Destination information
With 4,500 acres, 900 trails and 150 lifts on offer in Vermont, skiing here is varied and exciting. Whether you stay in historic Stowe village, where the first hotel opened in 1848, or on Mountain Road (closer to the slopes), you are in for a treat. Stowe, Vermont is the quintessential New England ski village and has been voted the best Eastern US ski resort by Ski Magazine for 5 years in a row! If this is your first time skiing in Vermont, there’s no better place to start.
For skiers, the terrain is unlike any other, offering a variety of pistes to suit all levels, from long meandering meadows to hair-raising drops through tight forests. Killington is the biggest mountain in Eastern USA with the longest season and offers something for everyone. And when you’re ready for a break from skiing and snowboarding, there’s lots more available here, including ice skating, hiking and sleigh rides.
Après-ski
Naturally, you won’t spend all your time in Vermont skiing… If your idea of après-ski is an excellent meal in a homely inn (over 50 to choose from) followed by a brandy next to the fireplace, Stowe is definitely the place for you. And Killington's town offers a lovely selection of restaurants and plenty of bars with live entertainment and good food. Nearby Manchester offers a great selection of designer factory outlets.
The changing seasons place Vermont in a different light throughout the year. Autumn is justly celebrated for the vivid colours of the foliage, but summer's deep green, and the multitudes of wild flowers in spring, are just as alluring. In our Virgin Snow brochure you'll find details of the copious winter thrills. Whatever the season, you'll traverse breathtaking mountain passes, scenic highways and a network of country roads unique to this state. The inns of Vermont are famous in their own right, and tucked away restaurants provide romantic candlelit dinners at the end of a day's explorations. 'Antiquing' is popular, and there are all kinds of opportunities to sample the state's produce, including Ben and Jerry's ice-cream at Waterbury, a village with more than its share of steepled churches, covered bridges and clapboard homes. As well as all this rural fun, your retail cravings can be satiated, at Manchester's top-name designer factory outlets.
Stowe
beginners ****
You’ll find the nursery area at Spruce Peak – and it’s one of the best in the US. The main mountain also holds many gentle, long, green runs, perfect for practising those turns!
intermediates ****
There are plenty of blue runs to keep intermediates entertained. There are many double-black runs for the experts, although there aren’t so many black runs for the more advanced intermediate.
advanced ***
Experts will revel in the famous Front Four – a row of extremely steep double-black diamond runs. There are also numerous gladed runs for more picturesque but equally challenging appeal.
snowboarders ****
Stowe has 3 terrain parks and a half-pipe attracting many boarders.
Killington
beginners ****
Great for beginners, with wide, open slopes and a nursery slope which is perfect for first timers.
intermediates ***
The mountain consists of many long green and blue runs. Pico, which is a ski area nearby, will prove more challenging – some say that the blue runs there are harder than some black runs!
advanced ***
Killington Peak is the main area for advanced skiers and boarders. It has several double-black runs, as does Snowdon. The ‘Outer Limits’ run claims to be ‘the steepest mogul slope in the East’… try it and see!
snowboarders ****
There is an excellent nursery slope for beginners as well as 3 terrain parks (and 1 at Pico).
Eats & drinks
New England cuisine includes Maine lobster and maple syrup, both of which are an absolute delight.
Getting around
Killington:A limited shuttle service runs from some of the hotels to the mountain, plus there is an evening trolley service (extra charge).
Stowe:A regular daytime suttle runs between the village and the mountain.
Getting there
Flights: Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to Boston 7 hours 45 min. Regional add-ons available at a supplement.
Car hire: Included in the flydrive price.
Driving Time: Stowe is approx 3-hour drive from Boston.