Sugarbush vs Stowe: which should you pick?
Sugarbush has two mountains in the Mad River Valley and fewer crowds. Stowe has the famous village and Vermont's highest peak. As of November 8, 2026, Sugarbush has 9.9" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Stowe has 10.3".
Pick Sugarbush if…
- You want quieter slopes
- You like a valley of small inns and farms
- You want two mountains to explore
Pick Stowe if…
- You want a classic New England village
- You want Mt. Mansfield's terrain
- You want more lodging and dining choices
Sugarbush vs Stowe by the numbers
| Stat | Sugarbush | Stowe |
|---|---|---|
| Snow next 7 days | 9.9" | 10.3" |
| Snow next 14 days | 18.2" | 16.8" |
| Average annual snowfall* | 250" | 224" |
| Snowiest months | Feb, Jan, Mar | Jan, Feb, Mar |
| Pass (2026-27) | Ikon Pass | Epic Pass |
| Summit elevation | 4,083 ft | 3,719 ft |
| Base elevation | 1,483 ft | 1,559 ft |
| Vertical drop | 2,600 ft | 2,160 ft |
| Nearest airport | Burlington International (BTV) | Burlington International (BTV) |
| Opening day | Scheduled Nov 21 | Scheduled Nov 21 |
| Location | Vermont | Vermont |
Forecasts are mid-mountain from Open-Meteo, updated every 6 hours. Snowiest months come from 10 seasons of modeled weather data. *Average annual snowfall is resort-reported (sources: Sugarbush, Wikipedia, Stowe, Wikipedia).
Plan a Sugarbush trip
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Sugarbush vs Stowe FAQ
Which is better, Sugarbush or Stowe?
Sugarbush has two mountains in the Mad River Valley and fewer crowds. Stowe has the famous village and Vermont's highest peak.
Which gets more snow, Sugarbush or Stowe?
On average, Sugarbush reports more snow: about 250 inches a year, compared with about 224 inches at Stowe (resort-reported averages). As of November 8, 2026, Sugarbush has 9.9" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Stowe has 10.3".
Which is higher, Sugarbush or Stowe?
Sugarbush has the higher summit at 4,083 ft. Sugarbush tops out at 4,083 ft and Stowe at 3,719 ft.
Which has more vertical, Sugarbush or Stowe?
Sugarbush has more vertical: 2,600 ft from base to summit, versus 2,160 ft at Stowe.
Are Sugarbush and Stowe on the Epic or Ikon Pass?
Sugarbush: Ikon Pass. Stowe: Epic Pass. Pass coverage is for the 2026-27 season; see Ikon vs Epic for blackout dates.
What airports serve Sugarbush and Stowe?
Sugarbush: Burlington International (BTV). Stowe: Burlington International (BTV).