Stowe Opens Early Thanks To Incredibly Snowy Start To The Season

This winter just keeps getting better and better for Vermont skiers.

Early season storms have delivered all time conditions to most parts of the northeastern US, while the west stays dry. All the early season precipitation has led to several resorts being able to open earlier than planned and northeast skiers getting plenty of early season turns.

Vermont’s Stowe Mountain planned to open for the season on Saturday, November 22, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, due to a few fantastic early season storms, the ski area was able to open a day ahead of schedule, on Friday, November 21, 2025, with pass-holders camping out overnight to snag first chair.

Recent storms dumped more than three feet of snow on Stowe over the last few weeks with 16″ falling over the last week alone. The ski area’s 24″ base depth allowed them to open FourRunner Quad chair, Sunrise Six, Adventure Triple, and Meadows Carpet all for opening day. Between the four lifts, skiers will have access to 225 acres of terrain.

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While we’re happy for our friends out east, we also can’t help but be pretty darn jealous. As resort after resort seems to open in Vermont and the rest of the northeast, many resorts in the western US have had to delay their opening days.

Just this week, Park City, Solitude, Brian Head, Schweitzer, Telluride, and Mt. Bachelor have all delayed their opening days. Colorado resorts have had a bit more luck, with Steamboat opening later this weekend and places in Summit County like Breckenridge and Keystone being open for a few weeks now. However, just because these ski areas are spinning lifts doesn’t mean there’s a ton of snow to be skied.

Photos: Stowe Opening Day, November 21, 2025

According to the Powderchasers crew, these late starts in the west are more and more common with climate change, but they aren’t a death sentence for ski season. With weak La Niña years like this, the tables can definitely turn and be pretty fruitful for the PNW and Rockies. So, Vermonters, enjoy those turns for all of us out west and send some our way when your legs get tired!

Related: Mt. Rose Starts Tahoe Season, but Other Resorts Face Delays