Stowe Mountain Resort
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ski resort |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Stowe , United States |
Area served | Northern Vermont |
| Products | Skiing, snowboarding, winter sports |
| Owner | Vail Resorts (ski operations since 2017) |
Stowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort situated in northern Vermont, close to the town of Stowe, encompassing two peaks: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Mount Mansfield boasts a lift-accessible vertical descent of , making it the fifth largest in New England and the fourth highest in Vermont.
History
The origins of alpine skiing in Vermont trace back to 1933 when the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared the initial trails on Mount Mansfield. The National Ski Patrol has its roots in the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol, established in 1934 as the oldest patrol organization in the United States. Stowe was a pioneer in ski lift technology within Vermont by installing its first single chairlift, constructed by American Steel & Wire Company in 1940; this was the second chairlift installation in New England following Gunstock Mountain Resort’s 1937 lift.
Ownership of the resort was long held by the Mount Mansfield Company, which had been under the control of insurance magnate Cornelius Vander Starr, founder of American International Group, since 1949. AIG assumed primary ownership in 1988 and maintained control until February 21, 2017, when ski operations were sold to Vail Resorts. However, AIG and Mount Mansfield Company retained possession of Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe Mountain Club, Stowe Country Club, and additional real estate assets intended for future development. Douglas Tymins, CEO of AIG Global Real Estate, expressed confidence that Vail Resorts’ stewardship would enhance Stowe’s standing as a leading ski destination.
During the Winter season of 2007–08, Stowe reported revenues of $37 million, ranking it second in Vermont behind Killington Ski Resort, which earned $37.3 million.
Terrain and Lifts
The summit of the resort typically receives an average yearly snowfall close to .
Encompassing both Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, the ski area features 116 trails spread over () of terrain suitable for skiing.
Prior to the 2011–2012 winter season, Stowe upgraded the FourRunner high-speed quad lift with a newer model from Doppelmayr USA. The Mountain Triple was replaced by the Sunrise Six in 2022.
Lifts
Stowe's lift system consists of 10 chairlifts: six located on Mansfield and four on Spruce Peak. The Over Easy gondola serves as a connection between these two mountain zones.
Mount Mansfield
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Year Installed | Vertical Rise (ft) | Length (ft) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield Gondola | 8-person Gondola | Poma | 1991 | 2100 | 7664 | Underwent significant electrical and minor mechanical improvements in 2014; cabins were refurbished in Quebec. |
| Over Easy | 6-person Gondola | Leitner-Poma | 2006 | 12 | 1483 | Provides loading and unloading at both ends. |
| Sunrise | High-Speed Six | Doppelmayr USA | 2022 | 1214 | 4476 | |
| FourRunner | High-Speed Quad | 2011 | 2046 | 5882 | ||
| Toll House | Double Chairlift | 1983 | 890 | 6400 | ||
| Lookout | Double Chairlift | Riblet Tramway Company | 1979 | 1750 | 5341 | The oldest lift on site; received upgrades from Doppelmayr during the 1980s. |
Spruce Peak
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Year Installed | Vertical Rise (ft) | Length (ft) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensation | High-Speed Quad | Leitner-Poma | 2005 | 1454 | 5889 | |
| Sunny Spruce | 2004 | 865 | 3769 | |||
| Adventure | Fixed-Grip Triple Chairlift | 2004 | 127 | 980 | ||
| Meadows | Fixed-Grip Quad Chairlift | Doppelmayr USA | 2014 | 432 | 1734 | Equipped with a Chairkit conveyor for loading assistance. |