Winter 2004
We Sing the Slopes Fantastic
When it comes to winter fun, North America's got it nailed. We've gleefully gathered the 20 resorts that do it best, from hill to apràs thrills.
Stowe
It's the barns and covered bridges draped with snow that tip you off: You're in classic Vermont. This historic resort hails from the hungry thirties, but you'll be plenty satisfied. With just 4,000 or so permanent residents, Stowe's got small-town soul galore, and the mountain tempts with wild, winding expert runs—and a slew of less challenging ones.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Time has made Stowe a giant on the eastern ski scene, with the help of 4,393-foot Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. You can't beat it for nordic action: The Touring Center at Trapp Family Lodge (owned by a member of the singing von Trapp clan, of The Sound of Music fame) features excellent trails. And where would snowboarding be without a certain resident named Jake Burton?
NUMBER-ONE RUN: Test your mettle on the famous Front Four—National, Lift Line, Starr, and Goat—the mountain's snaking double-black centerpieces. Prepare to be humbled.
HOT LODGE: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the sumptuously restored Green Mountain Inn pumps up the luxe with modern accoutrements like gas fireplaces, marble bathrooms, Jacuzzis, and a heated outdoor pool. Forget fatigue with a Swedish deep-tissue massage—or have hot cider and homemade cookies by the blazing fire. (Doubles from $125; 800-253-7302, www.greenmountain.com)
SOUL PATCH: Get a little wacky with the locals during the Stowe Winter Carnival, in late January: Among other fun, there's off-season volleyball, a snow-golf tournament (costume required, natch), and the chilly Wintermeister triathlon. MOUNTAIN STATS: Summit, 4,393 feet * vertical, 2,360 feet * skiable acres, 480 * annual snowfall, 333 inches * Lift ticket: $62 * Contact: 800-253-4754, www.stowe.com
Killington Killington's legendarily long season stretches from October through May (sometimes into June), and with seven mountains, the resort has more acreage than any place in the East. Lately, though, it's known as the town that tried to secede—from Vermont, not the Union—a tribute to residents' fiery, tax-evading Yankee spirit.
why we love it: Behold the Beast's 200 runs—including high-altitude bumps, endless cruisers, terrain parks, and a halfpipe—which keep legions of devotees coming back thirsty.
NUMBER-ONE RUN: You don't have to be an ace to experience the hair-raisingly steep moguls of Outer Limits, on Bear Mountain—just grab a pint and watch the wipeouts from the deck of Bear Mountain Base Lodge.
HOT LODGE: Nab yourself some comfy slopeside digs: The Killington Grand Resort Hotel is well worth the substantial change you'll drop. This 200-roomer offers studios and suites—all with kitchens, many with fireplaces—and the views from the outdoor Jacuzzis and pool are unbeatable. (Doubles from $150; 877-458-4637, www.killington .com/krv/grandhotel.html)
SOUL PATCH: It may have turned 40 last year, but the Wobbly Barn still parties like a teenager. This steakhouse-cum-nightclub has a hoppin' happy hour, live music, and a serious boogie jones.
MOUNTAIN STATS: Summit, 4,241 feet * vertical, 3,050 feet * skiable acres, 1,182 * annual snowfall, 250 inches * Lift ticket: $67 * Contact: 800-621-6867, www.killington.com
