The best ski resorts on the East Coast

Are you an East-Coast native sick of everyone shoving Colorado’s or California’s endless pow in your face? Take a deep breath because we’re about to ease your FOMO. 

With cold temperatures, plenty of precipitation, and a pedigree of park and freestyle unlike anywhere else, there are many great little resorts tucked away on the East Coast. And East Coasters rejoice because this is the resort guide you’ve been waiting for. From Vermont to New Hampshire, there’s no shortage of hidden gems to discover.

And if you’re in the mood for something new before you hit a fresh resort, why not check out our range of any-weather-ready ski jackets and ski pants?

Pssst - If you are still looking for stylish and functional ski clothing to bring on your next adventure in the mountains, check out our latest collections over at Montec. 

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The best ski resorts on the East Coast

Okemo Mountain Resort, Vermont

Okemo Mountain Resort may not be the largest resort on this list, but it’s certainly one of the most well-rounded. Receiving a respectable 17 feet of snow every season and boasting an insane 98% snow machine coverage, Okemo offers guaranteed riding from November to April. However, the continued investment in infrastructure puts Okemo at the top of our list.

Okemo has a huge 2,200-foot vertical to play with, and they’ve certainly made the most of it. There are runs to suit all ability levels, and the quality of grooming here means that cruisey laps are about as good as anywhere on Earth. There’s plenty to do if you’re just finding your snow legs or hitting one of Okemo’s six snow parks. Okemo’s focus on freestyle is such that they have a dedicated park for children and first-timers right through to pros. And they also have a 520-foot superpipe for those with a nose for transition.

At the base, Okemo offers some great facilities, including a covered skating rink, tubing hill, spa and heated pools, a mountain coaster, and snowcat excursions. All of this means Okemo is a full-scale, full-service resort that few others can even compare to.

Killington Resort, Vermont

Coming away from the family-friendly Okemo, we arrive at Killington Resort. Famed for its party atmosphere, advanced terrain, six snow parks, 500-foot superpipe, and endless glades, Killington is a resort that’ll leave you for dead if you let it! A small resort at the base serves up some of the best après in Vermont — only right after a long day of ripping groomers and eating dirt on the landing of some of the best kickers in the state.

With a huge 1,509 acres to play with and a very healthy 21 feet of snowfall per year to back it up, Killington is no slouch in the numbers department. Four peaks serve up a mixture of terrain, from eye-watering gladed double-blacks fraught with cliffs and chutes to easy-going blue loop trails. While there’s plenty for all abilities, those with experience will love Killington the most — especially if you like catching air and jibbing around. You’ll find Woodward terrain parks here. If you know, you know.

A compact base is where the action really happens, though. Both the Roaring Brook and the Snowshed Umbrella Bars offer some pretty slick après from early afternoon until late.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont

Stowe Mountain Resort is legendary in many circles and for good reason. With a rich heritage of skiing (since the ‘30s) and a claim to one of the earliest chair lifts in the world (1937), you get a real sense of history as you lap this winter wonderland. And with a great, lively town right on the resort’s doorstep, Stowe really has it all.

Two gondolas take you to the top of the highest mountain in Vermont: Mount Mansfield and the neighboring Spruce Peak, which serve up 116 trails between them. A recent acquisition by Vail Resorts means that most of the infrastructure has had an upgrade, so expect world-class grooming, new high-speed lifts, and plenty of stuff to do both on and off the mountain.

Making good use of its annual 26 feet of snowfall, Stowe offers a mix of groomed and off-piste riding for all ability levels. There are also plenty of terrain parks alongside dining, shopping, and après options galore. Just be aware that Stowe is known as the most expensive resort in the east. And now that it’s part of Vail’s network, ticket sales are limited to prevent overcrowding, so book your pass in advance!

Jay Peak Resort, Vermont

Welcome to the snowiest resort on the East Coast! Sure, it’s a trip to get there (located just at the US-Canada border). However, when you’re talking about 30 feet of snow a year (359 inches!), along with a 2,100-foot vertical and the best backcountry and tree riding within 2,000 miles, Jay Peak is the only place to go if pow turns are the itch you’re trying to scratch.

The entire rideable area is accessed via an aerial tramway, which is a straight shot from the base to the summit and has an uplift capacity of 12,000 rider per hour. As you might imagine, this puts a lot of very steep technical runs on the table, most of which are graded black. However, there’s lots of blue terrain here, and some beginner runs lower down, which makes Jay Peak a great all-rounder.

Two dedicated terrain parks live near the base, along with a sizable resort area with plenty of lodging, après, and dining options. You’ll also find a skating rink, water park, and sleigh rides to enjoy. So if you’re an advanced rider yearning for pow turns but have some little ones in tow, Jay Peak is a pretty amazing choice!

Sugarbush Resort, Vermont

Sugarbush Resort is a resort steeped in history and even claims to be the origin of the term ‘jet setters’, though sources vary. Despite this outrageous controversy, Sugarbush still has some excellent things to boast about, including Vermont’s highest chairlift.

You’ll find lots of advanced terrain up high to go with the 2,600-foot vertical, as well as the only cat-skiing operation in the east if you want those extra fresh tracks after a good snowfall. Low down is where there’s a mix of beginner-friendly terrain, three terrain parks and a halfpipe – although it’s not as large as the ones you’ll find at Killington or Okemo.

Neighboring Mad River Glen is also within easy reach if you’re at Sugarbush and is an all-natural skier-only playground. This privately owned, old-school, old-fashioned resort is unique in that its pistes all follow the mountain’s natural contours. So if that sounds like your thing, head that way, too! Snowboarders, however, will be turned away at the gates.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Vermont

The #1 kid-friendly resort in the East, Smuggler’s Notch Resort is perfect for families but also has plenty of bragging rights to shout about. With three interconnected mountains inside its boundary and over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, you’ll have everything you need riding-wise. Plus, it’s just 50 minutes by car from Burlington Airport.

Beginners will find their go-to terrain on Morse Mountain. However, those looking for more expert-oriented stuff will be better off heading for the Madonna and Sterling zones. These are home to the famous ‘Fab Five’: five of the most daring black diamonds on the East Coast, including The Black Hole, the only triple black diamond in the East. Spoiler alert, it’s very steep and very tight. Riders beware!

At the base, there’s subdued fun with the Brewster River Brewery – about as ‘après’ as things get. So, if it’s partying you want, look elsewhere. Kids, however, will have more fun with the FunZone 2.0 arcade. So, for good, clean family fun, and excellent riding, ‘Smuggs’, as the locals call it, is right up there!

Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort, New York

Across the lake in New York, you’ll find Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. This place is home to the longest vertical in the East, clocking in at a staggering 3,400 feet! But that’s not the only thing Whiteface has going for it – no siree. Along with their vertical, they also offer longer runs than anywhere else, shorter lift lines and terrain for every level. 

Whiteface hosted several events at the 1980 Winter Olympics, so it has a serious pedigree when it comes to challenging runs. However, there’s plenty for all levels of riders, with beginners finding lots to do down low in the mellow terrain and experts hunting pow stashes up high in the glades. If it’s freestyle you’re looking for, though, six separate graded park zones await.

The nearest town is Lake Placid, which is vibrant, pretty, and has plenty of non-riding activities, as well as lodging and après options abound, especially along Main Street, right in front of Mirror Lake. Whiteface is an amazing choice if you’re in this neck of the woods, with loads to do both on and off the mountain. 

Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, New Hampshire

Bretton Woods is the largest ski resort in New Hampshire. Thanks to its position in the state's north (nestled next to Mount Washington), it receives a very healthy 17 feet of annual snowfall. On top of that, Bretton Woods offers 92% snowmaking coverage, which means it has some of the most dependable conditions in the state – and even in the east!

Bretton’s extensive trail network means there’s terrain for everyone, with plenty of easy blues and greens dotted all over the mountain. West Mountain will be where the advanced skiers want to head for the steepest runs, while freestyle riders will love the extensive Midway Terrain Park.

Bretton also features an eight-person gondola that travels at 1,200 feet per minute. Then, of course, there’s night riding, along with a zip line, snowshoeing, sledding, fat bike trails and rentals, and a full-service Nordic ski center to go with some of the best cross-country skiing in New Hampshire. So Bretton is perfect for those who like a few cruisey groomer laps on the hill but also enjoy winter’s other pastimes.

Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont

Stratton Mountain Resort, home to the legendary Stratton Mountain School (out of which many pro skiers and snowboards have emerged), has a rich history on snow, as well as some of the best riding in the state – especially if you like freestyle. And with some new additions like the Snow Bowl Express – which has cut lift times to the summit in half – Stratton continues to improve its infrastructure and heighten its status as a resort not to be taken lightly.

Stratton caters to all levels of riders, with its famous three-mile beginner run (Mike’s Way into Lower West Meadow into Drifter Link) that goes from peak to base, right up to its 28 black diamond trails, including its World Cup downhill trail. Those looking for the parks can choose from the Suntanner, Tamarack Heights, Tyrolienne, and the East Byrnes Side Parks. Anyone seeking airborne thrills will get their fill at Stratton, that’s for sure!

Off the hill, you’ll find a rock solid après scene, thanks to the young crowd that Stratton attracts, as well as plenty of great restaurants. Lodging is abundant right at the resort, too, so if you’re looking to ride, party, and sleep without transport, Stratton is the perfect choice!

Loon Mountain Resort, New Hampshire

Loon Mountain Resort is our final choice, and it’s another one for the ride-hard, party-harder crowd. Loon claims three titles that might set your heart all aflutter. Number one: it’s home to the only superpipe in New Hampshire. Number two: it’s been voted to have the best parks in the east. Number three: it’s also the number one après spot in New Hampshire, as voted by riders. So, who’s excited?

Loon doesn’t just have drinking and daring-do in spades, though. It’s also just two hours outside Boston, and only ten minutes from I-93, making it the most accessible full-service resort in the state. And with 61 trails and a mix of difficulty, even those just getting their skis under them will find plenty to do. 

The Loon Mountain Gondola, combined with the Kancamagus eight-person heated chair, means that uplift is always done with speed and comfort. And when you’re up, there’s no bad way down. North Peak offers some of the best challenging skiing, while Loon Peak has plenty of easy-going terrain. And for non-skiers, there’s also tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and zip line rides. As such, Loon is ideal for families, groups, beginners, and pros. So, looks like we’ve rounded this top ten out in truly spectacular fashion! The only question now is: which one do you choose?

Wrapping up

Well, there they are! With so many epic resorts to choose from, whittling down our list to just ten was tougher than expected. Like our West Coast resorts article, this was no simple task. 

But we did it, and we’re super stoked about the choices. Those who say there isn’t good riding on the East Coast don’t know what they’re talking about. Luckily, however, now you do. So clip in tight – it’s going to be an epic ride!

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