Should you overdo it at any of the above, hit The Dutch Pancake (990 Mountain Road) in the morning before stepping into your skis. They offer plenty of sweet or savory crepe-style, foot-wide pancakes customizable to your liking.
If you are the type to take a day off from skiing to explore the area, Brodsky has plenty of suggestions in Waterbury, about 15 minutes down state route 100. “Here you’ll find the Ben and Jerry’s factory (1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road). After you have had your fill of ice cream, its time for a tall, cold glass of ‘Shut the Hell Up,’ the Alchemist Pub and Brewery’s (23 S. Main St.) American mild ale brewed with Horizon hops. Alchemist’s owners, John and Jen Kimmich, really know how to treat their clientele right, with local artists splattered across the walls and some of the most delectable brews I have ever tried. An absolute must if you’re in vicinity.”
Additionally, located in the town of Warren a wee bit south of Waterbury is Lawson’s Finest Liquids, which is not open to the public. Most area stores carry Sean Lawson’s beers, seven of which are brewed with local maple syrup including Maple Tripple and Maple Nipple. Due to the small supply, if you can cart a few bottles home, they are a trader’s dream.
For dinner, Brodsky raves about Hen of the Woods (92 Stowe St.). “Reservations are a must, due to its popularity. The ambiance, food and service are top notch, creating an overall solid dinning experience.” The locavore menu boasts locally raised game and farmstead cheeses.
The main thing to keep track of during a day in Waterbury is that the ice cream tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter, which works well considering the Alchemist opens at 4 p.m., but you’ll kick yourself if you don’t make it to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, just outside of town back toward Stowe, before it closes at 6 p.m. Not only do they press their own apple cider, which you can watch, but they bake up apple cider doughnuts!
Après Ski
For those who survive the “Front Four,” Stowe’s quartet of double-diamond runs, a reward at the Matterhorn Bar and Grill (4969 Mountain Road) is in order. There are a slew of spiked coffee drinks and cocktails, and the draft selection features plenty of Vermont beers including Wolaver’s, Switchback and more from small but close-by breweries such as Rock Art Brewing in Morrisville (Ridge Runner American Barley Wine is Brodsky’s favorite).
