A Ski Adventure in Stowe Vermont
One of our team has grown up visiting Stowe every year. She’s writing her recap here, sharing hacks on how to make the most of this ski village, while dodging the crowds, and some of the resort-town costs… of course while highlighting some allergen friendly eats along the way. Read on for her first-hand account:
Ever since being bought by Vail Resorts in 2017, Stowe has experienced the highs and lows of heightened publicity and popularity (for good reason). The views you can take in from the ski lifts heading up Mount Mansfield at Stowe Mountain Ski Resort are unparalleled when compared to other east coast slopes… and if you have the epic pass (same ownership as local resort, Roundtop) there is no extra fee for riding their lifts.
Stowe is a beautiful vacation destination anytime of year- but the stunning winter views from the gondola- you will literally not be able to process: 360 snow-kissed mountain vistas. If your brain is like mine, you will have to convince yourself it’s not a green screen. The only problem? Other people have discovered this gem too; and weekends on the mountain can be crowded! Our hack? Check into your hotel on Sunday evening and stay through the midweek… you’ll be skiing with locals with less than 5 minute lift-lines.
We stayed at Outbound Stowe- a recently renovated motel-style resort with tiny house cabins as an option for larger groups. The spot is pet-friendly, run by uber warm staff…and is really affordable, especially heading into the weekdays. Rooms run around $160 a night for two and my sister and I gave it a 10/10… exactly what you want: cozy & clean, hottub (an apres ski requirement), snack bar on-site and a few-minutes-drive to almost anything in Stowe! The town’s rec path runs directly behind the property, perfect for golden hour walks with the dog. And, just across the street is another public hiking loop with gorgeous views of Mount Mansfield. Also within walking distance is the town’s most fun bar- Alfie’s Wild Ride where you’ll find fun drinks and an even more fun owner, Chris, along with stick to your ribs post-ski apps and suppers. The menu takes special care to mark GF and Vg options- with the option of serving “sandwiches” over mashed potato or cheesy grits for the gluten frees of us all. House-made queso and chips, tacos, smoked beef and pork and smashburgers round out the edges of the menu. Not your typical bar, this space used to be a mechanic’s garage and has been converted to be an open floor plan bar with cornhole, ping pong, a stage for karaoke night, and wood stove in the center to keep it all cozy.
We skied Monday and Tuesday, starting with our favorite leisurely run down the mountain: Toll Road… Stowe being situated in the Northern part of Vermont receives the most snowfall, making for powdery buttery skiing conditions even as the days head toward spring. You can take a break at the summit with a bowl of tomato soup or chili (both gf) or a breakfast sandwich on a gf bun (and of course a warm cup of cocoa). I’ve been very impressed with the mountain’s food quality and options. If you have an epic pass you’ll also get 10-20% off food pricing. Speaking of epic passes, for someone who is all about spontaneous/last-minute planning, here is one case where you don’t want to wait… if you are planning a ski trip, make sure you buy an epic pass by early December. There are a plethora of options for which resorts you want to include/how many days. My sister bought an epic-local pass meaning she can ski unlimited days at any Vail-owned East Coast resort. I opted to buy a 6-day pass, meaning I can ski anywhere for my 6 days of lift tickets. Even if you’re only going for a single day, it still benefits you to buy a one-day pass ahead of the season, saving you at least $40 compared to same-day lift tickets.
Before our days at the mountain we stopped at our favorite local breakfast spots: first, Woodland Baking Co… housemade english muffins anyone (yes gf too)? This adorable bakery has a full case of baked goods from european laminated pastry to an entire row of gluten free cakes, bars, and treats with vegan options. The vibe is very salt of the earth, minimally processed ingredients, housemade syrups, and nut-milk. They also make a vegan, gluten free plant-based sausage patty for their breakfast sandwich! Their friendly chipmunk mascot flies on their flag outside the door, welcoming you in.
Stowe Bee Bakery is another locally owned cafe, with an array of smoothies, sweet treats, made-to-order sandwiches and take-and-bake meals. You’ll find a few gluten free choices here too- including gf breads, muffins, and crustless quiche.
The Skinny Pancake, a chain around New England offers a gluten-free buckwheat crepe. It has potential and with the right fillings, can be a home run. The crepe itself does not have a lot of flavor so bear that in mind when you’re choosing yours- I’d lean toward savory. The vibes in here are unmatched, cozy fireplace, brick and warm wood tones, checkered booths and staff with heart… and plenty of delicious gluten free sides like hash brown bites and full-service coffee bar to boot. I’d recommend this spot for dine-in eating.
Dinner??
This trip we tried Stowe Thai Cuisine… my favorite was the mango sticky rice- fully ripe mango on a day that started out -8 degrees F feels like magic, and sunshine for the soul! My sister ordered the red curry and said it’s the best she’s had! I went rogue and ordered a noodle dish called Rad Na. It was good for what it was but this was one of those times I probably should have played it safe- but it's always good to try new things! The menu was extremely accommodating for gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian.
Another great choice for dinner is Piecasso, brick-oven pizza with excellent scratch made crusts (option for gf or cauliflower crust). Build your own with non-dairy cheese or choose from their artisanal funky pre-set pie menu. You won’t be disappointed and can score delicious food without falling prey to the resort town food-hikes here. Food in this town leans on the pricier side but the usually locally sourced, scratch food is worth the cost. There is an annoying 10% dining tax in Stowe which we discovered for the first time on this trip.
My family has grown up coming to Stowe every year to stay for a week at the Trapp Family Lodge guesthouses and it has become a home away from home for us. There is a true New England Village Charm here and for all its conglomerate growth, there will always be the down-to-earth Vermont ties pulling it back to its roots. I think Stowe has something for everyone in every season, especially for outdoor lovers. While winter in Pennsylvania can be a little grey, in Vermont it’s celebrated as just another season of recreational activities: skiing, snow-shoing, hiking all with fabulous views when the leaves are off the trees. It’s a reminder that life is what you make it and in Vermont they generally make it fun (and a little weird). I love Stowe and you should probably just come up and experience it for yourself!
Links:
Stowe Mountain
Outbound Stowe
https://outboundhotels.com/stowe
Woodland Baking
https://www.woodlandbakingandcoffee.com/
Skinny Pancake
https://skinnypancake.com/locations/stowe-downtown/
Stowe Thai Cuisine
Piecasso