Best ski resorts in Vermont

When you think of East Coast skiing, it’s hard not to picture Vermont’s epic scenery packed with gnarly steeps. This place is the mecca of East Coast shredding, with ample snowfall, affordable lift tickets, and good vibes. That’s why tons of riders flock here from the US, Canada, and worldwide. 

We’ve rounded up the top eight of the resorts, so brace yourself for those cold climates – and an epic skiing experience! And to ensure you’re fully prepped for the adventure, check out our latest collections below.

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Jay Peak

Let’s kick things off with Jay Peak – arguably one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Northeast! In fact, did you know it’s called the ‘Jay Cloud’ because of how much of the white stuff it gets – a whopping 29 feet (9 meters) annually? Well, it is in the state’s iconic Northeast Kingdom (NEK), just south of the Canadian border. And with mega snow comes mega fun terrain! We’re talking glee-filled glades, winding groomers, and thigh-burning steeps across 385 acres of terrain and 81 trails.  

Okay, Jay Peak is very much focused on riding. And as a result, there isn’t much of your traditional beer-loaded après-ski. There are tons of après activities for families and big adults, though. These include a climbing gym, ice skating, and The Pump House, a massive indoor heated water park with hot tubs, multiple slides, and a FlowRider. Pair all that with Jay Peak’s laid-back culture, and you’ve easily got one of the East Coast’s best ski resorts – if not the world’s!

Top tip: Eat the world’s most delicious miso out of an antique tram car! You didn’t think we’d say that in a ski resort article, right? Well, you haven’t tried the slopeside Miso Hungry, then. We’ve heard people claim it’s their main reason for heading to Jay Peak…

Killington Resort

Want to go big? Go Killington! This place is known as ‘The Beast of the East’, for good reason. It’s monstrous, with 155 trails expanding across seven mountains and five base areas. Intermediates and advanced riders will lap up the endless laps, challenging glades, and bumps on top of bumps. And don’t worry if your legs are too tired to get you back to your accommodation — shuttle buses run between the bases from around 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Looking for epic après-ski? Go Killington, too! There’s plenty of beer to lap up after those endless mountain laps – just hit one of the many places along the access road that leads to the resort. Our fave? It has to be the K-1 Lodge with a different band every day. There’s also The Foundry at Summit Pond. We can’t get over the porterhouse steak, cocktails, and live music! Keen to switch things up or with non-riders? Try tubing, dog sledding, or jumping on a snowmobile! 

Top tip: Take on Ovation or Outer Limits. They’re some of the East’s steepest drops – and give you well-deserved bragging rights at après! 

Okemo Mountain Resort

Want your little ones to fall in love with skiing? Take them to Okemo (meaning ‘home’). This place is home to some of the state’s top ski school programs. It also has plenty of on-mountain lodging (so no tantrums over walking far in ski boots) and 122 trails (two-thirds are marked green). Beginner park rats (or should we say park mice?) can find their feet here. Boulder Park – one of Okemo’s eight terrain parks – has plenty of newbie-friendly kickers and rails. 

And Okemo doesn’t make things easy on the thighs either. With 2,200 feet/670 meters of vertical drop across its two mountains, certain areas can be challenging, perfect for those looking for something steep. And you’ll definitely need to refuel after all that vert, so stop off at the slopeside Waffle Cabin for a quick sugar hit! Then, for real post-shred fun, check out Okemo’s other activities, including a heated indoor and outdoor pool, a tubing park, and more. 

Top tip: More of a fully-fledged park rat than a total newbie? Flex your skills on the 18-foot/5.5-meter Superpipe.

Stratton Mountain Resort

Just learning? Fed up with always being confined to the base? Lock in Stratton Mountain Resort! Yep, these folks understand you want epic views, too. So, they’ve created the Mike’s Way, a winding green starting at the summit of southern Vermont’s highest peak. That way, you can soak up those dreamy mountain top views that stretch far as New York on a clear day.

But that doesn’t mean Stratton Mountain isn’t great for all abilities, with 99 trails winding from the summit (75% is marked as beginner or intermediate) alongside fast-running lifts and dreamy grooming. If you’re hunting for super challenging terrain, you’ll find a few knee-shaking double-blacks off the Shooting Star and Ursa lifts. Once those are conquered, it’s time for après-ski! Gizzly’s is rustic, slopeside, and a must-hit once the lifts stop spinning. Down in Stratton Village, our fave watering holes are Bar 802 (order their Maine Oysters and a Pistachio Martino) and Mulligan/Green Door, a casual bar on the top floor with live music or DJs blasting downstairs. 

Top tip: Check out Stratton’s new boardercross tracl! It runs the length of the Big Ben trail and has super-tight, super-fun corners. There’s also an 18-foot halfpipe if going up is more your vibe. 

Stowe Mountain

Stowe packs a punch with its expert terrain, but is also super welcoming with its cute ski village and top-tier, five-star hospitality. Aim for northern Vermont, and you’ll find a resort that delivers – including insane snow-surety, thanks to its location and extensive snowmaking. As we’ve already mentioned, experts and intermediates thrive here. That’s because over 50% of Stowe’s 116 trails are marked as intermediate, and Mount Mansfield (the highest peak at 4,395 feet/1,340 meters) is covered with black and red runs. Did you know some of these trails were first cut into the mountain in 1933, making Stowe the birthplace of alpine skiing in Vermont?

Stowe doesn’t forget about learners, though. Spruce Peak – connected to Mount Mansfield via a lift – is perfect for families and beginners. An area on Mount Mansfield is designated for newbies, too. After your legs tire, it’s all eyes on après-ski, right? Head for The Matterhorn, a loved-by-locals bar serving pizza, beer, and sushi (nope, that’s not a typo). Or go to Field Guide Lodge for an après-ski bar that harks back to the 80s and that classic Vermont ski culture. You can book rooms here, too. Alternatively, stay in Trapp Family Lodge. It’s Austrian-styled and named after a certain Von Trapp family (does the Austrian theme make sense now?). As well as offering luxurious rooms, it hosts 2,500 acres to explore with cross-country skis, snowshoes, or a horse-drawn sleigh, with trails leading right to the front door. 

Top tip: Take on the famous Front Four, Stowe’s original double-blacks tracked in 1940. They’re called National, Goat, Liftline, and Starr and are only a short hike from Mount Mansfield’s summit. Tackle all four or call time for a beer after one – they’re pretty gnarly, so we won’t blame you! 

Mount Snow

Spending time in New York or Boston? Why not tack on shred time at Mount Snow, only 2.5 hours away? It’s big, too, with over 601 acres to ride across four areas. With each one offering something different. For example, Main Face has plenty of cruisey blues, Sunbrook serves bump runs and stunning scenery, and North Face delivers glades, steeps, and a peak elevation of 3,600 feet (1,097 meters). Last but not least, Carinthia is home to a head-spinning ten terrain parks. Newbie freestylers can access Grommet Park, a terrain park with its own chair! 

Then, it’s time to swap kickers for craft brews at Cuzzins Bar and Grill, our fave slopeside après spot. Down in town, carry on the party at the Snow Barn, where live music kicks off on weekends. Then, it’s time to head back to your slopeside condo or hotel (something which Mount Snow isn’t short of!). Book a room while one of Mount Snow’s annual freestyle comps is on. That way, you’ll mingle with Ice Coast pros and its park community. 

Top tip: Swap shredding for tubing and hurl yourself down Mount Snow’s tubing hill. It’s one of Vermont’s largest, with eight lanes for nail-biting head-to-head races. 

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Family-friendly, family-owned, and full of stunning views. Yep, Smugglers’ Notch Resort has a legendary reputation for being one of the best resorts for family fun – and we can see why! Of course, there are tons of good times to be had on the mountain (Morse Mountain is packed with green runs) and brilliant ski schools (the ‘Little Rascals on Snow’ program takes youngsters as little as two and a half!). But Smuggs (as locals call it) knows how to wow the kids when the lifts stop spinning. There’s a tubing hill, laser tag in the FunZone (a 26,000-square-foot indoor playground), weekday games and events, and more. 

Though, we know, as an adult, there’s only so much laser tag you can take! Don’t worry – Smuggs’s has got your back. Aim for Madonna and Sterling Mountain for copious blues, reds, and black trails. Or, try out The Black Hole, the East’s only triple-black diamond! Want to dip your tips in the trees? You’ll have over 750 wooded acres to ski! Then, it’s back to Smugglers’ Notch, the four-season resort at the bottom of Morse Mountain. Here, you’ll find plenty of accommodation on offer for every taste.  

Top tip: Experience après-ski with a difference by heading to Lot 1, a parking lot where live bands perform and riders hang out. It’s the perfect place to swap war stories from the day. Calling it ‘iconic’ is an understatement!

Sugarbush Resort

If you’re after the perfect combo of vert and glades, set your sights on Sugarbush, one of Vermont’s biggest resorts! This laid-back spot doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. Instead, it focuses on that pure East Coast shred experience with 581 acres of skiable terrain across two main areas (Lincoln Peak and Sugbarbush south side). You’ll discover serious steeps, 2,600 feet/792 meters of vertical drop, and extensive gladed ski areas. If that wasn’t enough, 2,000 acres of backcountry is also on offer. Oh, and did we mention Sugarbush is cheaper than its ski resort neighbors? And home to fewer crowds? Where do we sign up?

After a hard day’s riding, you’re welcome back to base with Sugarbush’s laid-back vibes (although there are some luxury hotels available). The bars here are pretty mellow, too. Our fave is Green Mountain Lounge for a pint of Lawson’s Finest Castlerock IPA. Alternatively, order a Snowball Vixen cocktail at the Black Sheep Bar. The best hangover cure? Castlerock, Sugarbush’s expert-only terrain zone with ungroomed blacks and double-blacks. Actually, on second thoughts, don’t try this hungover. You’ll need a sharp mind for the sharp, steep, ‘n’ icy terrain here! 

Top tip: Après Sugarbush-style with an Après Groomer Ride, a one-hour private ride in a heated, glassed husky cat ski to the summit of Lincoln Peak. On a good weather day, you’re up there for sunset! It’s def one for the ‘Gram, Snapchat, TikTok, or your platform of choice. 

Wrapping up

Woah – who knew Vermont’s claim to fame was actually awesome ski resorts? We bet you thought it was the fact it’s where Ben & Jerry’s was founded, right? It turns out Vermont has something for every type of rider, and we can’t wait to hit each and every one.

Convinced about Vermont? Let us know how you get on by joining our Dope Snow Community Facebook Group. Post ski trip photos, chat with fellow riders, and keep an eye out for exclusive collection previews. 

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