Stowe
Stowe is a mountain town in Vermont's Green Mountains, visited for winter skiing, summer hiking and fall foliage.
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Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, in the Green Mountains of north-central Vermont. Most visitors come for Mount Mansfield, the state's highest peak, where Stowe Mountain Resort operates one of Vermont's best-known ski areas. The village has inns, shops and restaurants, and the Stowe Recreation Path, a paved trail for walking and biking, runs through the valley.
Winter is the busiest season, when skiing and snowboarding fill the days. Fall foliage draws visitors in late September and October, and summer suits hiking and mountain views. Spring brings mud season, when trails stay wet. Stowe suits couples, families and hikers who want a mountain base with restaurants close by. Plan two or three days for the main outdoor activities, and add time for the valley if you have a car.
Stowe in five
- Rent a car at Burlington airportStowe is about an hour by car from Burlington International Airport, and the trailheads and ski areas are spread along the mountain roads. A car makes all of them easier to reach.
- Check Vermont 511 before winter drivesVermont 511 posts road conditions and closures for the Mountain Road and other routes. Check it before any drive in snow or ice.
- Download offline maps for the Mountain RoadPhone signal drops on parts of the mountain roads, so save maps to your phone before you leave the village.Phones and eSIM
- Book beds early for foliage and ski weekendsRooms can sell out on fall foliage weekends and winter holidays, so book before you choose dates.Where to stay
- Set up insurance that covers skiingUS medical bills can be high, and some policies exclude winter sports. Check that your policy names skiing before you buy lift tickets.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver Program travelers; most others need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected, about 15 to 20 percent in restaurants
- Time
- UTC-5 (Eastern), UTC-4 in summer with daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySki season
- FebruaryDeep snow
- MarchSpring skiing
- AprilMud season
- MayQuiet, cool
- JuneGreen, black flies
- JulyWarm, hiking
- AugustWarm, green
- SeptemberFoliage starts
- OctoberFoliage peak
- NovemberQuiet, cold
- DecemberSki season opens
Right now in Stowe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Stowe
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°6°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue13°10°45%Tuesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed21°9°25%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu14°10°64%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Fri17°9°64%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Sat11°8°46%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sun8°3°39%Sunday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 02:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Burlingtonabout 1 hour by carLake Champlain waterfront and the Church Street Marketplace, a city stop on the way back from the airport.
- Montpelierabout 45 min by carThe state capital on the Winooski River, with a small downtown to walk.
- Waterburyabout 20 min by carThe Ben & Jerry's factory tour, a short drive down the valley. Check tour times before you go.
Before you go to Stowe
Rules for Stowe, checked
- Many nationalities need a US visa. Visa Waiver Program travelers apply for ESTA approval before flying to the US. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- The drinking age is 21, and bars and shops ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a driver's license when you go out.
Plan around Stowe
The state, its regions and the roads around Stowe
Read the guideGetting around VermontCar rental, roads and the drive from Burlington airport
Read the guideMoney and costsCard use, tipping and typical prices for a Stowe trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an ESTA and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayVillage, mountain road and valley bases compared
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal on the mountain roads and maps to download
Read the guideStowe FAQ
How do you get to Stowe?
Burlington International Airport is the nearest major airport, about an hour's drive away. The village, trailheads and ski areas are spread out, so a car is the practical choice.
Is Stowe worth visiting in summer?
Yes, for hiking. Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, has trails along its ridge, including a stretch of the Long Trail.
When is the best time to visit Stowe?
Late September to early October for fall foliage, and January to February for deep snow. April is mud season, when trails are wet.
Do you need a car in Stowe?
Yes for most trips. The village is walkable once you are there, but the trailheads, Waterbury and Burlington are easier by car.
How many days do you need in Stowe?
Two or three days cover a hike on Mount Mansfield, the village and a ski or trail day. Add a day for Burlington or Montpelier if you have a car.
Is Stowe expensive?
It can be, especially during ski season and foliage weekends. Compare typical costs before you book and reserve rooms early.