Take a Ski Vacation with Your Airplane at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont
VT – Are you dreaming of a winter wonderland for Christmas? Would that wonderland be even better if you could fly your own plane to a nearby airport and then enjoy a scenic drive up a mountain? If you answered ‘yes,’ your ideal Christmas and New Year’s vacation just might be located at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. This year, Stowe Mountain will open for the winter skiing season on December 3rd.
What Is the Current Snow Report?
As of December 2, 2024, Stowe Mountain reported 1 inch over the last 24 hours, 2 inches over the last 48 hours, and 33 inches for the current ski season, which typically starts in November. Skiers and vacationers who wish to get the most recent weather updates are advised to call 802-253-3600.
When Does the Skiing Begin?
Skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort will start at 9 AM on December 3. At that time, the FourRunner Quad lift will begin carrying skiers up and down the 2,000 vertical feet of Mount Mansfield. Skiers can enjoy an estimated two miles of skiing trails through the Lord, Upper Lord, Ridgeview, Lower Ridgeview, and Centerline areas, as well as the North Slope and Lower North Slope.
When Can Beginning Skiers Hit the Trails?
Beginning on December 4, beginning skiers can hit the easy trails, including the Adventure Triple and Meadows Carpet, at Spruce Peak. The resort also offers skiing lessons to help new skiers hone their abilities on the slopes.
How Should Vacationers Travel to Stowe Mountain Resort?
If you have your own airplane, you can fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV). Aviation services are provided by Heritage Aviation. Pilots can get 100LL and Jet-A. The executive terminal offers on-site US customs, a pilot lounge, WiFi, quiet rooms, weather and flight planning stations, and heated hangar spaces. Pilots can also tie their airplanes down on the tarmac. To get from BTV to Stowe Mountain, you can take an Uber or Lyft or rent a car. Rental car services are provided by Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Hertz and more.
Mount Mansfield Information and History
Mount Mansfield has been catering to alpine skiers since 1937, when the first lift opened. Of course, it wasn’t a raised chair lift like we’re used to seeing today. Instead, it was a rope tow that was located near the Toll House area of the resort. The resort didn’t get a chair lift until 1940.
In 1949, the Mansfield Company purchased 4,500 additional acres on Spruce and installed three additional rope tows. In 1960, the first double chair opened, and just three years later, the Toll House was converted into a modern lodge. The original gondola opened in 1968, and the first quad chair lift was installed in 1986. Since 1986, the mountaintop resort has been updated and expanded, and in 2017, Vail Resorts purchased it.
Mount Mansfield’s summit elevation is 4,395 feet, with the highest skiing elevation being 3,625 feet. It has 485 acres of skiable terrain and 116 trails. Of the 485 acres of skiable terrain, 16 percent is for beginners, 55 percent is for intermediate skiers, and 29 percent is for advanced skiers. The mountain boasts 12 lifts and an average snowfall of 314 inches.
Things to Do at Stowe Mountain Resort in the Winter
There are lots of things to do at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont in the winter. The most popular activity is skiing, but you can also go ice skating or fat biking. The resort also offers scenic gondola rides.
Nordic Skiing
The Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont is considered one of the best places to cross-country ski. The resort has more than 74 miles of groomed and maintained ski trails and more than 62 miles of backcountry skiing.
Ice Skating
Stowe Mountain Resort has an outdoor ice skating rink where you can practice your figure skating skills. The ice skating rink is located at the Spruce Peak Village Center and is open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM.
Scenic Gondola Rides
The Stowe Gondola SkyRides start on December 14. The gondola runs from 9 AM until 4 PM during the week and from 8 AM to 4 PM on the weekends. This ride will allow you and your family to travel to the top of the peak and experience amazing views. Once you’re at the top, you might want to enjoy dining at Cliff House or shopping at the Summit Retail Shop.
Fat Biking
Fat bikes have thick, knobby tires that are perfect for plowing through the snow-covered trails. During the winter, the resort’s mountain biking trails are regroomed for fat biking. The resort offers fat bike rentals, or you can bring your own. Just make sure that your fat bike’s tires are 3.8-inch instead of the standard 2.5-inch. This is to reduce the likelihood of the bikes leaving dangerous ruts in the snow.
The Slopeside Spa
The Slopeside spa is located at Spruce Peak. It offers a variety of massages, cupping, hot stones, eye masks, and back scrubs. They also offer hot oil wraps, cryotherapy, and facials.
Staying at Stowe Mountain Resort
The best place to stay at Stowe Mountain Resort is in the Lodge at Spruce Peak. When you stay at this 4-star lodge, you can ski in and ski out. The lodge has 300 rooms that include gas fireplaces, private balconies, large, luxurious bathrooms, and your choice of either a kitchenette or a full kitchen.
Dining at Stowe Mountain Resort
Guests and visitors to the resort can enjoy choosing from the many different places to eat, including the Mansfield Cafe and The Den, Midway Bar and Pizza, the Midway Cafe, the Octagon Cafe, the Cliff House Restaurant, The Waffle, the Spruce Camp Bar, and the Tipsy Trout. Midway Bar and Pizza are perfect for families who are looking for some great Italian food, including pizza, pasta, and flatbreads.
If you’re looking for rustic charm, you might check out the Mansfield Cafe and The Den. This eatery offers breakfast and lunch. Some fan favorites include chicken tenders and fries, hot honey chicken sandwiches, bratwursts, burgers, hot dogs, and chili. If breakfast is more your speed, they offer English muffin sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, and tater tots.
The Cliff House Restaurant offers mountainside dining and is open when the gondola is operational. Diners can choose from an array of delicious foods, including clam chowder, mozzarella sticks, Caesar salads, burgers, mac and cheese, and waffle sundaes.
The Spruce Camp Bar serves a variety of adult beverages and offers awesome views. On the weekends, they even offer live music.
If you’re looking for a great ski vacation where you can fly your plane into a local airport and drive up the mountain, the Stowe Mountain Resort may be the vacation for you.
