Elegant Alpine Lodge Nestled in Wooded Enclave
Two preserved maples stand sentry at the entrance to Stowehof Inn & Resort in Stowe, Vermont. The trees were transferred from the woodlands of the surrounding Green Mountains and integrated into the inn's structure, creating a sense of outside melting into inside. That sensibility permeates the atmosphere of the place, where skiers, hikers, and bikers revel in the rolling topography before retiring to the common room and well-appointed guest rooms.
Stowehof's in-house restaurant, Emily's, serves upscale contemporary fare in an elegant dining room with exposed wooden beams and a wall of windows showcasing the property. As part of this deal, you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner that includes a bowl of soup or a salad, a choice of entree, and a dessert. Though the menu changes more often than an award-show hostess, current appetizers include foie gras strudel and baked brie, and entrees span from seared trout to wiener schnitzel to braised rabbit. In the morning, the chefs at Emily's prepare a hearty breakfast buffet comprised of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
Dark woods, a gabled rooftop, and carved balconies imbue Stowehof Inn & Resort with the feel of an alpine chalet. Sunken fireplaces warm the vast communal living room, which is dotted with peaceful nooks for reading books from the substantial library or playing a board game. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the resort's small pond, outdoor pool, and, in the distance, Mount Mansfield—one of the tallest peaks in Vermont.
Stowe, Vermont: Mountain Community with Skiing
The quaint town of Stowe is nestled in the quiet countryside of northern Vermont. State law bans billboards, ensuring unobstructed views of the maples and pines covering the Green Mountains along the roadways. Up in the mountains is Stowe Mountain Resort, one of the biggest draws of the area. It has 116 trails and 13 lifts for downhill skiing, which typically takes place through April.
About a half mile west of Stowehof, you can rent bikes, mountain boards, and motorized mountain goats at Pinnacle Ski and Sports to explore the Stowe Recreation Path, a paved 5.5-mile-long avenue that winds past sparkling brooks and through Stowe's main commercial strip. The strip is lined with independent shops, roadside restaurants, and virtually no chain franchises. Like the sun's light or a toddler's interest in physics, the bustle of downtown evaporates by 10 p.m.
The nearby town of Waterbury is home to the headquarters of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. You can watch as machinery zips the famous pints from one end of the facility to the other during a factory tour, which ends with a sampling of the flavor of the day.
Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.
