Home to Vermont’s highest peak, world-class skiing, trails galore, and a craft beer scene that is second to none, Stowe is a premier outdoor adventure destination.
By Dan Mathers
Quick, make a list of the very best Northeast towns for four-season outdoor adventure.
Got it? Good. Now check that list for Stowe, Vermont.
If you didn’t list Stowe, give yourself a smack on the wrist (not too hard, but don’t go easy) and then immediately start planning a trip to this iconic mountain town in northern Vermont.
Home to Vermont’s highest peak, a world-class ski resort, miles of trails, a fun downtown, and quick access to a huge variety of outdoor activities, Stowe is Vermont’s quintessential hub for outdoor adventure.
Stowe has it all, from skiing and snowshoeing in winter, to some of Vermont’s best hiking, biking, and climbing in the summer, and all surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in a state renowned for its jaw-dropping scenery.
The best thing about Stowe? You don’t have to sacrifice the comforts of civilization to enjoy its outdoor scene. Stowe has cozy lodges, diverse restaurants, and a thriving craft beer scene that all make it the ideal place to cap off a day in the outdoors.
Here’s what you need to know to explore Stowe.
Skiing and Snowshoeing
Alpine adventure takes center stage in Stowe come winter. Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the premier ski destinations on the East Coast, with its mix of classic Vermont charm and modern mountain amenities.
The resort spans two mountains—Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak—connected by an eight-passenger gondola. On the Mansfield side, expert skiers test their mettle on legendary trails like Front Four—Starr, Goat, National, and Liftline. Spruce Peak offers a mellower vibe, with wide groomers and terrain parks perfect for families and intermediates.
Even if downhill skiing isn’t your thing, there’s a lot to enjoy at Stowe in the winter thanks to plenty of places to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort—founded by the same von Trapp family immortalized in “The Sound of Music”—offers more than 60 miles of groomed and backcountry trails winding through snowy forest. It was America’s first nordic ski center and is still one of the best.
For more rolling terrain, Stowe Resort’s Cross Country Ski Center features a vast network of scenic trails that connect with the von Trapp system, allowing skiers to glide for hours through quiet woods.
For those looking to explore Stowe’s winter wilds on foot, Wiessner Woods and Sterling Valley are local favorites for snowshoeing, with loop trails that meander through silent forest. Moss Glen Falls becomes a cascade of ice in winter—a short hike from the trailhead reveals a frozen waterfall that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Those seeking something bolder can explore Smugglers’ Notch, the narrow mountain pass between Stowe and Jeffersonville.
If you need to rent equipment, many places in the area offer rentals. Umiak Outdoor Outfitters offers a wide variety of winter outdoor equipment, covering pretty much anything the winter outdoor adventurer might need.
Hiking Around Stowe
Stowe is tucked in the heart of the Green Mountains, making it a hiker’s paradise, with a variety of trails that range from casual walks to challenging, rocky summit scrambles.
The crown jewel of the area is Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, standing 4,393 feet. In the summer, the peak can be crowded due to visitors arriving by auto road and gondola rides. But tolerating the crowds is worth it to enjoy the hike up the mountain and views from the summit. The Long Trail runs over Mansfield’s ridgeline, and the 4.6-mile hike up and back is probably the most popular route up the mountain, but there are many approaches up to the summit to choose from.
The Sunset Ridge Trail, starting in nearby Underhill State Park, is one of the most popular routes to Mansfield’s summit—and for good reason. It’s a steady climb through hardwood forest that bursts into open alpine terrain, with sweeping views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks beyond. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Canada.
For a quieter ascent, the Hellbrook Trail lives up to its name—a steep, rugged route that scrambles up rock faces and roots before joining the Long Trail near the Chin (Mansfield’s true summit). It’s short, brutal, and beloved by those who crave a challenge.
For a mellower hiking experience, the Stowe Pinnacle Trail is a local favorite, offering a moderate climb through birch and beech to a bald summit with a front-row view of the valley.
Another easier hike is the Sterling Pond Trail, starting from the top of Smugglers’ Notch Pass, and winding through mossy forest to a sparkling mountain pond ringed by cliffs.
Moss Glen Falls rewards with one of Vermont’s most beautiful waterfalls, reached via a short hike through deep woods. The trail continues uphill to views of the valley—although most visitors don’t make it past the falls, leaving the upper section uncrowded.
The Sterling Valley Loop and Wiessner Woods offer gentler woodland hikes with fewer crowds, especially in shoulder seasons when foliage colors explode or snow dusts the trees.
Mountain Biking Stowe
Biking in the Stowe area is a four-season activity, with summer and fall mountain biking morphing into fat biking once the snow falls.
Miles of purpose-built trails weave through hardwood forests, sugarbush hillsides, and along rushing streams. Whether you crave smooth, flowing berms or steep, technical climbs, Stowe’s terrain delivers.
In winter, many area trails are just as easy and free to access as they are in the summer and offer great riding conditions with regular maintenance by local volunteers. Local trails include the Stowe Recreation Path, Edson Hill (which has motorized grooming), Cotton Brook, and Callaghy’s Trail and Split Rock in Sterling Forest and Cady Hill Forest.
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a 93-mile long rail trail, the longest in New England, that serves as a four-season, multi-purpose recreation and transportation corridor. The trail features accessible grades and is a great place to try fat biking.
For great mountain biking in the summer, the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort has trails that combine cross-country mileage with alpine views, offering over 25 miles of meticulously maintained dirt.
The lower loops wind through meadows and forests, perfect for intermediate riders, while the upper trails, like Sugar Road and Luigi’s Loop, climb to ridgelines with sweeping vistas of the Worcester Range.
For riders who prefer gravity to grinding climbs, Stowe Mountain Resort occasionally opens its lifts to mountain bikes in the summer and fall. Stowe’s lift-served terrain provides high-speed descents with breathtaking alpine scenery.
For those who crave a raw backcountry experience, Adams Camp and Sterling Valley deliver old-school Vermont riding—rooty, rocky, and full of challenge, with tough terrain and long climbs, but the payoff is worth it.
Climbing and Kayaking
The Stowe area is home to more than 100 places to climb, including Jeffersonville Slide, ENT Gully, Hidden Gully, Territory, Doug’s Route, and Blind Faith.
The Smugglers’ Notch cliffs—just over the ridge from Stowe—offer some of the best trad and sport climbing in New England. Crags like Elephant’s Head and Upper West Wall feature routes for all levels, from beginner slabs to expert multi-pitch climbs.
During the warmer months, climbers flock to Stowe for crisp granite and stunning alpine views. Winter brings a whole different challenge, as the Notch transforms into a top-tier ice climbing destination.
If you’re new to climbing, you can learn the basics with Stowe-based guide service Sunrise Mountain Guides.
While the mountains might be the real superstars around Stowe, paddlers can also have a fun time exploring the area’s lakes and rivers.
Kayakers and paddleboarders love the Lamoille River, which winds through the Stowe countryside and offers views of Mount Mansfield.
Also nearby, the Waterbury Reservoir provides 850 acres of serene paddling, with secluded coves and primitive campsites for overnight adventures.
Local outfitters like Umiak Outdoor Outfitters offer rentals and guided trips.
Lodging in Stowe
From primitive campsites to cozy lodges and luxurious resorts, Stowe features a wide variety of lodging options that are sure to meet the needs of any outdoor enthusiast, whether they’re looking for a bare-bones solo adventure, or a comfortable place for the family.
The Tälta Lodge is designed specifically with the adventurer in mind. Built for all four-season activities—from skiing and snowshoeing to mountain biking and hiking—the property is ideally located along a river with access points to the Stowe recreation path. Featuring plenty of gear storage, a pump track, indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub, yoga room, bike rentals, and sauna, this boutique hotel is an ideal basecamp for exploring Stowe.
Stowe Mountain Resort is home to The Lodge at Spruce Peak, which offers alpine luxury and the only ski-in, ski-out lodging in town.
The von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort is a popular lodging option, with luxurious rooms, on-site trails to explore, a brewery, and spectacular mountain views.
The AWOL is an alpine retreat that is just a short stroll from Stowe’s downtown village.
Stowe Cabins in the Woods offer a more rustic experience, with cabins nestled in the forest.
Food and Drink
It’s been said that if you have a bad beer in Vermont, it’s your own damn fault. Vermont has a strong argument for being the best craft beer state in the country, and the Stowe region is a huge part of that. But there’s more to Stowe than just great beer. It also has a diverse collection of excellent restaurants, making Stowe just as appealing for downtime as it is for adventuring.
Doc Ponds is local favorite for capping off a day in the outdoors. It has more than 20 rotating taps, more than 100 bottles and cans, and a comfort-food driven menu featuring mac and cheese with Vermont cheddar, inventive taco bowls, and an atmosphere equal parts laid-back and creative.
If you’re looking for a refined dinner after a day of being wild outdoors, Harrison’s Restaurant is your place. Located in the heart of the village, they serve creative American-Fusion cuisine in an upscale, relaxing environment.
For comfort food, head to The Bench. This casual spot features wood-fired pizza, hand-cut fries, local craft beers, and a relaxed vibe.
If you’re a craft beer fan, you’ll want to swing by The Alchemist Brewery. The Alchemist is arguably Vermont’s most famous brewery, and is known for being the creators of Heady Topper, a beer with a cult-like following that had people around New England waiting in lines for it when it first came out.
The von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort is also home to von Trapp Brewing, which produces Austrian-inspired lagers and offers a Bierhall with food and sweeping views of the mountains.
A reliable option for great food and beer in a relaxed setting is Idletyme Brewery, a local brewpub offering a full menu.
To learn more about visiting Stowe, check out GoStowe.com.
