Location: Stowe, Vermont
May 1, 2007
"I bristle a bit when people call Stowe a resort, because it’s
as real as a place can get, from its regular town meetings to the sense of
public service that everyone here feels," says Biddle Duke, publisher of
The Stowe Reporter. "The market here is hot because it’s driven by people who are
searching out something truly genuine."
Soon there will be more space for those who are interested in
Stowe. Enter Spruce Peak, a $300 million build out underway at Stowe Mountain
Resort that will add everything from snowmaking to trails to a base facility
replete with condos, homes and an alpine-flavored village that promises to
reenergize Mt. Mansfield, Stowe’s evergreen people-magnet since the 1800s.
"Being close to the mountain is very appealing for some buyers,
especially those who are really just trying to get away from it all," says Anne,
who adds that Spruce Peak’s most exclusive digs will fetch between $3 million
and $6 million.
And it’s not just snow that reels folks in—though, thanks to
its northerly latitude, Stowe can usually count on more of the white stuff than
its downstate rivals. Stowe’s reputation as a warm-weather getaway is enhanced
by a half-dozen golf courses, neighboring Lake Champlain and a growing number of
health spas. "And please don’t forget our fall foliage," adds Anne. Indeed, as
spectacles go, fall in Vermont ranks up there with the Seven Wonders, and it’s
free.
Despite evidence that suggests Stowe is bound to become a major
destination, particularly for the Northeast corridor set, one simple fact may
well ensure that it never gets overrun. Unless you’re flying in by jet to an
area municipal airport, it still takes hours to reach Stowe by car from New
York, Boston and Montreal.
"Simply put, we’re still far enough away from anyplace that we can’t really
be considered a quick weekend getaway type place," says Duke. "As a result,
we’re bound to retain the culture and character that has made us who we are."
Facts & Stats
Stowe Away
Stowe is not the easiest place to get to, which is precisely what
keeps the Vermont hideaway so special. The nearest international airport is in
Burlington, about a 45-minute drive. If you’re loading up the SUV and plan to
head in with the family from some of the East Coast’s bigger boroughs, keep in
mind that—in normal driving conditions—it is a good six hours from New York, and
nearly four from Boston. While a weekend in Stowe might be just what the doctor
ordered for your big-city blues, you might want to consider a stay of a week in
light of what it takes to get to town. Information: Stowe Area Association,
802.253.7321, www.gostowe.com.
Pull Up A Chair
If northern Vermont’s time-honored traditions and simple ways get
under your skin, a variety of area agents are prepared to handle searches for
everything from cozy cabins to ridge-top retreats. One area guru is Pall Spera
of Lang McLaughry Spera real estate company (802.253.1806,
www.pallspera.com), while others in the know include Vermont Country
Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty (802.253.7267,
www.vermontcountryproperties.com) and Carlson Real Estate (802.253.7358,
www.stowevermontrealestate.com). Spruce Peak (888.403.7739,
www.livestowe.com) also has many ownership opportunities.
Climb Every Mountain
The voices of the von Trapp family singers, made famous in The Sound of Music,
can almost be heard in the expansive halls of the Trapp Family Lodge that
quickly grew from homestead to guest quarters. Today, the stunning 2,400-acre
compound offers visitors breathtaking mountain views from 96 rooms in the lodge
as well as 100 cottages that are available on a timeshare basis. Year-round
activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, tennis,
croquet and even maple sugaring. And for a real taste of old Austria, try the
delicacies served daily in the tea room (802.253.8511, www.trappfamily.com).
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