MARCHING INTO SPRING
Of all the seasons in Stowe, Spring can be the most ephemeral. With Winter receding and Summer still well in the distance, the space between takes us through the subtle stirrings of change and refreshed potential. In the spirit of the liminal, here are some of our favorite ways to ‘March’ with the season, and experience the cycle of time, on its own time.
WATCH FOR WINGED WILDLIFE
March begins to see the migration of birds to the North, their return one of the surest signs of shifting seasons. Over 350 species of bird can be seen in Vermont, with many right here in Stowe on the trails of Mount Mansfield - Look out for Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher, and Red-Breasted Nuthatch among others!
SPRING IS SWEET
When most people think of Vermont, one of the first things to mind is our most delectable export: Maple Syrup. If you’re visiting Stowe this time of year, you’re just in time to witness the magic of the Maple Sugaring process ~ Trees are tapped in February and March, and their sap (98% water and 2% sugar) is boiled and reduced into syrup. Visit a local Sugaring Farm to see the work, or just enjoy the wafting sweetness carried through the air.
SEEDS OF HISTORY AND THE GROWTH OF STOWE
At over 50,000 acres, Stowe is the largest town in Vermont by land area. It was chartered as a town in 1763, and by the 19th century was a hub of agricultural and lumber production. The white steeple of Stowe Community Church is a time capsule from the early days of Stowe, signaling home to locals, then and now. With gentler weather in Spring, this is a perfect time to throw on your walking shoes, and explore the churches, covered bridges, and historic structures of Stowe past.
SPRING IN THE ALPS (OF THE EAST COAST)
The very first lifts ran at Mount Mansfield in 1937, making Stowe the birthplace of Alpine skiing in Vermont ~ ample snow on the ground and extended daylight make for an excellent shoulder season on the Mountain!
WATERS SPRING TO LIFE
Early spring in the Green Mountain State offers a unique intersection of natural conditions. Enough snow persists in the mountains for a long ski season, while simultaneously melting and giving way to fuller waterways, and the return of fresh water sport. Whether you’re an angler, a boat lover, or someone who appreciates the view from shore, the rivers in and around Stowe kick to life in Springtime.
RETURN OF THE LIGHT
Daylight has already been lengthening, and the Equinox means we can now look forward to longer and longer days into June. If you’re staying with us at Sun and Ski this season, ask the front desk about getting a fire pit set up so you can extend your outdoor time beyond sunset. With so much budding and coming to life this time of year, sometimes the best way to witness the miraculous unfurling, is to just be still.
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Happy Equinox! We can’t wait to share in the brightness of Spring with you in Stowe.
