Sustainable Ski Sanctuary

The reason Stowe Mountain Lodge, the first new luxury resort to open in Vermont in more than 50 years, took 15 years to build was because the owners wanted to be sure this ski-in/ski-out four-season destination was 100 percent green. In fact, Stowe Mountain Lodge is the only mountain resort in the U.S. with the Audubon International Sustainable Community Award. To earn such an honor, the lodge included such sustainable building principles as permanently protecting over 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat; purchasing furniture made from salvaged wood and granite mined from local quarries; utilizing low-flow shower heads and toilets and compact fluorescent lightbulbs in all guest rooms; making recycling bins available for guests use in rooms; as well as featuring eco-friendly cleaning products. To top it off, the Audubon-certified golf course was designed 37 different times to make sure it didn't intrude on the bear habitat, and one lateral ski lift had to be moved so it wouldn't interfere with a Peregrine Falcon's nest.

The alpine-luxe resort features huge soaring ceilings, stone fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plushy spacious accommodations. The sheets are made of bamboo as are the velvety robes and the soft-as-cashmere blankets used in the spa. The 21,000-square-foot spa features a couples room with a 3,000-pound hand-carved granite tub where couples can indulge in a side-by-side bamboo lemongrass body scrub followed by a deep tissue therapeutic massage and then a soak “a deux” in the tub. There are his and her “healing lodge” sanctuaries with herbal steam chambers, saunas, rain showers, and large Jacuzzis. After each treatment, guests can relax in the relaxation sanctuary, overlooking Mansfield Mountain. For those looking for better health, fitness, and well-being  on  a  long-term  basis,  Cooper  Wellness  at Stowe (endorsed by the famous Cooper Aerobics  Center in Dallas) offers “Wellness Weekend” trips for in-depth counseling in nutrition, physical fitness, and behavior modification with Cooper-trained experts. That's what we call a spa with an eco-conscience.  For more information call (888) 478-6938 or visit www.stowemountainlodge.com

—Margie Goldsmith

January/February 2009