Snowshoeing in Stowe

Stowe is home to some of the most extensive and diverse trails in the East, making it the perfect destination resort for winter's fastest-growing sport: snowshoeing. Snowshoeing is a fun, healthy way to enjoy the winter outdoors and new, lightweight materials make it easier than ever. Anyone who likes to walk or hike in the summer can snowshoe in the winter, as long as they're prepared for the weather--it's that simple.

Stowe has a wide variety of terrain, so snowshoers can go at their own pace. A great place to start is on the flat, 5.3-mile Recreation Path, which winds its way through forests and meadows, and crosses the West Branch River 11 times on arched wooden bridges: Beginners can get used to wearing snowshoes and more experienced snowshoers can either enjoy a leisurely walk or warm up before heading to more difficult terrain.

Visitors who don't own snowshoes can rent them from seven Stowe locations: A.J.'s Ski & Sports, Boots 'n Boards, the Nordic Barn, Pinnacle Ski & Sports, Shaw's General Store, Trapp Family Lodge and  Umiak Outfitters.

Guests can get more out of their adventure by taking a snowshoe tour. Snowshoe tours are available at the following centers:
Trapp Family Lodge Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa and Umiak Outfitters.

The Green Mountain Club, Vermont's largest hiking organization, has compiled a list of nine favorite snowshoe hikes in the Stowe area. The list includes trail lengths, estimated hiking times, degrees of difficulty, locations of the trailheads, and descriptions of the trails. For maps, guide books, and information about snowshoe hikes, visitors can stop at the Green Mountain Club on Route 100.

Have a look at Stowe's new interactive Nordic Map, provided by Map Adventures ( © 2009 All Rights Reserved) and check out Stowe's network of trails.