Winter Itineraries: Your Perfect Stowe Winter Getaway
- Jan 9
- 4 min read
Winter in Stowe is pure magic: snow-covered trails, cozy fireside moments, hidden adventures, and charming New England culture around every corner. Whether you’re staying for a week or just one day, we’ve curated winter itineraries to help you experience the very best of our mountain village.
These hand-picked suggestions pair perfectly with a stay at Stone Hill Inn, where luxury, romance, and tranquility make winter feel absolutely enchanting.
7 Days in Stowe in Winter
Day 1 — Weekday Skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort
Skip the weekend crowds and enjoy wide-open trails at Stowe Mountain Resort. With 116 trails, it’s easy to find quiet, beautifully groomed runs mid-week.
After skiing, settle in for après ski at:
WhistlePig Pavilion (craft cocktails & fireside seating)
The Matterhorn (a Stowe institution)
Doc Ponds (craft beer + comfort food)
Piecasso (pizza, Italian favorites, and delivery back to the Inn)
Day 2 — Explore the Northeast Kingdom
Head north into the pristine Northeast Kingdom, one of Vermont’s most scenic and untouched regions. Spend the day at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, home to 105 km of groomed cross-country trails weaving through farmland and forest. Day passes are very affordable, and rentals are available onsite. Don’t miss a stop at the legendary Craftsbury General Store (known locally as “The Genny”) for gourmet sandwiches, pizza, wine, and Vermont specialties.
Day 3 — A Day of Maple Adventures
No winter trip to Vermont is complete without maple syrup! Visit:
Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm for tastings and tours.
Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier to explore a working sugarbush, enjoy a maple creemee, and even try their famous sap-boiled hot dogs.
Stowe Maple Products for a quick tasting of all syrup grades and gifts to take home (or ship!).
Day 4 — Tubing, Dog Sledding & Moonlight Snowshoeing
At Umiak Outdoor Outfitters, winter fun is endless:
Tube one of Stowe’s best hills
Book a magical moonlight snowshoe tour
Meet a team of lovable sled dogs and experience dog sledding
Everything can be reserved in advance—highly recommended for winter weekends.
Day 5 — Shopping & a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
Spend a leisurely day browsing Stowe’s beautiful shops:
Stowe Living
Country Store on Main
The Mercantile
Cold Hollow Cider Mill Store
Bear Pond Books
Then wrap the day in pure winter romance with a sunset sleigh ride at Gentle Giants. We recommend the 3:30 or 4:00 PM ride for the most magical light.
Day 6 — A Day to Stay In
Slow down and savor Stone Hill Inn’s serene winter ambiance:
Relax by your in-room fireplace
Enjoy a couple's massage
Play a game of pool
Unwind in your private jacuzzi
Nap, read, repeat
End the evening with takeout or delivery from Piecasso, cozy perfection.
Day 7 — Stowe Brewery & Cidery Tour
Stowe is a craft beverage paradise. Vermont tasting tours not to miss:
The Alchemist (home of Heady Topper & Focal Banger)
Idletyme Brewing Co. for beer & lunch
Stowe Cider for rotating hard cider flavors + legendary zucchini fries
Cold Hollow Cider Mill for fresh cider and hard cider
Ellison Estate Vineyard Tasting Room for a chic, wine-centric experience
5 Days in Stowe in Winter
Day 1 — Art & Culture
Explore Stowe’s creative side:
The Current (contemporary gallery in the historic library)
Front Four Gallery
Northwood Gallery
Bryan Fine Art Gallery
Origins (gems, minerals & unique finds)
Round out your cultural day with the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum and the Stowe Historical Society.
Day 2 — Glassblowing in “Moscow”
Book a hands-on glassblowing lesson at Little River Hot Glass Studio, a rare chance to shape molten glass into art. Next door, enjoy lunch at Café on Moscow and browse wines at Cork Market. You’ve now spent the day in “Moscow,” a beloved, quirky village within Stowe.
Day 3 — Snowmobiling Through the Forest
With Snowmobile Vermont, explore birch and maple groves with panoramic mountain views on a guided half-day tour. Stowe also connects to the VAST Trail Network, perfect for experienced riders. For dinner, warm up by the fire at Harrison’s, one of Stowe’s coziest restaurants (book well in advance).
Day 4 — Ice Climbing Adventure
Let Stone Hill Inn arrange an unforgettable ice climbing tour with expert guides. Climb frozen waterfalls or discover secret icy formations in Smugglers’ Notch. There are options for both beginners and seasoned climbers.
Day 5 — Fat Biking Fun
Try fat biking, one of the most unique winter experiences in Stowe. Ride scenic trails in Cady Hill Forest, or take a guided tour with Lamoille Valley Bike Tours on the beautiful Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. For a casual, delicious meal, stop at Martell’s at the Red Fox in Jeffersonville.
3 Days in Stowe in Winter
Day 1 — Ice Fishing Adventure
Let Stone Hill Inn arrange an ice fishing tour with The Fly Rod Shop. Under the frozen surface, you may catch salmon, northern pike, walleye, lake trout, perch, or rainbow trout—an unforgettable Vermont experience.
Day 2 — A Coffee Lover’s Day
Warm up with the best coffee shops and bakeries in Stowe:
Movement Coffee Roasters (our #1 pick)
Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.
Black Cap Coffee (incredible porch seating)
Woodlands Coffee & Bakery (alternative treats)
Girakofi (friendly staff, cozy vibe)
Stowe Bee Bakery (outstanding baked goods)
Trapp Kaffehaus (Austrian pastries + mountain views)
Starbucks, for those who prefer the familiar
Day 3 — Snowshoeing or Cross-Country Skiing
Choose your pace:
Trapp Family Lodge for groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails
Stowe Mountain Resort (world-class Nordic network)
Stowe Land Trust areas—Wiessner Woods, Stowe Rec Path, Sterling Forest—great for free snowshoeing
Or try our Stone Hill Inn mini snowshoe trail right on our property
1 Perfect Winter Day in Stowe
Take a scenic drive to Stowe Mountain Resort. Even if you don't ski, you can:
Ride the gondola to the top of Mt. Mansfield
Enjoy lunch at the Cliff House with sweeping views
Go ice skating at Spruce Peak
Have an early dinner at The Tipsy Trout
End the evening with a show at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
Your winter getaway deserves a place as beautiful as the experiences you’ll find in Stowe. At Stone Hill Inn, luxury is effortless with our spacious king rooms, intimate fireplaces, sunlit breakfasts, and private wooded trails just steps from your door.
Whether you’re seeking romance, rest, adventure, or looking to celebrate a milestone, our Inn provides the perfect balance of privacy and pampering. Make Stone Hill Inn your home base for a winter escape you’ll never forget.
