Stowe Mountain Resort Kicks Off Season With Massive Early Opening

The ski season is here, and it's starting with a bang—or rather, a blizzard—on the East Coast. Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont officially opened the 2025/2026 season on Friday, November 21st, one day ahead of schedule, thanks to a phenomenal stretch of early winter weather.

For many skiers and riders in the Eastern U.S., November can be a game of patience, waiting for the cold to lock in and the snow to fall. This year, the script was flipped. Thanks to sustained cold temperatures, aggressive snowmaking, and repeated natural snow cycles, the Green Mountains are boasting conditions that are more typical of mid-winter. Stowe, in particular, has seen a record deep snowpack for this time of year, setting it apart from the lean early-season conditions that have plagued parts of the West.

With more than three feet of snow falling in the lead-up to opening day, the resort was able to fire up four lifts, including the FourRunner Quad and the Sunrise Six, granting access to a huge slice of early-season terrain.

What makes this early opening truly notable is the sheer amount of skiable area. Stowe opened with a shocking 50-plus trails spinning, covering over 20 miles and 225 acres of terrain. For those familiar with early-season conditions, opening that much terrain is an exceptional feat.

On Mount Mansfield, the opening day terrain included a mix of groomed, snowmaking-supported routes like Lord and Standard, alongside natural-snow favorites such as Nosedive and parts of the legendary Front Four. Across the way at Spruce Peak, the mellow groomed runs on Inspiration are providing a great early-season warm-up. This kind of opening day lineup is a massive win for the Ice Coast faithful, who are already rejoicing in the unexpected depth.

Stowe’s incredible start to the season is a reminder that the thrill of winter can appear in the most unexpected places and times. As the season progresses, and if these early trends continue, the Green Mountains could offer some of the best early-season snow conditions in North America. So, if you're holding an Epic Pass, or just looking to jumpstart your winter, Vermont is calling. Get your turns in, because the powder is already plentiful.