Stowe Expert Skiing
Stowe’s expert skiing is legendary. The “Front Four”: Goat, Starr, National, and Lift Line are renowned double black diamond trails— practically New England benchmarks for tough skiing and all easily accessed by two lifts from the Mansfield base area.
They account for most of the 25 percent of Stowe’s terrain that is suitable for advanced skiers. Goat has a double fall line and big moguls; Starr is the place for steeps. The best powder is usually found at Lookout.
Stowe gets its fair share of powder, so if you want fresh tracks, it is best to arrive early. The high-speed quads open at 7:30 am and the gondola fires up at 8:30 am. It’s not uncommon to find a dozen people ahead of you waiting for the first lift to open, and on powder days there can be many more skiers eager to grab the best snow conditions of the day in the stunning early morning light on Mansfield. For the first couple of hours the pace is quick and the average standard of skier and rider out on the slopes is noticeably higher than later in the day.
Almost all the out of bounds terrain is for expert skiers only, and visitors are recommended to go with someone who knows the area. Several gladed areas are skiable, but if you ski or ride in the woods outside the designated ski area you must be aware that it is not patrolled and there are no first aid or rescue services. There is no organized guiding for off-piste groups.