Home to Vermont's largest peak, Mount Mansfield, the Stowe Mountain Resort became the home to some of the first ski trails in the state when the Civilian Conservation Corps cut trails on Mount Mansfield in the early 1930s. Since then, the resort's 116 trails on Mansfield and Spruce Peak has helped Stowe become northern Vermont's premier ski destination.

Currently undergoing a multimillion dollar expansion project, which included the opening of a new Spruce Peak Base Lodge in 2008, the resort aims to create a resort experience rivaling that of resorts in the western United States.
Where do you see your business going in the next year?

Well, the East has been getting an assist from the airline business. Going out West is more expensive. Meanwhile, the price of gas has stabilized. It's easier and more affordable to drive. Part of our recent work here has been to expand what our facilities offer. For example, our plaza development at Spruce Peak, our lodge and our new performing arts center, definitely rival any Western experience.

We got a late start this season. It was the first time we were not open for Thanksgiving. But it's been stronger from the holiday season forward.

Summer is a different animal altogether. Only 2.5-percent of people ski or ride. In the summer, 100 percent of people can enjoy the outdoors and the mountains. They come for recreation, or they just come to relax. We're more consistently busy in the summer – we get people all week. In the winter, most of our business occurs on the weekends. However, we still do 60 percent of our annual business on those winter weekends.

What are the major trends and/or obstacles your industry is dealing with?

The social media phenomenon. It's changed the game dramatically. The immediacy of information has influenced people's decision-making. We're seeing more last-minute bookings. People will check weather and ski conditions, and make their weekend plans based on up-to-the-minute information.

To that end, we've been successfully using sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with our customers – posting promotions, news, deals, etc., and seeing immediate results. The cause and effect is palpable. It's the most exciting time to be in the marketing business.

As for obstacles, weather, of course. And the economy – people are coming, but spending less when they're here. But I'm an optimist because I'm in the business.

Do you foresee any hiring this year in your business and industry sector?

We're seasonal so we amp up and amp down as needed. We have 1,500 employees during the winter. That's cut by a third in the summer. As for new full-time hires, there probably won't be any significant job growth.

Have you seen an increase in local tourism?


I think so. Stowe has a lot of appeal for locals – the unique, local shopping, world class dining, all the resort's facilities. For example, over Presidents Day weekend, we offered a three-day lift ticket deal to Vermont schoolchildren and their parents. As a result, business was up 11 percent that week from the year before.

Do you find tourists coming to Vermont for different reasons now than before?
Over the last 10 years, Vermont has become more and more of a golf destination. Some of the new courses around the state are outstanding.
Home to Vermont's largest peak, Mount Mansfield, the Stowe Mountain Resort became the home to some of the first ski trails in the state when the Civilian Conservation Corps cut trails on Mount Mansfield in the early 1930s. Since then, the resort's 116 trails on Mansfield and Spruce Peak has helped Stowe become northern Vermont's premier ski destination.

Currently undergoing a multimillion dollar expansion project, which included the opening of a new Spruce Peak Base Lodge in 2008, the resort aims to create a resort experience rivaling that of resorts in the western United States.
Where do you see your business going in the next year?

Well, the East has been getting an assist from the airline business. Going out West is more expensive. Meanwhile, the price of gas has stabilized. It's easier and more affordable to drive. Part of our recent work here has been to expand what our facilities offer. For example, our plaza development at Spruce Peak, our lodge and our new performing arts center, definitely rival any Western experience.

We got a late start this season. It was the first time we were not open for Thanksgiving. But it's been stronger from the holiday season forward.

Summer is a different animal altogether. Only 2.5-percent of people ski or ride. In the summer, 100 percent of people can enjoy the outdoors and the mountains. They come for recreation, or they just come to relax. We're more consistently busy in the summer – we get people all week. In the winter, most of our business occurs on the weekends. However, we still do 60 percent of our annual business on those winter weekends.

What are the major trends and/or obstacles your industry is dealing with?

The social media phenomenon. It's changed the game dramatically. The immediacy of information has influenced people's decision-making. We're seeing more last-minute bookings. People will check weather and ski conditions, and make their weekend plans based on up-to-the-minute information.

To that end, we've been successfully using sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with our customers – posting promotions, news, deals, etc., and seeing immediate results. The cause and effect is palpable. It's the most exciting time to be in the marketing business.

As for obstacles, weather, of course. And the economy – people are coming, but spending less when they're here. But I'm an optimist because I'm in the business.

Do you foresee any hiring this year in your business and industry sector?

We're seasonal so we amp up and amp down as needed. We have 1,500 employees during the winter. That's cut by a third in the summer. As for new full-time hires, there probably won't be any significant job growth.

Have you seen an increase in local tourism?


I think so. Stowe has a lot of appeal for locals – the unique, local shopping, world class dining, all the resort's facilities. For example, over Presidents Day weekend, we offered a three-day lift ticket deal to Vermont schoolchildren and their parents. As a result, business was up 11 percent that week from the year before.

Do you find tourists coming to Vermont for different reasons now than before?
Over the last 10 years, Vermont has become more and more of a golf destination. Some of the new courses around the state are outstanding.