Resorts & Mountains > Stowe
This weekend we're looking forward to taking in some ski racing action! The UVM Winter Carnival starts today and goes through Sunday. It features the best collegiate skiers in the eastern US taking on the slalom and giant slalom courses at Stowe, and the nordic racing trails at Trapp Family Lodge.
The University of Vermont has a strong ski team again this year. Some of the racers have been competing across the country in NorAm races, and a few have even competed in their first World...[Read more]
Friday, February 3, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
What a day! My friend and I went for a lovely nordic loop at the Stowe Mountain Resort Cross-Country Center today. They received six inches of snow two nights ago, and this morning it was snowing when we arrived (and continued all through our ski) and there were a couple more inches of the freshest, lightest powder. The snowflake formations were amazing!
We enjoyed a ski on the Burt Trail, which at first follows the Ranch Brook. After a quick hot chocolate break at the...[Read more]
Saturday, January 21, 2012
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe
We got out on the Stowe Recreation Path today for a short ski today in the cold. I wore a balaclava to keep my face warm and kept moving along to keep my body warm. It worked!
The good folks in Stowe have arranged to groom the recreation path a couple times a week for cross-country skiing. Today the classic tracks were excellent. Fresh new snow this week made the coverage great.
Today also featured the Stowe Tour de Snow and we saw families taking part in the...[Read more]
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Stowe
We’ve seen some nice photos of fresh snow around the state. We’ll be out in it this weekend — will you?[Read more]
Friday, January 13, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Cross-country skiing, Stowe
Some fresh snow fell on ski areas in Vermont yesterday, most notably at the northern resorts, and today it is darn chilly and that is just fine with me! The ski resorts are reporting that they are cranking out the snow from their snowguns and snow fans.
In other news, I came across some interesting techie news recently ... I’ve learned of two Vermont ski resorts that are now viewable with the “street view” feature that is available on...[Read more]
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Burke, Stowe, Western skiing
I found some good spring skiing conditions today on the nordic trails at the Stowe Mountain Resort cross-country center.
I was impressed by the amount of snowcover on the Burt, Bruce and Timberlane nordic trails despite our lackluster snowfall thus far this season. Within the last few days we had been messing around a bit on the trails at Bolton nordic (quite thin) and the Catamount cross-country center (snow/grass skiing) just to get some much needed exercise. But...[Read more]
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe
Ski resorts in the northern and central parts of Vermont picked up another round of unexpectedly high snowfall yesterday. Depending on location, it was on the order of 6 to 12 inches of snow! (Check the snow reports on our Vermont Ski Resorts page for details.)
Base areas first experienced some rain and then it changed to snow as the temperatures dropped through the day and, well, it just kept snowing! Today we have cold temperatures that are surely helping with snowmaking, as...[Read more]
Thursday, December 29, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Cross-country skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Pico, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
Boy there’s a lot of snowmaking going on lately! Seems like the ski resorts are opening new terrain every few days or — in some cases — every day!
Stowe Mountain Resort reported that it set a new record: “We had over 130 snowguns running continuously this past weekend.” And I saw the snowguns in action on the petite Cochran’s ski area this weekend.
All the ski resorts are talking up their snowmaking “firepower” and respect for their hard-working snowmaking teams. (A...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Mad River Glen, Magic, Northeast Slopes, Stowe, Suicide Six, Trapp Family Lodge
This time of year can really try a skier's patience. Temperatures rise and fall. Rain can sneek in, rather than snow. And sometimes we can get a blizzard. You just never know.
As we turned our calendars to December this week, some colder temperatures returned to the region — thankfully — after a warm spell. Snowmaking guns and fans could be heard at several of Vermont's ski resorts. Small armies of snowmakers were painting the ski trails white.
This weekend Stowe, Okemo and...[Read more]
Friday, December 2, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
Mother Nature helped fuel the excitement for a snowy start to the 2011 - 2012 ski season, and five Vermont ski resorts ran lifts this Thanksgiving weekend. But today two of the ski areas have closed until temperatures cool off and more snow can be made.
Sugarbush and Jay Peak have suspended operations today until they can move or make more snow.
Killington, Okemo and Stowe remain open today while temperatures hit the 50s in many towns and villages. Stowe reported that they did...[Read more]
Monday, November 28, 2011
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
This Thanksgiving we're thankful for some fresh snow falling in Vermont! Some higher elevations and ski areas are reporting 6 to 10 inches of new snow so far this morning. The amount depends on location. A wide central swath of the state seems to have picked up a good snowfall.
This morning a few more ski resorts announced their plans to open. So here's a recap of where you can ski in Vermont (these have been announced as of 9 a.m. this morning).
Killington (has been...[Read more]
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
I flew in over a frosty-topped Camel's Hump yesterday afternoon after a trip out of town. I soon heard that the forecast calls for a winter storm tonight into Wednesday! Could be a few to several inches of snow accumulation, or a mix of rain and snow depending where you are in Vermont. [See forecast.]
The new colder temperatures and potential snowfall may help those Vermont ski resorts that want to open this Thanksgiving week and weekend.
Stowe has confirmed that they will...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
For the 2011 - 2012 ski season, new ski lifts are being installed at three ski resorts in Vermont. New lifts are coming online at Stowe and Burke Mountain up north, and Mount Snow in the south.
Here's the scoop on these resort improvement projects:
Stowe Mountain quad
A new high-speed, detachable quad replaces the old one that's been in service since the 1980s. The new "Four-Runner" unloads a bit higher above the Octagon summit lodge than the former...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Burke, Mount Snow, Resort improvements, Stowe
With that crazy October snowstorm, Mother Nature allowed Killington to get a jump-start to the ski season. The resort continues to offer skiing daily as weather and conditions allow.
Meanwhile, other Vermont ski resorts are pulling out their snowmaking guns and fans and preparing the lifts and base lodges for skiers and riders later in November and December.
Ski Vermont recently reported these tentative opening dates:
October 29: Killington...[Read more]
Saturday, November 5, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Updated 2/3/2012
When it comes to the 2011 - 2012 ski season, are you wondering what’s new for lift ticket discounts in Vermont? We’ve been compiling our annual list of what we think are some of the better lift ticket deals and promotions so that you can start shopping around.
As usual, we’ll update this blog post as new ticket discounts are announced throughout the fall and ski season.
Of course, when it comes to getting the best value for your skiing dollar, it’s...[Read more]
Friday, October 21, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
What a gorgeous weekend! I took advantage of ample sunshine by biking a loop around Stowe, Vermont, on Saturday, and then hiking in Smugglers’ Notch on Sunday morning.
Some trees are starting to change color already. Pretty soon we'll be hiking through technicolor woods! Our hike on Sunday took us up the very popular Sterling Pond trail which departs from the base of the cliffs in the dramatic Smugglers’ Notch — midway between Stowe and Smugglers' Notch ski resorts on Route...[Read more]
Monday, September 12, 2011
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Filed in: Ski towns in summer, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
The Green Mountain Club has a new dayhiker's guide book out this summer. One of the more popular moderate hikes in the Stowe area is Stowe Pinnacle. Atop this knob you are rewarded with views in all directions, including Mt. Mansfield, Mt. Elmore, Camel's Hump, Waterbury Reservoir and more.
Without too much effort on this 2.8-mile round-trip hike, you'll earn yourself a great rocky-top summit view. Be sure to bring your camera!
Stop in at the Green Mountain Club on Route 100 between...[Read more]
Thursday, August 11, 2011
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Filed in: Ski towns in summer, Stowe
After a snowy winter and wet spring, we are enjoying farmers’ market season in Vermont! At recent markets that I went to I saw lots of leafy vegetables, tomatoes, beans, peas, beets and more. Can’t wait until the sweet corn is out, too!
The Skimeister and I started our garden a bit late due to an extremely wet May and some early-June travel. But with some recent heat and sun, things are really starting to grow (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, for example). But I’ve been picking up...[Read more]
Friday, July 15, 2011
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Filed in: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Food, coffee & après ski, Jay Peak, Mount Snow, Okemo, Ski towns in summer, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
Updated 5/10/11
I've been checking in on the dates that Vermont ski resorts are closing. Typically the smaller ski areas close first because of lower elevations and smaller operating budgets.
This is not a complete list because the ski resorts don't always announce their intentions in advance. Please check the website of the resort you'd like to go to before you head for the hills! We have links on our Vermont ski resorts page.
Closed as of March 30:
Pico MountainMt. Ellen side of...[Read more]
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cross-country skiing, Killington, Okemo, Spring skiing, Stowe, Sugarbush
Looks like most Vermont ski resorts picked up about 2 - 6 inches of new snow on the first day of spring. That should help things a bit after a warm, sunny weekend.
Okemo, Killington and Bolton Valley ski areas all report about 4 - 5 inches. And temps will stay cool this week so we'll likely see a few more flakes.
On another note, we heard some news from Stowe Mountain Resort this week. They’ll be replacing the FourRunner Quad with a new, modern detachable quad. The FourRunner was installed in...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Killington, Okemo, Spring skiing, Stowe
Scenes from a glorious March spring skiing day in northern Vermont!
I skied at Stowe on St. Patrick's Day. (One of the two discount days of the year when I can afford to ski there.)
There's still a lot of snow in the mountains! Coverage was excellent!
Warning: Some of these images may induce bouts of extreme jealousy. Proceed with caution.[Read more]
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Spring skiing, Stowe
It's been exciting to have the nation’s best collegiate skiers around this week in Stowe!
First the good news: Congratulations to UVM's Tim Kelley on his top performance in Saturday's NCAA championship slalom race. This Starksboro, Vermont, native is the 2011 slalom champ!
Other area skiers in the top 10 included Trevor Leafe of Dartmouth in 4th place and Andrew McNealus of Middlebury College in 6th place. McNealus hails from Woodstock, Vermont. Leafe is from New Hampshire and he...[Read more]
Saturday, March 12, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Stowe
Top college ski teams after day one of NCAA skiing championships in Stowe, Vermont:
1 U. Colorado 2 Dartmouth 3 U. Utah 4 UVM 5 U. New Mexico 6 Denver U. 7 U. Alaska/ Anchorage 8 UNH 9 Middlebury 10 U. Montana
Let's go, Cats!
On Wednesday, in addition to the regularly scheduled nordic races, they also snuck Thursday's GS ski racing in a day early in anticipation of warmer temperatures (i.e. soft snow) and mixed precipitation....[Read more]
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
I slathered on sunscreen, put on a headband and sunglasses, and took off on an afternoon ski at Trapp Family Lodge's cross-country trails in Stowe, Vt. Sun and blue skies have been the norm for a couple of days, and today's warmer temperatures made it just heavenly for skiing.
My friend and I donned our classic skis and headed out under the early afternoon sun onto the Sugar Road trail. We would climb up and up Parizo Trail to the cabin. What's nice about Parizo is it's actually two slopes; it...[Read more]
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
On Saturday I joined two friends for our first exploration of the Cotton Brook backcountry trail in the in Bolton / Waterbury / Stowe area of Vermont. I believe we hit a bit of all three towns during our lengthy ski tour, and it offered a little of everything.
All three of us have skied the Bolton-Trapp Trail, and I think that trail is a much better choice for earning a sustained skiing descent. But we wanted to check out what was beyond those "To Cotton Brook" signs that tempt you...[Read more]
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley, Food, coffee & après ski, Stowe
What a fun, interesting weekend. It included skiing on the groomed Stowe recreation path in the sunshine, watching collegiate ski racers, enjoying apres ski in Stowe, experiencing a wild winter storm with "thundersnow," and trying my hand at raking a roof. I'm pooped.
Saturday's brilliant, blue-sky morning was perfect for cross-country skiing on the Stowe recreation path for the first time. This year a group of skiers has organized consistent grooming of this free path. What a...[Read more]
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
Well if it's going to be 10 degrees, it's always nice to have the sun out! We were treated to sunshine and blue skies as a group of us skied up the Beaver Meadow Trail and down the Burling Trail in Morristown, Vermont — on the flanks of the Sterling Range, north of Stowe.
Because the Skimeister is recuperating from ACL reconstruction (yes, he messed up his knee while snowboarding), I've been seeking out friends and groups to ski with. Today I joined nice folks as part of a Catamount Trail...[Read more]
Saturday, January 22, 2011
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Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Catamount Trail, Stowe
Ever wonder what all the fuss was about when it comes to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing? Well it's about time you found out.
Winter Trails Day
Eight nordic centers in Vermont are offering special events or freebies as part of Winter Trails Day on January 8. The goal: to get people out on the trails in the wintertime to see what they've been missing!
These are the nordic centers in Vermont that will participate in one way or another. Visit this site to read up on the details. Call the...[Read more]
Monday, January 3, 2011
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Filed in: Blueberry Lake, Bolton Valley, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Mountain Top, Ole's, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Ticket discounts, Trapp Family Lodge
Add Bromley Mountain to the list of Vermont ski resorts that plan to be open this weekend. They plan to start spinning their lifts on Saturday.
Here are your choices for Vermont ski areas open this first weekend in December:
BromleyJay PeakKillingtonMount SnowOkemoSmugglers' NotchStoweStrattonSugarbush
Visit our Vermont ski resorts snow conditions links page to check on what lifts and terrain are available. At many resorts only intermediate and expert skiing terrain are available at this...[Read more]
Friday, December 3, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton
Base area and lodging enhancements were the focus this year at the northern Vermont ski resorts of Stowe, Sugarbush and Jay Peak, with some additional snowmaking improvements as well.
Sugarbush improvements
At Sugarbush, skiers will notice new base lodges and amenities in the Lincoln Peak base area for the 2010 – 2011 season. I like to report on skiing-related improvements, so on the snowy side of things, Sugarbush reports that they began replacing key sections of its snowmaking...[Read more]
Sunday, November 21, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Resort improvements, Stowe, Sugarbush
Updated 12/3/10 AM
It's that time of year: Vermont ski resorts are planning their opening days and making snow to make those opening dates a reality,
Bring on the ski season!
Here's a review of opening dates for skiing at Vermont ski resorts. This information was gathered from the resort Web sites. Do check with the resorts directly to confirm lift operation before you drive there! You can find links to the ski conditions reports at Vermont ski resorts on our Vermont Ski Resorts...[Read more]
Sunday, November 14, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Happy Election Day! After you vote, you can head over to Killington to get some runs in the North Ridge area of the upper mountain.
The K-1 Gondola provides uploading and downloading, while access back to the top of the K-1 Gondola from the North Ridge area will be via a 5- to 10-minute walk on the new Peak Walkway. And remember, there's no novice terrain open.
Other Vermont ski resorts are preparing for ski season 2010 - 2011 by making snow. They include Mount Snow, Okemo and...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Stowe
Updated 9/1/2010
It’s inching closer to Labor Day, school time and the colors of fall — and it’s time to think about season pass discounts!
Here are important deadlines to keep in mind while you decide what Vermont ski resorts you might ski this winter, and whether a season pass is a good deal for you. (Do the math!) The earliest discount deadlines are between August 30 and Labor Day!
Some resorts are offering season pass protection this year. That is, for a modest fee, you can get some...[Read more]
Friday, August 20, 2010
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
I love the long daylight hours that we enjoy at this time of year. However, because of this light, I woke up way too early on this Sunday morning. I peer out the window and what do I see? Snowflakes are blowing around in the stiff breeze.
We surely are enjoying highs and lows when it comes to spring weather lately!
Luckily, I knew the forecast for this weekend wasn't looking good so on Friday afternoon I headed out to Stowe, Vt., for a bike ride. The sun was shining and I needed to be in...[Read more]
Saturday, May 8, 2010
6 Comments
Filed in: Food, coffee & après ski, Ski towns in summer, Stowe
Updated 4/21/10
Vermont's ski season is winding down -- way down -- this week. Here's an idea of which Vermont ski resorts are open, which have closed, and when the others are expected to close. Be sure to double check before you head out for the slopes by visiting the ski conditions links on my Vermont ski resorts page.
These ski areas are still open:
Jay Peak -- will stay open through Sunday, April 25, then close midweek, then reopen for May 1 - 2.Killington -- will close on afternoon of...[Read more]
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Spring skiing, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
After some wet weather (and some snow at higher elevations) we are heading into a really warm and sunny stretch of weather in Vermont. In the coming days you'll want to ski in the morning because it will get very warm, and slushy, by afternoon. Oh, and wear your sunscreen. You'll need it.
These Vermont ski areas have succumbed to spring. They are now closed for the season:
Suicide SixAscutneyMiddlebury Snow BowlCochran's Ski Area
Easter Sunrise Services at Vermont Ski Resorts
This Sunday is...[Read more]
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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Filed in: Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
What a gorgeous day it turned out to be in Stowe, Vermont, today. I headed to Stowe with two goals in mind: check out some of the 2010 Stowe Derby race action and then take a ski myself.
The 16km race course starts atop Mt. Mansfield and wends its way down into town to follow the recreation path all the way to the church in Stowe Village. Just think — most skiers do all this on skinny skis.
It was fun to see how they actually got people through the course — having to cross a couple busy...[Read more]
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
On Friday, eager skiers will take a test run on the Toll Road of Stowe ski resort. It's a reconnaissance mission for those who will ski in the Stowe Derby later this month. Most will be wearing skinny skis as they board the chairlift.
The Stowe Derby will have its 65th running on February 28. This race is a true skimeister kind of race. You have a long downhill ski run and then cross-country terrain. So you must pick your equipment wisely and be a versatile skier.
It started in 1945 as a...[Read more]
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe
Vermont ski resorts are reporting between one to 8 inches of fresh snow this morning — the farther north you go, the higher the total. Some resorts have been getting a little bit of snow every day this week.
This will be an exciting weekend around Stowe, Vermont. The University of Vermont Winter Carnival takes place Friday to Sunday with both alpine and nordic ski racing.
The alpine events are at Stowe Mountain Resort, while the cross-country races are at Trapp Family Lodge. We're planning...[Read more]
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
I'd say it was about 5 degrees (F) on Saturday when we clicked into our skis in the Sterling Valley area of Stowe, Vermont. Needless to say, it was not a day for dallying about. We selected a backcountry ski tour so that we'd keep moving and generate our own heat on this clear but cold day.
I had been eyeing a section of the Catamount Trail in Stowe ever since our summer hike up in the Upper Sterling Valley. The Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowshoe Waterproof Trail Map (you can buy it at the...[Read more]
Sunday, January 31, 2010
2 Comments
Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Catamount Trail, Stowe
