Stowe anyone?

[gdoan]

Alright folks, after this ill take a break from bugging you for information on resorts in the east.
Over late december/new years we narrowed things down to a trip to Jay peak but now Stowe has popped up into the debate. We managed to find cheap lodging.
Are crowds at Stowe bad at this time?
Hows the conditions usually (yes yes crap shoot i know but input would be helpful)?
Gladed terrain ?
Powder possibilities?
Good long cruisers?
Scenic?
Ive never been here so I dont know much about it, Id appreciate the input from you guys!

 

[scharny]

Alright folks, after this ill take a break from bugging you for information on resorts in the east.
Over late december/new years we narrowed things down to a trip to Jay peak but now Stowe has popped up into the debate. We managed to find cheap lodging.
Are crowds at Stowe bad at this time?
Hows the conditions usually (yes yes crap shoot i know but input would be helpful)?
Gladed terrain ?
Powder possibilities?
Good long cruisers?
Scenic?
Ive never been here so I dont know much about it, Id appreciate the input from you guys!

Simple answer:

If spending money is not a problem for you, then Stowe is the place that will satisfy all of the above.

The mountain and the resort nearly always deliver, but you WILL pay for it. I was a passholder there for two seasons, and even thought it's more than I've paid for a pass before or since, I had a great time both seasons.

Jay costs about 60% as much as Stowe, less if you have a pass at another mountain. However, if you are not tuned in to where the good stuff is at Jay you can have a bad experience, even on what locals would call a good day. The winds that pound the Jay massif can wreak havoc on the open trails, especially on the summit cone.

 

[deadheadskier]

Are crowds at Stowe bad at this time?


it's the busiest week of the year for Stowe and all ski areas. Stowe does get crowded, but if you use a pretty simple strategy and are willing to ride the singles line, it's manageable. I ski Stowe every winter on busy Saturdays and never deal with longer than a 10 minute wait for the lift.

The 4Runner Quad opens by 8AM at the latest, usually closer to 7:30. Start there and lap it until the lines build. The Quad side of the mountain has the greatest diversity of long cruisers on the mountain.

Once the line on the Quad builds, head over to the Gondola for a couple of runs. Use the singles line, which is sometimes hard to see the start too due to the crowds outside of the building. Just walk around the crowd to the right and you'll see there is indeed a singles line. If you're with a group, chances are at least a couple of you will get to ride together joining a group of 5 or 6 from the main line.

After a few runs on the Gondola, take the transfer lift over to the Spruce side of the Mountain and work your way over to the Big Spruce Quad. Rarely ever a line more than 10 minutes on that lift. Spruce side also is the best place for lunch. You'll pay a lot for the lunches in the Spruce Lodge, but the quality of the food is as good as anywhere in the East.

Around 2ish, head back over to the Gondola for a couple of runs, finish day on the Quad.

That should be your plan every day to best manage crowds. Forerunner > Gondola > Big Spruce > Gondola > Forerunner


Hows the conditions usually (yes yes crap shoot i know but input would be helpful)?


Stowe is the most expensive mountain the East, but because they cater to a high end clientele, they never skimp on snowmaking and grooming. Combine that with the 2nd most natural snow in the east and conditions are usually very good. As with any major area, things will get skied off throughout the day.

Gladed terrain ?


Stowe has relatively few onmap glades. However, it has a massive local contingent of tree skiers who over the years have thinned major amounts of woods between trails and to the sides of trail boundaries. While cruising around, just look to the sides of the trails and you'll see people in there and where to go. I always recommend looking up from lower down the trails to understand the terrain. It's as much a 'see it and ski it' mountain as you'll find in the east. With decent snowpack, the place is wide open.

Powder possibilities?


crap shot depending on where storms go, but only Jay averages more snow, so it's as good of a possibility as anywhere



Good long cruisers?


Stowe used to only advertise 48 trails. They have 39 miles of skiing. Now they advertise much more to fit in with the upper/middle/lower trail counting of everywhere else. Stowe has the longest, most consistent fall line skiing that I've found anywhere in the east. Trails from the Quad and Gondola are 2000 vert and average a mile in length.

Scenic?


highest peak in the State that extends above treeline. Beautiful Valley. Postcard Village. yes, it is scenic

 

[snowmonster]

I was at Stowe last year and in 2007 for New Year's. Crowds were manageable. The Forerunner had the longest lines. Using the singles line was key. Conditions both years were very good but icy in some spots. In 07, New Year's Day was a powder day. You can get discounted tix if you buy them at least 7 days ahead of time.

 

[gdoan]

thanks, ill use that crowd strategy, and i think we'll duck out to smugglers notch for a day or two while were down there, looks like they have some good terrain and less crowds.

 

[riverc0il]

thanks, ill use that crowd strategy, and i think we'll duck out to smugglers notch for a day or two while were down there, looks like they have some good terrain and less crowds.

Whah? Smuggler's Notch has some of the longest lift lines around on weekends and holidays. Great terrain though, for sure.

Stowe has some of the best cruising terrain for a major New England resort, IMO. Very scenic. You are going to have vacation crowds no matter where you go, don't let that be a factor. Stowe has respectable snow making. It is more likely to be viable if the weather is bad than Jay. Jay will be more likely to have low angle glades open, Stowe is unlikely to have any of their on map glades open. That said, who knows. Look... NoVT is more likely than any place in New England to get powder. That said... it can snow or rain or blow the tops of the mountains on any given day at any given mountain.

 

[deadheadskier]

yep, Smuggs very well maybe the last place I'd want to be on a Holiday week. No escaping the crowds. You've got two lifts to ride, Madonna 1 and Sterling. Both are completely jammed and 30 minute waits, especially on Sterling aren't that uncommon. Lines are less on Madonna 2, but unless you're into terrain parks, I don't find it serves anything all that appealing. At least at Stowe you have the option of riding singles lines on their Quads and Gondola to cut down the wait. Heck, Stowe even has a single line for their double chair, which I think Smuggs should do.

I love Smuggs, but the lines drive me nuts. Fatnatastic terrain.

If you want to mix it up and experience fewer crowds, I might suggest going to Sugarbush North for the day. It's actually only about a 15 minute further drive than Smuggs. One other thing to keep in mind is Smuggs has inferior snowmaking to other areas in the region. Chances are likely that the only options off the top will be Chilcoot and Drifter.

 

[gdoan]

hahaha kkk no smuggs then. We'll take your word on sugarbush instead

 

[deadheadskier]

specifically Sugarbush North for less crowds. South can be a zoo

 

[crank]

We went to Sugarbush last year between Christmas and New Years. Got hit with a major storm and some of the hairiest winter driving I have ever experienced - and I've experienced a lot. First day North was closed due to winds and we skied South. It was snowing hard, blowing harder and temps were near 0. No crowds and lots of snow. Trees were skiable but with no real base you hit plenty of wood and a bit of stone. I got hooked by a downed limb at one point and was lucky to escape with no real damage. It cleared up the next day and we had a wonderful day at North. It was busy but not insanely so by any means.

 

[igfffl]

Jay...better likelihood of snow and less crowds...Stowe is really sweet though...little more of everything...

 

[RootDKJ]

Are crowds at Stowe bad at this time?


it's the busiest week of the year for Stowe and all ski areas. Stowe does get crowded, but if you use a pretty simple strategy and are willing to ride the singles line, it's manageable. I ski Stowe every winter on busy Saturdays and never deal with longer than a 10 minute wait for the lift.

The 4Runner Quad opens by 8AM at the latest, usually closer to 7:30. Start there and lap it until the lines build. The Quad side of the mountain has the greatest diversity of long cruisers on the mountain.

Once the line on the Quad builds, head over to the Gondola for a couple of runs. Use the singles line, which is sometimes hard to see the start too due to the crowds outside of the building. Just walk around the crowd to the right and you'll see there is indeed a singles line. If you're with a group, chances are at least a couple of you will get to ride together joining a group of 5 or 6 from the main line.

After a few runs on the Gondola, take the transfer lift over to the Spruce side of the Mountain and work your way over to the Big Spruce Quad. Rarely ever a line more than 10 minutes on that lift. Spruce side also is the best place for lunch. You'll pay a lot for the lunches in the Spruce Lodge, but the quality of the food is as good as anywhere in the East.

Around 2ish, head back over to the Gondola for a couple of runs, finish day on the Quad.

That should be your plan every day to best manage crowds. Forerunner > Gondola > Big Spruce > Gondola > Forerunner


Hows the conditions usually (yes yes crap shoot i know but input would be helpful)?


Stowe is the most expensive mountain the East, but because they cater to a high end clientele, they never skimp on snowmaking and grooming. Combine that with the 2nd most natural snow in the east and conditions are usually very good. As with any major area, things will get skied off throughout the day.

Gladed terrain ?


Stowe has relatively few onmap glades. However, it has a massive local contingent of tree skiers who over the years have thinned major amounts of woods between trails and to the sides of trail boundaries. While cruising around, just look to the sides of the trails and you'll see people in there and where to go. I always recommend looking up from lower down the trails to understand the terrain. It's as much a 'see it and ski it' mountain as you'll find in the east. With decent snowpack, the place is wide open.

Powder possibilities?


crap shot depending on where storms go, but only Jay averages more snow, so it's as good of a possibility as anywhere



Good long cruisers?


Stowe used to only advertise 48 trails. They have 39 miles of skiing. Now they advertise much more to fit in with the upper/middle/lower trail counting of everywhere else. Stowe has the longest, most consistent fall line skiing that I've found anywhere in the east. Trails from the Quad and Gondola are 2000 vert and average a mile in length.

Scenic?


highest peak in the State that extends above treeline. Beautiful Valley. Postcard Village. yes, it is scenic

Great post. I've had a good time avoiding the Saturday crowds (and $$$) by spending the day at Bolton.

 

[gdoan]

hey guys, thanks for all the input, were gonna focus the trip around stowe and duck out to another resort in north vermont while we there.
what this january thaw I hear about?
I was wondering if it normally warms up in northern vermont in january?
our trips planned for dec 29-jan2nd, but if it tends to warm up in january i was thinking of scaling things back back a week or so?

 

[crank]

hey guys, thanks for all the input, were gonna focus the trip around stowe and duck out to another resort in north vermont while we there.
what this january thaw I hear about?
I was wondering if it normally warms up in northern vermont in january?
our trips planned for dec 29-jan2nd, but if it tends to warm up in january i was thinking of scaling things back back a week or so?

January in VT is colder than a grave digger's ass and a witches tit together. Hmm there's a picture for ya. However, inevitably at some point it will get warm just as a major storm is headed in. It will rain like crazy and then freeze solid the next day. This can happen in December too. There is no set schedule other than when I am planning to ski. If I don't go to VT you'll be fine.

 

[Angus]

would echo the previous poster re: Bolton - nice changeup assuming natural snow.

January thaw...3rd week of January...usually!

 

[riverc0il]

what this january thaw I hear about?

Everyone stops skiing during the month of January. Too warm. It is kind of like April but with a few holiday weekends throw in to keep things going a bit. Pond skimming and shorts are not uncommon sights. Be sure to bring your grill to the resort parking lot for some tail gating but good luck keeping those brewskis cold.

 

[billski]

hey guys, thanks for all the input, were gonna focus the trip around stowe and duck out to another resort in north vermont while we there.

duck out to Burke. No fooling. Best plan for the holiday period especially if you're gagging on the crowds.

 

[tjf67]

Jay is 35 minutes up the road. If you see the Jay cloud head up. I alway go with stats which would bring me to Jay.

 

[billski]

Jay is 35 minutes up the road. If you see the Jay cloud head up. I alway go with stats which would bring me to Jay.

35 mins if you are positioned properly or drive a bit too fast. Always takes us about an hour.

 

[billski]

Everyone stops skiing during the month of January. Too warm. It is kind of like April but with a few holiday weekends throw in to keep things going a bit. Pond skimming and shorts are not uncommon sights. Be sure to bring your grill to the resort parking lot for some tail gating but good luck keeping those brewskis cold.

did you mean march/april?