11 of the Best Vermont Ski Resorts to Visit

Whether you’re here for a weekend or just the day, Vermont has plenty of different ski resorts for you to explore! As an avid skier for YEARS, and growing up in northern New York, I have been to my FAIR share of Vermont ski resorts. This list contains the BEST Vermont ski resorts, from practically a local.

In this post, you learn about 11 different Vermont ski resorts, including, Jay Peak Resort, Sugarbush Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort, Stratton Mountain Resort, Killington Resort, Mount Snow, Mad River Glen Cooperative, Magic Mountain Ski Area, and Bromley Mountain Ski Area.

As of June 14th, 2021, Vermont has lifted all their previous Covid-19 Restrictions. However, I would keep updated on Vermont’s news about Covid and it’s protocols through this website, before you plan your visit, to stay safe.

This post is all about Vermont ski resorts.

Vermont Ski Resorts:

1. Jay Peak Resort

Okay, to start off this list, the first Vermont ski resort I HIGHLY recommend visiting is, Jay Peak. This is one of my personal favorite mountains on the East Coast. I did work and live here for a season, so I might be a little bias, but I TRULY believe it REALLY is one of the best! If you’re familiar with some of the west coast ski resorts, then, I would consider Jay Peak the Jackson Hole of the east. In my opinion, Jay Peak is one of the best ski resorts in Vermont.

Jay Peak has a total of 81 trails (mostly glades and advanced terrain), 385 acres of skiable area, 359 inches of average snowfall (the most of all the east), and a 2,153ft vertical drop. Jay Peak is one of the many Vermont ski resorts not apart of the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass. However, Epic and Ikon are quickly taking over the east as well as the west.

Jay Peak is a great Vermont ski resort for families because it is one of the few Vermont ski resorts with an indoor water park. It also, has an ice skating rink, a movie theater, a climbing gym, and a great ski/ride school (I instructed there for a season, so I would know!).

Now, for places to stay, you can stay at Jay Peak Resort, right on the mountain, or for some cheaper options (you will need a car to travel if doing so), you can stay in Newport, VT (about 30 minutes from Jay), or in Jay, VT. You could also stay in Burlington, VT, even though it’s about an hour and a half away, I think it’s worth it. Burlington does offer A LOT do to compared to the other towns listed. In addition, Burlington is within an hour from many of the other ski resorts on this list. I will say Jay is kind of in the middle of nowhere, which again, is why I suggest staying in Burlington, even though it’s a little far.

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2. Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush, is a mountain I can’t wait to ski at one of these days, it looks incredible! This mountain is about an hour from Burlington, VT and about a hour and fifteen from Rutland & Woodstock, Vermont. Lastly, it is only 3 hours from Boston.

Sugarbush has 484 acres of skiable land, 111 trails, 28 glades, 3 terrain parks, and a 2,600ft vertical drop. Sugarbush is one of the Vermont ski resorts apart of the Ikon Pass.

Sugarbush is located in Warren, VT, which is only about an hour from Burlington, which is where I recommend staying. Because, again, Burlington has A LOT more you can do compared to Warren. If you don’t want to drive to the resort, then you again, stay at Sugarbush, on the mountain. Also, Sugarbush is only 8 minutes from Mad River Glen, which I also HIGHLY recommend skiing at as well, if you can.

3. Okemo Mountain Resort

Okemo, is another great mountain, that is super fun! It is located in Ludlow, Vermont, which is about 2 hours from Burlington and 3 hours from Boston. Okemo is a great Vermont ski resort for families. That being said, it’s also a great Vermont ski resort for beginners.

Okemo has 121 trails and glades, 2,200ft vertical drop, and 200 inches of average snowfall. They offer a TON of blue/intermediate runs, and even their difficult/black diamonds are not too hard. This is why I recommend this resort/mountain to families or intermediate skiers, because Okemo offers SO many chill runs. It’s also a fun mountain if you just want to ski/ride cursers all day. In addition, Okemo is one of the Vermont ski resorts that is apart of the Epic Pass.

Rutland is about 30 minutes from Okemo. You could stay in Burlington too, but it is 2 hours away. Thus, I recommend staying in Rutland, unless you plan on skiing at other resorts. You can also stay at the mountain or in Ludlow, but there won’t be as much to do as there is in Rutland or Burlington.

4.Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Alright, Smuggler’s Notch is another one of my favorite resorts on this list. I skied this mountain when it was negative 2 degrees, and the snow/conditions were still awesome! Because of this, and Smugg’s location, to me, again, it is one of the best ski resorts in Vermont.

Smugg’s offers 78 trails, 3 interconnected mountains, and a 2,610 vertical drop. Smuggler’s Notch is also, the only ski resort in the east to have a triple black diamond, named, Black Hole, very fitting. I did not ski this trail when I was there, but I’m sure it’s epic and lives up to its name.

Anyhow, even though, Smugg’s has some gnarly terrain, I would still say its pretty family oriented. There is a good mix of everything at Smugg’s and you can stay right at the mountain if you wish, with your family. Smugg’s is located in Jeffersonville, Vermont and is about 45 minutes from Burlington and almost 4 hours from Boston. Again, you can stay at the mountain itself, if you don’t want to drive.

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5. Stowe Mountain Resort

Alright, onto our next Vermont ski resort, Stowe. If you like more classic resorts, then Stowe is perfect for you. Personally, this is not my favorite resort, however, my dad and I did ski here when there wasn’t a lot of snow, thus, maybe my opinion would be different if there had been more snow. They did have some great moguls when we were there though. This resort does have SO many options of where to ski, and is one of Vermont’s largest ski resorts.

Stowe has over 480 acres of skiable terrain, 116 trails, mostly intermediate terrain, and a 2,360ft vertical drop. Stowe is another Vermont ski resort that is apart of Vail’s Epic pass.

Stowe is in Stowe, VT, which is a little over an hour away from Burlington, VT, about 3 and a half hours from Boston, and about 5 and a half of hours from NYC. I would recommend staying Stowe, Burlington, or the mountain itself.

6. Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton again, I can’t wait to ski at one of these days! Stratton is located in Stratton, Vermont, east of Manchester, which is another great Vermont town. They have some great outlets there (expensive) too. In addition, Stratton is only 3 hours from Boston, and 4 and a half hours from NYC.

Stratton has 99 trails, mostly beginner to intermediate terrain, making it a great Vermont ski resort for beginners and families. In addition, Stratton has over 670 acres of skiable land, 160 of those acres being glades, and a 2,003ft vertical drop.

I recommend staying in Rutland, VT, which is about an hour away or as per usually, you can stay at the mountain itself. One unique thing that Stratton Vermont ski resort does for a summer activity is, hiking the equivalent of Mount Everest.

7. Killington Resort

Next on our list is Killington Resort. Killington is about 2 hours from Burlington, Vermont, just under 3 hours from Boston, MA, and about 5 hours from NYC.

Killington has 212 trails, 7 different peaks, Woodward Mountain Park, and a 3,050ft vertical drop. Also, Killington is another Vermont ski resort apart of the Ikon Pass. In addition, Killington does own Pico, even though they aren’t connected, they are both great separate mountains. Pico is smaller but it still a great mountain that I highly recommend and they are only 10 minutes away from one another.

Killington is located only 25 minutes from Rutland, VT, thus if you stay in Rutland, you can hit up Okemo as well. In addition, Killington is close to Woodstock, Vermont, which is another CUTE little town (it is only 20 minutes away from Killington). I recently took a trip here and I HIGHLY recommend staying in Woodstock if you want to avoid all the hype near Killington, and want a little nicer of an area than Rutland.

Woodstock, is the epitome of New England small towns. Also, Queche falls is just beyond or before (depending where you’re coming from) Woodstock, which is also a super pretty waterfall and state park. Or you could always stay on the mountain at Killington.

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8. Mount Snow

Mount Snow, awe Mount Snow is another GREAT mountain on this list! I’m also basis to this mountain, because my parents friends use to have a house, in Wilmington, that we would all stay at, and then ski at Mount Snow. Thus, I have very fond memories of this mountain.

Mount Snow offers, 601 acres of skiable terrain, mostly intermediate terrain, 10 different terrain parks and a super pipe, and a 1,700ft vertical drop. It is also apart of the Epic Pass.

Mount Snow is located in West Dover, VT, which is about 3 hours from Burlington and Boston, and about 4 hours from NYC. I recommend staying in, Wilmington, VT, if you want to ski here. It is only about 15 minutes away from Mount Snow. Or you could always stay at the mountain at Mount Snow.

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9. Mad River Glen Cooperative

Alright, Mad River Glen is also another mountain I can’t wait to ski at one day! They are the only East Coast ski resort that has a single person chairlift. Also, sorry, but they don’t allow snowboarders, this is a skiers mountain only.

Mad River Glen Cooperative has 52 trails, 250 inches of average snowfall, and a 2,037ft vertical drop. It’s also only 8 minutes from Sugarbush Resort. It is located in Waitsfield, VT, which is only 45 minutes from Burlington, VT, 3 and a half hours from Boston, and 5 and a half hours from NYC. I would recommend staying in Burlington, again because it has a lot to offer and it’s a pretty central location.

10. Magic Mountain Ski Area

Magic mountain is a great smaller mountain. It offers a ton of fun, and are more family friendly oriented activities than the other Vermont ski resorts. This mountain is a little over 2 hours away from Burlington, VT, about 3 hours from Boston, and about 4 hours from NYC.

Magic Mountain has 39 trails, 11 glades, 1,500ft vertical drop, and offers mostly intermediate skier terrain, making it a great Vermont ski resort for families and beginners. Magic is located in Londonderry, VT, which is, about 45 minutes away from Rutland, VT. Thus, I would recommend staying in Rutland, VT.

11. Bromley Mountain Ski Area

Bromley is another great smaller mountain for families. It is an extremely family-friendly, orientated mountain. Bromley is a little over 2 hours from Burlington, 3 hours from Boston, and 4 hours from NYC.

Bromley has 47 trails, 1,334ft vertical drop, and the only Vermont resort, that faces the south, making the sun a frequent visiter to this mountain. It is located in Peru, VT, which is a little over 45 minutes away from Rutland. I recommend staying in Rutland, VT. Also, for summer activities, they have great alpine slides and mountain adventure park.

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Bonus: Suicide Six

Our last Vermont ski resort is, Suicide Six. This is one of Vermont’s oldest ski resorts (and within the east) still operating. It has 24 trails and 3 chairlifts. It is only 27 minutes from Woodstock, VT, which as I previously stated, is a really cool city to stay at. Here are some awesome things to do in this neat, little town, while also potentially skiing/snowboarding at Suicide Six.

And that wraps up our list of Vermont Ski Resorts/Mountains! Now, just like New York’s list, there are some that I did not mention, simply because they were fewer than 20 trails, and were more geared towards Nordic skiing than Alpine. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed, and let me know in the comments what you’re favorite mountains are in Vermont! Thank you for reading, take care, and GET SKIING!!!! Or SNOWBOARDING!!!

This post was all about 11 different Vermont ski resorts. These resorts included Jay Peak Resort, Sugarbush Resort, Okemo Mountain Resort, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort, Stratton Mountain Resort, Killington Resort, Mount Snow, Made River Glen Cooperative, Magic Mountain Ski Area, and Bromley Mountain Ski Area.

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