Stowe, VT

2008-01-10

Drive time
4 hrs., 1 min./240 miles

Take I-295 south until it merges with I-95 and cross into NH. Take the Rte. 101 exit (Exit 2) toward Exeter/Hampton. Take 101 W toward Manchester. Merge onto I-93 N toward Concord, then take I-89 N toward Lebanon. Take Exit 10 for VT-100 toward Waterbury/Stowe. Turn right onto VT-100 and, after 8.9 miles, slight left onto Main Street.

Touring tips

• Mt. Mansfield will offer night skiing on its Perry Merrill and Gondolier trails on Saturdays from 5-9 pm through Feb. 9 and from 4-9 pm from Feb. 16-March 15.

• For a unique outdoor winter experience, take a dog sled ride or lesson at Peace Pups Dogsledding (802-888-7733) or Eden Dogsledding (802-635-9070). Tours are available day or night with teams of Siberian huskies.

If you’re planning to visit Stowe in the winter, you must be a skier. And if you are, there’s no better time to hit the road to this beautiful VT spot than right now.

Stowe will host its 34th Winter Carnival from Jan. 18-26 with the theme of “Stowe Away the Blues.” There will be ice carving competitions, an ice bar, movies for young and old, Kids Koas, a snow volleyball tournament and a Village Night Block Party. At the block party on Jan. 26 (7 pm), more than 60 costumed characters will mingle with the crowd before the fireworks begin. (For the complete schedule go to www.stowewintercarnival.com)

If you prefer to focus only on skiing, Stowe’s Mt. Mansfield is the place to go with a top lift elevation of 3,719 feet. There are 116 trails with 485 skiable acres and 13 lifts. The mountain claims more mile long lifts than any other resort in the East, so ski or board to your heart’s content on trails that are 59% intermediate and 25% expert.

But there’s more to this spot than just downhill. Take a cross country ski tour or rent snowmobiles and hit those trails. If you’re looking for romance, sign up for a sleigh ride at Edson Hill Manor, Trapp Family Lodge or Stowehof. Gentle Giants at Topnotch offers sleigh rides pulled by Percherons and Belgian draft horses (802-253-2216).

When it comes to dining options, there are almost so many it’s overwhelming. Maxwell’s At Topnotch offers a spectacular mountain view and is open for breakfast and dinner ($17-$39), while Gracie’s Restaurant is a cute lunch ($6-$12) or dinner ($6-$19) spot decorated with dozens of framed photos of dogs. The Partridge Inn is located in an old farmhouse and offers steak, pasta and seafood. Restaurant Swisspot offers Swiss cuisine including fondue, cheeses and chocolates. Winfield’s Bistro ($17-$29) garners four diamonds from AAA for its Nouvelle American cuisine made from local Vermont produce.

Finding a place to stay in Stowe is easy. Choose from accommodations with names like Butternut Bed & Breakfast Inn, 1066 Ye Olde England Inne, Hob Knob Inn, Snowflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Season’s Pass Inn, Sun & Ski Inn and Suites and Trapp Family Lodge. Season’s Pass starts the low end of the price scale at $65 and Trapp Family Lodge is on the high end starting at $285 per night. For more, go to www.gostowe.com.

— Karen Beaudoin