By Kellie Speed Nov. 24th, 2010

Luxury Resorts: New Englanders love to plan their winter getaways even before the first snowflake falls but what many people might not realize is the northern destinations offer year-round fun for the entire family. The luxurious Stowe Mountain Lodge is just the place to indulge in that much-needed New England getaway.

Opened in 2008, this 312-room luxury lodge offers some of the most amazing views of the area. The rustic elegance of its first class surroundings and beautiful interior truly set this resort apart from the rest of the ski lodges in the area. When you first pull up to the property, you will immediately be greeted by a friendly valet attendant, who is only too happy to assist with your luggage and parking. Inside the pet friendly property, the massive lobby is a breathtaking view of woven timber, expansive glass and vertical logs. Take a moment to step into the main open lobby area complete with wood burning fireplace and leather couches where you can check out incredible mountain views — to the northwest, Mt. Mansfield and Smugglers Notch and to the northeast, Spruce Peak.

Our room was more like an enormous condo suite furnished with a gas fireplace in the living room complete with pullout sofa, wrap around balcony, dining table and luxuriously appointed fully stocked kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The folks behind the design here have taken into consideration every detail when designing the rooms. From flat screen televisions and wireless high speed Internet access to bath products from Boston-based celebrity hairdresser Mario Russo, who has created his first Salon Mario Russo outside of the city.

We headed across the street for lunch at the Cliff House, tucked all the way at the top of the mountain, accessible only by gondola ride, which was a fantastically fun experience. For dinner, we ate at the lodge's on-site restaurant, Solstice, which offered a farm to table artisan dinner. Do not miss the cheese platter, an enormous tray of creamy and flavorful local Vermont cheeses. After dinner, head over for drinks at Hourglass bar located just outside Solstice.

We loved watching the families enjoy the heated indoor/outdoor pool, which is extremely popular in the winter. Imagine sitting in a warm pool while snowflakes fall and skiers swoosh down the mountain backdrop. The property also offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and even ice climbing. The concierge can also assist with a dog sled tour or sleigh ride during the winter months. In the warmer weather, the lodge can help arranging for an array of activities, including fly fishing, golf, maple sugaring tours, private hikes or a farm visit. (We enjoyed the first annual Oktoberfest at the nearby Trapp Family Lodge).

After you have exhausted every activity, it's time for some real R&R. A visit to The Spa and Wellness Center at Stowe Mountain Lodge is a must where I indulged in a 50-minute customized massage, personalized to my individual needs. The center also offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba, kickboxing and indoor cycling. If you decide to book a getaway here, you will certainly be glad you did. Stowe Mountain Lodge is located at 7412 Mountain Road in Stowe, VT 05672. For more information, call (802) 253-3560 or visit www.stowemountainlodge.com.