In the cold months, northern states are a winter wonderland. For snow-enthusiasts, it’s time for ski season.
Technically, you can ski anywhere with an incline and powder. Yet not all slopes are created equal.
Discover the best places to ski in Vermont and what you can do at each.
1. Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort, which started in 1982 as a community-run ski hill, is now a four-season hot spot.
Visitors can alpine or cross-country ski, snowshoe and play golf. The mountain reaches 3,344 feet tall with a 2,220-foot vertical drop.
You’ll find 20 various lifts to take you to the top. The majority of runs are intermediate.
The resort also has beginner, advanced and expert trails. The longest is 3.4 miles, ideal for a thrilling ride.
With multiple terrain parks and Superpipe, freestylers can take advantage of everything a resort has to offer.
Plus, it’s a mere two hours away from Boston.
Okemo is scheduled to open November 22, 2019, and will likely close by April 12 of the next year.
2. Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort is home to two peaks — Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield.
This spot is home to the third-tallest mountain in America and the tallest in Vermont.
The resort features high-speed lifts and a bubble tube system for beginners. It also has 83% snowmaking coverage.
You can find more magic off the slopes.
At Stowe Mountain, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere with dogs and children.
After skiing, enjoy a hot chocolate bar with tons of toppings.
Each hour, fake snow falls from the ceiling into the lobby.
If you’re hungry, request a spot at Solstice, the on-site farm-to-table restaurant with a nine-course tasting menu.
If you plan to bring the kids, they’ll have plenty of fun — even if they don’t ski. Just outside the lodge is a free ice skating rink.
Beside it is a massive kids center, complete with a rock-climbing wall.
3. Stratton Mountain Resort
While Stratton Mountain isn’t the tallest in Vermont, it still has 670 acres of skiable terrain and nearly 100 runs.
At its tallest point, the mountain reaches a stunning 3,875 feet, with a vertical drop of 2,003 feet.
This resort is ideal for newbies, as 41% of runs are beginner-based.
You’ll also find sufficient trails for intermediate, advanced and expert athletes.
Don’t feel like strapping on skis? This resort also allows snowboarding.
Stratton offers 11 lifts, including passenger chairs, high-speed systems and a summit gondola.
The mountain receives an average of 180 inches per year and provides 95% coverage with snowguns.
If you’re up for an adventure, check out the longest run on the property, a three-mile stretch from Mike’s Way to Wanderer.
4. Bolton Valley Ski Resort
Hidden away in the Green Mountains of Vermont is the Bolton Valley Ski Resort.
This mountain experiences more snowfall than others in the state due to the elevation.
The resort is ideal for families, with a nice variety of trails.
Kids can stick to the gentle slops while parents head to heart-pounding diamonds.
You can find 71 lifts in the resort, though the property’s bowl-like shape makes it easy to get to the base.
With more than 5,000 acres, athletes know Bolton for its backcountry skiing.
Take lessons on how to use gear, navigate the woods and ski through untouched powder — something you won’t find anywhere else.
5. Smugglers Notch Resort
Some picture ski resorts as destinations for adults.
Yet at Smuggler’s Notch, the whole family can enjoy 78 trails across 1,000 acres.
Each year, the resort gets 276 inches of snowfall — almost enough to cover a two-story building if it fell at once.
You’ll find no better place to ski in Vermont.
Do you have kids who don’t know how to ski? Smuggler’s Notch is the ideal spot to learn.
Take the process slow.
While some kids can learn at three-years-old, others need more time.
Check out ski classes — an excellent option for kids who act mischievous when parents are around, but listen to authority figures.
Don’t forget that skiing is meant to be fun.
If the kids are tired or grumpy, take a hot cocoa break.
6. Mount Snow Resort
You don’t want to pass up a ski opportunity at Mount Snow.
Walt Schoenknect, an innovator, outdoorsman and Marine Corps retiree dreamt up the resort’s concept.
After opening a thriving business in Connecticut, he decided to try his hand in Vermont.
He discovered a 500-acre farm at the base of an incredible mountain.
The resort experienced substantial growth since its opening in 1954.
By 1970, it had 44 trails and more than three mountain areas.
It also annexed a dedicated terrain park, the first of its kind in the U.S.
The resort hosted the Winter X Games in 2000 and 2001.
As part of future plans, a $50 million snowmaking project is in development.
7. Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush Resort is spread across two mountains — Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen.
Skiers rave over Lincoln Peak’s Castle Rock zone, where you’ll find untouched snow and natural terrain.
The resort offers more than 100 runs at various levels, with a chairlift and shuttle bus to navigate between.
Sugarbush has the steepest vertical drop on the list at 2,600 feet.
Plus, it’s one of the only independently-owned resorts in the state.
The mountain gets an average snowfall of 250 inches each year.
If you want the real Vermont experience, check out the Black Diamond, Exterminator and Hammerhead trails.
Which Vermont Ski Resort Is on Your Bucket List?
Which Vermont resort found a new place on your bucket list?
With most scheduled to open in November, it’s time to plan your winter getaways.
It doesn’t matter if you’re old or young.
No one cares if you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional. The slopes offer something for everyone.
Bring your kids along and teach them a new sport. They’ll be entertained for years to come.
Plus, you’ll have fun, too.
While the kids are ice skating or sipping cocoa, hit an advanced trail that meanders through the backwoods.
Have a favorite resort that’s not on the list? Let us know! We’re always looking for new places to shred.