It’s a month away but now is the time to make your plans to be part of the classic Stowe Mountain Derby Weekend. What do you need to do? Here’s a guide.
Find your lodging
Stowe truly has a type of lodging for everyone. From quaint Inns to family resorts to private homes and condos to magnificent slopeside lodging, the type of spot you like is there for you. If you want to stay in the village proper (the small “downtown” are of Stowe, which would put you an easy stroll to the finish line, a great choices is the Green Mountain Inn (https://greenmountaininn.com), a classic Vermont style inn that’s been welcoming guests since 1833. It has charm, character and even an afternoon tea. On the Mountain Road, the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa has been operated by the same family for five decades and offers lovely grounds, a beautiful spa, on site dining and a wonderful location. For a unique and beautiful choice (and a spa you’ll want to stay at forever), consider Topnotch Resort (https://www.topnotchresort.com) on Mountain Road. There you’ll experience Scandinavian warmth with Vermont flavor. And slopeside, of course, is the posh Lodge at Spruce Peak, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful setting tucked into the Spruce Peak side of the resort, upscale touches like a ski and boot valet (who keeps your boots warmed!) and a gondola ride across and up to watch the event on snow. All those — along with many other excellent choices — can be found at www.gostowe.com
Savor the spot
Stowe is an epicenter of amazing food, distilleries and famed craft beer spots. Experiencing all that while at the Derby is a must. Do put on your list a meal at The Bench (www.thebenchvt.com) for “Vermont comfort food,” such as duck fat fries, their own twist on poutine, a ridiculously wonderful meatloaf and dozens of local brews on tap. It’s a picnic table-vibe kind of place that’s as truly Vermont as you can get. A stop at the Alchemist (https://www.alchemilabs.com), where the famed Heady Topper beer was born (and now has much more variety in its family) is a must for craft brew aficionados. And at Trapp Family Lodge (another excellent choice for a stay as well; if you don’t Nordic ski yet, there’s no better place to learn), you can savor Austrian inspired food and sip the Von Trapp’s on on-site brewed beers (their brewery is spectacular), while gazing out on beautiful winter scenes. (https://www.trappfamily.com).
Feel the thrill
Sign up for a race — the long, the short or the fat tire. Or, if you’re more of a spectator for that, plan a day of skiing, riding, or lessons for one of those at Stowe Mountain Resort (www.stowe.com), one of America’s most beloved peaks. You can also winter zip line, ice skate, snowshoe, or — for those who shop as sport — find some thrilling items to take home and call your very own.
There’s so much more to do as well. Planning ahead, as crowds come, is smart. You can learn more at www.gostowe.com