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Anyone Been to Stowe Yet??

6K views 77 replies 17 participants last post by  Jamesinvt 
#1 ·
I'm headed there next month and today I decided I'd check out the conditions currently. I know its about a month out, but only 66 trails out of 114 are open... I would think more, but weather is bs. Hope all is open when we go.... Crossing fingers.. Whos been?
 
#47 ·
I've been hitting up Stowe atleast 1-2 times a week this season, and I love many of the Quad runs. Whether it's bombing down Nosedive, relaxing down Toll Road, or finding new combinations of trails with crossover.

What other trails do you guys recommend?

I have been exploring the Toll road woods a bit, and can handle the black diamonds. I accidentally went down bypass and had a bad time though, super icy and narrow.

It'd be cool to build a list of the lesser known, hidden gems at Stowe. Here are some of the ones that I've heard about/found.

Mansfield peak - Some friends just did this. You've gotta climb up from the gondola for 15-25 minutes, and it's supposed to be amazing. Definitely don't try it alone though (from what I hear).

Sterling - Wasn't open until recently, this trail is never crowded and very fun. Off of the sensation quad.

Toll Rd Woods - You can see tracks from other people off of the side of Toll Rd, and follow them or make your own.
 
#48 ·
I've been hitting up Stowe atleast 1-2 times a week this season, and I love many of the Quad runs. Whether it's bombing down Nosedive, relaxing down Toll Road, or finding new combinations of trails with crossover.

What other trails do you guys recommend?
Dude. There's SO much there. I'd show you my personal map, but gotta keep some secrets for the locals. :D

If you're not down with Bypass, don't try the summit hike. You need 100 inches up there to even attempt it and you can't see your first two or three turns. It's a buttload of fun and a facefull of pow going down Hellbrook and Hourglass, but conditions have to be right.

There's tons of trees of varying difficulty off the Quad. Duck into Tres Amigos on the left side of Hayride as the pitch starts to level out after the first headwall. Those are fun with proper snow cover. If you're digging Nosedive, dip into the glades on the left side. When you get off the S-turns at the top, look left and you'll see where it connects with the bottom of Bypass. Those trees are thinner and tons of fun. Just don't go too far left or you'll end up in a river bed and have to hike out. Christie Glades are a short but fun little cut-through just under 5th Av Rail Garden off the Triple.

The Sensation Quad (where Sterling is) is one of my favorite places at Stowe. Nobody goes there so the lines are much better and it gets more sunlight than the Mansfield side. I'll lap this lift all day and it hides pow stashes for weeks after a storm. Check out Whirlaway (my all-time fav) for natural rolling terrain. Rides a bit like a roller coaster and is tons of fun. Or go down Upper Smugglers if you like a bump challenge with a million dollar view.

PM me if you want some more detailed suggestions.
 
#52 ·
Headed back up next week and hoping this system delivers up north wed/thur. Was supposed to go up Thursday but think I am going to head straight up from NYC after work Wednesday now.

If anyone is around I'll be solo Thursday as my buddies are all inbound that day. Be happy to treat someone to some beers for a bit of knowledge. I know The mountain on map pretty well but want to get into the stuff off map a bit more.
 
#58 ·
They usually do a pretty good job of plowing and salting Mountain Rd., but last storm it was rough at 8am when I was on it. There were a couple of accidents and lots of slow moving cars. All of us locals like to get there early for the powder, and it's surprisingly busy. If you don't have winter tires don't even bother going.
 
#61 ·
Wednesday is going to be a powder day with free refills, so remember pow slows you way down. Most of Stowe is intermediate runs, but they're long so you're going to get tired. Your buddies will want to shred the quad and gondi all day, and there's enough variety there to keep both you and them happy and challenged.

If you've been following this thread, you know me and surfinsnow have been singing the praises of the terrain at Spruce too. Don't sleep on it. You're going to have a ton of fun no matter what you do. Stowe is a blast on a pow day so much terrain to hit.
 
#71 ·
I did the Vermont Travel card this year and the deal with stowe alone is fantastic... pays for itself with one 2 day trip, not to mention the deals at other mountains.

Semi worried about the drive tomorrow night, but generally don't mind driving in the snow. Goal will be south burlington so im close enough to get to the mountain by 8ish thursday morning... but it can be a bit of a lonely stretch form the northway in the glenn falls/lake george area until you get into town. Will definitely take it slow and steady.

Anyone.. will be riding solo thursday NS raptor, red patagnoia shell
 
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