Stowe has a number of basic motels to serve travelers who don't require elaborate amenities. The Sun and Ski Inn & Suites, 1613 Mountain Rd. (tel. 800/448-5223 or 802/253-7159; www.stowesunandski.com), is one; it has about two dozen utilitarian units, all with air-conditioning, phones, TVs, and small fridges. The heated pool is perfect for thawing out after a cold day of skiing. Rates for a double are $86 to $169, for a suite $135 to $227; the property also manages a few condos and houses off-site at rates ranging from $165 up to $550 per night.
For getting really close to nature, Smugglers' Notch State Park (tel. 802/253-4014 or 888/409-7579) maintains a 35-site campground from late May through Columbus Day. Its sites cost about $16 to $25 per night.
Underhill State Park tel. 802/899-3022 or 888/409-7579), halfway up Mt. Mansfield, offers 17 campsites reached via a steep gravel road. This campground is only for diehards: You must walk in with your tent a short distance to most of the sites from the parking area, and the access road is not for RVs. Most sites cost $14 to $21 per night; the park is open from late May through mid October.
