Cross-country skiing can be peaceful and Zen or exhilarating – you decide.
Either way you like it, it’s right outside our door, all winter long and we love it.
Once you get to Stowe, you’re in cross-country skiing heaven. So many options are available, depending on the type of experience that you want.
- If you love to get out in nature and take your time, witnessing the woods in their winter cover, then you’ll love Wiessner Woods.
- If you are seeking an athletic and aerobic experience where you can travel on well-groomed trails, we recommend Stowe Mountain Resort’s extensive network.
- For those who want to meander down through the valley and into the village, the Stowe Recreation Path is the ticket.
Stowe is one of the top destinations in the nation for cross-country skiers, and its vast network of trails, backcountry terrain, and conserved land will surely delight any cross-country skier.
1. Wiessner Woods
Wiessner Woods is likely Stowe’s most popular backcountry ski destination. Located just outside of Stowe near Edson Hill Road, Wiessner Woods is a wooded cross-country wonderland and a great place for cross-country skiers of all abilities to enjoy the beautiful Stowe countryside. Wiessner is also friendly to snowshoers.
Conserved in 1992 by the Stowe Land Trust, Wiessner Woods boasts 79 acres of land area. The largest loop in the trail network is just about 2 miles in length; however, skiers have an opportunity to take a number of switchbacks and cutoffs to enhance their experience in Wiessner. The extensive trail network connects to the Edson Hill and Halvorsen properties for easy access for resort guests.
At Edson Hill, we provide the rental equipment for your cross-country adventure and can also offer guides to take you from Edson Hill’s trails to the Wiessner Woods. It’s a wonderful winter adventure!
2. Stowe Recreation Path
One of the favorite cross-country ski trails is Stowe’s very own recreation path. Built in 2010, the Stowe Recreation Path boasts just over 5 miles of greenway trail that gently meanders through the town. A haven for cyclists, runners, and walkers during the summer months, the recreation path turns into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing mecca during the wintertime. With no motorized vehicles allowed on the path at any time, the path is ideal for beginner cross-country skiers, and the paved path makes certain that the trail will be smooth and easy to navigate.
Perhaps the best part of Stowe’s recreation path is its immediate accessibility to the town’s restaurants, pubs, nightlife, and ski rentals. No matter where you are on the trail, you’re not far from more entertainment.
3. Trapp Family Lodge
The Cross Country Center at Trapp Family Lodge is the oldest in the country and situated on top of a beautiful mountain in Stowe. The views from the extensive trails are amazing, and the resort provides over 60 kilometers of groomed trails. You can easily rent the necessary equipment from the touring center and can get one-on-one or group lessons to get your skiing started.
An added charm of the Trapp trails is the Slayton cabin, where they have a fire going and offer hot chocolate to visitors!
4. Edson Hill Nordic Center
Edson Hill offers one of Stowe’s more distinctive Nordic experiences, with a historic cross-country ski trail network that dates back to the Heath family in the 1950s. Today, guests can still step right out the door and into a quieter side of winter in Vermont, with groomed cross-country ski trails on the property, snowshoe access, and direct connection to the legendary Catamount Trail, plus access to the Sterling Valley backcountry. Edson Hill’s Nordic Center is housed in a restored historic barn, giving the experience a sense of place that feels true to the property’s heritage rather than manufactured for modern resort life.
Trail maps are available for visitors, and rentals are available on-site, making it easy to enjoy the landscape at your own pace. What makes skiing here so memorable is the setting itself: open fields, wooded trails, and sweeping mountain scenery, all paired with the relaxed, understated atmosphere that defines Edson Hill. For guests looking to experience cross-country skiing in Stowe with a little history and a lot of beauty, it is a special place to begin.
Enjoy the Experience of a Vermont Winter
Whether you’re a beginner or pro, the Nordic skiing scene in Stowe is one to experience. We love the variety of trails available and the absolute ease of cross-country skiing right outside the door. Join us for some winter fun!
Erik Stacy
General Manager
Edson Hill
