Ski Area

Stowe Mountain Resort. The name of the village is Stowe, and the name of the mountain is Mt. Mansfield—but to generations of skiers, it's all just plain "Stowe." The area's mystique attracts as many serious skiers as social ones. Stowe is a giant among Eastern ski mountains with intimidating expert runs, but its symmetrical shape allows skiers of all abilities to enjoy long, satisfying runs from the summit. Improved snowmaking capacity, new lifts, and free shuttle buses that gather skiers along Mountain Road have made it all much more convenient. Yet the traditions remain, like the Winter Carnival in January and the Sugar Slalom in April, to name two. Spruce Peak, where you'll find the Adventure Center and the Mountain Lodge, is separate from the main mountain; the peak has a teaching hill and offers a pleasant experience for intermediates and beginners. In the summer, there's a TreeTop Adventure course and an awe-inspiring zipline that extends from the top of the gondola to the bottom in three breathtaking runs. Facilities: 116 trails; 485 acres; 2,160-foot vertical drop; 13 lifts. 5781 Mountain Rd., Stowe, Vermont, 05672. 802/253–3000; 802/253–3600; www.stowe.com. Lift ticket: $99.