Stowe History

Stowe has been welcoming visitors to its breathtaking mountains and valleys for almost 200 years. The first tourists came for the summer; escaping the burgeoning, sweltering East Coast cities to bask in the crisp air, cool breezes, stunning mountains, and pristine lakes and rivers. In 1858 an Inn was built atop Mt. Mansfield and the Mansfield House hotel in the village accommodated 600 guests. At the turn of the century, Stowe truly began its transformation from a small vacation community into the number one resort in the East as rated by both Ski and Skiing magazines. Swedish families began to move to the town in 1912, using skis as their main means of locomotion. Serious skiing didn’t begin until 1933, when the Civilian Conservation Corps cut a four-mile trail down the mountain. It cost 50 cents per day or $5 per season to ski in Stowe in the thirties! Nowadays, Stowe is not only the ‘ski capital of the East’, but also Vermont’s premier summer resort.

After the Second World War, Stowe’s popularity as a winter resort began to blossom. In the days before artificial snow, Stowe consistently had an average annual snowfall of over 100 inches. Buses and trains began to speed people from Boston and New York to the growing number of inns and lodges.

In 1946 there were 24 inns, hotels, and lodges. Fifty-four years later there are 65, ranging from 4-star, world class resorts to comfortable, homey B&B’s. The dining scene here has also flourished, with some of the best dining in New England—Stowe has over 50 restaurants ranging from cozy burger joints to world-class gourmet tables. Despite its growth, Stowe has managed to preserve the charm of a classic, 200 year old New England village set against the majesty of Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield.

On peak weekend days, up to 15,000 visitors can swell the ranks of the town that has a year-round population of 4,200. Besides just skiing, a myriad of amenities have sprouted in order to serve the influx of guests: 100 shops, 4 golf courses, 50 tennis courts, horseback riding, an alpine slide, theater, fishing, an exceptional 5.3 mile recreation path for biking, in-line skating, and walking, and special events almost every weekend.

What’s amazing about Stowe is the way it has managed to keep its commercial side low-key and tasteful, a sideshow to the natural beauty of this place. We at Pall Spera Realtors welcome you to come visit our quintessential New England town and see for yourself why so many people continue to return year after year.