STOWE, Vt. -- There's more to this town than moguls and mountains. There's the lovely, white-steepled church; there are boutiques; there is outstanding skiing at the base of Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield; and Friday until Sunday, there is the 33d Stowe Winter Carnival .
Stowe's had the time to get it right and has expanded the carnival's menu since its debut in 1921, when ski jumping and tobogganing on a local hill were the big features. The event went dark for a few years, but was resurrected in 1974 and has been rocking ever since. "The Stowe Must Go On" is this year's theme.
Skiers, snowboarders, and just plain snow lovers head to Main Street and Mountain Road on Friday for the ice carving demonstrations. At noon , speed demons get an adrenaline rush at the Stowe Super-G Schuss, while happy hour at the Rusty Nail's ice bar offers its own rush.
Saturday's action-packed agenda features everything from outdoor fun to slices of traditional indoor New England life. Spike into the white stuff during snow volleyball games, or look for detail in the nationally sanctioned ice carving competition at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort, then sit down for dinner with some Vermonters at the chicken pie supper in the Stowe Community Church.
Kids can have their own carnival at a sock hop before Main Street is blocked off for the festive Village Night Celebration featuring a character-loaded parade and fireworks. Sunday is wide open for the slopes and trails before the Vermont Ski Museum hosts "Off the Grid," a high-flying Warren Miller film, to cap off the weekend.
Stowe Winter Carnival, Jan. 19-21. 800-247-8693 . stowewintercarnival.com . Many events are free; some have fees, including the movie ($10 per person) and the church supper ($12 adults, $6 children). Directions: Stowe is about 200 miles or 3 1/2 hours from Boston. Take Interstate 93 north into New Hampshire to I-89 north. Take I-89 to Vermont exit 10 (Stowe/Waterbury). Turn right onto Route 100 north. Follow for 11 miles to Stowe Village. MARTY BASCH
