Stowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort in the northeastern United States, near the town of Stowe in northern Vermont, comprising two separate mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. The lift-served vertical drop of Mount Mansfield is 2,360 feet (719 m), the fifth largest in New England and the fourth largest in Vermont.[2]
| Stowe Mountain Resort | |
|---|---|
  Stowe Mountain Resort Location in Vermont | |
| Location | Mount Mansfield Lamoille County Stowe, Vermont  United States |
| Nearest major city | Burlington |
| Coordinates | 44°31′55″N 72°47′15″W / 44.53194°N 72.78750°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Owner | Vail Resorts |
| Vertical | 2,360 ft (719 m) |
| Top elevation | 3,719 ft (1,134 m) |
| Base elevation | 1,559 ft (475 m) |
| Skiable area | 485 acres (1.96 km2) |
| Trails | 116 total - 16% - beginner - 55% - intermediate  - 30% - advanced/expert |
| Longest run | Toll Road: 4.3 miles (7 km) |
| Lift system | 12 total - 2 gondolas - 1 high-speed six-pack - 3 high-speed quads - 1 quad - 1 triple - 2 doubles - 2 surface lifts |
| Lift capacity | 15,516 per hour |
| Terrain parks | Yes, 4 |
| Snowfall | 224 in (570 cm)[1] |
| Snowmaking | Yes, 83% |
| Night skiing | No |
| Website | Stowe.com |
History
editAlpine skiing came to Vermont when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cut the first trails on Mount Mansfield in 1933.[3] The National Ski Patrol was based on the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol,[4] the oldest in the nation founded in 1934. Stowe Mountain was also the first ski area in Vermont to have a single chair, which was installed by American Steel & Wire Company in 1940.[5] Stowe was the second area in New England to have a chairlift, the first being Gunstock in 1937. The "Mansfield Single", was the first lift in the Mansfield area.
Stowe Mountain Resort was long owned in its entirety by the Mount Mansfield Company.[6] It in turn was owned since 1949 by insurance mogul C.V. Starr, founder of the American International Group.[6] AIG became the primary owner in 1988,[7] until selling ski-related operations and facilities at the resort to Vail Resorts on February 21, 2017. AIG and the Mount Mansfield Company will retain the Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe Mountain Club, Stowe Country Club and other real estate owned and held for potential future development.[8]
With $37 million in revenue during Winter 2007–08, Stowe placed second to Killington Ski Resort's $37.3 million in Vermont.[9]
Terrain and Lifts
editThe average annual snowfall at the resort summit is approximately 224 inches (570 cm).[1]
The ski area is composed of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Some 116 trails on Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield provide 40 miles (64 km) (485 acres (1.96 km2)) of skiable terrain.[10]
Ahead of the 2011–2012 season, Stowe replaced the FourRunner high-speed quad with a new high-speed quad, constructed by Doppelmayr USA.[11] The Sunrise Six also replaced the Mountain Triple in 2022.
Lifts
editStowe has a total of 10 chairlifts. There are 6 on the Mansfield side, and 4 on the Spruce Peak side. The Over Easy gondola connects both areas of the mountain.[12]
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Built | Vertical | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield Gondola | Gondola 8 | Leitner-Poma | 1991 | 2100 | 7664 | |
| Over Easy | Gondola 6 | 2006 | 15 | 1483 | Riders can load/unload at both terminals. | |
| Sunrise | High-Speed Six | Doppelmayr | 2022 | 1214 | 4476 | |
| FourRunner | High-Speed Quad | 2011 | 2046 | 5882 | ||
| Toll House | Double | 1983 | 890 | 6400 | ||
| Lookout | Double | Riblet | 1979 | 1750 | 5341 | Oldest lift in operation at Stowe. |
Spruce Peak
edit| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Built | Vertical | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensation | High-Speed Quad | Leitner-Poma | 2005 | 1454 | 5889 | |
| Sunny Spruce | 2004 | 865 | 3769 | |||
| Adventure | Fixed-grip Triple | 2004 | 127 | 980 | ||
| Meadows | Fixed-grip Quad | Doppelmayr | 2014 | 432 | 1734 | Has a Chairkit loading conveyor. |
Gallery
edit-
View to the east from Mt. Mansfield
-
The new village expansion featuring Stowe Mountain Lodge
-
Looking up towards Mt. Mansfield's summit.
References
edit- ^ a b https://www.onthesnow.com/vermont/stowe-mountain-resort/historical-snowfall
- ^ "VerticalFeet.com-Accurate Ski Resort Ranking with monthly updates". verticalfeet.com.
- ^ "Timeline of Important Ski History Dates". Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "National Ski Patrol a Brief History of it". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ "Stowe Mountain Resort". 26 August 2023.
- ^ a b LINDNER, BRIAN. "The epic history of Stowe Mountain Resort". Burlington Free Press.
- ^ Lawlor, Julia (2005-02-25). "HAVENS; At Stoic Old Stowe, a New Era". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Vail Resorts to Acquire Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont | Vail Resorts Corporate". news.vailresorts.com. Retrieved 2017-02-21. Douglas Tymins, president and chief executive officer of AIG Global Real Estate, said “Under Vail Resorts’ management, Stowe’s reputation as a premier ski destination with a commitment to excellent service will continue to grow."
- ^ McLean, Dan (November 9, 2008). Visits to Vermont ski areas. Burlington Free Press.
- ^ "The Mountain". Stowe Mountain Resort. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Vermont Ski Resorts Upgrade for 2011-12 Season". First Tracks!! Online. 29 September 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Stowe, VT". 15 October 2015.