There is no denying it — on the subject of snowboarding within the U.S., there’s nothing like snowboarding out west. However, for these nearer to the East Coast, it is oftentimes considerably simpler to leap within the automotive and drive to your favourite ski resort, which may be positioned in an enthralling New England ski city with some top-tier lodging and eating choices.
When it comes to the precise time spent on the mountain, sure, circumstances may be variable, and there is a first rate probability you will hit some ice, however we predict that additionally brings among the pleasure (and ability). The magic that you simply get on a bluebird day is indescribable and retains us East Coasters itching for extra. And, fact be advised, when you can ski the East, you’ll be able to ski anyplace.
When you will not discover the identical megaresorts that you simply discover out west, you will see attraction and that storybook, ski-town really feel. Snowboarding the East may also be extra favorable on your pockets. With cheaper carry tickets (which you will usually see at independently owned resorts) and ski college pricing, you’ll be able to expertise the mountain really feel for much less. For those who’re a season move holder with Epic, Ikon or Indy, there is a plethora of resorts on the East Coast with much less restrictive — and cheaper — move choices.
What’s extra, there have been many enhancements for the 2023-2024 winter season. For starters, Sunday River Resort in Maine might be debuting a brand new high-speed chairlift, which is ready to be one of many quickest and most superior six-person chairlifts in North America. Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire has additionally expanded its South Peak terrain with greater than 30 extra acres of skiable trails. Probably the most awaited enhancements is at Attitash Mountain Resort, one other resort in New Hampshire, the place the Summit Triple might be changed by a brand new four-person, high-speed carry.
So, with many resorts already open, the place are the most effective ski resorts on the East Coast?
Finest snow: Jay Peak Resort
Jay, Vermont
As essentially the most northern resort in Vermont, Jay Peak is without doubt one of the greatest on the subject of pure snowfall, averaging 347 inches per 12 months. As a body of reference, that is much like (or much more than) what you will see at among the mountains out west, the place Beaver Creek averages 323 inches and Park Metropolis 355 inches per 12 months. With this a lot snow yearly, you will discover wonderful terrain and a plethora of tree glades. Jay Peak additionally affords a 45-person aerial tram to the summit — the one tram within the state. Be warned, although: Jay Peak is certainly one of many colder mountains you will discover on the East Coast, so costume accordingly.
Needless to say Jay Peak is understood for much more than epic snowboarding and snowboarding trails. After a day on the mountain, there’s the Jay Peak Pump Home, that includes an indoor water park with a lazy river and FlowRider. There’s additionally an indoor climbing fitness center, arcade, movie show and ice skating area. With a spa for the dad and mom and little one care beginning at 6 weeks outdated, there’s lots to maintain your entire household occupied — each on and off the mountain.
Jay Peak can be one of many 20-plus ski resorts on the Indy Go (though there’s presently a waitlist). With this move possibility, you will obtain two days of snowboarding at every collaborating resort. If you end up snowboarding at many collaborating impartial resorts this winter — and even subsequent winter — this is without doubt one of the least costly methods to ski.
Nevertheless, its location, simply south of the Canadian border, makes Jay Peak one of many tougher mountains to go to. For these already positioned within the Northeast, it is near a four-hour drive from Boston and 7 hours from New York Metropolis. For those who’d choose to fly, Burlington Worldwide Airport (BTV) is your greatest guess at simply barely over an hour away.
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With no big-brand resort choices in Jay, utilizing factors is a problem. Nevertheless, there are various ski-in, ski-out condos, which you’ll guide via Vacasa and doubtlessly use your Wyndham factors this fashion. There are additionally three resort choices, with many packages accessible, resembling carry ticket combos and entry to the water park.
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Finest for luxurious: Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe, Vermont
The creme de la creme is definitely the aforementioned lodging, The Lodge at Spruce Peak. This Hyatt-affiliated resort has luxurious written throughout it. From its ski valet and luxurious spa to its outside swimming pools and scorching tubs, you will really really feel like you might be on a splurge-worthy trip. The resort even affords the whole lot out of your typical studio resort room to four-bedroom penthouse suites. With current expansions, you’ll be able to even guide your individual separate residence or townhome. It is also the one resort possibility proper on the base of the mountain.
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However luxurious would not go straightforward on the pockets. Ticket costs at Stowe are among the most costly you will discover on the East Coast — luckily, your Epic Go may also help deliver down the associated fee. And with the Epic Go, you will additionally get 20% off group ski classes — which is one other strategy to make the price of ski college extra palatable.
Lodge rooms are additionally accessible at a jaw-dropping worth. However once more, you’ll be able to deliver the associated fee down considerably by utilizing your World of Hyatt factors. All through many of the winter, the property expenses peak pricing, which implies you are 45,000 factors per night time.
However when you aren’t seeking to spend the cash — or factors — to remain on the mountain, there are many resort choices — at many ranging worth factors — in and round Stowe (try the historic Trapp Household Lodge, Topntoch Resort or Talta Lodge, that are just a few of our different favorites). And when you do not thoughts a 30-minute drive, you’ll be able to even keep on the Fairfield Inn & Suites Waterbury Stowe together with your Marriott Bonvoy factors — and even your free night time certificates that include choose Marriott bank cards.
The city of Stowe can be completely cute and value a go to. With loads of retailers, eating places and actions, you will by no means be bored. For those who’re on the lookout for a ski resort in northern Vermont, Stowe is barely nearer than each Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Jay Peak Resort whereas additionally providing extra to do away from the mountain.
Finest for households: Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Jeffersonville, Vermont
Often known as America’s Household Resort, Smugglers’ Notch affords the most effective household environment you could possibly ask for. Along with the 1,000-plus acres for snowboarding and using, the resort affords extra actions than you’ll be able to even think about for your entire household. Along with your conventional snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country snowboarding, ice skating and even swimming, there’s additionally the FunZone 2.0 advanced. Right here, you’ve entry to impediment programs, laser tag, minigolf, arcade video games and inflatable slides. The resort additionally organizes many actions — day and night time — catered towards your entire household. This consists of bingo, winter carnivals, scavenger hunts, bonfires, board sport nights, magic reveals and rather more.
Smuggs will even permit these as younger as 3 years outdated to benefit from the magic of a full-day ski college program, whereas many different mountains begin at 4 years outdated — or require a non-public lesson. The resort additionally options terrain for everybody, with three distinct mountains, permitting all skiers to benefit from the slopes at their very own tempo. These simply beginning out on skis will thrive on Morse Mountain, which is made up of largely inexperienced trails. However, when you’re actually seeking to push your self, head over to Madonna Mountain, the place you’ll be able to expertise the one triple-black-diamond path in your entire Northeast.
To expertise the enjoyment of Smuggs, staying on-site is the best way to go. You will additionally discover accessing the mountain and different actions to be extraordinarily straightforward, particularly because of the on-demand shuttle that’ll take you across the resort. And with condos starting from one to 5 bedrooms — which may be booked via Airbnb or immediately with the mountain — you can guide lodging that work for your loved ones. There’s additionally the Membership Wyndham Smugglers’ Notch Vermont, the place you’ll be able to theoretically use your Wyndham factors, however availability — on factors — is extraordinarily exhausting to return by.
Needless to say within the winter, Smugglers’ Notch Go, generally known as the Notch, is closed. This makes the drive to Smuggs about half-hour longer than when you had been to go to Stowe Mountain Resort.
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Finest for selection: Sugarbush Resort
Warren, Vermont
Many would say that Sugarbush affords among the greatest terrain within the east. Whether or not you are on the lookout for cruises, bumps, ungroomed trails or glades, you will discover quite a lot of choices at this resort. You will even discover some trails which can be by no means groomed, making it a go-to spot on a powder day. The resort additionally includes a 2,600-foot vertical drop, which is without doubt one of the steepest in New England.
However do not let the range discourage you when you aren’t an skilled. There’s loads of terrain for newbies as nicely, making this an incredible resort possibility for all ability ranges. Nevertheless, Sugarbush may be considered two distinct peaks; when you’re heading to the mountain with skiers and riders of all ranges, you would possibly end up separated for many of the day.
The Clay Brook Lodge & Residences is the best lodging possibility when you’re seeking to be slopeside. Nevertheless, there are various resort condos and townhomes alongside the shuttle route, making it straightforward to get to the bottom.
With Waterbury, Vermont, being proper between Sugarbush and Stowe, you could possibly even go for the Fairfield Inn & Suites Waterbury Stowe and go to each resorts throughout your ski trip. Observe that Sugarbush is on the Ikon Go.
Finest for newbies: Okemo Mountain Resort
Ludlow, Vermont
Whereas Okemo can cater to all skiers, those that are simply getting their toes moist (or snowy, relatively) on the slopes will completely benefit from the mountain. Right here, you will discover many extensive trails with loads of newbie and intermediate terrain. The resort can be well-known for its ski college, making it an incredible place to really discover ways to ski. Many company additionally recognize the 2 bubble lifts that’ll take you to the summit. On a chilly or moist day, a carry experience may be some of the painful experiences on the subject of snowboarding. However these heated bubbles could be a sport changer and offer you time to heat up throughout your experience to the highest. There are many inexperienced trails down from the height of the mountain, permitting newbies to benefit from the summit. For those who’re an Epic Go holder, Okemo may be your greatest guess to maintain your total price down.
Okemo affords two totally different base lodges, with newbie slopes accessible from each. There are additionally loads of lodging at each lodges, however when you can swing it, Jackson Gore Inn is a superb possibility. Or, when you choose to unfold out, there are various ski-in, ski-out condos, a few of which even provide indoor swimming pools or different facilities proper on website. When you will not be capable to use factors from any particular resort program, that is the proper alternative to money in a few of your versatile award factors with packages resembling Chase Final Rewards and Capital One.
Being in southern Vermont, Okemo is considerably simpler to entry than most of the northern Vermont mountains — particularly when you’re coming from the New York tri-state space or farther afield. Sadly, there aren’t many good airport choices close by, with Albany Worldwide Airport (ALB) and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) each being two hours away.
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Finest terrain park: Killington Resort
Killington, Vermont
This legendary resort’s nickname, the Beast of the East, says all of it. With regards to East Coast snowboarding, that is the most important resort you will discover, with over 100 kilometers of complete slope size and 22 lifts. However what actually makes the resort particular is the Woodward Mountain terrain park. With a slew of park choices throughout the mountain, there is a terrain park for each age and ability — whether or not you might be new to the game or seeking to excellent your 360. Killington additionally maintains the park weekly by altering the options, permitting you to come across a special park expertise on each go to.
However being one of many greatest mountains within the east comes at a worth. The slopes are fairly packed on the weekends, particularly being a part of the Ikon Go. However with down-the-road Pico Mountain additionally being on the move, you’ll be able to discover each mountains throughout your ski trip (Pico is far smaller and usually much less crowded). Killington can be identified for its apres-ski celebration scene, so whereas the resort is nice for all age teams, you would possibly really feel the youthful vibe.
For those who’re trying to make use of your resort factors, the Killington Mountain Lodge is a Hilton property and prices between 40,000 and 60,000 factors per night time. Whereas this is not a ski-in, ski-out property, it is solely 2 miles down the highway.
Though Killington is in southern Vermont, it is nonetheless farther away than Okemo Mountain Resort and Stratton Mountain Resort, which is simply one thing to bear in mind when you’re not seeking to lengthen your drive. However, the space could be very comparable from Boston.
Finest village: Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton Mountain, Vermont
For those who’re craving for a traditional ski village on the base of the mountain, then Stratton is a superb match. The resort can be a super vacation spot when you’re heading to the mountain with non-skiers; if you are hitting the slopes, different company in your celebration can stroll out and in of outlets all through the day. And with many restaurant choices, you all can get pleasure from a calming apres-ski scene.
At Stratton, guests will even discover a tubing park, indoor mountaineering and an outside ice skating rink. It’s also possible to take a night snowcat experience for a novel eating expertise on the Mid-Mountain Lodge. And so long as you guide a resort or apartment on the mountain, you really by no means need to get in a automotive throughout your whole ski trip.
Stratton can be one of many closest southern Vermont mountains when you’re coming from the New York tri-state space. With no main visitors (i.e., when you depart earlier than Friday afternoon!), you may make it to the mountain in lower than 4 hours from the George Washington Bridge. The mountain can be a part of the Ikon Go.
Finest for slopeside lodging: Sunday River Resort
Newry, Maine
In case your aim of a ski trip is to remain on the mountain — at an affordable price — then Sunday River Resort affords simply that. The resort boasts slopeside lodging throughout the mountain, with most choices being near one of many three base lodges. This lets you choose a apartment or resort that matches your whole household at a worth level that works for you. For instance, we had been capable of finding a ski-in, ski-out studio apartment for about $250 per night time throughout a peak winter weekend, which is considerably higher than different East Coast resorts.
Sunday River can be an incredible possibility when you’re seeking to avoid the crowds. Regardless of being one of many extra well-liked ski resorts in Maine, it would not get the identical variety of guests as you would possibly discover at many well-known Vermont and New Hampshire mountains. It additionally affords eight mountain peaks, with various terrain on every. This permits newbies to discover a ton of inexperienced runs on North Peak, whereas these on the lookout for ungroomed double-black-diamond trails can head over to Oz and Jordan Bowl. (Observe that whereas difficult for some, the double blacks aren’t the steepest you will discover on the East Coast.)
The resort additionally options twilight snowboarding, which you will not discover at many different resorts lately. On Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, you’ll be able to lengthen your ski day all through 6:30 p.m. All through the winter, you will additionally expertise slopeside fireworks reveals and plenty of different family-friendly actions — particularly throughout peak vacation intervals.
Sunday River can be on the Ikon Go, however entry is restricted. Relying on the move you buy, you are restricted to only 5 or seven days of snowboarding all through the season. Or, when you’re on the lookout for a one-time journey, the two-, three- or four-day Session Go may be the best choice.
Needless to say Sunday River is kind of far for these outdoors of New England. Whereas it is solely a 3 1/2-hour drive from Boston, it is nicely over seven hours from New York Metropolis. However, when you’re seeking to fly, the mountain is simply 70 miles from Portland Worldwide Jetport (PWM).
Finest surroundings: Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
With regards to East Coast snowboarding, there really is nothing as breathtaking because the surroundings from the highest of Bretton Woods. On a transparent day, you will have views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Vary. On the summit, you’ll be able to expertise the comparatively new Rosebrook Lodge, which may make you’re feeling such as you’re out west. Right here, you’ll be able to get pleasure from lunch — or a drink — outdoors on the patio, really soaking in your entire ski expertise. And with a gondola that’ll take you from the bottom to the highest, even non-skiers can expertise the summit.
The resort is the most important ski resort in all of New Hampshire and consists of 63 trails, 35 glades and three terrain parks. The mountain can be constructed so that the majority ranges can discover a approach down from the highest — particularly with many long-wide greens.
With Bretton Woods shut to a few hours away from Boston, you will discover it to be one of many farthest New Hampshire resorts. However the gorgeous drive is value it.
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Backside line
With many East Coast ski resort choices, you will see that you do not have to fly all the best way West to benefit from the mountain really feel. With many well-recognized mountains represented all through the East Coast, you’ll be able to strap in your skis and revel in a ski trip very quickly.
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