Map & Area Information
HISTORY
Stowe was chartered as a town in 1763. Its first settlers arrived 30 years later in 1793. Today, Stowe is the largest town in land area in the state with over 50,000 acres and a permanent population of over 3,000. It is home to Vermont's highest peak, Mt. Mansfield, and some of the states finest agricultural and woodland area.
The Toll Road to the top of Mt. Mansfield was completed in 1870, the Summit House on the top of Mt. Mansfield was finished just as the Civil War broke out and the stately 300 room Mansfield House occupied most of the present village. Known as the "Big Hotel", the Mansfield House burned to the ground in 1889.
Summer tourism remained an important part of Stowe's economic life until World War I, However, a new era was then born in Stowe. In 1913, three resident Swedish families had taken to traveling around what is now known as skis. People in town took notice of the new means of transportation. Skiing soon found a home in Stowe. This turning point was perhaps the beginning of Stowe's real appeal for the future.
In 1921, Stowe held its first Winter Carnival with ski jumping, skating, toboggan rides, and a variety of fun-filled events. Downhill skiing never truly developed in Stowe until after the Great Depression when the Civilian Conservation Corps established camps and began clearing ski trails on Mt. Mansfield.
In 1934, the next and perhaps most famous ski trail was cut - the Nose Dive. In the early days, skiers hiked 2.5 miles to the summit. In 1937 Stowe hosted the first Eastern Downhill Championships. Eventually, there were rope tows and the construction of the single chair lift in 1940. The chair operated until 1986 when it was finally replaced by a high-speed quad.
Stowe has since grown into one of the premier ski resorts in the world. It offers an outstanding array of recreational activities and attractions.