Updated on Winter Ski Vacations

⛷️ Stowe Ski Vacation: Your Ultimate Family Adventure

Every year, our family makes time for a ski trip. While we sometimes fly west for powder-filled Rockies adventures, we often prefer destinations closer to home. This year, we packed the car—yes, all seven of us—and set off for Stowe, Vermont, a charming mountain town on the East Coast. At 572 miles from Cleveland, our drive took about 9–10 hours, but the scenic New England views made it absolutely worth it.

Woman and young boy seated at a wooden table in a mountaintop ski lodge with yellow flowers, menus and a green glass on the table, a large window behind them revealing a snowy slope with skiers, a red “Stowe” sign, ski-lift towers and a distant mountain range.
Two skiers—a taller adult in a rust jacket and brown pants and a child in a yellow-and-orange jacket—stand on a groomed snowy slope wearing helmets and goggles, with a chairlift to the left, snow-covered trees and a trail sign to the right, and wide snow-dusted mountains beneath a clear blue sky in the background.
Three children wearing ski helmets, goggles, and colorful winter jackets sit close together inside a gondola holding skis and poles, with a snow-speckled window and snowy slope visible behind them.

🏔️ What We Liked About Stowe

Our trip centered around Stowe Mountain Resort, which has activities and services for skiers of all ages. The resort boasts 116 trails, with:

  • 16% beginner
  • 55% intermediate
  • 29% expert

Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak at 4,395 feet, offers breathtaking views and skiing that is both scenic and exhilarating. While the mountain has plenty of blue, black, and double-black runs for more experienced skiers, the beginner green runs are mostly located near the ski school and Toll House lift. Overall, we found that Stowe is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers, though beginners can still enjoy a few dedicated areas for learning.

🧒 Lessons & Childcare

Stowe Mountain Resort makes it easy for families to enjoy the slopes while kids build confidence and have fun. The ski school offers small group lessons and private options, with children grouped by age and ability.

Group Lessons:

  • Ages 3–4: Half-day lessons with a hot cocoa break —
  • Ages 5–6: Half-day lessons —
  • Ages 7–14: Full-day lessons with lunch —

Private Lessons are also available for children and adults.

Epic Pass holders receive 20% off group lessons, a great perk if you’re planning a longer trip.

For younger children not yet ready for the slopes, Stowe offers Cubs Care, childcare for ages 18 months to 5 years, so parents can enjoy a few runs worry-free. Between lessons and childcare, it’s easy to have a fun, stress-free day on the mountain.

image of five kids at base of stowe mountaint resort
image of skier amonst snow covered trees
image of kids with skies on at top of stowe mountain with view of vista

🚗 Navigating Stowe

We stayed about 10 miles from the resort in a vacation rental, which was more spacious for our large family. Stowe Mountain Resort offers convenient parking near the Gondola SkyRide and Over Easy Gondola, making it easy to get to the main village, ski school, and lifts.

The resort village has lodges, condos, shops, restaurants, and even an ice skating rink, giving families plenty to explore after skiing.

🍹 Après-Ski Fun

Stowe has plenty of family-friendly evening activities:

  • Stowe Bowl: A boutique bowling alley with eight lanes and a full menu, perfect for a family night out
  • Ben & Jerry Factory (Waterbury, VT): Tours are engaging for all ages—tickets are $6 for adults, $1 for kids under 12
  • Piecasso Family Pizzeria: Delicious pizza and eclectic décor; takeout is an easy option for cozy nights in

After busy days on the slopes, these outings gave us a chance to unwind, laugh, and explore the charming Vermont town.

imgae of family playing cards in house with snowy background
image of kids bowling at stowe bowl
image of 4 kids eating icecream at ben and jerrys factory

💛 Travel Tips for Families

  • Pack layers, hand warmers, and foot warmers—Stowe’s weather can swing from 0°F to 32°F in a day!
  • Purchase lift and lesson tickets in advance to save time and money
  • Download the Epic app—your ticket is stored digitally, and Bluetooth scanning makes lift access quick and easy
  • Skiing on weekdays helps avoid crowds

💛 Final Thoughts

Stowe is a dream destination for families who enjoy skiing and adventure. With scenic trails for all skill levels, convenient amenities, and plenty of après-ski fun, it’s a place to create lasting memories.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway from Cleveland, a longer Vermont escape, or combining Stowe with other resorts, this mountain offers thrills, relaxation, and family-friendly fun for everyone. Our trip left us already planning the next one!

Two skiers in bright winter jackets (an adult in pink and a child in orange-yellow) stand on a sunlit groomed ski run surrounded by snow-covered evergreen trees, with a forested mountain peak topped by antennas and a blue sky and clouds overhead.
Two skiers—a taller adult in a rust jacket and brown pants and a child in a yellow-and-orange jacket—stand on a groomed snowy slope wearing helmets and goggles, with a chairlift to the left, snow-covered trees and a trail sign to the right, and wide snow-dusted mountains beneath a clear blue sky in the background.

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