We stayed at Stoweflake Mountain Resort Spa . The townhouse suite we checked into was ideal, luxurio

Over homemade scones at the breakfast table of the Timberholm Inn, a bright-eyed Brit explained why she chose to spring ski in Stowe. "When we think of a resort (I think she was speaking for the entire European continent), we think of a town. Not like Americans, who think of a great big developed complex attached to a ski resort."
Stowe is indeed enterprise rent a car san francisco a town unto itself. When someone says they’re headed to Stowe, the ski resort is usually what comes to mind first; but I found out that the town has its own sophisticated vibe and prideful presence.
Stowe, the ski resort and Stowe the village have formed a symbiotic relationship. The ski resort enterprise rent a car san francisco fancies itself the premier New England skiing destination enterprise rent a car san francisco for its skiing and because it harbors the lovely town of Stowe. Meanwhile, the town seems equally pleased to host one of the best skiing mountains in the East.
Similar to the vibe found in Nantucket, enterprise rent a car san francisco Stowe has that nuance of a hip town with lots going on against a very historic, quaint background. And it works as a vacation destination enterprise rent a car san francisco all year round. I went with my family during mud season, often referred to more sensitively as the shoulder season. I’m talking about late March, early April. Even though it was, dare I say it, crap weather (half the time) with plenty of mud, Stowe did not disappoint. It is just too cool a place to get bogged down, literally.
Stowe is quintessential New England. The first settlers, just two families, arrived in the early 1790s. By 1800 the town’s population had reached 800. It is located in the Green Mountains of Vermont, 35 miles from Burlington and 325 from New York City, our point of origin –- a manageable six-hour drive away. We considered taking the ski train. Known as the Vermonter; it’s run by Amtrak enterprise rent a car san francisco and takes eight hours from New York’s Penn Station, ending up in Waterbury Vermont, a mere 10 miles from Stowe.
No one has to drive, and for $100 (per person) round trip you’re treated to the space and freedom of train travel. But in the end we drove. The convenience and saved expense of having to rent a car once there, as well as the hours saved in getting there made our decision.
We stayed at Stoweflake enterprise rent a car san francisco Mountain Resort Spa . The townhouse suite we checked into was ideal, luxurious in fact. This two-bedroom, two story "attached home" was decorated in gold, tan and brown hues, and features rich fabrics, granite counter tops and marble tiles.
Stoweflake hosts guests for every season -– the Spa is an attraction that stands on its own. In fact several people told us Stowe is busier in the summer and fall than in the winter. Stoweflake turned out to be a vacation saver during the shoulder season. Offering so much to do, we almost forgot we came to ski, so that sour March weather was no problem.
For those who have no intention of stepping into ski bindings, Stoweflake is a great home base for doing things like taking enterprise rent a car san francisco in those rusty colors in autumn or hot air ballooning in spring… OR JUST SPA, anytime!
The Spa at Stoweflake enterprise rent a car san francisco is quite extensive. My teen daughter and I had a blast one rainy afternoon getting acquainted with all the different ways to sooth the body. First, we relaxed –- I actually took a quick nap in the women’s lounge. Next on the list: sauna and steam.
My daughter was unfamiliar with the hot dry air of the sauna, so she was a little wary as she stepped into the heat. Once I assured her that she wouldn’t die in there if she stayed a reasonable amount of time, the eucalyptus smell and soothing heat along with some whispered thoughts shared between us, was delightfully calming for both of us.
After the steamroom, we showered, put on our bathing suits and ventured to the co-ed Aqua Solarium. This atrium-like area features hydrotherapy waterfalls and a Hungarian mineral soaking pool. Two waterfalls come cascading down over a twelve-foot high rock wall into a small pool. The water really beats down on you and seeing her mother get pummeled by a crashing waterfall, threw my daughter into a fit of laughter, which got me laughing too. Yes, we saw other, more seasoned "soakers" enjoying the sensation of the water beating on their backs. But for me it will always be remembered as a treasured and hysterical moment enterprise rent a car san francisco shared with my teenage daughter.
Meandering through Stowe village was our plan for the afternoon of day one, but first we warmed up our legs with a Nordic Walk led by Stoweflake guide and Marketing Manager Kim Dixon. Nordic Walking is basically hiking (or walking) with poles that you gently swing out in front of you as you walk along. Essentially the poles are an extension of your arm. Making a slight lateral twist with your waist while walking gives you added core work. The public enterprise rent a car san francisco path Kim had us take (adjacent to Stoweflake) alongside a stream and fields was easy-going and picturesque.
We had just enough energy left over to tackle Stowe village. It’s compact and filled with interesting, artsy shops and touring spots. Walking Main Street may be a sport to some shoppers, but we found it relaxing.
We left the visitors center armed with a list of "To Dos" which began with lunch at Frida’s enterprise rent a car san francisco Taqueria enterprise rent a car san francisco + Grill. This California girl loves a tasty taqueria and Frida’s had some interesting menu items, including a variety of tacos; fried oysters with orange chipotle sauce, beef tongue with shredded lettuce and quesofresca. Yum.
Rocking chairs, an indoor fireplace, quilts draped across bed frames, colorful textured yarn tucked in floor-to-ceiling cubbies, and calico fabrics inspire every sew-crafty pursuit imaginable! Not only can you purchase, but you can also learn. Stowe Fabrick Yarn offers knitting lessons enterprise rent a car san francisco and quilting parties.
It was Easter week and bunny making was in full swing; bunnies on snowboards, motorcycles, with floppy ears, his and her country walking bunnies, bunnies enterprise rent a car san francisco in sports cars –- you get the idea. And that’s just the bunnies; enterprise rent a car san francisco I won’t even go into the eggs! Leigh Williams enterprise rent a car san francisco is the proprietor of this chocolate company housed in yet another Victorian home.
Besides the large variety of chocolates, Laughing Moon also makes candy canes the old fashion way, by pulling with a hook. According to the staff, candy cane-making demos are well loved during the Christmas season and Williams enterprise rent a car san francisco is considered the undisputed front-runner of makers. Check her out on YouTube .
The parlor room effect of the store feels like you’ve dropped in to have tea and chocolates with an old friend. It’s merchandised artfully; enterprise rent a car san francisco ultra quaint, and the chocolates are sweetly presented and packaged. Don’t miss it.
Several other stores on Main Street called our name that afternoon and are mentioned in the sidebar here. They are a mixture of gift stores and eclectic shops, made more interesting by their historic background.
The Vermont Ski Museum, housed in a former Community Church built in 1818, happily diverted us from shopping and does a nice job of curating the area’s enterprise rent a car san francisco ski history. If historic walking tours are you thing, the Visitors Center has a hand-out called the Stowe Village Walking Tour. Do this and you’ll be transported to the 19th Century, but if you and yours opt to create your own path for modern day, that’s okay too.
Sometimes while traveling, the ordinary turns into the extraordinary. I had planned a few meals "at home," that is back at our Stoweflake suite. One of which was shrimp gumbo. I needed shrimp for the gumbo and when I asked for it at the Main Street grocery store, which only had frozen shrimp, they told me about Stowe Seafood (502 Mountain Road, 802-253-8004). This little fish shack tucked in the back lot of a restaurant looked right out of Steinbeck’s Cannery Row.
This was fish supply central enterprise rent a car san francisco for the whole area. The monger on hand was a sturdy enterprise rent a car san francisco Vermonter with a deep, friendly enterprise rent a car san francisco voice, proud of his profession and clear about his mission –- as his card reads: "bringing the best of the ocean home to the mountains."
Skiing is supposed to be fun, right? Well it is, but it is also a fair amount of effort, dare I say, work. There is a lot to contend with –- hauling equipment, the expense, navigating the mountain and coping with uncertain conditions. Spring skiing ANYWHERE is unpredictable. Unlike most New England resorts, Stowe Mountain Resort is high enough and far enough north to offer spring skiing into April, and our experience proved it –- but just barely! Unfortunately, this year spring snowfall was way down.
The two days we skied it rained, the first day worse than the second, but real wet stuff. Fog and rain meant visibility was low, producing lots of conversation about whether it was better to wear goggles or not. I challenged my family enterprise rent a car san francisco to four runs that first day. I decided we’d start with the gondola, less getting wet than in the chairs and longer enterprise rent a car san francisco runs. This worked out okay. The snow conditions at the top of the mountain were fine, but the last third of the way down they were,to enterprise rent a car san francisco say the least, challenging.
We were skiing enterprise rent a car san francisco the "old part" of the resort known as Mt. Mansfield, not to be confused with newer Spruce Peak. Stowe has undergone a "mountain makeover" in the past 10 years, which includes construction of The Over Easy Gondola connecting Spruce Peak ski area to Mt. Mansfield as well as Spruce Camp Base Lodge and Stowe Mountain Lodge.
About Spruce Peak base, they got it right. It has all the appeal of a Western deluxe resort without any of the snobbery. Its design is well thought out, allowing for limited time walking in ski boots with equipment. Love that! The construction is what I would call, Western Lodge, East! It is a cross between a California craftsman lodge and Vermont county inn, perhaps with a little Austrian ski town thrown in. This may sound hodgepodge, but it is actually extremely pleasing, upscale, and inviting.
Use of natural materials; stone, granite, cedar shingles,with interior choices such as twig chairs, big log benches and exposed beams, makes for a contemporary, yet traditional atmosphere with comfort built in. The result is more fun and less work!
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