Somewhere in New England, there’s a mountain resort with a certain log-cabin-in-the-woods feel to it. A fire is burning in the fireplace while friends in sweaters and boots gather around the plush seating, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate as someone tells an enjoyable story recounting the day’s activities on the slopes.
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not far from the experience you can enjoy at one of these top ski destinations in the Northeastern United States.
New York skiing
Whiteface Mountain – Source: Facebook
Whiteface Mountain
Discover the best vertical drop east of the Rockies on Whiteface Mountain. Located a short drive from Lake Placid, experience the former home of the 1980 Winter Olympics with terrains for beginners and especially experts.
- Top elevation: 4,865 feet
- Number of trails: 86, with 3 peaks
- Number of lifts: 11, with one gondola
- Bobsledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, luge
- Lake Placid Olympic Museum
- Nearby Lake Placid hotel
Catskill Mountains/Hunter Mountain
The first thing on most people’s minds when they hear New York is The Big Apple. But outside the concrete jungle sits some of the country’s finest ski resorts. A journey upstate will introduce you to the world of New York skiing, and there’s no better way to be introduced than on Hunter Mountain.
- Skiable Acres: 240
- Vertical Drop: 1600′
- Number of Lifts: 12
- Number of Trails: 58
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced: 30% terrain each
- Expert: 10%
- Area Albany hotels
Bristol Mountain
If you’re looking for something more in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, check out Bristol Mountain. Located less than an hour from the Rochester Airport, this resort has awe-inspiring summit views that compliment its inclines.
- Skiable acres: 138
- Vertical drop: 1200′
- 3 km of Nordic trails
- Number of lifts: 6 with unique traits
- State-of-the-art snowmaking machine
- Beginner to expert terrain
- Night-skiing from mid-Dec. to mid-March
- Nearby Finger Lakes hotel
Holiday Valley
Located in the “underrated town” of Ellicottville, Holiday Valley boasts one of the top ski areas along the East Coast. In 2016, Holiday Valley spent more than $4 million installing new snowmaking pipelines and night lighting.
- Top elevation: 2,250 feet
- Number of day trails: 60
- Number of night trails: 39
- Number of lifts: 13
- Nordic skiing
- Tubing
- Nearby Salamanca hotel or Olean hotel
Vermont skiing
Killington – Source: Facebook
Killington
New York may own the Northeast when it comes to a big-city experience, but when the conversation shifts to ski resorts, Vermont makes a case for the top spot—led by the largest resort on the East Coast, Killington.
- Top elevation: 4,241 feet
- Number of trails: 155
- Number of lifts: 21
- Snowboarding
- The Stash, all-natural terrain park
- NeffLand, outer-space theme park
- Nearby Killington hotel
Okemo Mountain Resort
Situated in Ludlow, Okemo Mountain Resort makes the case for top skiing spot in Vermont. Located two hours from the Burlington Airport, Okemo is a perfect spot for freestyle skiiers.
- Top elevation: 4,241 feet
- Number of trails: 121
- Number of lifts: 20
- Ice skating and snowtubing
- Dedicated cross-country ski trails
- Mountain roller coaster
- Nearby Springfield hotel or Brownsville resort.
New Hampshire
Loon Mountain – Source: Facebook
Loon Mountain
Largely considered the best skiing destination in all of New England, Loon Mountain certainly take the top spot for the state of New Hampshire. Finishing in the top 10 in the country in a Ski Magazine user poll, Loon Mountain is roughly two hours from Boston.
- Top elevation: 3,064 feet
- Number of trails: 61
- Number of lifts: 11
- 425-foot long superpipe featuring 18-foot wall
- Experience the winter zipline
- Indoor climbing wall
- Nearby Lincoln hotel
Maine
Sugarloaf Mountain – Source: Facebook/Maine Drone Imaging
Sugarloaf
Think of Maine and it’s lighthouses and succulent lobster dinners. But what makes skiing in Maine so special are the long ski trails and some of the more spread out and uninhabited resorts in New England. Leading the way as the largest resort in Maine is the 1,000-acre Sugarloaf.
- Top elevation: 4,237 feet
- Number of trails: 162
- Number of lifts: 12
- Open late into the season
- Anti-Gravity complex
- Nearby Waterville hotel
It’s easy to think of the glitz and glamour that accompany large Northeast cities like New York City and Boston. But when looking for a relaxing, invigorating mountainous getaway, these resorts, slopes and lodges in the New England area bring luxury and that certain “New England feel” to the snow. These award-winning resorts prove there’s more to New England than the city life.
