The Ski Retreat · Stowe, Vermont
Stowe Vermont Women's Ski Retreat
The Retreat Co. brings women together in Stowe, Vermont, for a ski retreat that blends mountain adventure with everything that makes a destination worth staying awhile.
How Stowe Vermont Compares
Stowe is an East Coast ski destination with a reputation for drawing skiers and families from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and beyond. But what makes it special is that it feels like a true destination rather than simply a place to ski for a day. Stowe combines the experience of a premium ski resort with the charm of a Vermont mountain town.
The area is known for its beautiful setting, reliable snowmaking, high-quality lodging, and thoughtful hospitality. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning chasing runs on the mountain, then slow down for a great meal, a little shopping, or an afternoon wandering through town. For a women's retreat, that balance matters. There’s enough adventure to make the trip exciting, but enough space to relax, connect, and enjoy the destination beyond the slopes.
Stowe, Vermont, is the kind of place skiers come back to every year for the charming mountain village, beautiful trails on Mount Mansfield, cozy après spots, and classic Vermont dining. (Oh wait—just us?) And about the skiing itself? They come back for the variety of terrain, the stunning mountain views, and the thrill of skiing Vermont’s highest peak. Once you experience Stowe, you’ll understand why they keep coming back.
Big thank you to Nicole Feliciano, Founder of The Ski Moms and our host for this trip,
for providing us with local’s intel and photos on this mountain and town that we used to create this summary.
The Mountain: What to Expect on Skis
Stowe’s ski experience centers around Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.
The mountain offers a wide variety of terrain, from groomed trails to glades and more adventurous runs. With 116 trails, there’s plenty to explore over the course of a ski weekend. Mount Mansfield rises 2,360 feet vertically, giving experienced skiers plenty of room to challenge themselves while still offering options for those building confidence.
Photo credit: The Ski MomsStowe is also home to an excellent ski and ride school. The resort has a long history of prioritizing ski education, safety, and thoughtful trail management. One thing to know before you arrive: Stowe is made up of two mountains, Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, connected by the Over Easy Gondola. Having a plan for where you want to ski and where your group will meet can make your day on the mountain much easier.
When you’re ready for a break, there are plenty of places to stop for lunch, drinks, or a little time warming up before heading back out.
The Town: Stowe’s Vermont Charm
One of the best parts of skiing Stowe is that the experience doesn't end when you take off your boots. Downtown Stowe has the feel of a classic Vermont village, with local restaurants, boutique shops, cafés, and places to settle in after a day outside.
It’s easy to spend an afternoon wandering through town, grabbing coffee, browsing local shops, or finding a cozy spot for dinner. That walkable, charming village atmosphere is a big part of what separates Stowe from a ski destination where everything revolves around the resort.
Here, the town itself is part of the experience.
The Culture: More Than a Ski Trip
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Stowe has a deep connection to winter sports, and skiing and snowboarding are only part of the outdoor experience. The surrounding area offers opportunities for snowshoeing, ice skating, scenic winter walks, and simply enjoying the Vermont landscape. For women who love being outside, there’s plenty of room to make the weekend as active or as relaxed as you want.
FOOD
Food is another reason Stowe works so well for a longer ski getaway. You can start the day with breakfast in town, grab lunch on the mountain, enjoy après-ski drinks, and settle into a relaxed dinner afterward.
For a special evening, the Cliff House at the top of Mount Mansfield offers a memorable dining experience with mountain views and access via the Mansfield Gondola. The food experience in Stowe feels connected to the destination itself: cozy, thoughtful, and very Vermont.
COMMUNITY
Stowe has a strong local character that goes beyond the ski resort. You’ll find locally owned businesses, independent restaurants, artists, wellness experiences, and people who have made the area their home.
That sense of place is part of why Stowe works so well for The Retreat Co. The goal isn't simply to put women on a mountain together. It’s to create a weekend where women can experience a destination, meet new people, try something new, slow down, and leave feeling more connected than when they arrived.
Photo credit: The Ski MomsLogistics: getting there and around
Getting There
The closest major airport is Burlington International Airport (BTV), about a 45-minute drive from Stowe. From the airport, renting a car is the easiest option for getting to Stowe and exploring the area.
Getting Around
Once you’re in Stowe, the village and resort areas are easy to navigate, but having a car gives you more flexibility between the mountain, downtown, and restaurants.
the Stowe Vermont Retreat experience
Included
3 nights accommodation with a hot tub
All meals
Shuttle to/from the mountain
All activities - yoga, creative activity, wine tasting, fireside chat - and the other surprises we have up our puffers
Amazing goodie bag
Not included
Flights to and from Stowe / Burlington
Epic Pass or lift ticket
Ski or snowboard rental
Ski or snowboard lessons
Travel insurance
Hear from women who've been on a ski retreat
“You are always finding women who have created something interesting and are doing something badass, whether it’s photography, food, art, business, or something else. There are all these amazing experiences, but it never feels overwhelming. There’s still time to relax, explore, and do your own thing. You’ve created something really magical.”
- Mel
“It was just a really good time. Worth every penny. All the women were so cool. You do a great job attracting people with similar vibes.”
meet your retreat leader
Nicole Feliciano
Co-Host | Retreat Leader
She is a late-blooming skier herself, Nicole brings a welcoming, relatable perspective to mountain life through Ski Moms trips, the Ski Moms Podcast, and her love of helping women feel at home in the outdoors.
meet your retreat leader
Stephanie Barnhart
Co-Host | Retreat Leader
She is a lifelong snowboarder, marketing and creative strategist, and Executive Director of NASJA who loves bringing women together through a shared love of winter and the outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. Stowe offers a wide variety of terrain on Mount Mansfield, including groomed trails, glades, and more challenging runs. It’s a great destination for skiers who want to explore and challenge themselves.
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Yes. Stowe has options for different skill levels, and its ski and ride school has a strong reputation for instruction and safety.
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Burlington International Airport (BTV) is approximately 45 minutes from Stowe by car.
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Plenty. Stowe has boutique shops, local restaurants, cafés, wellness experiences, and winter activities including snowshoeing and ice skating. You can also simply enjoy the village and Vermont scenery.
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Stowe is known for Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, its variety of ski terrain, reliable snowmaking, charming village atmosphere, and classic Vermont hospitality.
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A car gives you the most flexibility for getting between the mountain, village, lodging, and restaurants. The exact transportation needs will depend on where you stay and what is included in the retreat.
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Stowe is an Epic Pass destination. Check your current pass benefits and access before booking your trip.
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You’re not just coming to ski or snowboard. The Retreat Co. combines mountain time with the food, culture, local experiences, and connection that make Stowe worth experiencing as a destination.
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That’s part of the beauty of a women’s retreat. You can arrive on your own and have a built-in group of women to ski, explore, share meals, and experience Stowe with.
A Few Final Notes
Spots fill fast — repeat guests rebook before the retreat is even publicly announced
All experience levels are welcome as attendees, but skiers should be at an intermediate level or above to ski with the group
Elk sightings are common and genuinely magical
The ski resort bathrooms are, inexplicably, a talking point (in the best way!)