They have wine tastings, tucked-away bars, large fireplaces flanked by books and board games, and beautiful views. The place is delightful.
Also available for anyone to enjoy are large grounds for cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing. As the first cross-country ski center in the country, they have 2,500 acres available for exploring.
- Visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge online.
- Note that the Lodge is different from the Bierhall (see below).
- Passes, trail conditions, prices, and trail maps are available here: www.trappfamily.com/skiing-snowshoeing.
Taste Locally Distilled Beverages
We popped into the Smugglers Notch Distillery tasting room in Stowe, VT on a whim – they are located right downtown and we walked by multiple times. The tastings are inexpensive and very limited due to local laws, but we enjoyed it! The employee pouring and guiding us through the experience was delightful. And, true Vermont style, we were intrigued and then impressed by the maple varieties of gin and bourbon.
- Learn more about Smugglers Notch Distillery online.
Walk Wiessner Woods
A total of 79 acres, this area is maintained with clearly marked trails. The trails are open to snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. When we were in town, the snow had been packed enough that we just needed snow boots. Wiessner Woods was quiet, peaceful, and flat.
(That was a little sad given how much I love snowshoeing.)
- For a trail map of Wiessner Woods visit this link.
Fatbike in the Snow
There were quite a few fatbikes on the Stowe Recreation Path, winding their way through the snow.Â
- Rent fatbikes from Ranch Camp. They have trailheads for mountain biking off their parking lot and have easy access to the Recreation Path.
Other Options
If you still have time and energy, consider the following:
- The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum: www.vtssm.org.
- A sleigh ride, pulled by beautiful horses: www.facebook.com/gentlegiantsvt.
- Rent a private, heated pavilion next to the ice skating rink: www.sprucepeak.com/dine/whistlepig-pavilion.
- Ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and back down (no ski gear required!). Just do it before 3:00 pm as they close well ahead of sunset: www.stowe.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/gondola-skyride. There are concessions at the top to enjoy before riding back down.
Where to Eat and Drink
Vermont is home to some of the first microbreweries and perhaps one of the first places to really celebrate a local brewery culture. There are also dozens of really good restaurants (which is fascinating as the year-round population in Stowe was 5,223 at the 2020 census and it is losing population quickly, with current estimates being under 1,000 fulltime residents).
Eating and drinking in Stowe is a fun experience, so save some space in the budget – and the waistline! – to experience it.Â
Here are some of our favorites:
Idletyme Brewing
idletymebrewing.com
Great beers of many varieties to try, and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here. To try: cheddar fritters. And the salmon is locally caught and freshly prepared, according to our server.
The Lower Bar
www.lowerbarstowe.com
This little bar was so quirky and fun. We enjoyed ducking in here for their maple old-fashioneds.
Stowe Cider
www.stowecider.com
We came here earlier in the evening to enjoy the atmosphere before the live music (a ticketed event) began. We loved the casual vibe as well as the shuffleboard table.
Alchemist Brewery
alchemistbeer.com
We stopped in here based on recommendations but didn’t stay. The place was very loud and seemed like a total party scene. Also, all of the beverages are only sold in cans, nothing on tap, which was kind of a bummer.
Stowe Public House
www.stowepublichouse.com
This is a great place to grab a bottle of something new and sit outside on the streets of downtown Stowe. They had heaters outside, as well.
Skinny Pancake
skinnypancake.com
This was a delicious breakfast! Not cheap, but the creativity and options were fantastic.
Black Cap Coffeehouse
blackcapvermont.com
We picked up some breakfast sandwiches and pastries here one morning and loved it.
Ranch Camp
www.ranchcampvt.com
I mentioned this spot in biking but they also have a bar/restaurant that serves fantastic food! The best: the crunch wrap burrito. Highly recommend.
Von Trapp Bierhall
www.vontrappbrewing.com
This was a drive away but on the same property as the Von Trapp Lodge. I got the chicken schnitzel and absolutely loved it. No regrets on that kraut.
BONUS TIP: Make reservations if you want to go here. The wait is long at nearly all hours.
Where to Stay in Stowe, VT
There are two areas of concentrated lodging: 1) downtown Stowe and 2) up the mountain in the resort village.
We elected to stay in this Airbnb, which was just a block from the downtown area, right behind Black Cap Coffeehouse. We made reservations so long ago that the prices were very reasonable, especially compared to an out-West or Montana ski trip!
For our group, where everyone had different interests but we only had one car, we found being walkable to so many wonderful restaurants, bars, shops, and coffeehouses was critical for our enjoyment of the place.
There is a free shuttle that runs from downtown Stowe up to the mountain resort for skiing and stops right in front of the church.
That said, the resort village was very pretty and there are still amenities up the mountain.
What to Pack
You are going to get wet! Footwear is likely the most important thing on this trip. But, overall, we found Stowe to be quite casual.
- Warm leggings
- Good snowboots (You can use these for hiking, walking around town, and for snowshoeing.)
- Hats & gloves
- Waterproof winter jacket
- Backpack for hiking, snowshoeing, and exploring the Recreation Path
- Water bottle (Bring your own with you and use it. We found the Vermont air to be very dry without the Virginia humidity we’re used to)
Other Things to Know About Visiting Stowe, VT in the Winter
We were glad we rented a car. We picked it up at the Burlington, VT airport (which was so tiny and manageable) and kept it with us for the remainder of the trip. There are areas of Stowe that are not going to be accessible via foot, but given the weather we encountered we never found we needed 4×4 either.
Stowe and Burlington are very close and the drive is easy. As opposed to places we’ve skied before (like Whistler!) this made a quick weekend trip from Virginia very pleasant.
Overall, while I desperately wish we had better skiing conditions during our time in Stowe, we were all impressed with the town. It stands on its own without a massively popular ski resort.
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