#Snowmageddon Overload? Escape to These Top Northeast Ski Destinations
With so many snow-packed options, there’s no better time than now to hit the slopes in the Northeast! (Photo: Getty Images)
Let us begin with One Giant Question: Could there be any more snow on the ground in the Northeast right now?
Don’t answer that.
The one upside for folks in the Northeast who are stuck in the massive white heap, aside from pretty pre-plow Instagram shots, is that the skiing has been awesome (if you can get out of your house). And so, in the life-gives-you-lemons spirit, we’ve rounded up seven great ski mountains in the Northeast that you can escape to that are so sweet, they may even make you forget how horrible you feel when you step out of your house into a pile of slush higher than your thighs. (Disclaimer: probably not, but it’s worth a shot…)
1. Killington, Vt.
Adult day pass: $52
The one place where sweet snow is actually appreciated: on the slopes. (Photo: Killington Resort/Facebook)
Killington is home to the largest ski area in the east. It has six peaks, the highest of which is 4,241 feet. There are also lots of other activities in Killington, too, like scenic gondola rides, snowshoe tours, and more — check out the full events schedule here.
Related: After the Ski There’s the Après Ski—The Best of the Best in the U.S.A.
2. Bolton Valley, Vt.
Adult day pass: $59
Just chilling with a pack of pine trees, NBD. (Photo: Bolton Valley)
Bolton Valley is in the middle of 5,000 acres of Green Mountains vistas, and the varied terrain is especially friendly to beginners and glade skiers. It has 100 kilometers of trails and a 3,150-foot summit. The Bolton Valley ski resort itself is also known for its homey vibe, comparing itself to “the one house where all the neighborhood kids love hanging out.”
Related: The Best East Coast Ski Town Diners to Refuel Yourself
3. Waterville Valley, N.H.
Adult day pass: $55
It’s hard to feel blue when you’re surrounded by THIS kind of blue. (Photo: Waterville Valley Resort/Facebook)
Waterville Valley is well-known as the “birthplace of freestyle skiing,” since the sport originated there in the 1960s. And today, it welcomes freestylers and others — the Waterville Valley Resort is famously welcoming, with lots of runs for intermediate skiers and a vertical drop of 2,020 feet.
Related: Brilliant Idea! Rent the Runway — For Ski Clothes
4. Saddleback, Rangeley, Maine
Adult day pass: $69
If only cruising out of your snow-packed driveway were as fun as cruising down the slopes… (Photo: Saddleback Maine/Facebook)
Maine isn’t exactly known for its jam-packed population density, which is why it’s a great place to go skiing and get away from it all. Saddleback is among the biggest ski destinations in the Northeast, with 220 acres and a 2,000-foot vertical drop. But even though it’s quite large, don’t expect an equally big show: The mountain prides itself on being under — not over — developed, and it tries to keep things as simple as can be, calling itself “a magnificent mountain with genuine values and a gentle soul. It’s the way Alpine skiing and riding used to be.” Plus, the surrounding town of Rangeley has plenty to do when you’re not on the slopes.
5. Stratton Mountain, Vt.
Day pass: $99
Pardon me while I powder my…entire body. Stratton Mountain (Photo: Stratton Mountain Resort/Facebook)
Stratton Mountain is not messing around. The ski mecca has 97 trails of all kinds — novice, intermediate, advanced, and expert — and 11 lifts, and it is located on 670 acres of skiable terrain. But it’s not just the mountain that’s epic: Stratton has turned into an entire resort village, and families have been coming for years to get in on the fun.
6. Jiminy Peak, Mass.
Day pass: $69
Jumping for joy. (Photo: Jiminy Peak)
Known as a very manageable New England ski destination, Jiminy Peak is on the smaller side, with just 167.4 acres, 45 trails, and nine lifts. But for that reason, it can be a very doable daytrip. And even though its elevation isn’t that steep — 1,150 feet — it’s got a not-too-steep price to match: just $69 a day.
Related:
7. Loon Mountain, N.H.
Day pass: $83
Ain’t no mountain high enough…to keep her from getting a killer Instagram. (Photo: Loon Mountain Resort/Facebook)
Located just two hours north of Boston, three hours from Providence, R.I., and three and a half hours from Hartford, Conn., this mountain is a popular and easily accessible destination for New England city dwellers looking to escape. It has 12 ski lifts, 61 trails in total — novice, intermediate, and advanced — and a 2,100-foot vertical drop. The ski area also prides itself on having “the most powerful snowmaking system in New Hampshire,” with snowmaking covering 99 percent of its trails.
Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. And check out Yahoo Travel’s original video series “A Broad Abroad.”
