Top 7 Best Ski Resorts in New England

New England has a number of the finest snowboarding locations within the Japanese United States, with resorts dotting most of the smaller states on this area. The snow won’t be pretty much as good as out west, however there are nonetheless loads of territories to discover. 

I’m a lifelong skier who loves every part concerning the sport. I’ve traveled all around the world to get on the snow, and I’ve spent loads of time in New England. I do know the highest resorts on this area and have skied at lots of them. 

This put up will spotlight all the finest ski resorts in New England. I’ll offer you some vital data, equivalent to how massive the resort is, what sort of facilities can be found, and lodging and eating choices. 

Let’s get began. 

1. Killington

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 5 (Common)Closing Day: Could 15 (Common) Greatest Recognized For: Massive measurement for East Coast resort, lengthy ski season

Killington is constantly one of many prime ski resorts in New England and is likely one of the largest ski areas within the area. It will get the nickname “The Beast of the East” for having essentially the most skiable terrain of any resort on the East Coast. 

Killington additionally will get loads of pure snow to permit for constant snowboarding all season lengthy. The resort additionally has a wonderful snowmaking plan that creates a supplemental base, permitting for an extended ski season than many different New England areas. 

Along with some strong terrain and good snow situations, Killington additionally has all kinds of eating and lodging choices to discover. This makes it a fantastic household vacation spot or a wonderful weekend getaway for skiers of all types. 

Killington is made up of a number of totally different mountains, so that you’ll must take a shuttle bus or drive to entry all the terrains. The resort has a great transportation system, however it might take a minute to get from place to position. 

2. Okemo Mountain

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 20 (Common)Closing Day: April 4 (Common) Greatest Recognized For: Household-friendly ambiance, newbie terrain entry

In case you are searching for a family-friendly New England ski resort, they don’t get a lot better than Okemo Mountain. This welcoming resort has loads of newbie terrain entry, making it lots of enjoyable for skiers of all means ranges. 

Okemo Mountain is situated in southern Vermont, and it will get about 200 inches of snow yearly – which is fairly strong for the East Coast. This resort is lots of enjoyable to ski and has various terrain to maintain you glad all season lengthy. 

The 20 lifts that run at Okemo gives you entry to every part from groomed runs to powder to the terrain park. There’s something for everybody right here, and that’s why it’s thought of so family-friendly. 

There may be additionally loads of lodging and eating choices right here, however you’ll need to make reservations properly forward of time to ensure you get a spot. They refill rapidly, and the resort is fairly small, contemplating how many individuals like to go to. 

3. Stowe

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 20 (Common)Closing Day: April 15 (Common)Greatest Recognized For: Loads of intermediate terrain, the birthplace of Alpine snowboarding in Vermont

Stowe is one other implausible ski resort in Vermont and a prime choice within the New England space. This resort has been round for 85 years and claims to be the birthplace of Alpine snowboarding in Vermont. This storied historical past makes for a skier’s dream. 

Stowe is made up of two mountains that offer you entry to all kinds of terrain. You possibly can ski groomers, steeps, the terrain park, or the timber, and the resort is well-known for providing a number of the finest intermediate terrains within the area. 

The lodging choices listed below are additionally strong, and you may simply discover a place to get cozy on the conventional New England village-like ambiance within the base and surrounding areas. There are additionally meals choices to maintain you well-fueled for a enjoyable day on the slopes.

Parking could be a problem at Stowe due to how many individuals come to ski right here. If you happen to go to on the weekend, you’ll need to arrive early to ensure you have a spot to park near the bottom. The carry strains may get fairly crowded. 

4. Sugarbush

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 25 (Common)Closing Day: Could 5 (Common)Greatest Recognized For: Epic views, steep terrain for superior skiers

Sugarbush is perhaps the prettiest ski resort in New England, with wonderful views which might be at all times gorgeous. It additionally has lots of strong superior terrain, together with a number of legendary steeps that skilled skiers are certain to understand.

The meals can also be terrific right here, and you’ll find some severely scrumptious grub after an extended day on the mountain. There are a number of glorious eating places on the mountain and plenty of extra to select from within the surrounding space. 

That is the prime snowboarding location for steep terrain in New England. Castlerock is a proper of passage run for a lot of East Coast skiers and properly price attempting when you’ve got the abilities to sort out it. There are many intermediate runs if you wish to heat up beforehand. 

For all the nice issues that Sugarbush has going for it, it’s considerably tough to get to. Although the drive right here is scenic, you’ll be within the automobile for a least a number of hours from the closest metropolis middle or airport. 

5. Loon Mountain

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 22 (Common)Closing Day: April 15 (Common)Greatest Recognized For: Straightforward to entry, good vertical drop for East Coast

Positioned in New Hampshire, Loon Mountain is one other the most effective ski resorts in New England. This resort is straightforward to entry, making it a great choice for skiers who don’t need to journey too removed from the main cities within the area. 

Loon Mountain additionally has an honest vertical drop for an East Coast ski space. A 2,100-foot drop offers you time to succeed in prime speeds and discover all of the resort has to supply. It additionally boasts terrain appropriate for all means ranges, so it’s a family-friendly choice as properly.

It’s not essentially the most in depth resort within the area, however you continue to get entry to over 300 acres of skiable terrain. And carry tickets and season passes are fairly reasonably priced in comparison with the bigger company resorts in New England. 

Whereas there’s entry to gear leases and eating right here, the resort doesn’t supply lodging. That makes it extra of a day-trip vacation spot than a week-long ski journey spot. However this does assist to maintain the crowds down. 

6. Bretton Woods

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 20 (Common)Closing Day: April 15 (Common)Greatest Recognized For: Largest resort in New Hampshire, fairly epic glade snowboarding

Bretton Woods is the most important ski resort in New Hampshire and one other nice snowboarding vacation spot to discover in New England. The views and terrain listed below are gorgeous, and it has a wide range of terrain appropriate for many skiers. 

The resort boasts 464 skiable acres (massive for the East) and has 35 glade runs. The glades can help you bounce by means of the timber on contemporary snow and actually get a great style of what New England snowboarding is all about. 

December and January are most likely the very best months to ski right here, and that is whenever you’ll have the very best likelihood for contemporary snow. The resort provides in depth snowmaking to maintain good protection on the bottom even when skies are blue. 

There are lots of groomed runs at Bretton Woods, making it a great place for newbie and intermediate skiers to enhance their expertise. However this can also make the runs really feel actually crowded, particularly on the weekends. 

7. Mount Snow

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 20 (Common)Closing Day: April 16 (Common)Greatest Recognized For: Easy accessibility to close by cities, nice terrain park

Mount Snow is likely one of the most accessible ski resorts in Vermont, and it’s a straightforward drive from most of the main cities in New England. This resort additionally has a fantastic terrain park, so it’s a favourite spot for freestyle skiers who dwell for high-flying maneuvers. 

Twenty lifts offer you entry to over 600 acres of skiable terrain right here. There are many groomers for freshmen, steeper runs for intermediates, and tougher blacks for skiers who know what they’re doing. 

The bottom space hosts many occasions in the course of the ski season and stays open for the summer season months. You possibly can take pleasure in something from dwell music to membership occasions right here whereas additionally discovering nice meals when you want to refuel. 

Mount Snow solely averages 156 inches of snow a 12 months, which isn’t that a lot. Powder days are few and much between right here, so don’t get your hopes up. However energetic snowmaking retains the runs open all season lengthy, no matter how a lot actual snow is falling. 

Extra Ideas for Snowboarding in New England

If in case you have by no means skied in New England earlier than, you want to be ready for icy and hardpack situations. Whereas contemporary snow is feasible, you’ll be snowboarding in less-than-ideal situations more often than not. 

Having sharp edges and correctly becoming boots are vital for sustaining management on icy slopes. Make sure you get your skis tuned up and prepared for motion earlier than you head out on a New England ski trip.

You’ll most likely need to sharpen your edges after a day or two of snowboarding, so buying a pocket stone is extremely beneficial.  

Try the video under for some tips about sharpening your edges. 

One other factor to recollect is that New England ski resorts can get fairly crowded. That is very true on weekends and holidays in the course of the ski season. If you wish to safe lodging or eating, ensure to make reservations properly forward of time. 

Snowboarding protected is at all times vital, however icy situations and crowds make for considerably sketchy ski situations. All the time keep alert and ski in management to restrict the possibility of accidents that would break your ski day or season. 

Closing Phrases

If you wish to ski in New England, all the resorts on this listing are properly price trying out. East Coast snowboarding can typically be hit and miss, however all the resorts described above provide the finest alternative for good snow and high quality terrain. 

One factor many individuals like about snowboarding in New England is the proximity of the resorts to main metropolis facilities like Boston and New York. You’ll find nice snowboarding and nonetheless benefit from every part these nice cities supply when snowboarding on this area.