74 Years of Tradition & Celebration at the Stowe Sugar Slalom!

It seems that the word “history” or “tradition” comes up a lot when one talks about Stowe, especially within the ski world.  Being the quintessential ski town that it is, Stowe offers some of the most challenging trails and impressive vertical drops in the country.  For over 70 years, the historic Stowe Sugar Slalom has been celebrating the arrival of Spring and the tapping of maple trees, complete with live entertainment, challenging races, festive costumes and the ever-popular Vermont treat of sugar-on-snow, donuts and sour pickles at the finish line.  Drawing over 1,000 racers of varying skill levels and several hundred spectators, the Stowe Sugar Slalom is one of the most recognized alpine races in America.

Stowe Sugar Slalom
Run by the Mt. Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club
April 5th & 6th, 2014

All participants in the Stowe Sugar Slalom are invited to dress up in costumes best representing the theme of “A Spring Celebration” – from pink tutus to ape suits!  All age groups open to USSA licensed racers ages 10 and up compete on Saturday to qualify for the Sunday finale held on Exhibition Hill.  Masters class, all racers ages 21 and up with no license required, race on Sunday in two combined dual slalom runs.

The Green Mountain Inn looks forward to the Stowe Sugar Slalom each year, when the village of Stowe gets to share its traditions with locals and visitors alike.  Speaking of tradition, our Inn is steeped in history and offers a true Vermont experience – from four poster beds and handmade quilts, to stories of famous past guests and residents that have graced our halls.  Make your plans now for the perfect Stowe Vermont vacation.

Image courtesy of Mt. Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club

Tinseltown Gala Celebrates the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe!

The Tinseltown Gala, celebrating the Helen Day Art Center, is set to be the event of the year around Stowe and how could it not be?  With a theme of the Golden Age of Hollywood inspired by the sophistication, glitter and glamour that made and still make Hollywood the place it is, the Tinseltown Gala will be an epic celebration and fundraiser for the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe.  Attendees can look forward to a fantastic where they can step back in time to the 40s & 50s, delectable cuisine and cocktails and a silent and live auction offering hundreds of unique items.

  Tinseltown Gala 2014 – Helen Day Art Center in Stowe
Stowe Mountain Lodge
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - 5:00 PM

Schedule of Events:

5:30 – 8:30 – Cocktail/Hors D’oeuvres/Dinner/Silent & Live Auction
9:00 – Music & Dancing

Black tie optional

The Helen Day Art Center is a member-supported,
community arts and education non-profit organization in the village of Stowe.  Major exhibitions are displayed featuring internationally and nationally recognized artists both from Vermont and outside of the state.  Classes for youth and adults are offered all year including everything from figure drawing to video animation to painting.  Tinseltown Gala, a special fundraising event, will ensure that the Helen Day Art Center can continue its mission to
enhance the human experience through the visual arts.

The Green Mountain Inn hopes you enjoy your time at the Tinseltown Gala and visiting the village of Stowe.

Sweet Success – Vermont Maple Open House Weekend!

Vermont is the nation’s leader producer of maple syrup and because of all those sweet maple trees it’s also one of the most beautiful fall foliage displays in the country.  There are many wonderful things to be said about the state of Vermont, but one claim to fame would be that it’s called America’s Maple Syrup Capital and coming this March 22 and 23, maple producers all over the state will open their doors to show the public how it’s done at the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend!

During the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend, some sugarmakers will offer tours, tastings, and the opportunity to view generations-old methods for producing the amber gold.  You can’t just visit one sugarhouse either…there’s so many to choose from!  Here are just a few in the Lamoille County area alone.

Vermont Maple Open House Weekend
March 22 & 23, 2014
(click here for a full listing of participating sugarhouses Statewide!)

Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm
256 Falls Brook Lane, Stowe
Run by the Coty family since 1980 in the foothills of Mt. Mansfield

Butler Family Maple
689 Codding Hollow Road, Johnson
Since 1846, seven generations of Butler's have produced pure Vermont maple products from the sugar maple trees on the Butler family farm in Johnson.

 Cold Hollow Cider Mill
3600 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Waterbury Center
Leading producer of apple cider and distributor of specialty Vermont food products.

Quarry Hill Farm
400 McGovern Dr., Jeffersonville
Quarry Hill Farm is a family run farm with a tradition of sugar-making and farming going back five generations.

The Green Mountain Inn welcomes you to come and experience the true sweetness of Vermont during the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend.  As the days start to warm up, the sugar maples’ sap will begin to flow and the area will come alive with young and old getting ready to sample our state’s sweetest prize.  Plan a fun weekend and enjoy exceptional accommodations while here!

Make Any Day Better at Stowe Village Massage!

Never had a massage?  We know…you’ve always said that you would like one, but you’ve never gotten around to actually enjoying one.  Why wait?  Located at the Green Mountain Inn, Stowe Village Massage offers outstanding bodywork by certified, professional massage therapists and has massages and packages that fit every need – from deep tissue and relaxation to couples massage and scrubs and wraps – and all packages include FREE aromatherapy.  If you’re a regular visitor to the Green Mountain Inn, purchasing a Stowe Village Massage package just makes sense, since they are designed to be used over the course of weeks, months, or even throughout the year.

Stowe Village Massage
at the Green Mountain Inn

Massages & Services Available:
Relaxation ~ Combo ~ Deep Tissue ~ Sports ~ Four-Hands ~ Maternity ~ Reflexology ~ Reiki ~ Shiatsu ~ Stone ~ Thai ~ Side-by-Side ~ Exfoliating Body Scrub ~ Hydrating Body Wrap ~ Side-by-Side Stone

Packages to choose from:
Stress Free 60 Minute ~ Healing Touch 90 Minute Combo ~ Well Being 60 Minute Deep Tissue ~ Deep Well Being 90 Minute ~ 30 Minute Escape ~ Mother-to-Be 60 Minute ~ Shiatsu/Thai 60 Minute ~ Stone Massage 75 Minute ~ Relaxation Variety ~ Rejuvenation Variety

Stowe Village Massage has two locations on the property of Green Mountain Inn; one being the main spa on Depot Street right next to the Inn and the second being The Club House, located in the health club in the Inn, offering a limited menu.  Whether you’re visiting Stowe for the first time or a local resident, we welcome you to come and relax with us.  Stowe Village Massage gift certificates make great gifts too!

Discover Stowe in a Whole New Way – Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides

Enjoying scenic tours of Stowe is a favorite of many visitors to the area because each time you venture out, the beautiful landscape gives you more to see.  From the dramatic to the picturesque, Stowe offers a plethora of enjoyable and breathtakingly beautiful treks for the nature lover, and the Gentle Giants horse drawn sleigh rides is a perfect addition to anyone’s stay.

Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides
Jingle Bells comes alive at Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides! Visitors can experience the most scenic and romantic horse-drawn ride, pulled by Percheron and Belgian draft horses in a one or two horse, open Santa-style sleigh.  Venture through a covered bridge along an open brook, while winding through a picturesque wooded trail, all the while cozying up under warm blankets and enjoying a perfect New England experience.  Open daily from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM and early evening rides begin at 4:00 PM.

We love this time of year at the Green Mountain Inn and hope that we can look forward to welcoming you to our little slice of wintry paradise someday soon.  Spend your day exploring and enjoying all the wonderful scenic tours of Stowe, Vermont and then come and relax by the fire, have a cup of cocoa, or enjoy our heated outdoor pool! 

Image coutesy of Gentle Giants

Enjoy the Winter on Foot with Snowshoe Tours in Stowe

Snowshoeing in Stowe has become one of winter’s fastest growing sports and Umiak Outdoor Outfitters has some amazing packages to help you get off on the right foot!  If you can walk or hike in the summer, you can snowshoe in the winter, with just a few more layers of clothing.  Enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of terrain which allows you to go at your own pace.

Snowshoe Tours in Stowe
Umiak Outdoor Outfitters

Nighttime Snowshoe Tours:

Moonlight Cabin Snowshoe Tours – Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat. - 5:30 – 8:00 PM

Guides will lead you to a hidden sugarhouse in the woods by the light of the moon (or headlamp) while you enjoy Vermont Cabot cheddar cheese, crackers and Cold Hollow’s hot, mulled apple cider all around a cozy fire.

Fondue Snowshoe Tour – Thurs. & Sat., 5:30 – 9:00 PM

This nighttime tour will lead on an easy walk through tree lined and snow covered trails as you learn about the great state of Vermont.  Waiting at the end will be a delicious Cabot Cheese and Laughing Moon chocolate fondue dinner.

Daytime Snowshoe Tours:

Top of the Notch Performance Sled Tour – 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Snowshoes, sleds, snacks and a guide will be provided on this
fun adventure up to Smuggler’s Notch, with an exciting descent on a Hammerhead or Airboard sled.  Enjoy Cold Hollow hot cider and Cabot Cheese with crackers.

Ben & Jerry’s Snowshoe & Ice Cream Too – Sat. & Sun.
Tours meet every hour on the hour at Ben & Jerry’s – 11 AM – 4 PM

This quick ½ hour snowshoe tour through the beautiful woodlands at the factory is just enough fun before joining the ice cream factory tour and getting a sample of Vermont’s finest ice cream.

The Green Mountain Inn, located less than a mile from Umiak Outdoor Outfitters, is the perfect place to stay during your Snowshoe Tours in Stowe.  Enjoy a leisurely soak in our outdoor, heated pool or cozy up to the fire while you enjoy a warm drink and cookies.  Reserve your stay now and enjoy a wonderful winter getaway in Stowe.

Logo courtesy of Umiak Outdoor Outfitters

2014 USSA Cross Country Junior National Nordic Ski Championships – the Mini-Olympics of Stowe!

The town of Stowe is an amazing place to enjoy just about anything that has to do with skiing…all types…all skills, and more.  The 2014 USSA Cross Country Junior National Nordic Ski Championships are no exception.  During the week of March 1st through the 8th, 450 cross country junior athletes and Olympic hopefuls will compete in Nordic ski competitions, held at Trapp Family Lodge.  Over 2,500 people are expected to converge on the quiet little village of Stowe and excitement is rising in anticipation for this amazing event.

2014 USSA Cross Country Junior National
Nordic Ski Championships
Trapp Family Lodge Nordic Outdoor Center
March 1 – 8, 2014

Saturday, March 1 – Official Training Day
Sunday, March 2 – Opening Ceremony in Stowe Village & Open House at Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum
Monday, March 3 – Competition Day 1: Interval Start – Classic, Parent’s Social at Helen Day Art Center
Tuesday, March 4 – Coaches & Citizen Race
Wednesday, March 5 – Competition Day 2: Sprints – Classic, Coaches’ Dinner Social at Piecasso
Thursday, March 6 – Mid-week Awards Ceremony & Ice Cream Social at Topnotch Tennis Center
Friday, March 7 – Competition Day 3: Mass Start – Freestyle
Saturday, March 8 – Competition Day 4: Relay – Freestyle, Final Banquet, Awards & Celebration,
DJ Dance

The Green Mountain Inn is excited to welcome everyone to Stowe during the 2014 Junior National Nordic Ski Championships and hope you have a great time enjoying the highest level of junior cross-country ski competition in the nation.  During the week you’ll have the opportunity to experience many of the unique shops and boutiques that Stowe has to offer and then return for a comfortable, true Vermont experience at our Inn.  We hope to see you soon!

Photo courtesy of www.jn2014stowe.com
Designed by Hannah Dreissigacker

Let the Green Mountain Inn Make Your Stowe, Vermont Wedding Memorable!

Stowe, Vermont is a year-round tourist town, offering stunning mountain views, historic charm and beauty and is the perfect place to say “I do”.  The Green Mountain Inn, located in the heart of downtown Stowe, offers an elegant atmosphere for your Stowe, Vermont wedding.  Established in 1833, the Green Mountain Inn has an exceptional selection of ceremony and reception venues, an on-site celebration planning service and an assortment of lodging accommodations, certain to create the wedding of your dreams!

Choose from any of the following for your Stowe, Vermont wedding at the Green Mountain Inn:

Village Room – offers abundant natural light, charming antique wall sconces and an element of privacy – ideals for ceremonies, receptions and private dinner parties.

Library & Living Room – Perfect for a small ceremony and offers a delightful option for couples who wish for simplicity and may also be reserved with our Main Street Dining Room for larger events.  The Mansfield House features a staircase to the living room, perfect for making a grand entrance.

Mansfield House Lawn – A lovely, newly landscaped area perfect for an intimate, outdoor ceremony or cocktail reception – accommodates up to 120 people.  An elaborate surround-sound system enhances the entire area.

Main Street Dining Room – Overlooking beautiful Stowe Village, the Main Street Dining Room offers an atmosphere of beauty and charm within its hardwood accoutrements, fireplace and bar.       

In addition to our lovely ceremony and reception venues, the Green Mountain Inn offers exceptional accommodation packages - from our Country Inn Ceremony which provides an intimate nuptial ceremony for parties of 12 or less to our Heart of Stowe Romance Package with a welcome bottle of Champagne just for the two of you.  Your guests can enjoy seasonal skiing, boutique shopping, or just relaxing around our outdoor heated all-season pool.

If you wish to speak with someone directly, please contact our Event Coordinator at 800-253-7302 x606.

The Green Mountain Inn will work with you on planning all of the fine details that come into play when orchestrating a truly memorable Stowe, Vermont wedding, and you can relax and feel confident that every last detail will be handled.

We hope to welcome you to the Green Mountain Inn soon!

The Oldest Downhill/Cross-Country Ski Race in North America – The Stowe Derby!

Come be a part of ski history!  Celebrating its 69th year, the 2014 Stowe Derby is a fun, but competitive race attracting over 900 competitors each year.  Originating in 1945 as a personal challenge between two talented skiers, the race has not changed much since then.  Starting from the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak and descending to the historic village of Stowe, the Stowe Derby will give expert skiers like the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team to recreational skiers a thrill, and was even chosen as one of the top sporting events in Vermont by readers of Vermont Sports Magazine!  The course has a total vertical drop of over 2,600 feet and can take between 45 minutes to several hours to complete.

The Stowe Derby
Sunday, February 23, 2014

Highlights:
Short Course: This 6km race is designed for children ages 6 & up and for those who prefer to avoid the rigors of a long and sustained descent.
Long Course Races: Ages 13 & up – 20 km course – 2 Divisions – Skating & Classical
SWIX Derby Meister – Experts Only – limited to the first 50 entrants.

The Stowe Derby brings the ski community together, from racers to spectators, all attracted by the unique and challenging course, excited crowds and the honor of saying they competed in the race.  The Green Mountain Inn looks forward to the Stowe Derby every year and offers exceptional accommodations perfect for a ski weekend in Vermont.  After a long day of racing in the 2014 Stowe Derby, enjoy a leisurely soak in our outdoor, heated pool or visit Stowe Village Massage for a Relaxation Massage.

Logo courtesy of The Stowe Derby

Enjoy the Best Winter Events at the 2014 Stowe Winter Carnival

Winter is an exciting time around Stowe when the Stowe Winter Carnival brings amazing seasonal fun full of frivolity and intense competition.  Events include the Stowe Super G Ski Race, Kids Karnival Kaos, Snowgolf and Snowvolleyball tournments.  The most looked forward event has to be the NICA sanctioned Professional Ice Carving Competition.  Running January 18 to January 26, the Stowe Winter Carnival offers something exciting for people of all ages.

Stowe Winter Carnival
"40 Years of Rockin' Stowe"
January 18 through January 26, 2014

Highlights:
Ice Carving Demonstrations & Competitions
Ski Races
Snow Golf & Snow Volleyball
Kids Carnival Kaos
"Voice" Karaoke Competition
Carnival “Meltdown” parties

The Green Mountain Inn looks forward each year to the Stowe Winter Carnival and welcomes you to come and enjoy all the wonderful activities and events planned for visitors.  While you’re visiting, the Green Mountain Inn is the perfect place to stay and indulge in exceptional accommodations, sumptuous cuisine and friendly staff catering to your every need.  We look forward to having you stay with us!