A Perfect Ski Weekend in Stowe, Vermont

An incredible weekend was had in Stowe, Vermont and I’m so excited to share about it! From incredible food to epic powder days and cozy après-ski vibes, this trip had everything we needed for the ultimate winter escape.

Friday Night: Road Trip & Cozy Comfort Food

After work, we packed up and hit the road for Vermont, kicking off the weekend with a stop at Reservoir in Waterbury. This place had all the cozy, welcoming vibes with a menu that was bougie comfort food at its finest. We didn’t hold back—ordering mussels, a Banh Mi smash burger, maple chili wings, and a side salad (for balance, obviously). Mikey grabbed a beer, and I went for a Non-Alcoholic Raspberry Frosted Sprig—a bubbly raspberry-ginger mocktail that was next-level refreshing. Big shoutout to them for having a gluten-free bun for my burger—always a win!

Since this was a last-minute trip, we booked a stay at the Best Western in Waterbury and got some much-needed rest before a full day on the slopes.

Saturday Morning: Fresh Snow & Bakery Heaven

Waking up to fresh snow had us hyped for a full ski day. But first—coffee! We stumbled upon Stowe Bee Bakery, and let me tell you, this place was an accidental jackpot. The warm, inviting atmosphere was paired with an overwhelming selection of fresh-baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. The best part? Gluten-free and dairy-free options!

I went for a maple latte with oat milk and a gooey fudge brownie that was out-of-this-world delicious. Mikey grabbed an americano and a cinnamon bun—so famous that they limit customers to two per person (that’s how you know it’s legit).

Shredding the Slopes & Snowboard Adventures

Fueled up and ready, we hit the mountain. Taking the gondola up, we were met with deep powder and insane tree runs. At one point, we found ourselves on an unexpected black diamond in the woods, and I (very gracefully) ended up snapping a dead tree and tumbling into a snowbank. Then, to top it off, I got stuck in a tree well. Thankfully, Mikey was there to pull me out—friendly reminder to always ride with a buddy, especially in deep snow!

After an epic morning, we took a break to grab my snowboard from the car and headed to the Stowe Village area for lunch. We hopped on the gondola across the street and stopped at Pico Taco—and wow, the chicken tacos were way better than expected. Absolutely next-level.

Snowboarding Firsts & Confidence Boosts

After lunch, we headed over to the village lifts, which are perfect for beginners. I took my first-ever lift ride on a snowboard, and while I was definitely nervous, the staff was incredible—so patient and ready to help. If you fall, they’ll stop the lift for you (which is a huge confidence boost when you’re learning).

The lift speed was nice and slow, which made the experience way smoother. After five runs, I was actually feeling really good! This was the perfect spot to work on my skills without the pressure of a big mountain run.

Après-Ski: BBQ, Live Music & Chill Vibes

After a long day on the mountain, we hit the hot tub at the hotel, showered, and then ventured back out for dinner. We found Shakedown Street BBQ, which turned out to be connected to Stowe Cider—aka the perfect après-ski spot. The atmosphere was unbeatable: live music, concert posters on the walls, a tasting room, and a dance floor.

We ordered:
✅ Half rack of ribs (fall-off-the-bone amazing)
✅ Homemade potato salad
✅ Side salad (because we try)
✅ Cracklins (fried pork belly glazed in maple and brown sugar—literally dessert meat, and it was unreal)

Mikey grabbed a local beer, and I had the Fresh Press, an NA cider that was crisp and refreshing. We had planned to check out more live music afterward, but let’s be real—we were so exhausted we just headed back to chill.

Sunday: More Snow, More Fun, and One Last Epic Meal

Sunday was another full-on ski and snowboard day! The fresh powder from the night before made for perfect conditions to wrap up the weekend on a high note.

Before heading home, we stopped at Ranch Camp for one last meal, and it did not disappoint.

Ranch Camp Eats

🥩 Burger & Fries – Grass-fed beef, arugula, tomato, pickled onions, on a brioche bun served with hand-cut ‘Merica fries. So. Freaking. Good.

🌯 Crunch Wrap – This was next-level comfort food with nacho cheese, cilantro lime brown rice, fried corn tortillas, Cabot sour cream, pico de gallo, romaine, and a three-cheese blend—all wrapped up and seared in cheese.
✨ Plus, Ranch Camp gets all the bonus points for having gluten-free options!

Stowe is the perfect spot for a winter weekend getaway—whether you’re an experienced skier or just getting into snowboarding like me. Between incredible food, fresh powder, and the best après-ski vibes, this trip was everything we could have asked for. Already counting down the days until we can do it all again!