Vermont Ski and Ride Guide

By Jeremy Davis

If you are considering a day trip or a vacation to Vermont for skiing or riding this winter, you’re in for a treat. Vermont boasts plenty of options, whether you are looking for an inclusive resort experience, a mid-size independent mountain, or a smaller family ski area. The cold and snowy start to the season has been a boon for these areas, with many opening up terrain weeks ahead of schedule. 

This guide showcases all of the chairlift ski areas that are open to the public in this region for the 2025-26 ski season. You’ll see familiar resorts, but you may see a few you haven’t heard of or been to before. Quite a few areas have improvements this year that will provide a better experience. 

Additional smaller ski areas with surface lifts to check out, beyond this guide, include Ascutney (ascutneyoutdoors.org), Bellows Falls Rope Tow, Brattleboro Ski Hill (brattleboro.gov/recreation), Cochran’s (cochranskiarea.com), Hard’Ack (stalbansvt.myrec.com), Harrington Hill, Lyndon Outing Club (skilyndon.com), and Northeast Slopes (northeastslopes.org). 

Many of these mountains are also on multi-mountain passes. The Indy Pass, which goes on sale several times each year (sign up for the waiting list otherwise), offers two tickets at 270 ski areas across the planet, including Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Magic Mountain, Middlebury Snowbowl, and Saskadena Six: indyskipass.com. 

Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass includes Vermont areas Stowe, Okemo, and Mount Snow along with many other resorts around the country. Alterra’s Ikon Pass provides access to Stratton, Sugarbush, Killington, and Pico with access to other areas throughout the U.S. as well.

As some of these ski areas are not open seven days a week, and some offer night skiing on certain days, please check out their websites for their operating hours before visiting.

We hope you have enjoyable upcoming season and that you have a chance to explore all the great downhill areas in Vermont. 

Bolton Valley in Bolton, Vt. – Located high up in the northern Green Mountains of Vermont (ensuring plenty of snow throughout the winter) at a small alpine village with its own hotel, Bolton Valley has a wide variety of ski trails in a stunning setting, overlooking Lake Champlain. There’s plenty of glades, narrow runs, wide open slopes, beginner trails, and cruisers on its 1,600 foot vertical drop. Backcountry enthusiasts can take advantage of some of the East’s best off-piste skiing: boltonvalley.com.

Bromley in Peru, Vt. – In business for almost 90 years, Bromley is a cruiser’s paradise, with all trails ending up at the same base area, perfect for families. With a southern exposure, Bromley is an excellent choice for a colder day. Beginners will appreciate easier runs from all lifts (including the long Run-Around from the summit), while experts have their own trail pod served by a fixed grip quad on the east side of the mountain. Six chairlifts and several surface limits help limit lift lines: bromley.com.

Burke Mountain in East Burke, Vt. – Burke is under new ownership this year (Bear Den Partners, consisting of the Graham family, Burke Mountain Academy, and the Schaefer family who own Berkshire East and Catamount), and there are lots of exciting improvements this year. The snowmaking system has doubled in capacity along with relocated pipes and snow guns, and there’s a new Prinoth Snowcat. Burke is also now a full Indy Pass member. With a full-service hotel, two base lodges, two high speed quads, and wide variety of scenic trails on a 2,000-foot drop, Burke features big mountain skiing without the crowds, with a laid back feel that all skiers and riders will appreciate: skiburke.com.

Jay Peak in Jay, Vt. – Jay Peak is experiencing a record amount of snowfall already during this season, already exceeding 200 inches. The “Jay Cloud” effect is real, and Jay will often experience powder days while other mountains do not. All this natural snowfall results in incredible skiing and riding, with highly rated glades. There’s plenty of intermediate cruisers, wide beginner slopes served by three lower lifts, and some extremely challenging expert runs, like the Face Chutes and Tuckerman Chute, accessed by Vermont’s only aerial tramway. Non-skiers will enjoy the Jay Peak Pump House indoor waterpark, Taiga Spa, climbing gym, a movie theater, and more: jaypeakresort.com.

Killington in Killington, Vt. – The largest ski area in the Eastern U.S., Killington offers a whopping 155 trails and glades with a 3,050-foot vertical drop. Many improvements greet skiers and riders this season. A new high-speed detachable six passenger chairlift, the Superstar Six, replaces an older lift. The Skyeship Gondola cabins have all been replaced. A new beginner lift serves beginners on Snowshed. Over 1,000 new snowguns have been installed over the last two years. The access road has many lodging, shopping, bars, and dining options, and there are also plans for a master planned village to be developed in the next several years. The variety of terrain here is endless for all ability levels, with a season that can stretch well into May and occasionally June: killington.com.

Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, Vt. – A true skier’s mountain, Mad River Glen is quite a special place. Owned by a co-op, the ski area’s trails all follow the contours of the mountain, with surprises around every corner. You can ride 2,000 feet vertically up on the Single Chair, the only one in the East. Three other double chairlifts access the rest of the mountain. Experts will delight in challenging runs like the famous Paradise. Intermediates and beginners have plenty of runs to keep them satisfied – with intermediates enjoying twisting trails like Catamount and Antelope, while beginners will appreciate the higher elevation green runs off the Birdland Chair. Be sure to grab lunch or enjoy the après scene at the Stark’s Pub: madriverglen.com.

Magic Mountain in Londonderry, Vt. – Magic Mountain boasts one of the greatest vibes at any ski area in Vermont, with passionate skiers and riders. You’ll find a welcoming environment at Magic, with affordable lift tickets and varied terrain. Lift lines are minimal, thanks to a new quad chairlift installed a few years ago. There’s some incredibly challenging terrain – like the double diamond Magician and Red Line trails. But there’s plenty of skiing for intermediates and beginners too. Intermediates will enjoy the changing character of Wizard, while beginners can ride down Magic Carpet from the summit: magicmtn.com.

Middlebury Snowbowl in Hancock, Vt. – Operated by Middlebury College, the Snowbowl is open to the public. Classic New England skiing and riding is found here. Most trails follow the contours of the mountain and provide surprising twists and turns, with options for all abilities from all chairlifts. One of the classic trails, Proctor, is located on skier’s left and is a fun and interesting descent. Expert trails like Panther or Lift Line have plenty of challenge: middleburysnowbowl.com.

Mount Snow in West Dover, Vt. – If you enjoy long, intermediate cruisers, Mount Snow is the ski area for you, with numerous options, such as Canyon and Ridge. If you want some challenge, The North Face delivers with its own expert pod with trails like Olympic that overlook the Somerset Reservoir. Beginners will appreciate the Long John trail from the summit, where you can also grab some refreshments at the Summit Lodge. There’s also a whole section of the mountain – Carinthia – dedicated to a terrain park. With multiple high-speed detachable lifts, including a bubble chair, you’ll spend more time skiing and riding instead of waiting in line: mountsnow.com.

Okemo in Ludlow, Vt. – Well groomed trails are a hallmark of Okemo, along with an efficient lift system. There are multiple mountain faces to explore, each with their own character. Experts should check out the narrow and twisting Searle’s Way and the glades of Double Diamond and Outrage, while intermediate cruisers will enjoy Rim Rock and the twists and turns of Tuckered Out. Easier runs are also found from most lifts – don’t pass up the chance to ski the entire distance of Mountain Road to tour the mountain from the summit. There’s plenty of lodging options with condos throughout the resort, and the Jackson Gore Inn slopeside: okemo.com.

Pico Mountain in Mendon, Vt. – Pico features big mountain skiing with a friendly atmosphere. New this year is the Bonanza Magic Carpet beginner lift, replacing an aging double chairlift. Five other chairlifts each serve their own pod of varied terrain, including two high-speed quads. Intermediates should check out Birch Glade – a moderately pitched trail filled with tree islands. Expects can attempt the steep and moguled Upper Giant Killer from the summit: picomountain.com.

Quechee Club in Quechee, Vt. – One of Vermont’s best kept secrets, Quechee has 13 trails, a quad chairlift, two surface lifts, and affordable rates with many specials available. From the summit, most trails are narrow and twisting, and most lead into a wide-open slope towards the bottom. The skiing and riding here is uncrowded and family friendly: quecheeclub.com/skiquechee.

Saskadena Six (formerly Suicide Six) in South Pomfret, Vt. – The first rope tow in the United States was located on the other side of Saskadena Six, and the area continues with its proud skiing history. The base lodge is a veritable ski museum, with old signs, maps, and artifacts from the past. The ski area itself packs a lot of fun into its 650’ drop. All trails are accessed by a fixed grip quad, and include a wide variety of steep expert runs, intermediate cruisers and twisting trails, and a mile-long beginner trail from the summit: saskadenasix.com

Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, Vt. – Smugglers’ Notch is a family-friendly resort with plenty of excellent skiing and riding along with non-skiing activities to keep everyone occupied. The ski terrain is varied and plentiful, (on Mount Mansfield, and nearby Sterling, Madonna, and Morse mountains), with a large vertical drop of 2,600 feet. “Smuggs” is a fun mountain to explore, with lots of quirky trails for all abilities that take advantage of the natural contours of the mountain, along with spectacular views. There’s plenty of slopeside lodging, dining options, tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, an indoor pool, and much more: smuggs.com.

Stowe in Stowe, Vt. – One of the most venerable resorts in the East, and located on Vermont’s highest peak, (Mount Mansfield, and adjacent Spruce Peak), Stowe has been welcoming skiers since 1937. The terrain here is legendary – from the famous Front Four expert trails, to long cruisers off the eight-person gondola, to long easier runs like the lower portions of Toll Road (top portion is intermediate). Multiple high-speed lifts keep the lift lines moving. The Lodge at Spruce Peak has luxury slopeside lodging, and there are also plenty of hotels, inns, and motels along the access road and in Stowe itself, along with fantastic dining options: stowe.com.

Sugarbush in Warren, Vt. – Sugarbush is two ski areas in one – Lincoln Peak (2,400 foot drop) and Mt. Ellen (2,600 foot drop), connected by the world’s longest high-speed quad, the Slidebrook Express (and shuttle busses too). If you are looking for a resort with tons of variety, Sugarbush has it – from the all expert Castlerock area, to long, twisting cruisers like Jester, and even a long green run, Northstar. At Lincoln Peak, you’ll find a full base area with a hotel, restaurants, and bars, and the Sugarbush Village: sugarbush.com.

Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton Mountain, Vt. – With a 2,000 foot vertical drop, 99 trails, 14 lifts including five high-speed chairlifts and a gondola, there’s plenty of skiing and riding at Stratton. Most of the trails are cruisers, like Drifter, Tamarack, and the straight down fall line Standard. Plenty of glades abound – intermediates should check out the scenic West Pilot glade with a moderate pitch. A lively base village contains shopping, lodging, restaurants, bars, and hosts special events. At the Sun Bowl, visitors can also enjoy a tubing park, guided SNO-GO bike tours, and a Nordic ski center: stratton.com.

Jeremy Davis is the author of five books, including “Lost Ski Areas of the Southern Adirondacks” and “Lost Ski Areas of the Northern Adirondacks” – available at nelsap.org. He serves on the New England Ski Museum board of directors and is a director of operations of Weather Routing Inc. in Glens Falls.