Resorts & Mountains > 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
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
Resorts & Mountains > 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
No Comments
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
4 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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
2 Comments
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
No Comments
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
1 Comment
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, Stowe
Well surprise, surprise! Northern Vermont ski resorts are reporting up to 12 inches of snow has fallen on their slopes in the last 24 hours. Yippee!
We knew there was going to be light snow this week, but this is much more than expected.
Thank you, Mother Nature, for exceeding our expectations on this one!
Check out Vermont ski resort conditions here.
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort.[Read more]
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
4 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
The two largest cross-country centers in Stowe, Vermont, are in the midst of a tiff over a forest trail that connects the nordic centers.
Because of the falling out between the Trapp Family Lodge and neighboring Stowe Mountain Resort, the Ranch Camp trail will not be groomed for at least part of its length — causing skinny-skiers to think twice about moving between the two resorts.
And the Catamount Trail Association is now saying that those who want to ski the Catamount Trail, which follows...[Read more]
Monday, December 21, 2009
3 Comments
Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
We're off and skiing in Vermont!
Have you hit the slopes yet? I plan to go on Tuesday; I'll be sure to let you know how it is. It's nice to see that occasional snow is in Vermont's forecast this week, as well.
This past weekend you could choose between Killington, Jay Peak, Okemo, Stowe and Sugarbush. Mount Snow opened today with a line of people waiting for their first lift ride, and Stratton and Smugglers' are opening Tuesday. More resorts are slated to open this coming weekend. Check my...[Read more]
Monday, December 7, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Catamount Trail, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
Now this is more like it.
I'd like to welcome winter to Vermont. Oh, how we've missed you!
This morning Vermont ski resorts are celebrating new snow and the return of seasonably cold temperatures on their peaks. The word is that the new snow is heavy and wet, but that sounds like the start of a great base to me.
The resorts are also reporting that snowmaking is underway again as temperatures have dropped. Several resorts are targeting to open their lifts by the weekend of December 5....[Read more]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Have you seen a ski film yet this fall? There are several making the tour around the country this year. Good pickin's.
The new Warren Miller film is in Burlington, Vermont, this weekend.
You can catch a bunch of ski movies starting next weekend in locations throughout Stowe, Vermont. It's the Stowe Mountain Film Festival and the line-up is full of powder shots, tele turns, snowboard tricks and more. The festival benefits the Vermont Ski Museum, which is located in Stowe.
Completely unrelated...[Read more]
Friday, November 20, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Ski movies, Stowe
Stowe, Okemo and Sugarbush ski resorts are all pushing back their opening dates. The resorts had planned to open November 21, but Mother Nature let them know that was not in the cards.
While we had cold weather earlier this fall that allowed for snowmaking and a few turns to be made, we've recently had unseasonably warm temperatures that will remain for at least a few more days.
I'm keeping an updated list of opening dates of Vermont ski resorts at this other blog post.
Photo: Snowmaking...[Read more]
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
3 Comments
Filed in: Fall & Early season, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush
Killington resumes its sporadic early-season skiing on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14. Sunday’s operational status is on hold pending weather and snow conditions.
An interesting top-10 list was released recently: the World's Scariest Ski Slopes. Vermont actually made the list three times with Goat at Stowe; Black Hole at Smugglers' Notch; and Paradise at Mad River Glen.
I've skied two out of the three. How 'bout you?
Here's a link to the list with pictures and video.[Read more]
Thursday, November 12, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Fall & Early season, Killington, Mad River Glen, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe
Updated 3/17/10
I've been scouring the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and more for you (you can thank me later) in search of the best Vermont ski ticket discounts. These are some of the best skiing deals for my fellow Vermonters and our out-of-state friends, too.
Double check on the details before you drive to the ski resort! And don't forget your ID if you want to cash in on a Vermonter ski discount.
When I can, I like to make use of these discounts to try a resort that I haven't skied for a...[Read more]
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
7 Comments
Filed in: Bolton Valley, Killington, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
I received a list of Vermont ski resort opening dates in my email, as reported by Ski Vermont. Of course, these may change, depending on the weather.
As you may know, Colorado's Loveland Ski Area was the first to open in the country. They loaded their lifts with skiers for the first time on Wednesday, October 7. (Can you believe it?) It was their earliest opening in 40 years. We're closing in on the 2009/2010 ski season, folks!
Updated 12/19/09 - Check resort Web sites for the very...[Read more]
Friday, October 9, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
We've hit a spell of cool, fall-like weather here in Vermont. Gets you in the mood for what's to come!
While I've been concentrating on passing along any info I get on on-mountain / skiing improvements at Vermont ski resorts, the Rutland Herald earlier this month spoke with the Vermont Ski Areas Association and some of the resort operators to file this news report.
The Herald reports that capital spending at resorts is down this year, not an unlikely thing considering the way the economy has...[Read more]
Thursday, August 27, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Jay Peak, Resort improvements, Stowe
I’m sitting at my computer in a tank top and shorts, sipping a half-and-half (half lemonade and half iced tea). At the same time I’m fretting over the upcoming deadlines for season pass discounts and frequent skier programs at Vermont ski resorts.
This summer has zoomed by much too fast, and now we’re already planning our ski season. It’s a darn good thing that I love winter!
Many Vermont ski resorts offer the best deals on season passes and ski discount programs in the early fall –...[Read more]
Thursday, August 13, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Bolton Valley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Season pass, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
Vermont skiers are one fast bunch.This month, University of Vermont freshman David Donaldson of Toronto was named the Male Collegiate Skier of the Year by Ski Racing Magazine. Donaldson is the 21st Catamount to earn male or female collegiate skier of the year honors in the 31-year history of the award. The last Vermont skier to take the title was Greg Hardy ‘08 in 2006.Donaldson won the giant slalom at the 2009 NCAA Ski Championships hosted by Bates College in Maine. He also earned First-Team...[Read more]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe
Well they've been talking about this for sometime in the Stowe area, and now it's been confirmed: AIG will sell off its venerable Vermont ski resort, Stowe Mountain Resort.
Investors are making bids and apparently there are many groups interested in owning the resort, known for its challenging Front Four terrain and its new, chi-chi mountain lodge at the base of Spruce Peak.
It's rather strange that I, as an American taxpayer, partially own AIG right now because of the government bail-out....[Read more]
Thursday, May 14, 2009
1 Comment
Filed in: Stowe
The recent extraordinarily warm weather in Vermont has been great for biking and yard work, but not so good for skiing. This past weekend I packed up my gear and headed to Stowe. No, not for skiing, but for a wonderful bike tour around town.
Stowe's got a scenic recreation path (about 7 miles long with 11 bridges!) and rather quiet dirt roads. I like to plan out a loop up and down hills and around town so I can take in all the views.
Mt. Mansfield still was snowy near the summit and on...[Read more]
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ski towns in summer, Spring skiing, Stowe
Here's the latest on late-spring skiing in Vermont. The resorts are the usual suspects at this time of year...
Killington is still open. They hope to ski into May.
Stowe is open until Sunday, April 19, which is the Stowe - Vermont Food Bank day. Bring at least two non-perishable food items and ski for $35.
Jay Peak is still in operation. They have pond skimming this weekend.
Sugarbush plans to stay open through Sunday, April 26. Depending on snow and weather, they may re-open for May 2-3....[Read more]
Thursday, April 16, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Spring skiing, Stowe, Sugarbush
Mother Nature is not ready to let go of winter yet here in Vermont. On Saturday night and Sunday morning, northern and central Vermont ski resorts reported about 7 inches of new snow. For some resorts, such as Bolton Valley, this snow came in time for their final day of operation for this ski season.
Stowe, Jay Peak and Sugarbush ski resorts all reported about 7 inches in the last 48 hours. This morning Sugarbush encouraged skiers to hit the trails early today because "immature snow" (aka...[Read more]
Monday, April 6, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Okemo, Spring skiing, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Believe it or not, many Vermont resorts picked up a few inches of snow early this week. I skied in it a bit late Thursday afternoon in the Bolton Valley backcountry trails.
With the warm temperatures and sunshine we have been having it was like skiing through sticky mashed potatoes. But there continues to be a lot of snow in the woods at this higher elevation and we had fun making the most of it. Although, we had to cross a stream to finish our descent on Gardner's Lane. There's a lot of...[Read more]
Friday, April 3, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Spring skiing
We had another gorgeous skiing day on Saturday. It's been an incredible stretch of sunny weather for Vermont!
I wanted to go cross-country skiing so I looked at options that were at a higher altitude, where the snow coverage was still good. In the villages the sun has melted off much of the snow.
I decided to go to Stowe Mountain Resort's cross-country center, which is situated at about 1,500 feet or so. It has remained chilly in the mountains, especially overnight, so I was not in a huge...[Read more]
Sunday, March 22, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Spring skiing, Stowe
Must be the luck of the Irish. We had a beautiful day of spring skiing at Stowe today!
Stowe had special $35 lift tickets for St. Patrick's Day, so the Skimeister and I — and several hundred other people — made tracks for Mt. Mansfield.
Blue skies ruled the day. We loaded the gondola about 9 a.m. We didn't think the runs off the quad were soft, and we didn't see anyone skiing Liftline or National until late morning.
Gondolier and Perry Merrill were already quite soft. We took a number of...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Mt. Mansfield, Spring skiing, Stowe
On Sunday I went to see if there was any snow at the Smugglers' Notch cross-country center. Nope. None. Nada. The sun had melted many areas and what little was left was all ice.
For some reason the attendant at the nordic center didn't realize that there wasn't enough snow to cross-country ski on. They were renting snowshoes, which weren't really needed either; you could just walk the trails in some decent boots. The Smuggs Web site also made it seem like there was plenty of skiing there. I...[Read more]
Monday, March 16, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Mad River Glen, Spring skiing, Stowe, Ticket discounts
Seems like several Vermont resorts are celebrating anniversaries this year. Killington is turning 50, Sugarbush is 50 and Trapp Family Lodge's cross-country center has turned 40. To commemorate four decades of skiing, Trapp Family Lodge cut a new trail and named it "The 40 Year Trail." I would have called it the Back 40, but hey, they didn't ask.During what must have been a 14-km loop, the Skimeister and I tried out this new trail on Saturday morning and also skied for the first time on Hare...[Read more]
Monday, February 9, 2009
2 Comments
Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
This weekend's UVM Winter Carnival 2009 brought fast skis and fit racers to the courses at Stowe Mountain Resort and the Trapp Family Lodge. We caught some of the action at the Men's 10K Freestyle cross-country race on Saturday at Trapp's.
It was the inaugural event on Trapp's newly designed race course. It starts in the field right outside the cross-country center and proceeds down the practice slope, then sharply left and over to a long hill near Deer Pond. From there, the course switchbacks...[Read more]
Sunday, February 8, 2009
No Comments
Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
