Check off These 7 Things to Do in Stowe During Your First Year

With its prime location right next to Vermont’s highest peak, the village of Stowe is a luxury ski destination known for its resorts, offering recreation to residents year-round. With the help of expert agents like the professionals at Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate, those interested in the community can gain a thorough understanding of Stowe’s mountainside ski properties, local events in downtown, and access to the surrounding nature playground of trails, snow, and lakes.

The ski resorts in Stowe are some of the largest on the East Coast. The Stowe Mountain Resort is a longstanding, internationally-acclaimed resort with prime access to Mount Mansfield’s terrain. With 116 ski trails and 12 lifts, skiers can explore hundreds of kilometers of trails and backcountry trails. Guests of all ages and expertise are welcome to try out different paths crisscrossing the expansive mountainous landscape. Don’t miss out on this resort in the summer, as its Gondola SkyRide is the best way to view the blooming environment.

Another prime ski and snowboard destination in Stowe is the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center. Spanning 2,600 acres, this lodge offers year-round access to the surrounding trail system, which is continuously expanding. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers will find paradise in the 60+ miles of trails with varying terrain difficulty, while the trails in the summer open hiking opportunities engulfed in meadows and woodlands.

Located in a state park, those moving to Stowe, VT can visit the Waterbury Reservoir in the summer to swim, paddleboard, or boat the 850-acre body of water. Look for the orange flags when settling down on the shoreline for a swim, paddle out to remote campsites for a secluded outdoor adventure, or cast a line into the water to fish smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Residents can also rent a boat from facilities nearby to explore the reservoir or hike along the universally accessible trail looking out onto the water.

The Stowe Land Trust is a land conservation organization that partners with landowners to care for the village’s scenic and special flora and fauna. With +4,300 acres protected, residents can explore select areas to bike, hike, ski, hunt, and enjoy the nature views. At the center of this land trust is the Mayo Farm, the first 235 acres to be protected by the organization in the 1980s.

Popular spots like Kirchner Woods can be accessed from Taber Hill Road and is a great area to view mature sugarbush used in maple syrup production. The trails are also great for hiking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and bicycling. Residents can also visit Mill Trail, which features the Waterbury River, historic cabins, cellar holes, and the surrounding mixed forest. Visitors are free to hike, fish, and hunt when it’s the season.

The ski resorts in Stowe, VT aren’t the only way to explore Mount Mansfield. For an up-and-close view of this towering mountain, book an experience with Sunrise Mountain Guides. Visitors don’t have to have the experience to try out activities like ice climbing, which provide a lively challenge to navigation and rope skills, as well as opportunities to learn survival tasks and foster group thinking.

Stop by in the winter to climb the ice, explore backcountry trails, try out ski mountaineering, or enjoy cross-country skiing. In the summer, activities like rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and more make this the perfect spot to reset and relax surrounded by Vermont’s crisp mountain air. Whether out on a quick hour hike or looking for an all-day adventure, Sunrise Mountain Guides has you covered.

After a long day of outdoor play, Stowe has plenty of spots to unwind and relax tired muscles at luxury spas. Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa provide two different spas with a complete range of services for all guests. The Spa at Stoweflake is a world-class destination that accommodates all with its 30 luxury treatment rooms, Hungarian mineral soaking pool, and 150+ healing and anti-aging remedies.

The resort’s Sports and Wellness Center offers even more specialized amenities and services. Relax in the indoor or outdoor pool, feel muscle tension melt away in the jacuzzi, or open pores at the sauna and steam room. Additional sports areas, like courts for tennis, racquetball, and squash, professional golfing areas, and a completely equipped fitness center, are also available to guests and residents.

Downtown Stowe is the heart of this village. With over 50 shops, downtown Stowe offers plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment for those in the area. Shoppers can stop by the boutique Archery Close and browse their curated collection of designers suitable for all occasions. Or drop by the clothing store In Company nearby, with an intriguing mix of fashion from local artisans and designer brands alike.

From January through December, there are always events in Stowe. Check out the Stowe Winter Carnival in January to watch professional ice carvers in action or stargaze clear night skies. From spring to fall, the Stowe Farmers Market is a popular event to find one-of-a-kind art pieces, try out culinary creations, or stock up on fresh and local products. Don't miss artistic events like Music in the Meadow in July and August, as well as the Stowe Tango Music Festival in the fall.

Stowe is a haven for outdoor activity, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to swimming, hiking, and fishing in the summer. Enjoy the forested mountain village shops in Downtown Stowe, and don’t forget to mark the dates for exciting annual events. We’ll keep you up-to-date on things to do in Stowe, VT! If you’re looking for a home to start your first-year adventures, contact one of the experienced agents at Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate to guide you through the process.