The Ski Capital of the East
Nicknamed “The Ski Capital of the East,” Stowe is a resort town about 29 miles northwest of Barre, offering an active community, charming local businesses and picturesque mountain scenery. “The Stowe Mountain Resort is really the central attraction in Stowe,” says Kevin D’Arcy, a broker for Spruce Peak Realty, LLC, who has over 17 years of real estate experience. “And it’s not just a ski resort — it’s really a four-season resort. People come for ski vacations in the winter, and running, hiking vacations in the summer.” Hospitality is a primary industry here, but many resort workers live in neighboring towns, like Morristown, with lower housing prices. Most locals are second-home buyers and seasonal residents, though there are a few full-time residents. “On any given weekend, 1 of 10 people live here; the other 9 are guests visiting the town,” D’Arcy says. “You can see the population swell on tourist days, like Christmas and the Fourth of July.”
Seller’s market with limited inventory
“I believe there are 5,000 homes in the town of Stowe,” D’Arcy says. “1,000 of them are owned by full-time residents; the other 4,000 homes are second homeowners or non-homesteaders.” Some homes date to the 19th through the mid-20th century, but most are from the late 20th century or 21st century.
On the outskirts of town, spacious custom estates sit on wooded, multi-acre lots, with desirable features like swimming pools, private docks and ski access. There are also a handful of historic farmhouses with acreage and occasional additions like detached garages or workshops. In the center of town, planned subdivisions of condos, townhomes or single-family homes built over the past 50 years are typical. “Every new subdivision has to have a certain amount of affordable housing,” D’Arcy says. “But what some people consider affordable is beyond other people’s budgets. It’s a challenge to support our workforce.” The median home price in Stowe is about $850,000, compared to $600,000 in nearby Morristown or $350,000 in Barre. “It’s a seller’s market,” D’Arcy says.
Stowe schools receive high marks from Niche
Stowe is part of Lamoille South Supervisory Union, rated B overall by Niche. Stowe Elementary, Stowe Middle and Stowe High are rated A-minus or better. Through the Vermont Dual Enrollment program, juniors and seniors at Stowe High may take two free college courses at any Vermont college. “The school system is great,” D’Arcy says. “But it’s supported by tax money, so taxes are high, specifically, property taxes.”
Ski, hike and explore in Stowe
“It’s physically beautiful and an active community,” D’Arcy says. Stowe Mountain Resort is the town’s centerpiece, which spans Spruce Peak and the 4,400-foot-tall Mount Mansfield — the highest mountain in Vermont. With over 100 trails, the resort is best known for skiing and snowboarding. However, there’s also rock climbing, ice skating and the scenic Gondola Skyride that takes visitors to the summit of Mount Mansfield for dining and sweeping mountain vistas.
The Stowe Recreation Path is a versatile, 5-mile trail ideal for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, winding through woods with access to rivers and local shops. “People here are very active and very focused on running, hiking and biking,” D’Arcy says. Mountain bikers can ride through Cady Hill Forest’s 11-mile trail system, lush with mature pines and maples. Birders at Cady Hill can spot cedar waxwings, golden-crowned kinglets and black-capped chickadees. For a round of golf, the Stowe Country Club offers a semi-private 18-hole course.
Rustic fine dining in the town center
Stowe’s town center is walkable and lined with shops and restaurants. To start the morning, Black Cap Coffee & Bakery is popular for a cappuccino or croissant, and Butler’s Pantry serves breakfast creations like biscuit French toast sticks and cheddar jalapeño pancakes. Chalet Life is the spot for antiquing, while Stowe Mercantile is a country store with a little bit of everything, including locally sourced Vermont syrup. For dinner, family-owned Swiss Fondue By Heinz offers an authentic Swiss experience in an intimate, 24-seat setting complete with pinewood tables and traditional European folk music. After dinner, there are truffles and hot chocolate at Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Lower Bar has curated menus for both wine and beer. Along arterial roads, like Vermont Route 100 and Mountain Road, there are more small businesses, including Shaw’s and Commodities Natural Market for groceries.
A year-round tourist destination
“Stowe gets busy,” D’Arcy says. “It’s difficult to get a reservation at a restaurant, but you get used to it and adapt.” Generally, December through March attract the skiing and snowboarding crowd, while June through August are popular for hiking, mountain biking and annual events. In June, the Stowe Hot Air Balloon Festival is a weekend-long celebration where folks can watch dozens of brightly colored hot air balloons ascend over the Vermont countryside. An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July is popular for fun traditions like the World’s Shortest Marathon, a 2-mile fun run along the Stowe Recreation Path.
Tourist traffic and getting around Stowe
Vermont Route 100 passes through Stowe, granting access to Barre, 29 miles away. When the tourist population swells, local roads are often congested. “Traffic can be heavy,” D’Arcy says. “But I know it’s a tourist town, so I’m not complaining.” In the winter, Green Mountain Transit operates the fare-free Mountain Road Shuttle, which stops at key amenities like Stowe Mountain Resort and Spruce Peak. Copley Hospital is 9 miles away, and Burlington International Airport is 33 miles away.
Snowy winters and flood risk
Summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold and snowy, with 97 inches of snow annually. Frequent snowfall means school and road delays or closures are common. FEMA designates some low-lying areas of Stowe, especially those around bodies of water, as Flood Zone AE, which means there is an annual 1% chance of flooding. Homes in Flood Zone AE are required to have flood insurance.
