68 km
390 m - 1109 m
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Test report Stowe
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Stowe
Total result: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Test Stowe
The review Stowe was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Best Steakhouse: Solstice Restaurant >>
Best Ski Hotel: Stowe Mountain Lodge >>
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Stowe
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The ski resort of Stowe is one of the largest ski resorts in Vermont and offers the fifth largest altitude difference in Vermont.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
719 m (Valley 390 m - Mountain 1109 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
12
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 3
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 3
Photos
In Stowe you will find runs of all difficulty levels and gladed runs. There are also snowparks leading down to the valley on the runs through the forest that are suitable for everyone.
Runs/slopes
Total 68 km
Easy
20 km
(29 %)Intermediate
42 km
(62 %)Difficult
6 km
(9 %)
Longest run
6 km
Run location
under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
The complete slope range is accessed with a modern 8-person gondola lift and 3 detachable, rapid 4-person chair lifts. There are also double and 3-person chair lifts available for beginners and to handle excess capacity when the resort is full. Both sides of the ski resort are connected by a modern 6-person gondola lift.
Number of ski lifts
12
Total capacity
19100 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
14.0 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
2
9
1
Additional
1
Most of the runs have snow-making capabilities, so the ski season can start at the end of November and go through until the beginning of April. Due to its geographical location, the resort receives a lot of snow in the winter.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
400 Snow canons
80 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
The closest highway is about 30 km from the ski resort. You can park at the Toll House Double already, but it is better to park at the Mt. Mansfield base station and Spruce Camp. There is sufficient free parking there and you can get right on the slopes.
Access via Highway 89, Exit Waterbury
- Toll House Double (Stowe, VT), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 26 km · approx. 27 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, without significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Mount Mansfield Gondola (Stowe, VT), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 29 km · approx. 29 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort with all of its features. All runs and lifts are indicated in detail. There is also useful information on the back of the trail map.
The trail map depicts the ski resort with all of its features. All runs and lifts are indicated in detail. There is also useful information on the back of the trail map.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
Each individual slope is well-marked. There is detailed slope information at the base stations including the status of the lifts (open or closed). There are trail maps available for skiers throughout the ski resort.
Each individual slope is well-marked. There is detailed slope information at the base stations including the status of the lifts (open or closed). There are trail maps available for skiers throughout the ski resort.
Spruce Peak at Stowe, Stowe Mountain Resort’s new base-area development, has earned two distinct honors from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State: Spruce Peak at Stowe is the first mountain resort development in the United States to earn Audubon’s ‘Green Community Award’ and the first in Vermont to have its golf course designated as an Audubon ‘Signature Sanctuary.’
Awards:
Audubon Sustainable Community Certification
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
The Stowe ski resort offers high-quality restaurants with and without wait service. There are nice restaurants at the base stations and on both peaks. The Solstice Restaurant has received recognition as the best steakhouse.
7 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Solstice Restaurant
In the Stowe Mountain Lodge at the base station
Excellent restaurant with the best steaks and salads. There is a reason why the Solstice Restaurant received the Best Steakhouse 2011 Award from skiresort.de! -
Cliff House Restaurant
At the top station of the gondola lift
Distinctively situated on the shoulder of Mount Mansfield, the Cliff House brings fine dining to new heights. The rustic interior pays homage to the Austrian roots of our chalet with spectacular panoramic-view seating and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the surrounding peaks.
Photos
There is more of a cozy atmosphere in Stowe.
After you've finished skiing for the day, you can sit together around the fire or at the bar in the Stowe Mountain Lodge.
Numerous accommodations are located at the Toll House base station and on Spruce Peak. The Stowe Mountain Lodge is centrally located right at the Over Easy gondola lift. There are also many holiday homes along the slopes. In nearby Stowe, there are additional accommodations of every category.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are very many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Tips
-
Stowe Mountain Lodge
Directly on the slopes on Spruce Peak and the Over Easy gondola lift
The Stowe Mountain Lodge is a first-class hotel in Stowe Mountain Resort with direct access to the slopes and the Over Easy gondola. After a winter sports day, the large well-tempered outdoor pool and jacuzzi invites you to relax.
Towns/villages
- Stowe
Distance to ski resort 5-10 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
Stowe is family-friendly. The Cubs Child Care Center and the Adventure Center for Children are located at the Spruce Camp Base Lodge. The runs on the lower part of the mountain are very easy and ideal for children and families.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
Photos
There is a beginner's area with three designated chair lifts and a magic carpet at the Spruce Camp Base Lodge. You can see the runs directly from the lodge. On Mt. Mansfield, it is possible to ski down to the valley on easy and very easy slopes at the Mountain Triple and at the Toll House double chair lift. At the Midway Surface lift, located directly at the Easy gondola lift, you can also practice your curves.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Separate lift ticket for beginners / point ticket
Ski schools on-site
Photos
The advanced skiers will also find what they are looking for on the steep runs below the Fourrunner Quad. There are also some tree-cleared, unprepared forest runs and mogul slopes.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
- some mogul slopes
- few extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 68 km
Difficult
6 km
(9 %)Most difficult run
-
Goat · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 300 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
At Stowe Mountain Resort, the two mountains are naturally divided into six distinct areas that each provide a unique atmosphere for skiers and riders.
One of the six is the Mansfield Triple. This ranks highest with young skiers and riders thanks to two freestyle terrain parks, a halfpipe and other freestyle treats.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Stowe Terrain Park & Halfpipe
The Stowe Terrain Park and Halfpipe consists of the Zaugg Cut halfpipe and a some snowparks. Fifth Ave, North Slope, Tyro and Midway provide the snowpark with a large variety of obstacles and jumps.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 75 km
Stowe Mountain Resort's Cross-Country Ski Center offers 45 km of groomed trails and 30 km of backcountry terrain. The trails begin at the Toll House double chair lift. In order to use the trails, you must pay $18 during the week and $24 on the weekends - this then includes a ride on the double chair lift.
Photos
Conclusion
Nice panorama view of Vermont, well-groomed runs, striking scenery, Stowe Mountain Lodge
No chair lifts with covers, fee for cross-country trails
Detailed description of the ski resort
From Stowe Village you reach the ski resort in about 15 minutes via a scenic road. Before you reach the mountain the road divides to the Spruce Peak Base Lodge and Mansfield Base Lodge where you will find a lot of parking lots. The two base stations are connected with the Over Easy gondola. At the Spruce Peak you have one tripe chair, two double chairs and a people mover in the lower part, which are very good for beginners, too. With the Sunny Spruce Quad and the Sensation Quad, high speed quads, you can go up to the 1033m high Spruce Peak. Several intermediate runs lead back to the valley through forest aisles. At Spruce Peak was the connection to Smugglers´Notch, but the connection is unfortunately kept no longer upright. From the Mansfield Base Lodge you can take a double-, a triple-, or a high speed quad up to the mountain. The high speed quad Fourrunner leads up to the summit, where you have a fantastic view. At the Fourrunner quad are mostly very steep runs, the easier runs lead along the triple chair Mountain Triple back to the Lodge. Down to Toll House, about 2 km from the Mansfield Base Lodge, you can ski or ride only very easy slopes. The double chair Toll House take you back to the other slopes. Very beautiful slopes are also at the eight person gondola. Via the run "Crossover" you can reach the gondola very easy. The runs along the gondola are mostly intermediate - very recommended is the "Perry Merrill" slope! For a break you have some nice restaurants in the ski resort, very recommended is the Cliff House Restaurant and the Midway Base Lodge. The two Base Lodges Mansfield and Spruce are connected with a high speed 6 person gondola. In the last years Stowe invested a lot in the accommodation and the infrastructure.
Test Report issued on 2011-03-30
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Highlights
Highlights
Stowe Mountain Lodge
*****
Located at the base of Mount Mansfield
05672 Stowe, VT
0 m to ski resort Test report »
Located at the base of Mount Mansfield
05672 Stowe, VT
0 m to ski resort Test report »
