I'm going to Stowe for the first time over New Year's and skiing on at least the 29th, 30th, and 31st. What kind of crowds should I expect, and where should I go/what should I do to avoid them?
Big Holidays + kids being off from school+ ski areas = shit show.
Hopefully they have a good amount of terrain open to spread people out. Find a lift and or trail that isn't loaded with people or totally fucked and lap it till it's beat. I've only been to stowes post season rail jams though.
get there early, like 30 minutes before the lifts start spinning.
park at the Mansfield Lodge, front row (if you're early).
get first chair on the quad and lap Liftline & Nose Dive until 9/9:30ish.
lap the triple and north slope/gulch parks until lunch
quit at 1:30 and grab a beer at the Mansfield Lodge and enjoy some live music
that's generally how I avoid the crowds at Stowe. haven't been over to Spruce Peak in years, not since they had some massive jumps over there. I only lap the gondola if it's frigid cold or the conditions are really good over there.