One of my favorite Vermont activities to do with friends and family visiting Vermont is taking them to Stowe and onto the gondola to experience the epic views from the top of Mount Mansfield. In the spring and summer, you can experience the lushness of the vegetation. In the fall, especially at peak color, the foliage is unmatched and looks like a sea of red and orange skittles. You can dine at the top. There are hiking trails at the top. If you’re looking for exercise, you can hike up and ride the gondola down as your reward. Any way you get up the mountain, the expansive views are something to experience.

I’ve gotten this question a few times recently: Is the Stowe Gondola Skyride really worth it? 🚡

The gondola takes you from the base of Stowe up Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain, and offers hiking trails, a meal at Cliff House Restaurant, and epic views from the top. The investment? $40 for adults (13+) and $29 for children 5-12).

I am not a skier (yes, that’s possible when you live in VT) due a perennial bum knee, so the gondola is a welcome way for me to take in epic views that not much else in Vermont compares to. It’s also a special Vermont experience for me personally, as one of my first dates with my husband was at the top, sharing a bottle of Hill Farmstead, many years ago now! Since then, I’ve been up probably once a year. It’s always a worth the investment for me, especially with visitors to the state.

Interested in taking a ride? Here are some tips for the Stowe Gondola Skyride:

• Book online! The lines for tickets in the summer can be long. Tickets are dated but they’re not timed. I recommend going up early, packing some snacks or lunch, and staying for awhile at the top of Mount Mansfield.
• The ride lasts roughly 20 minutes both up and down, although it goes by very quickly!
• To get your money’s worth, plan a picnic for the top or to dine at the Cliff House Restaurant or The Waffle, for a snack or sweet treat.
• Scared of heights? I’ve been up with a number of people who are afraid of heights and have just done fine. The movements of the gondola are not very fast and they’re quite smooth – and also easy to get in and out of when loading and unloading from the cars..
• Get in a hike! There are a number of trails from the top.
• Want a free ride? Hike up and you’ll earn a well-deserved ride down!
• Ensure you check hours and when the gondola is running on their website.
• Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome on the Stowe gondola.
• If you have an EpicPass, you can ride the Stowe gondola for free any time of the year.
• Parking on site is free and ample. It can get packed in the height of foliage season, so get there early!
• One car on the gondola is handicap accessible.

Have you taken the Stowe Gondola Skyride to the top of Mount Mansfield? How was your experience? Was it worth it?

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