Stowe Mountain Resort

Vermont’s highest peak and a polished ski village.

Two mountains linked by a gondola: Mount Mansfield, with the steep Front Four and long cruisers, and Spruce Peak, with learning terrain and the slopeside village. Stowe village, sleigh rides and some of Vermont’s best-known breweries are a short drive down Mountain Road. It suits strong skiers and anyone who wants a full resort trip, if you can live with weekend crowds and big-resort prices.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,360 ft

Summit

3,625 ft

Skiable terrain

485 acres

Trails

116

Lifts

12

Average snowfall

314″ a year

Longest run

4.3 mi

Snowmaking

83% of terrain

Terrain mix

• Beginner 16%
• Intermediate 55%
• Advanced 29%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Ice skating
• Sleigh rides
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country
• Spa
• Nightlife
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 4–6, 2026

  A Traditional Christmas in Stowe

  Village festival on Main Street: tree lightings, a children’s lantern parade, wagon rides, a holiday bazaar and visits with Santa.

• ChristmasSat Dec 19, noon–8 pm

  Spruce Peak Lights Festival

  Ice-dance shows and family activities all day, then a tree and village lighting with fireworks.

• ChristmasDec 25, 4–8 pm

  Christmas Dinner with Santa

  Holiday dinner in the Lodge ballrooms with Santa visits and kids’ activities. Book ahead.

• New Year’sDec 31, noon–8 pm

  New Year’s Eve at Spruce Peak

  Family celebration in the village: skating, raclette and s’mores, an Ice Dance International show and fireworks over the peak. A torchlight parade down the mountain has been part of the night in past years.

• EventDec 26, Jan 16, Feb 13, Feb 20, Mar 13

  Glow Skate Series

  Themed glow-in-the-dark skating nights on the Spruce Peak rink.

• FestivalLate January (annual)Usually

  Stowe Winter Carnival

  Town-wide winter festival with ice carving, snow volleyball and offbeat winter games.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outThe Lodge at Spruce Peak

  The resort’s own upscale hotel in Spruce Peak Village, with a spa, pool and the skating rink out front.

  Slopeside
• lodgevon Trapp Family Lodge & Resort

  Austrian-style hillside lodge with its own cross-country trails, sleigh rides and brewery.

  15 min drive
• hotelTopnotch Resort

  Upscale resort hotel and spa on upper Mountain Road, close to the lifts.

  5 min drive
• hotelStowe Motel & Snowdrift

  Simple, good-value motel rooms and apartments on Mountain Road.

  10 min drive
• hotelField Guide Lodge

  Boutique lodge on lower Mountain Road, an easy walk to Stowe village.

  15 min drive
• innGreen Mountain Inn

  Historic inn on Main Street in Stowe village, with rooms, apartments and townhouses.

  15 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Sleigh rides at von Trapp Family Lodge · 15 min drive

  Horse-drawn sleigh rides across the lodge’s snowy fields, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through the winter.

• Snowmobile Vermont · 10 min drive

  Guided two-hour backcountry tours, about 25 miles through Mount Mansfield State Forest. Beginners welcome.

• Spruce Peak ice rink · At the base

  Free outdoor rink in Spruce Peak Village with skate rentals, plus themed glow-skate nights.

• The Spa at Spruce Peak · At the base

  Full-service spa at The Lodge at Spruce Peak, for a post-ski massage.

• Edson Hill · 10 min drive

  Historic inn with Nordic ski and snowshoe trails on its own property.

• Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum · 15 min drive

  Exhibits on Vermont’s ski and snowboard history, in Stowe village.

• The Alchemist · 15 min drive

  The brewery behind Heady Topper, with a shop and tasting area off Mountain Road.

• von Trapp Brewing & Bierhall · 15 min drive

  Austrian-style lagers and hearty food on the Trapp property.

Après and nightlife

• The Matterhorn

  The Mountain Road après institution, with live bands and a busy dance floor.

• Doc Ponds

  Village gastropub with a long local tap list and records on the turntable.

• The Den

  Classic slopeside bar and grill at the Mansfield base for a beer in ski boots.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Burlington International (BTV) · about 45 min drive
• Montreal · about 2.5 hr
• Boston · about 3.5 hr
• New York City · about 6 hr

Directions in Google Maps