Adapted from The Snowboard Guide: North America

This quintessential Vermont town has history and charm oozing from every nook and cranny. There are over 60 restaurants in town, including excellent pubs and lodging establishments. The glare of modern trading has been avoided with strict sign-posting laws; even McDonald's golden arches are only three feet high! Stowe prides itself on its presentation and welcoming nature. Look hard enough however, and you will find down-to-earth grittiness behind the scenes.

The quintessential New England town

At 4,393 feet, Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont. Since the first trails were cut in the 1930s, it has been one of the Northeast's pre-eminent resorts. Stretching over three faces (and the valleys in between), Stowe delivers demanding terrain. An abundance of waterfall cliffs and in-the-tree riding on the north-facing slopes makes them the most challenging freeriding areas. The western face plays host to the gondola and its hard-boot disciples, while freestylers hang out in the pipe above the gondola base. Spruce Peak, to the south, works best after a big snowfall; otherwise, it's purely intermediate to expert terrain. As a bonus , you can ride to neighboring Smugglers' Notch over Snuffy's Trail.

Mount Mansfield is east of Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes, which means that the mountain is the recipient of relatively heavy falls of water-laden snow. Occasional gusty winds make warm layers the safest clothing bet.

	Stowe Essentials Web Site: www.gostowe.com Mountain information: 802-253-3000 Snow Report: 802-253-3600 Getting There By plane: It's a 40 minute drive from Burlington International Airport, serviced by all the major carriers. bus transfers are available. Once int town, Stowe has a slick trolley and bus system which runs people around and up the mountain. It runs seven days a week from 8.00am till 10:00pm. Telephone: 802-253 7585. By train: Amtrak' s Vermonter travels daily from Washington, Philadelphia, New York City and Hartford, stopping at Waterbury 15, minutes from Stowe. Telephone: 1-800-24-STOWE. By car: From Boston, take Interstate 93 north to Concord. Pick up Interstate 89 north to Exit 10, and take Route 100 north to Stowe Village. Turn left onto Route 108 for the last six miles.

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