Ski Resorts in Vermont
Offering some of the best skiing on the East Coast, the Green Mountain State has more snowfall and larger ski terrain than some of its neighbors and is a popular ski destination for East Coasters.
Pros
- Some of the best skiing on the East Coast
- Home to the snowiest ski resort in the East, and the biggest ski area in the East
- Some ski areas offer cheaper lift tickets compared to West Coast
- Better weather than neighboring New Hampshire
Cons
- Prone to more ice, wetter snow and rain than ski resorts on the West Coast
- Mountains are lower compared to the West Coast and neighboring New Hampshire
- Crowds from New York
- Some resorts can be quite expensive
Getting there
- Fly into Burlington International Airport for the most convenient access to ski resorts in Vermont. Otherwise, international visitors can fly to Logan International Airport in Boston or John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (further).
- Best way to resorts from Burlington International Airport is by renting a car and driving. The journey can take anywhere between 1-3 hours depending on the resort. Some resorts or lodgings offer ground transport. From Boston, the drive can take between 2-3 hours or 5-6 hours from New York City. Amtrak also offers train services from New York City to Rutland, Vermont where some resorts offer shuttles to the resort.
While the West Coast usually gets the entire skiing buzz, the East Coast has got quite a few standouts and there’s no better place to ski them than Vermont. From luxury big names to hidden gems we’ve team with the North East locals to bring you the best ski resorts in Vermont.
‘The Ski Capital of the East’ and ‘The Beast of the East’ are just some of the nicknames for these resorts, which should give you an idea of how epic the skiing here is. You can also expect top-notch services, lodging, dining and nightlife. Although, this also means they attract quite a crowd. The only exception here is Sugarbush, which offers a much more authentic Vermont ski experience without the glitz, glamour and crowds.
With so many great resorts in Vermont, these low-key ski areas tend to get overlooked. They offer a pure skiing experience, great value for money, a laid-back rustic vibe and fewer crowds, all of which keep locals coming back. On the downside, these resorts often have outdated and slow lifts, even the rare single chairlift (at Mad River Glen)! Their facilities and nightlife are also limited compared to the big names.
These resorts are known for their family-friendliness and offer the best ski schools, kids programs and variety of terrain that’s perfect for family skiing. Picking between the two are difficult although it’s helpful to note Smuggler’s Notch is known for its great value for money whilst Okemo is further south making it much easier to access from Boston or New York.
| Stat | Resorts |
|---|---|
| Best for Beginners | Smuggler’s Notch |
| Best for Intermediates | Mount Snow |
| Best for Advanced and Experts | Stowe |
| Best for All-rounder | Killington |
| Highest Summit Elevation | Stowe |
| Highest number of runs | Killington |
| Largest ski area | Killington |
| Highest number of lifts | Killington |