Breckenridge CO, Stowe, VT

[DisneyAl]

Any thoughts on staying in Breckenridge CO or Stowe VT. Where to stay, how is the town? Do you recommend going there? etc

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The towns depend upon the seasons.

1) Breckenridge
. . . small "downtown"
. . . very artsy-craftsy
. . . somewhat snotty town residents
. . . good Jack Nicklaus gold course for Summer
. . . obviously, good skiing for winter
. . . skiing of up to 11,000 feet altitude (nose bleed time)
. . . at the lodge, you step right onto a ski lift from hotel
. . . no car needed if downtown, a must other wise
. . . frequent shuttles to slopes and downtown
. . . nice and pleasant town
. . . mainly powder snow
. . . the town is a favorite Colorado area of ours.

2) Stowe
. . . a little larger "downtown" than Breckenridge
. . . ski area lower altitude
. . . artsy, but stlll modern
. . . very slow paced
. . . pleasant and extremely friendly town people
. . . frequent shuttles around area
. . . great skiing
. . . mainly packed snow
. . . slightly preferred over Breckenridge by us

 

[nuts]

Breckenridge hands down!!
Rocky Mountain Champaigne powder (need I say more?)
Rocky Mountain hospitality!
Slower pace
Worldclass skiing
Fantastic weather!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Slower pace?

I haven't been to Breckenridge but the pace at Stowe is pretty slow. I stayed at the Trapp Lodge last winter and had a blast. Only skied Stowe a little bit...instead I skied Jay and Bolton Valley and Sugarbush. Lots of bars and restaurants...Burlington and Montpelier are reasonably close by as well...

And best of all you can take the Ben & Jerry's factory tour on the way in.

I'm sure Breckenridge is hands down in terms of balmier weather however.

 

[Alic]

Stowe is a great area but VERY cold in the winter. My personal opinion is nothing beats skiing out west....

 

[pumpkinboy]

Colorado may have nice snow, but Stowe has the Trapp Family Lodge (have any of you eaten at the restaurant there? Amazing. Plus a great selection of Austrian and other wines).

The great problem with skiing here in the East, is that snow conditions are such that you actually have to know how to ski. Rocky Mountain snow is a lot more user-friendly. Of course my favorite would be Mont Sainte Anne, outside of Québec City; cold as all get out, but staying in Québec city and still getting to ski is just fantastic.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Never been to Breckenridge but LOVE LOVE LOVE Stowe...it is beautiful, great skiing, great town, great atmosphere.

I'm sure Colorado would be awesome too. But I'm a Vermont-Lover so I'd vote for Stowe any day, besides it is driveable from here in NJ, no extra money needed for plane tix!

 

[Desperado]

Great info, thanks for sharing.

 

[Mary Ellen]

Been to both - Stowe was nice, but Breckenridge wins hands down.

 

[ricapito]

This is really about New England vs "The West"

Stowe= Historic New England postcard village with quaint upscale shops and restaurants in historic white clapboard farmhouses and refurbished Yankee barns. Stowe is a touch of Eurpoean flair in Vermont. You'll see more Volvos than Chevy's to be sure. Stowe is sleepy, with very little nightlife. Ben and Jerry's is a nice tour and so is the Vermont Teddy Bear factory, both a reasonable ride away. The Von Trapp lodge is a destination in and of itself but is expensive for dinner. Within a couple hours drive are other quintessential VT towns such as Manchester (world class shopping and pedigree), Woodstock, and Killington (largest ski area and THE apres ski nightlife spot in the east). Montpelier has the culinary institute, a very nice place to visit. Vermont is simply not comparable if you are looking for charm in my opinion...and it is a 30 minute ride from Burlington VT which is serviced by Independence air among others...

The snow itself won't compare to Colorado though. If this is purely about skiing then head west.

 

[nickglover]

You are just going to have to do both trips!!!!!!


If you go to Stowe, I recommend dinner at "Whiskers" (I think that was it). Nice farmhouse atmosphere, friendly, casual, and great food.

 

[DisneyAl]

I failed to mention the vacation would be in August.

 

[TomD]

Stowe Vt is a nice town to visit. It is laid back and friendly.

I dont live to far from there if you need any specifics shoot me a pm and if I dont know the answer I will get it for you.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

I don't know where you're traveling from and why you're travel limits are Breckenridge and Stowe.
To make a long story short;
I did time at both Breckenridge and Stowe.
Killington and Mt Snow are my Vermont favorites.
Vail and Aspen are my Colorado favorites.
They're very much the same only different.
i.e. do you like Porterhouse? or Delmonico?
Haddock? or Cod?

 

[brunoflipper]

we go to summit county (i.e. breckenridge) every year at least twice to ski and once for summer (july-aug)... you can't beat summers up there... 78 degrees, clear pure sunny skies... the biking, hiking, golf and trout fishing (my favorite) are some of the best anywhere... plus you can always go to the breck brewery (not to mention the back country or dam breweries)... the other option is for the 45' drive over the pass to vail/beaver creek... i'd go any august....

 

[Snowgod]

Stowe is a place unlike any other. To compare her to Breckenridge is a personal thing and should be done in person. The snow at Mt. Mansfield is mostly man made but do not beleive that you will not find powder. The mountain is just east of Lake Champlain which helps create one of the finest lake effect snow machines. If the wind blows from the west then it will snow on the mountain. Stowe has more trails over a mile long than any othe resort in the east so you can take nice long runs with out all the trail merges you find at Killington. The best reason to go to Stowe though is not the skiing, it is the great food. Mexican, Steaks and any other food you can enjoy will be served at the large number of places up and down the Mountain Road. Go to both and you will see why Stowe can be the best.