During the winter, dog dining is going to be restricted since dogs do not get into restaurants and all the outdoor cafes are covered in snow. Nevertheless, a doggy who has a nice cozy condo, a warm sweater and snow boots can have a great winter vacation in Stowe.
Some dogs work in the winter season. Dog Carting (you sit in a cart and an enormous dog pulls you), Skijoring (you put on your cross country skis, get your poles, harness up a big dog or two and try to have him pull you without stabbing him or falling and being dragged) and Dog Sledding (yeah, just like the Iditarod) experiences are rentable. Everybody says the dogs love to run and run and run while pulling things. And, indeed, they may. One wonders how much snow dogs like running while pulling amateurs down paths where they may have to shimmy aside for snowmobilers. Big responsibility. I’m sure the dogs see it as a professional challenge. Raja says it can’t possibly be fun, but he’s not wired to run straight ahead forever at top speed when off leash. Obviously snow dogs are bred and born.
Stowe was established in 1763, but it was Swedish immigrants who began skiing in 1913 on Mt.Mansfield. The first formal ski trails were cut 20 years later, but they still do not go all the way to the peak. If you’re adventuresome, you can take the Gondolier from the Midway Base Lodge as far as it goes and then hike up to the peak (about 800 feet more) and ski the whole length. In summer your dog can take that hike with you, but it’s pretty harsh in winter. And speaking of “pretty”, the place is just beautiful. Less than a mile high, none of the mountain is above the tree line so all views feature lovely tall pines and glistening white birches. You probably won’t see a moose or a black bear except as the ubiquitous motif in your condo. But those are the native wildlife and one can always hope for a not-too-close encounter.
Raja liked Stowe; so did I; you will too.