Over 150 years ago, affluent northeastern city dwellers would visit the Summit House atop Mt. Mansfield in Stowe to break away from their crowded hot environments and take pleasure in the splendor of Vermont’s Green Mountains. The Summit House is now a luxury Lodge at the base of the mountain and Stowe Mountain Resort presently offers a multitude of summer mountain experiences for everyone. From Stowe Mountain Lodge & Spa to mountaintop Gondola rides, dining, golf and much more, there’s literally something for all to enjoy during summer in Stowe.

Stowe Mountain Resort’s Summer Attractions Include:

Alpine Slide – Stowe’s alpine slide is an exhilarating 2,300 foot ride down Peak on luge-style tracks. You control the speed, depending on your own comfort level.

Bungee Trampolines – This attraction consists of a support structure with elevated steel arms, bungee cords, and a series of trampolines. The rider is strapped into a harness, which is suspended between 2 of the arms by bungee cords. The rider then jumps on the trampoline and with the aid of the bungee cords can jump extremely high, even flip forwards and backwards. The Stowe Bungee Tramp features 3 jumping stations.

Inflatable Obstacle Course – See how fast the kids can run through this pumped-up proving ground. For ages 12 and under.

Auto Toll Road – The Mt. Mansfield Auto Toll Road is over 150 years old. The 4.5-mile unpaved road begins next to the Inn at the Mountain and climbs to an elevation of 3,850 feet. The road ends at a parking lot next to the Mt. Mansfield Summit Station. Tolls start at $27 per car. Bikes and motorcycles are not allowed. The road’s upper terminus presents spectacular hiking options. To the north, the Cliff Trail, Long Trail, and Canyon Trail – all about 1.5 miles long and climbing about 550 feet – offer three routes to Mansfield’s “Chin.” Southerly trail options include the Lakeview Trail, Forehead Bypass, and Long Trail to the Forehead. All hikers should stop into the Green Mountain Club prior to hiking for an orientation. Hiking maps are distributed upon arrival.

Gondola Skyride – An equally spectacular mountain ascent is provided by the Gondola Skyride. The comfortable, eight-passenger gondolas depart from the Gondola Barn, which is served by its own access road and parking lot approximately ¼ mile north of the historic Mt. Mansfield Base Lodge. While the Auto Toll Road ends at the Nose, the gondola terminates at Stowe Mountain Resort’s newly renovated Cliff House restaurant, which is open daily for lunch.

Children’s Summer Mountain Adventure Camp – This fun and educational program is offered at the mountain and available for kids ages 3 to 12. Single day and flexible five-day passes allow parents to choose the dates. Camp hours are 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday-Saturday through September 1.

Championship Golf – Stowe boasts two of New England’s finest courses, both on and off the mountain. In the heart of it all you’ll find the Stowe Country Club. With its beautiful undulating fairways and manicured greens, the public country club occupies what was a turn of the century dairy farm. The 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, the long temperate summer days, and the feeling that everything is going your way makes each shot a memory to cherish. Stowe Mountain Golf Club is the course that has caught the attention of the golfing world. Stowe Mountain Club, recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the “Top ten new courses in the United States that you can play,” meanders along the slopes of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, reaching an elevation of more than 1,800 feet. The resort course is available to Stowe Mountain Club members, as well as guests of the extraordinary new Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Farmer’s Market Fridays – Beginning July 5th, these celebrated events take place Fridays from 11am to 3pm mountainside in the Spruce Peak Plaza; featuring local cheeses, produce, heirloom grains, crafts, prepared foods, live music and more. Never before in the resort’s 75-year history has this level of regional goods ever been offered at the mountain.

The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center provides year-round mountainside entertainment. This Summer/Fall 2013 debuts the PEAK EXPERIENCES series, including: Peak Family, Peak Pop, Peak Films, and an exciting new addition to the Art Center’s programming repertoire, a focus on home-grown talent in with Peak VT artists. Complete information about all performances, full artist descriptions, membership opportunities and ticket purchase information is available at www.sprucepeakarts.org or by calling 802-760-4634.

Town of Stowe Summer Events – The town of Stowe, Vermont is buzzing with events all summer long. A sampling of these specialty experiences include:
June – The 11th Annual Stowe Wine & Food Classic and 18th Annual Stowe Garden Festival
July – The 6th Annual Taste of Stowe Arts Festival and 37th Annual Mozart Festival
August – The 53rd Stowe Antique & Classic Car Meet and Music Festival of the Americas
October – The 13th Annual Oktoberfest and 28th Annual Stowe Foliage Arts Festival.
In addition, there are themed dinners at the Cliff House & Solstice restaurants, fireworks, interactive arts and live music every weekend at Spruce Peak Plaza.

For more information and rates visit http://summer.stowe.com/activities/summer_attractions/