Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population was 5,223. The town is located along Vermont Routes 108 and 100. It is known as "The Ski Capital of the East" and is home to Stowe Mountain Resort, a ski resort located on Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, and Spruce Peak.

History

The indigenous people who lived in the area now called Vermont were mainly the Abenaki, who spoke the Algonquian language. They were moved away by actions that forced them to leave after British settlers arrived in large numbers following the French and Indian War. No names from the original language, which was likely Mahican, an Algonquian dialect similar to Abenaki, have survived.

Stowe was officially established on June 8, 1763, by Royal Governor Benning Wentworth of the Province of New Hampshire. Vermont became a U.S. state in 1791. Two years later, more settlers arrived in Stowe. By the start of the 1900s, most of the town’s land had been sold, and its population had grown to 316.

Stowe’s early years were shaped by farming and the lumber industry. More than 75 percent of the land in Stowe and much of Vermont was once cleared for farming, especially sheep farming. At one time, up to 8,000 sheep grazed the hills and valleys of Stowe.

Stowe’s farming practices changed along with the rest of New England. Most of Vermont later shifted from sheep to dairy farming, with over 100 dairy farms in Stowe alone. Only nine of these farms remain today. This change allowed 75 percent of the cleared land to grow back into forests over time.

Unlike much of Vermont, Stowe’s history was not only focused on farming. By the mid-1800s, it had become a well-known summer vacation spot because of its mountain views.

The Summit House on Mt. Mansfield was built just before the American Civil War began. A road to reach it was completed by 1870. At that time, the 300-room Mansfield House, often called the "Big Hotel," was the largest building in the area. It burned down in 1889. Behind it was a large stable with over 100 horses, equipment, carriages, and workers. In 1953, the stable was torn down due to fire risks, and some of its wooden beams were used to build The Whip Bar & Grill. The Depot Building next to the Green Mountain Inn was built in 1897 for the Mt. Mansfield Electric Railway. This railway ran 11 miles between Waterbury and Stowe, carrying people and goods until 1932.

During World War I, summer tourism remained important to Stowe’s economy. Stowe held its first Winter Carnival in 1921, featuring activities like ski jumping and ice skating. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built camps and cleared ski trails on Mt. Mansfield, making Stowe one of the first places in the United States popular for downhill skiing. The Bruce Trail, built in 1933, was the first of its kind. The Nose Dive Trail was created in 1934. In the early days, skiers walked 2.5 miles to the summit. Chairlifts, which began with a single chair in 1940, eventually replaced rope tows as the preferred method of transport. The chairlift was used until 1986, when it was replaced by a fast chairlift that can detach.

The Vermont Ski Museum was created in 1988 and moved to Stowe in 2000. It displays information and objects related to the history of skiing and snowboarding in Vermont.

Stowe continues to be a top resort town in the East, offering activities and attractions in both summer and winter.

Geography

Stowe is located in southern Lamoille County, in a wide, rich valley between Mount Mansfield and other mountains of the Green Mountains to the west, and the Worcester Range to the east. The town is surrounded by Chittenden County to the west and Washington County to the south and east. The village of Stowe is in the east-central part of the town, along the Little River where it meets its West Branch. The Little River, a tributary of the Winooski River, flows south through the village of Moscow and into Waterbury Reservoir. This large reservoir was created by a flood control dam in Waterbury, but it extends north into the town of Stowe.

Transportation

Vermont Route 100 runs through the town from north to south, going through the village of Stowe. VT 100 goes north for 9 miles (14 km) to Morrisville and south for 10 miles (16 km) to Waterbury. Vermont Route 108 starts in Stowe village and goes northwest through Smugglers Notch for 17 miles (27 km) to Jeffersonville in the Lamoille River valley.

The United States Census Bureau reports that the town covers 72.8 square miles (188.5 km²), with 72.6 square miles (188.0 km²) being land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km²), or 0.23%, being water. It is the second-largest town in Vermont by area, following Chittenden in Rutland County.

Climate

According to the Trewartha climate classification system:

Mount Mansfield has a temperate continental climate (Dc) with mild summers (l), very cold winters (c), and year-around precipitation (Dclc). Dclc climates have at least one month with an average temperature ≤ −10.0 °C (14.0 °F), four to seven months with an average temperature ≥ 10.0 °C (50.0 °F), all months with an average temperature < 72.0 °F (22.2 °C), and no significant difference in precipitation between seasons. Although most summer days are humid, some days can have high heat and humidity, with heat index values > 27 °C (81 °F). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 31.9 °C (89.5 °F) on July 8, 1988, and the highest daily average dew point was 21.0 °C (69.8 °F) on August 1, 2006. July has the most thunderstorms, which matches the warmest month of the year. Since 1981, the wettest day was 5.74 inches (146 mm) on September 16, 1999. During winter, the plant hardiness zone is 4a, with an average extreme minimum temperature of −32.6 °C (−26.7 °F). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −37.6 °C (−35.6 °F) on January 27, 1994. Extreme cold and wind can cause wind chill values below −41 °C (−42 °F). Ice storms and large snowstorms with ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow often occur from late fall to early spring.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak has a temperate continental climate (Dc) with warm summers (b), cold winters (o), and year-around precipitation (Dcbo). Dcbo climates have at least one month with an average temperature ≤ 0.0 °C (32.0 °F), four to seven months with an average temperature ≥ 10.0 °C (50.0 °F), all months with an average temperature < 22.2 °C (72.0 °F), and no significant difference in precipitation between seasons. Although most summer days are humid, some days can have high heat and humidity, with heat index values > 31 °C (88 °F). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 32.1 °C (89.8 °F) on July 8, 1988, and the highest daily average dew point was 20.9 °C (69.7 °F) on August 1, 2006. July has the most thunderstorms, which matches the warmest month of the year. Since 1981, the wettest day was 5.62 inches (143 mm) on September 16, 1999. During winter, the plant hardiness zone is 4b, with an average extreme minimum temperature of −30.9 °C (−23.7 °F). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −37.7 °C (−35.8 °F) on January 27, 1994. Extreme cold and wind can cause wind chill values < −39 °C (−38 °F). Ice storms and large snowstorms with ≥ 30 cm (12 in) of snow sometimes occur from December through March.

Stowe village has a temperate continental climate (Dc) with warm summers (b), cold winters (o), and year-around precipitation (Dcbo). Dcbo climates have at least one month with an average temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), four to seven months with an average temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), all months with an average temperature < 72.0 °F (22.2 °C), and no significant difference in precipitation between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably humid, some days can have high heat and humidity, with heat index values > 92 °F (33 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 94.7 °F (34.8 °C) on July 9, 1988, and the highest daily average dew point was 71.9 °F (22.2 °C) on July 1, 2018. July has the most thunderstorms, which matches the warmest month of the year. Since 1981, the wettest day was 4.65 inches (118 mm) on August 28, 2011. During winter, the plant hardiness zone is 4a, with an average extreme minimum temperature of −25.2 °F (−31.8 °C). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −35.1 °F (−37.3 °C) on January 27, 1994. Extreme cold and wind can cause wind chill values < −40 °F (−40 °C). Ice storms and large snowstorms with ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow occur once or twice each winter.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types:

Mount Mansfield has a main type of plant life called Northeast Spruce / Fir (96) and a main form of plant life called Northern Conifer forest (22). The peak time for spring flowers usually happens in late-May, and the peak time for fall colors usually happens in late-September. The plant hardiness zone is 4a, with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −26.7 °F (−32.6 °C).

The Lodge at Spruce Peak has a main type of plant life called Northeast Spruce / Fir (96) and a main form of plant life called Northern Conifer forest (22). The peak time for spring flowers usually happens in mid-May, and the peak time for fall colors usually happens in late-September. The plant hardiness zone is 4b, with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −30.9 °C (−23.7 °F).

Stowe village has a main type of plant life called Northern [Hardwood]s/[Spruce] (108) and a main form of plant life called Northern Hardwoods (23). The peak time for spring flowers usually happens in early-May, and the peak time for fall colors usually happens in late-September. The plant hardiness zone is 4a, with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −31.8 °C (−25.2 °F).

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,339 people, 1,905 households, and 1,129 families living in the town. The population density was 59.7 people per square mile (23.1 per square kilometer). There were 2,728 housing units at an average density of 37.5 per square mile (14.5 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the town was 97.51% White, 0.28% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.06% of the population.

In the town, there were 1,905 households. Of these, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female head of household without a husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. Twenty-nine percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27, and the average family size was 2.83.

The population was divided into age groups: 21.1% were under the age of 18, 6.9% were from 18 to 24, 28.3% were from 25 to 44, 30.3% were from 45 to 64, and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

Economy

Stowe has had some manufacturing, like the Tubbs Snowshoe factory. However, the factory closed in 2009 and moved its production overseas.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,378, and the median income for a family was $64,700. Males had a median income of $37,788, while females had a median income of $31,689. The income per person in the town was $35,474. About 3.7% of families and 6.8% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 6.8% of people under age 18 and 5.3% of people aged 65 or older. The median value of a house in the town was $412,183 in 2012.

Points of interest

• Trapp Family Lodge
• Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
• Stowe Mountain Resort – Stowe, called "The Ski Capital of the East," is famous for winter activities. Vail Resorts bought the ski area in 2017 for $41 million. The resort has 117 ski runs across Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, and includes 13 lifts.
• Stowe Recreation Path – This trail is 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) long and was finished in 1989 at a cost of $680,000. It runs from the downtown area to TopNotch Lodge. The path has won many awards.
• Cady Hill Forest – Located on the western side of Stowe village, this area was protected by the Stowe Land Trust in 2012 and given to the town of Stowe. It has more than 18 kilometers (11 miles) of hiking and mountain biking trails, with an entrance near Route 108 (Mountain Road). The Stowe Mountain Bike Club is in charge of keeping the trails in good condition.

Education

There are three public schools in Stowe: Stowe Elementary School, Stowe Middle School, and Stowe High School. The Mount Mansfield Winter Academy is also in Stowe, and it is a school that specializes in training athletes who play winter sports.

Stowe Land Trust

Stowe Land Trust is a local nonprofit organization that works to protect land. It was established in 1987 and has protected 35 properties and more than 18 square kilometers (4500 acres). Many of these areas are open to the public. One example is Wiessner Woods, which the trust protected in 1992 through a gift from the Wiessner family.

Media

The Stowe Reporter is a weekly newspaper that covers local politics, business, arts, and people. It has been the main source of news for Stowe since it was started in 1958. The Vermont Community Newspaper Group, which owns the Stowe Reporter and four other weekly newspapers in Vermont, is located in Stowe. The radio station WCVT is based in Stowe and plays classic hit songs.

Notable people

• Walter J. Bigelow, mayor of Burlington
• Jake Burton Carpenter, CEO of Burton Snowboards
• W. H. H. Bingham, Vermont attorney and politician
• Rusty DeWees, comedian, actor, and writer
• Noah Dines, skier
• Joseph Dutton, who worked as a missionary with Father Damien
• William "Billy" Kidd, first American man to earn an Olympic medal in alpine skiing
• Joe Kirkwood Sr., golfer
• Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson, activist investor and Greek Orthodox Priest
• Graham Mink, former right winger for the Washington Capitals, now playing for Dornbirner EC of the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL)
• Dean Roy, high school student who ran for governor of Vermont at age 14
• Tiger Shaw, Olympic alpine ski racer and President of U.S.S.A.
• Joseph Skinger, artisan
• Ken Squier, Lap-by-Lap commentator for NASCAR
• Maria von Trapp, leader of the Trapp Family Singers
• Ty Walker, youngest member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Slopestyle Snowboard team
• Fritz Wiessner, pioneer of free climbing

Gallery

• The Stowe Community Church is located in the town of Stowe.
• Shaw's general store is across from the Town Hall.
• Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont and has the Stowe Mountain Resort.
• The Trapp Family Lodge is a well-known location in the area.