Section 23: Trapp Family Lodge to Edson Hill Manor
Snapshot:
This section of the CT runs mostly, but not entirely, on groomed trails of Stowe's four ski touring centers: Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe Mountain Resort (a/k/a Mt. Mansfield) Touring Center, Topnotch Resort, and Edson Hill Manor. Many possibilities for shorter tours covering one or two of the three legs are feasible. For example: between Trapp’s and Mt. Mansfield TC, between Mt. Mansfield and Topnotch or Wiessner Woods, or Topnotch and Edson Hill. The distances of any required car shuttles are quite short – 5 miles at most. Parts of the last three miles of this section - between Topnotch and Edson Hill Manor – are groomed only occasionally, if at all. This stretch is generally well traveled, however, and includes the popular Wiessner Woods.
Note: On this tour you will ski through the trail systems of all four Stowe ski centers and will need to purchase trail passes. Most centers will honor a ticket purchased from one of the other areas on the day of your CT tour, but you must check in at each center to be sure.
Length: 12.8 miles
Difficulty:
While this section includes some long, steep climbs and fast descents, the groomed trails make it easier for skiers to snowplow for better control on steep descents. Skiers new to cross-country skiing can enjoy short ski tours within the four Nordic centers along this section. Those looking for a more challenging day can choose to ski through some or all of the Nordic centers in this section. Good endurance will be required as many hilly climbs, and possibly some trail breaking, await you.
If you intend to tour this entire section, do not assume that skinny racing skis are the right equipment. Parts of this section are, at times, sporadically groomed, especially so early in the season or soon after winter storms. This is true of the Stowe Derby Trail, including the substantial "Pipeline" descent. The one-mile segment between Topnotch and Wiessner Woods is never groomed. And the leg from Wiessner Woods to Edson Hill will likely be well-traveled but not groomed. Metal-edged skis would be a safe choice for these sections if snow is crusted or heavy. Otherwise sturdy touring skis should suffice.
Keep in mind that snow cover can vary considerably with elevation. The lower segments of this section (especially through the Topnotch Resort) may have significantly less snow cover than Trapp’s, Mansfield, or Edson Hill Touring Centers, which are at a higher elevation. If you are planning to ski through, check out or inquire about snow depth on the valley floor.
Lodging:
Commodores Inn, 823 South Main Street, Stowe, VT 05672 1-800-447-8693, 802-253-7131 http://commodoresinn.com, reservations@commodoresinn.com
Trapp Family Lodge, 700 Trapp Hill Rd., P.O. Box 1428, Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-826-7000, 802-253-8511, www.trappfamily.com
The Gables Inn, 1457 Mountain Rd., Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-Gables-1, 802-253-7730, www.gablesinn.com, InnGables@aol.com
Topnotch Resort & Spa, 4000 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 056721-800-451-8686, 802-253-8585, www.topnotchresort.com, info@topnotchresort.com
The Golden Eagle Resort, 511 Mountain Rd., PO Box 1090, Stowe, VT 05672, 800-626-1010, 802-253-4811, www.goldeneagleresort.com, info@goldeneagleresort.com
Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, 18 Main St., Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-253-7302, 802-253-7301, www.greenmountaininn.com, info@gminn.com
Town & Country Resort at Stowe, 876 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672
802-253-7595, 800-323-0311, www.townandcountrystowe.com, TNC@together.net
Ski Inn, 5037 Mountain Rd., Stowe, VT 05672-4822
802-253-4050, www.ski-inn.com
Fiddler’s Green Inn, Rte 108/Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-882-5346, 802-253-8124, www.FiddlersGreenInn.com, info@fiddlersgreeninn.com
Stowehof Inn & Resort, 434 Edson Hill Rd., Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-932-7136, 802-253-9722, www.stowehofinn.com, fo@stowehofinn.com
Stowe Motel & Snowdrift, 4043 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672, 800-829-7629, 802-253-7629, www.stowemotel.com, info@stowemotel.com
Edson Hill Manor, 1500 Edson Hill Rd., Stowe, 05672
1-800-621-0284, 802-253-7371 www.edsonhillmanor.com, info@edsonhillmanor.com