Although we visited Stowe, Vermont in winter to experience skiing at Vermont’s highest peak, and other winter outdoor sports, this charming village has much to offer visitors in any season making it the perfect year-round playground. A few of the many warmer weather offerings include the Stowe Wine & Food Classic, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Antique and Classic Car Meet, and the Annual British Invasion which is the largest all-British motorcar lifestyle event in the United States to name but a few.
Where To Stay
We spent a perfect winter weekend at the luxurious 120-guest room and suite resort Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa which also has an additional 58 meadows and townhouses owned by the Baraw family since 1963, where the focus is on the little details that make for memorable stays. Lovely little extras include, daily complimentary tea and cookies in the afternoon served in the main living room, and in season, they offer daily après-ski hors d’oeuvres in Charlie B’s.
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
Located 1.6 miles from the legendary ski slopes of Stowe Mountain, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa was our perfect "base" whether we were spending the day skiing or exploring the local attractions.
We had excellent dinners at their award-winning Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa where the restaurant offers a delicious taste of Vermont as a member of the Vermont Fresh Network. Executive Chef Mitch Jones is the creative talent in the kitchen where in addition to the regular menu he creates an inspired daily menu as well.
Chef Mitch Jones
We also experienced The Spa at Stoweflake, which is world-class with 50,000 square feet of well-appointed spa and state-of-the-art fitness space and amenities. The diverse Spa menu offers 150 diverse treatments to appeal to new-to-Spa or Spa aficionados alike.
The Spa at Stoweflake
Read about our experience at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa in the Hotels and Resorts section.
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
PO Box 369
1746 Mountain Road, (Route 108)
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Toll-Free: +1-800-253-2232 (US and Canada)
Toll-Free: 0500.892.522 (UK)
Telephone: +1-802-253-7355
Fax: +1-802-253-6858
Spa: +1-802-760-1083
Email: info@stoweflake.com
Email: reservations@stoweflake.com
Spa Email: spa@stoweflake.com
Website: www.Stoweflake.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Stoweflake
Things To Do – Winter Adventures
Skiing at Stowe
Debra and Edward at Stowe Mountain Base
For skiers, a trip to Stowe would not be complete without experiencing some downhill action on its fabled slopes. We had excellent conditions with lots of fresh snow while skiing at Stowe, home of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak at 4,395 feet, with its highest skiing elevation at 3,625 feet, and a vertical drop of 2,360 feet. There are 116 trails, 485 skiable acres covering 40 miles with a diverse selection of trails for all levels (16% beginner trails, 55% intermediate trails, and 29% expert trails). The longest run is 3.7 miles (Toll Road)
Stowe Mountain
Hours of operation are 8:00 am until 4:00 pm weekdays, and 7:30 am until 4:00 pm weekends. The Information Center is open daily from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. GPS Address (Spruce Camp Base Lodge): 7416 Mountain Road, Stowe, Vermont 05672. Please note GPS directions have been known to produce mixed results. Please call ahead if more information is needed: 1-800-253-4SKI (754).
Debra "The Adventure Kid"
Read about our experience skiing in the Adventures section.
Stowe
5781 Mountain Road
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Telephone: +1-802-253-3000
Advance Ticket Sales: +1-888-253-4849
Toll-Free: +1-800-253-4753, 1-888-253-4849
Fax: +1-802-253-3439
Email: info@stowe.com
Website: www.Stowe.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/StoweMountainResort
Ski and Snowboard Rentals
To have a carefree ski trip, we rented ski equipment from Pinnacle Ski & Sports and picked it up the night we arrived so that in the morning we could head directly to the slopes. The technicians are professional and knowledgeable and the equipment is top notch.
Pinnacle Ski & Sports
The shop is conveniently located 1.6 miles from Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, 2.4 miles from Stowe Mountain, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm, which made it so easy for us.
Pinnacle Ski & Sports
PO Box 1507
3391 Mountain Road
Stowe, Vermont 05672
Telephone: +1-802-253-7222
Toll-Free: +1-800-458-9996
Email: mail@pinnacleskisports.com
Website: www.SkiEssentials.com
Dog Sledding with Umiak and Rob Farley
During our stay at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa we experienced the thrill of a moonlit dog sled ride with Umiak Outdoor Outfitters and their partner October Siberians on the pristine trails on the resort property.
Dog Sledding with Rob Farley
This was our second time dog sledding, and if you have never had the opportunity to experience a dog sled ride, this is an adventure that must be included on your "to do" list. Led by a team of 10 sled dogs, we enjoyed experiencing the ride from both the musher’s and passenger’s perspective. What an incredible experience.
Debra and Belle
Read about our experience dog sledding in the Adventures section.
Going for a run
For additional information on Umiak Outdoor Outfitters including longer dog sled rides and other year-round adventures, please visit their website: www.Umiak.com.
Umiak Outdoor Outfitters
849 South Main Street
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Telephone: +1-802-253-2317
Email: paddle@umiak.com
Website: www.Umiak.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/UmiakOutfitters
For additional information on October Siberians and their various programs, please visit their website: www.OctoberSiberians.com.
October Siberians
Contact: Rob Farley
Telephone: +1-802-482-3460
Email: OctoberSiberians@hotmail.com
Website: www.OctoberSiberians.com/
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OctoberSiberians
Things To Do – Attractions
General Store Candy Display -Stowe Village
We fell in love with the Stowe Historic Village and armed with a Stowe Village Walking Tour map which we picked up at the Stowe Association Visitor’s Center we enjoyed discovering its charming shops and buildings, many of which date to the 1800s, and visiting the boutiques to purchase locally made products to bring home a bit of Vermont including its famous maple syrup, maple candy, and gifts.
Stowe Village
Skiing and snowboarding is an integral part of Stowe, Vermont and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, located in the heart of the historic village at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 108 (Mountain Road) in a federal style building built in 1818.
A look at skis from the past
In addition to the permanent collections of more than 10,000 items, we enjoyed the exhibit, Slope Style – 1930 – 2014 Fashion on Snow, (runs until October 2015), which showed the progression of ski and après ski fashion throughout the years.
Ski Fashion
We also enjoyed watching the video clips, looking at the collections of the evolution of downhill and cross country skis and equipment, as well as snowboards, the military connection, ski clothing, mechanical equipment, and other interesting artifacts.
Debra with snowboards
The museum is open daily from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm; closed Tuesdays. Admission is by donation.
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
One South Main Street
(PO Box 1511)
The Perkins Building
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Telephone: +1-802-253-9911
Website: www.VTSSM.com
For A Taste of Vermont
YUM – YUM
To enjoy an iconic taste of Vermont we visited Vermont’s Finest Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Tour in nearby Waterbury, Vermont. Longtime fans of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, we learned about the company founded by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, as well as sampled the flavor of the day.
Choices, Choices, Choices
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour Hours is open daily year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Hours: Late October until late June: 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, the last tour leaves at 5:00 pm. Late June until Mid August: 9:00 am until 9:00 pm, the last tour leaves at 8:00 pm. Mid August until Late October: 9:00 am until 7:00 pm, the last tour leaves at 6:00 pm. Cost: Adults – $4.00, Seniors: $3.00, Kids 12 and Under: Free. Package Deal: $20 includes tour admission and select T-shirt (retail value $24.00). Tours are 30 minutes long and leave every 30 minutes.
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury, Vermont
United States
Telephone: +1-866-BJ-Tours (1-866-258-6877)
Website: www.BenJerry.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BenandJerrysUS
Debra with a warm fresh cider donut – mmmm
Apples and cider are a delicious part of the taste of Vermont, and we made a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill also located in Waterbury, Vermont where we sampled their freshly made cider as well as experienced their freshly made hot cider donuts.
Edward sampling some fresh cider
Cold Hollow Cider Mill is open everyday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road (Route 100)
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
United States
Telephone: +1-802-244-8771
Toll-Free: +1-800-327-7537
Website: www.ColdHollow.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ColdHollowCiderMill
Where To Dine
The award-winning Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa located in Stowe, Vermont offers a delicious taste of Vermont as a member of the Vermont Fresh Network where the focus is on using as many locally grown and New England produced products as possible. Executive Chef Mitch Jones is the creative talent in the kitchen where in addition to the regular menu he creates an inspired daily menu as well.
Spicy Duck Ninja Roll
A few of the highlights of our dinners at Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant included the Spicy Duck Ninja Roll and Switchback Steamed P.E.I. Mussels with garlic, shallots, and grape tomatoes in a Switchback ale broth, for our appetizers.
Switchback Steamed P.E.I. Mussels
Stunning main courses included Vermont Honey Basil Seared Salmon served with wild rice and maple carrots, a 14-ounce hand-cut Ribeye Oscar served with lump crab meat, Cabot mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and was finished with a maple bacon relish, and the New England Crab Cake Dinner served with Mashed Potatoes, Haricots Verts, and Lemon Butter Caper Sauce.
Fried Oysters
Dessert was pure decadent indulgence when we shared the Chocolate Fondue accompanied with fresh ripe strawberries, bananas, pound cake, and marshmallows.
Chocolate Fondue
Read about our dining experience at Charlie B’s Pub and Restaurant in the Restaurants section, and read the interview with Executive Chef Mitch Jones who shares the delicious recipe for Spicy Duck Ninja Roll in the Chefs’ Recipes section.
For additional information, please visit their website, www.Stoweflake.com.
Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
PO Box 369
1746 Mountain Road, (Route 108)
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Toll-Free: +1-800-253-2232 (US and Canada)
Toll-Free: 0500.892.522 (UK)
Telephone: +1-802-253-7355
Fax: +1-802-253-6858
Spa: +1-802-760-1083
Email: info@stoweflake.com
Email: reservations@stoweflake.com
Spa Email: spa@stoweflake.com
Website: www.Stoweflake.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Stoweflake
Spa Indulgence
On our last day of our stay at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa we indulged in therapeutic spa treatments in their gorgeous 50,000 sq foot state-of-the-art facility to leave us with one more lasting memory of our time at this inviting resort.
The Spa at Stoweflake Store
The full-service Spa has 30 attractive treatment rooms and a very diverse menu of treatments. The Spa at Stoweflake incorporates many local products into their treatments and we could not resist the Vermont Maple Sugar Body Polish and the Green Mountain Coffee Body Treatment, to complete our total Vermont experience of consuming and then applying Vermont’s famous maple and coffee products to our bodies.
Relaxation Room
Afterwards, we spent time in the sauna to further the hydrating effects of our treatments, took cool showers to bring down our body temperatures. We also spent time in their signature Bingham Hydrotherapy Waterfalls and Hungarian Mineral Soaking Pool that distinguishes this world-class Spa.
Bingham Hydrotherapy Waterfalls
Other wonderful amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor Jacuzzi, saunas, steam rooms, and indoor hot tubs, light filled exercise studios with views to outdoors, and their attractive sanctuary lounges to relax pre and post-treatments while enjoying complimentary fruit, juice, citrus waters, and tea. We left the Spa refreshed, hydrated, and relaxed, which is exactly what you want.
Read about our experience at The Spa at Stoweflake in the Spas section.
For additional information, please visit their website, www.Stoweflake.com.
The Spa at Stoweflake
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
PO Box 369
1746 Mountain Road, (Route 108)
Stowe, Vermont 05672
United States
Toll-Free: +1-800-253-2232 (US and Canada)
Toll-Free: 0500.892.522 (UK)
Telephone: +1-802-253-7355
Fax: +1-802-253-6858
Spa: +1-802-760-1083
Email: info@stoweflake.com
Email: reservations@stoweflake.com
Spa Email: spa@stoweflake.com
Website: www.Stoweflake.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Stoweflake
Stowe, Vermont – Perfect in Any Season
No matter when you opt to visit Stowe, Vermont there is always something happening. A few of the many events throughout the year include: January offers outdoor sports, the Stowe Winter Carnival, and the annual Winter Rendezvous for the GLBT community. February is Valentine’s Day, the Stowe Sweetheart Sale, and the famous downhill cross-country race, the Stowe Derby.
Hot Air Ballon Festival
In May there is the 5k Craft Brew Race (road race), in June there is the Stowe Wine & Food Classic, July offers shoppers 7 Miles of Sales, and the Hot Air Balloon Festival. For motorcar enthusiasts, August features the Antique and Classic Car Meet, and in September there is the Annual British Invasion which is the largest all-British motorcar lifestyle event in the United States.
Autumn is festive and fun with September’s Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival and Chili Cook-Off, and in October there is the Annual Oktoberfest, and Stowe Foliage Arts Festival.
Travel Information
Historic Building – Stowe Village
Stowe, Vermont is easily accessible by car, air (Burlington International Airport), and Amtrak train. The Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa is located 129 miles from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 178 miles from Albany, New York, 200 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, 220 miles from Hartford, Connecticut, and 335 miles from New York City, New York.
See you in Stowe, VT
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