For many devoted skiers and snowboarders, winter is the ideal season to hit the slopes. Winter sports fans frequently travel to Vermont because of its stunning landscape and large number of ski resorts. Making a decision about where to go might be difficult because there are so many possibilities available. Because of this, we did our homework and created a list of Vermont’s top ski areas.
There is a resort on this list that is ideal for you, whether you’re a novice or a pro. We have resorts for all ages, including those with difficult terrain. So gather your supplies and get ready for an incredible winter adventure at one of these top Vermont ski resorts!
#1. Okemo Mountain Resort
The scope and caliber of the on- and off-slope facilities at Okemo Mountain Resort are renowned, as is its ongoing renovation. For snow quality and grooming, terrain parks, family programming, resort food, and customer service, it consistently receives top honors and ratings. The Evergreen Summit Express and Quantum Six chairlift have significantly improved the flow of skiers. Besides, the East’s longest superpipe and seven of the most creative terrain parks keep snowboarders coming back.
With hundreds of new HKD Impulse guns supplying high-quality snow at hot temperatures and significant production at freezing temperatures, Okemo is focusing on generating snow this winter. Okemo is a part of the Epic Pass network and offers luxurious lodging at a full-service inn and condo flats nearby the lifts. This season, there will be a cap on daily ticket sales to prevent crowding, so make your reservations now.
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#2. Killington
Killington is also one of the top ski resorts in Vermont that provide excellent options for skiers. The second-highest peak in Vermont is one of the seven separate mountain ranges that make up Killington, the largest ski resort in the eastern United States. This ski resort understands how to entice thrill-seekers with its steep vertical drop, which has earned it the nickname “Beast of the East.”
For more experienced powderhounds, the Big Dipper and the Canyon area have a ton of difficult routes. Even so, folks who are new to snow activities might still have a good time. The entire Snowshed Lodge area was built with inexperienced skiers and boarders in mind, and the resort’s ski school will quickly instill confidence in you while you’re out on the slopes.
#3. Stowe Mountain Resort
In southern Vermont, close to Stowe, lies a ski resort called Stowe Mountain Resort. Mount Mansfield has a steep drop and two mountains. 40 miles of skiable terrain and more than a hundred trails make up the Stowe Mountain Resort ski area. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Stowe Mountain Resort also provides ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, dog sledding, and snowmobiling.
Due to the numerous backcountry trails that wind through the mountains, it is also a top destination for cross-country skiing. Stowe Mountain Resort turns into a sanctuary for biking and hiking throughout the warmer months.
#4. Jay Peak
Of all the ski resorts in Vermont, Jay Peak is the furthest north and receives the most East Coast snowfall naturally. With 78 slopes and trails, 24 glades, 15 beginner, 30 intermediate, and 31 expert paths, it offers skiing from mid-November to mid-May. The mountain’s total lift capacity is more than 12,000 skiers per hour, and Vermont’s only aerial tramway can carry up to 60 people from the base to the 3,968-foot summit.
The Eastern Townships of Quebec and Montreal are home to many of the skiers at Jay, giving the entire resort a French-Canadian feel. All types of lodging are available at the full-service resort at the foot of the mountain, which also offers dining, a spa, ice skating, and sleigh rides. The Phineas Swann Inn & Spa is a stunning country inn with four-poster beds, priceless antiques, fireplaces, and Jacuzzi tubs for a more cozy setting.
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#5. Sugarbush Resort
Skiers and snowboarders who prefer to feel like they have the slopes to themselves will find what they’re looking for at Sugarbush. One of the biggest resorts on the East Coast, Sugarbush spans six summits and around 4,000 acres of skiable terrain. Three terrain parks are also included, which are great for honing tricks.
With 111 defined routes that are almost evenly divided between beginner, intermediate, and expert, this enormous Vermont ski resort accommodates skiers of all skill levels. In order to ensure that everyone can enjoy a day on the slopes. The resort also offers top-notch instruction and an adaptive ski program.
#6. Stratton Mountain
All seasons can be enjoyed at Stratton Mountain Ski Resort. Stratton Mountain, one of the first resorts to permit snowboarding, provides skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels with more than a hundred trails and a number of terrain parks. 160 acres of the resort’s 670 acres of skiable terrain are designated for glade skiing.
Restaurants, accommodations, and shops selling anything from clothing and trinkets to ski and snowboard gear and rentals are all located in the surrounding Stratton Village. The village hosts a lot of activities all year round, such as racing and live music concerts.
#7. Mount Snow
Due to its superior snowmaking capabilities and proximity to several of the Northeast’s major cities, Mount Snow is one of Vermont’s most well-liked ski facilities. It features 80 trails interconnected over 588 acres and 20 lifts, ranging from five surface lifts to three high-speed quads and the Bluebird Express. With ten terrain parks and a halfpipe, snowboarding is extensive, and the mountain has separate sections for skiers of all skill levels.
Two triple chairlifts serve The North Face, which has ten expert trails and one double-black trail. It is one of the sector’s most energy-efficient resorts because of an enhanced capacity and improved low-energy snow guns installed as part of a $30 million snowmaking operation.
The base area contains accommodations for every price range, and The Lodge at Mount Snow offers a shuttle service to the base lodge. Family accommodations at the Gray Ghost Inn on Route 100, close to the mountain’s base, come with a cooked breakfast.
#8. Smuggler’s Notch
This is without a doubt one of the best ski resorts in Vermont for skiers. Smugglers’ Notch, which was once overshadowed by Stowe Mountain, has recently emerged at the forefront. It has won praise for its top-notch snow and inviting atmosphere from professionals and skiers. Smugglers’ Notch has earned the moniker “America’s Family Resort” for its kids’ programs and family-friendly events, even though only around 20% of its runs are intended for beginners. With its challenging expert terrain and Black Hole, the only triple-black-diamond line on the East Coast, the resort also caters to skilled skiers and snowboarders.
#9. Bromley Mountain Resort
In Manchester, New Hampshire, there is a family-friendly ski resort called Bromley. It was established in 1937 and is renowned for offering adult and juvenile ski and snowboard education. In contrast to other ski resorts, Bromley’s slopes and trails face south, providing sunny slopes and trails all day long. There are approximately equally many trails graded for novice, intermediate, and expert skiers.
This year’s updated terrain park features cater to riders of all skill levels, from green to black, with the goal of building one of the greatest family-friendly progression parks in the state. For ski-in/ski-out housing, The Lodge at Bromley is located close to the base, and the Four Winds Country Motel near Manchester boasts spacious rooms and free breakfast.
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#10. Pico Mountain
Since its first skiers arrived on Pico Mountain in 1937, a 1,200-foot rope tow propelled by a Hudson Motor Car engine has gone a long way. For instance, the resort has upgraded its snowmaking capabilities by installing thousands of feet of piping. For more experienced skiers, the nearby Killington ski area can be replaced with this more modest ski area. Nearly 50% of Pico’s 57 paths are intended for intermediate hikers, and nearly 40% are excellent for experienced hikers. Additionally, Pico Mountain provides chances for snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleighing, and using snowmobiles to tour the Green Mountains.
#11. Bolton Valley
A premier ski resort with a reputation for being family-friendly is Bolton Valley. There are 71 routes and 165 skiable acres available for skiers of all abilities. Likewise, the lodge offers ski and snowboard lessons for beginners and small children.
Along with being one of the few westward-facing ski areas in the state, it is also one of the few resorts to provide night skiing and Nordic skiing. For freestyle skiing and snowboarding, the resort includes three terrain parks.
#12. Magic Mountain
Southern Vermont’s Magic Mountain is a skiers’ mountain with glades and natural snow trails that rival the best major resorts. The mountain was chosen by its Swiss founder because it has several valleys that converge at the lifts in various directions. It continues to excite seasoned skiers with some of the east’s most difficult steeps and tree-skiing. Skiers are transported to the top of the beginning slope by a conveyor belt lift, and classes at the Snowsports Learning Center are kept small.
In addition, the Black Double summit lift has been replaced with a fixed-grip quad to the summit, making Magic’s traditional terrain more accessible to beginners and intermediate skiers. For those who enjoy climbing independently, Magic has a special rule: for each ascent to the summit, they are given one free ride on the lift with a “Hike One, Ride One” token.
#13. Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen is geared toward more seasoned skiers because it contains some of the most difficult terrains in the area. Furthermore, powderhounds can travel more freely than at other resorts thanks to this resort’s relatively empty slopes (regulars particularly love the single-chair lifts). However, those who still require assistance getting started can benefit from the updated ski school facility at Mad River Glen and enjoy a break at the recently refurbished Basebox lodge area. Additionally, Mad River Glen charges substantially less than its rivals for access to the slopes.
#14. Burke Mountain
Burke Mountain is unquestionably one of the top ski resorts in Vermont and not a resort for novices. The 52 runs at this Vermont ski resort are rated intermediate and above, making up more than 90% of them. Burke Mountain is also a U.S. Ski Team official training facility, so you can encounter Olympic-level powder hunters there. However, Burke Mountain’s ski clinics and private coaching are likely to get you on the right track if you want to enhance your slope-side abilities. And regardless of the skier’s skill level, everyone will adore Burke Mountain’s breathtaking views of northeastern Vermont’s Willoughby Gap, Mount Pisgah, and Mount Hor.
What Is the Best Month to Ski in Vermont?
When it comes to the best skiing of the season, seasoned Vermont skiers and snowboarders have always advocated patience. Mother Nature frequently saves her best for March, regardless of how early winter is going (and this year, it’s been fantastic).
What Is Vermont’s Biggest Ski Resort?
Killington, the largest ski area in Vermont (and the entire eastern U.S.), boasts the highest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet. Killington takes pride in having the East Coast’s longest skiing and snowboarding season. This makes it the first resort in the area to open for the year.
What Is the Toughest Skiing in Vermont?
Mad River Glen boasts some of the most difficult terrains in the state and is made even harder by the fact that much of the steepest terrain lacks snowmaking or grooming. Mad River Glen’s catchphrase is “Ski It If You Can.” Due to the provision of jumps and other obstacles, the terrain is left as is.