Tucked away in the heart of New England, Stowe is known for its ski resort. With its stunning natural setting and easy access to outdoor activities, a visit to Stowe is the ultimate restorative. The quaint village is home to a general store, cute coffee shops, and boutiques where you can idle the day away.
Time-tested hotel options include the Trapp Family Lodge, where the “Sound of Music” family settled after fleeing Austria, and Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, with its glorious grounds and top-caliber staff.
oM readers already know why Stowe is a top travel destination. Here are five shiny new reasons to visit now.
Ski Stowe Mountain Resort with Epic Pass
Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the Northeast’s most venerable ski destinations. Some snow lovers say it’s as good as it gets, comparing it to Europe’s ski resorts.
In the summer of 2017 it was purchased by Vail Resorts. It now offers the Epic Pass, joining a roster of resorts including Vail, Breckenridge, and Park City. Purchasers have unlimited, unrestricted access to dozens of top-notch North American and European ski resorts. To get the best deal, book it online in advance of your arrival in Stowe.
Find Hotels near Stowe:
Eat at Picnic Social
Chef Justin Perdue worked at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain. He has brought his skills to Stowe’s Picnic Social, one of the newest farm-to-table restaurants in Stowe, located in the Field Guide Hotel.
Diners feast family-style with big, fresh portions of hummus, smoked trout toast, spicy cider wings, fish tacos, risotto and tofu ramen, sized just right for sharing. Locavores will enjoy the delectable Vermont cheese plate. The full bar is stocked with local beer and cider. The cozy, laid back vibe is suited for anyone who wants to relax by the fireplace after a day on the slopes in wintertime or on a blanket outdoors in the summer.
Glide on the Ice
Take a spin around the new skating rink at Spruce Peak Village Center. Access to the rink is complimentary though you’ll pay to rent skates. Enjoy an après-ice drink at the rink-side wine bar.
Stay: The Stowehof Hotel
The Stowehof Hotel is an Austrian-inspired hotel that sits on 26 acres surrounded by scenic mountain vistas. It recently went through a renovation but still holds true to its roots. Changes include refreshed amenities with a focus on local, sustainable products in the guestrooms.
The hotel has a partnership with the Helen Day Art Center and its art fills the public areas, such as the lounge and dining room, which have new furniture and windows that offer tremendous views of the area.
Fritz Bar, the hotel’s pub, was redesigned and got a new menu that offers Alpine-style food and beer. The also hotel now offers shuttle service to the ski resort. Off-season rates currently start at $99 a night.
Farmer’s Market
Visitors and residents alike enjoy the fresh flavors at the local Farmer’s Market. Vendors sell their wares every Sunday from May through October. This year, the number of vendors is significantly increasing to include over 50 stalls. From maple syrup to goat cheese, local foodies and tourists alike are certain to find something that appeals to their taste buds.
Get to Stowe from NYC
Ride Amtrak’s scenic Vermonter from Penn Station to Waterbury in 6 hours. From Waterbury it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to Stowe. Jessica’s Vital Transit (802- 279-8251) and Stowe Taxi (802- 253-9490) are reliable. Call ahead and book a taxi to meet your train.
For more information on planning your trip and finding the best après-ski action during your getaway, visit Go Stowe.
Featured image: Mark Vandenberg Photography
Image credits: Stowehof, Picnic Social, Stowe Mountain Resort and the author
Holly Rosen Fink is a marketing consultant and culture and travel writer living in Larchmont, New York
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram