While some people head towards a warmer climate during the winter months, others enjoy a ski getaway instead! I, too appreciate a snowy escape from the city to partake in outdoor activities. In the western part of the United States, skiers revel in the vast region of the Colorado Rockies. However, in the northeast, the state of Vermont is a welcome and quite popular region for avid skiers and outdoor sports lovers! Vacationers from all over the United States visit Vermont each winter to experience its mountainous ski terrain. In my past experience, ski resorts and ski areas in general have been very difficult for vegans and have posed quite a dilemma when it comes to mealtime. Just a mere few years ago, I recall that the only things a vegan could find to eat at ski resort cafes were apples and potato chips. Even the salads were pre-made and contained cheese. Fortunately, it has been becoming easier in the past couple of years. I have found delicious, filling vegan chili at ski areas all over New England. Recently, I attended a travel expo where the Stowe, Vermont ski area was represented at a booth. I spoke to the ski resort employee at the travel show. She gave me the Stowe Dining Guide which actually has a column for vegan options. Restaurants are listed on the left hand side and any one of them offering vegan options will put a checkmark under the vegan column. As it turned out, many of the represented restaurants do indeed have a checkmark in the vegan column!! This was the very first time that I had ever seen vegan dining mentioned in a ski area dining guide! I was ecstatic!!!!! Most of the vegan meals were offered at restaurants on or near the Mountain Road area which is just about an 8 minute drive from the mountain base. I knew that I just had to visit Stowe, Vermont this winter!

I, myself am a cross country skier and snowshoeing enthusiast! That is why I took the trek this weekend to Stowe, Vermont. Stowe is considered to be the largest and best ski area in the northeast. It is a mere 3 and 1/2 hour drive from where I live. Stowe Mountain offers skiing and lessons for every level. The region is filled with ski shops, charming restaurants, craft shops, Vermont maple syrup products, and the typical New England quaint homes and farmhouses.

When I arrived in the area, my first stop was the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream manufacturer’s headquarters(www.benjerry.com). While they do not produce any vegan ice cream, they do serve a lovely vegan sorbet. I ordered a tasty pomegranate sorbet. Their gift shop sells many sundries and treats. I purchased dark chocolate pieces.

As I headed to Stowe Mountain, I decided to make an additional stop for my outdoor activities. You see, there in the same town lies the Von Trapp Family Lodge, immortalized in The Sound Of Music film. Visitors can tour the grounds and resort for a Von Trapp family history. I purchased some of their Vermont maple syrup which was produced at their onsite sugaring house. My stay there was so that I could partake in snowshoeing across the wooded landscape. It was an exhilarating workout in gorgeous surroundings with mountainous views and forest trails with snow-covered tress along the way. In the Von Trapp lodge lounge(www.trappfamily.com), they offer vegan versions of their vegetarian entrees for dinner, upon request. At lunch time, exquisite salads are offered. The menu offers a vegan cake also. Since I yearned for a late morning snack, I opted for the vegan cranberry spice cake with walnuts. The decadent, incredibly delicious cake was topped with an amazing cranberry topping.

After my vegan dessert, I knew it was time for me to head over to Stowe Mountain. I first needed nourishment as it was lunchtime. As I looked at my trusted dining guide, I had to decide among Thai food, Mexican, vegan veggie burgers, pizza, and much more. My selection had to be fairly quick so I could get to my xc ski destination. The vegan pizza at Piecasso (www.piecasso.com)seemed to be the best choice. I am so glad I ate there! I chose to have a vegan pizza with wheat dough, artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper, zucchini, and marinated Vermont Soy Tofu. It was extremely good!

I then arrived at the Stowe Mountain Cross Country Ski Area, just a couple of miles from the mountain’s base, ready for more outdoor exercise and fun! The trails were lengthy and of various expertise levels. Novices could even ski in the flat fields right outside the center. I truly enjoyed the fluffy, fresh powder snow which Vermont never seems to be lacking in February! My cross country skiing experience was fantastic!!

After much invigorating xc ski exercise in the snow, it was time for my evening meal. First stop, however, was the quaint downtown area to take a look at the New England product shops. For dinner, I decided to dine at The Stowe Inn(www.stoweinn.com). This very elegant, enormous inn boasts of decoratively ornate sitting rooms and fine dining. They are the only restaurant in the Stowe Dining Guide that actually use the phrase “vegan options” on their advertisement page! The menu included two vegan options, a red bell pepper stuffed with pumpkin and black beans or a vegetable strata. I chose the vegetable strata which was a wonderfully constructed dish of eggplant, zucchini, squash, and polenta layers smothered in mushroom and tomato jus. It was superb! It arrived with an order of freshly baked bread which the waiter assured me was vegan.

While ski areas have long been quite a challenge for vegans, the scene is greatly improving!! Vegans can now delight in the more frequent meal offerings at various ski resort towns.

I suggest that vegans get themselves to Stowe, Vermont for some of the country’s finest skiing and delicious vegan dining!! You should definitely experience this vegan, winter wonderland holiday!!