Mount Mansfield

State: Vermont. Type: mountain, the highest point in Vermont at 4,393 feet. Straddles Chittenden and Lamoille counties in the northwest of the state; summit lies within the town of Underhill. Home to Stowe Mountain Resort's ski terrain, a 4.5-mile toll road to near the summit, and one of only three alpine tundra zones in Vermont (about 200 acres). The Mount Mansfield Natural Area was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.

Mount Mansfield is Vermont's highest peak, rising to 4,393 feet in the northwestern part of the state and straddling Chittenden and Lamoille counties. Its long ridgeline is famously said to resemble a human face in profile, with named features including "the chin" at the true summit, while the Abenaki traditionally describe the mountain's shape as resembling a moose. The mountain's summit ridge preserves roughly 200 acres of alpine tundra, one of only three such zones surviving in Vermont from the last Ice Age, a fact recognized when the Mount Mansfield Natural Area became a National Natural Landmark in 1980. The mountain is a major recreation hub: the Long Trail, Vermont's oldest long-distance hiking trail, crosses its ridge; Stowe Mountain Resort operates ski terrain on its slopes, including the expert "Front Four" trails; and a 4.5-mile toll road and a gondola offer non-hiking routes toward the summit area for visitors who want the views without the climb.

Mount Mansfield sits in the northwestern part of Vermont, straddling Chittenden and Lamoille counties, with its summit located within the town of Underhill. It rises above the town of Stowe, which sits on its eastern side and gives the mountain's ski terrain its name, Stowe Mountain Resort.

The summit zone of Mount Mansfield has a notably harsher, colder climate than the surrounding valleys, supporting the alpine tundra vegetation typically found much farther north; conditions can shift quickly and include high winds and low visibility even when the valley below is calm. Lower elevations around the mountain share Vermont's broader humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters that support the ski season and warmer, milder summers for hiking.

Winter draws skiers to Stowe Mountain Resort's terrain on the mountain's slopes. Summer and early fall are the main hiking season for the Long Trail and the mountain's alpine tundra ridge, when the gondola and toll road are typically also running for non-hikers. Fall foliage season adds scenic value to both driving and hiking routes on the mountain, while conditions on the exposed summit ridge can be harsh and unpredictable in any season, so weather should be checked closely regardless of when you go.

The mountain's current name derives from the now-dissolved town of Mansfield, though its exact naming origin (possibly honoring Lord Mansfield or early Connecticut settlers) isn't definitively settled. The Abenaki name for the mountain, Mozôdebiwajok, reflects the region's Indigenous history predating European settlement. The mountain's profile-like ridge, with a section popularly called "the chin" as its highest point, has long made it a distinctive regional landmark. Recognition of its ecological significance came in 1980, when the Mount Mansfield Natural Area was designated a National Natural Landmark for its rare alpine tundra zone, one of just three such surviving areas in Vermont from the last Ice Age. Long before that formal designation, the mountain had already become central to Vermont's outdoor-recreation identity through the development of the Long Trail and, later, Stowe Mountain Resort's ski operations.

Hikers can access the Long Trail and other routes to the summit ridge for views and a chance to walk through the alpine tundra zone, generally in summer and early fall. Skiers and riders use Stowe Mountain Resort's terrain on the mountain's slopes in winter, including the challenging "Front Four" expert trails. Visitors who prefer not to hike can drive the 4.5-mile toll road or ride the resort's gondola toward the summit area for views without a full climb.

The summit ridge itself, with its "chin" high point and alpine tundra zone, is the mountain's central attraction. The Long Trail, Vermont's oldest long-distance hiking route, crosses the ridge. Stowe Mountain Resort's gondola and base facilities sit on the mountain's eastern side. The 4.5-mile toll road offers an alternative route toward the summit for drivers.

Mount Mansfield is most commonly reached via the town of Stowe, Vermont, on its eastern side, or Underhill, where the summit technically lies. The nearest commercial airport is Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, a manageable drive from both Stowe and Underhill. A car is generally necessary to reach trailheads, the toll road entrance, or the Stowe Mountain Resort base area.

The toll road and gondola typically operate seasonally, generally in warmer months for the toll road and across the winter ski season plus parts of summer for the gondola, but specific current hours and season dates were not confirmed in this research; check Stowe Mountain Resort's official site directly. Hiking trails on the mountain are generally accessible whenever conditions allow, subject to seasonal closures for mud season or ice.

The toll road and gondola both charge admission fees, and Stowe Mountain Resort's ski terrain requires separate lift tickets or passes, but specific current prices were not confirmed in the sources reviewed for this entry; check stowe.com directly for current pricing. Hiking the Long Trail or other public trail routes to the summit does not carry a toll-road or gondola fee if done entirely on foot from a trailhead.

A hike to the summit and back can take the better part of a day depending on the chosen route and fitness level, while a toll-road or gondola visit focused on the views can be done in a couple of hours. Ski visitors typically plan a full day on the mountain's Stowe Mountain Resort terrain.

The town of Stowe, on the mountain's eastern side, has an extensive supply of hotels, inns and resort lodging tied to its long history as a ski destination. Underhill, on the western side near the actual summit, offers a smaller, quieter selection of lodging for visitors approaching from that direction.

Stowe has a well-developed dining scene reflecting its status as a major ski and four-season resort town, with options ranging from casual apres-ski spots to upscale restaurants. Underhill and the mountain's western approach offer a more limited, small-town selection of dining compared to Stowe's built-out resort infrastructure.

Stowe Mountain Resort's base village, with shops and restaurants, sits at the mountain's eastern foot. Smugglers' Notch, a scenic mountain pass, lies along the broader Mount Mansfield range. Underhill State Park, on the mountain's western slope, offers additional trail access and camping.

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is the nearest commercial airport serving the wider Mount Mansfield area, with onward travel by car to Stowe or Underhill. There is no direct rail or major transit connection to the mountain itself, making a car the practical way to reach trailheads or the resort base.

Weather on the exposed summit ridge can change rapidly and differ sharply from valley conditions, so hikers should check forecasts and carry appropriate layers even in summer. Because the summit hosts a rare alpine tundra zone, hikers are asked to stay on marked trails to avoid damaging this fragile, slow-growing vegetation. For any emergency, dial 911.

Layered clothing, a windproof/rain shell, sturdy hiking boots, and extra water are important given the exposed and changeable summit conditions. Skiers should bring standard winter ski gear appropriate to Stowe Mountain Resort's terrain, and drivers on the toll road should check current vehicle-size or weather restrictions before heading up.

Because the summit's alpine tundra is fragile and protected, staying on marked trails is both a safety and conservation practice. Checking current toll-road and gondola operating dates on Stowe Mountain Resort's site before a summer visit is worthwhile, since these are seasonal. Pairing a Mount Mansfield hike or drive with time in Stowe village, or a stop at Smugglers' Notch, is a common way to extend a visit to the area.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Stowe Mountain Resort's general visitor phone line, per its official site, is 802-253-3000.

Stowe Mountain Resort - https://www.stowe.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.