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Vermont is one of the six states of New England. It is sparsely populated and has virtually no industry, so it remains an unspoilt rural community. It is famed for its dairy cattle, which outnumber the population and provide ‘Ben & Jerry’s’ with milk for their ice cream. Most of the countryside is forest covered hills and mountains with crystal lakes, fast running rivers and streams in the valleys. The picturesque towns and villages spread throughout the state remain today as they were 100 years ago, with their lapboard houses, covered bridges and quaint byways. Montpelier is the Capitol.
Stowe lies to the north of the state and is the major holiday and recreation centre. Famed for Summer fun, Autumn foliage and Winter snow, it is the home of the Von Trappe family (of Sound of Music fame) who settled in Vermont after touring America as a singing group after the War. They found the countryside in Vermont very like Austria with its lakes, trees, mountains and pure fresh air. The Mount Mansfield Ski Resort has a distinguished ski history, and the USA’s first cross-country ski centre was established in Stowe by the Trapp family. The Trapp Family lodge is about 3 miles from the centre of the village.
Summer in Stowe is delightful, and “Fall in Vermont” is among the natural wonders of America, with the Fall foliage achieving almost unbelievable shades of colour. Mount Mansfield itself is the highest mountain in Vermont and provides first class ski slopes and snowboarding facilities for winter sports enthusiasts of all categories. Christmas is a magical time in Stowe. Summer visitors can travel by gondola, mountain toll road or foot to appreciate the 360 degree views from the Mountain summit.
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