Author Dan Koday at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. Dan Koday I’ve been skiing for years and learned to ski at different resorts in the Northeast US. There are many resorts to choose from, but these 9 are my favorites that I return to most often.
Here’s where I recommend booking a ski trip, from New York’s Hunter Mountain to Maine’s Sunday River. As a skier who enjoys getting out on the mountain as much as I can, I’ve made it a habit of visiting ski resorts in the Northeast my entire life. The author skiing at Hunter Mountain in New York.
Dan KodayI especially like going to ski resorts within easy driving distance or a quick plane ride from my home base in New York City. As a more advanced skier, I think the overall quality of big mountain skiing out West is preferable for my personal ability level these days, but the East Coast is where I first learned to ski, and I’ve always been fond of it for that reason. In my opinion, if you can learn to ski in the Northeast in our often icier conditions, you can ski pretty much anywhere.
After many seasons shredding the East Coast’s mountains, I’ve learned to appreciate the more laid-back vibe and affordability of skiing here. In my experience, one-day lift passes in the area are much cheaper — sometimes half the cost — compared to popular resorts out West. I think the approachability of Northeast skiing is another one of its charms, making it an ideal place to learn the sport if you’re new to it or looking to plan a group ski trip with skiers of various ability levels.
Since many of the mountains have lower elevations and shorter, more gradual runs, many friends I’ve helped learn to ski have agreed with me that the Northeast is a great place to build up confidence and ability as a skier. Whether you’re ready to master the magic carpet or tree skiing, the region has a lot to offer. These are some of the best ski resorts I’ve visited in the Northeast that I think are an excellent choice for different types of skiers.
Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire has some of my favorite scenery in the Northeast and is a great choice for serious skiers. Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire has views of Mount Washington and the Presidential mountain range. Dan KodayLocated in the stunning White Mountains, Wildcat Mountain is one of my favorite ski resorts in the Northeast, specifically for its scenery.
Overlooking Mount Washington and the Presidential Range of mountains, the views are expansive, and it remind me of the views of the Rockies I’ve seen skiing in the western US. When it comes to shredding, in my experience, Wildcat Mountain does not disappoint. The resort has 2,112 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding terrain, the second largest in the state, and five lifts that can accommodate 6,700 skiers per hour.
As a result, I’ve never found the resort to be too busy or the lift lines too long when visiting, even over a holiday weekend. Wildcat is also the place I track the weather to get in an early season run since, historically, it’s the first resort in the state to open and the last to close. It has 48 pristine trails, and all of the runs are filled with snow-dusted trees and are quickly accessible thanks to an express quad, which is a chair lift that’s faster than usual and whisks you right to the top of the mountain.
As a result, I’ve found this resort tends to attract people serious about skiing and getting the most out of $115 one-day pass. Accommodations can be booked through one of Wildcat’s five lodging partners, each with its own unique set of amenities and perks. The Glen House is my favorite thanks to its proximity to the mountain.
The guest rooms are comfortable in my experience, and furnished in functional Shaker-style design, with full-length armoires. About half of the rooms have private balconies that face the highest summit in the Northeast, Mount Washington. After working up an appetite skiing, I like to head to the Notch Grill, an on-site restaurant for tasty comfort foods with views of Mount Washington.
Another restaurant I enjoy is the Wild Rose at Stonehurst Manor. I love its wood-fired bread, oversized salads, classic grilled meats, and fresh Maine seafood, and the bar area next-door has cozy fireplaces for a nightcap. I also recommend visiting Nestlenook Farm, roughly a 15-minute drive from the resort, which has an idyllic winter setting for sleigh rides, ice skating, and snowshoeing trails that reminds me of a Thomas Kinkade holiday scene.
For spacious terrain with room for freestyle tricks and easy access to a charming small town, I go to Windham Mountain in New York. Windham Mountain Ski Resort in the Catskills, New York, has 285 trails and six terrain parks. Shutterstock/Michael NixtJust a couple hours’ drive north of New York City, Windham Mountain attracts those looking for a break surrounded by nature year-round.
Located in the northern Catskills, Windham is home to 285 skiable acres, 54 trails, and six terrain parks, which makes it a good option for those who like space to do freestyle tricks. Like many of the mountains in New York state, though, it has runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. If you can ski double-black diamonds like me, I highly recommend the Wedel and Why Not runs.
The ski mountain here is also a stone’s throw from the small and charming town of the same name, which I’ve found makes it an enjoyable destination in other seasons for activities like biking and hiking. Since I’ve returned to the area to ski quite a few times, and since my husband and I have a small dog, we have stayed at quite a few places, including a pet-friendly log cabin available on Vrbo, as well as the trendy Eastwind Hotel. The Eastwind has glamping cabins and standard, modern guest rooms — some of which have wood-burning stoves, and expansive mountain views.
The new Wylder Windham, which is made up of seven separate lodges outfitted in mountain-chic decor, is another place I have my eye on when I visit this season. Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont is one of the most romantic resorts I’ve been to. I think it’s great for couples and groups with non-skiers.
Stowe Mountain Resort is great for a ski getaway mixed with spa days and small-town ambience. Dan KodayWhile I’ve skied a good amount of the resorts in the Northeast, there are a few fan favorites of my ski buddies that I’ve yet to experience in Vermont, including Okemo, Jay Peak, and Killington. But in my opinion, Stowe Mountain Resort is not only one of the best ski destinations in Vermont, it’s also one of the best in the Northeast.
Stowe has long been a favorite of skiers in the Northeast like me, and is considered the state’s birthplace of alpine skiing since it first started operating its lift-served runs back in 1937. I first visited Stowe in March 2018 with my husband, and though it was freezing the weekend we went with temperatures in the teens, it still holds in my memory as one of the most romantic trips I’ve taken to a ski resort. The resort’s base village, Spruce Peak Village, makes it an excellent option, in my opinion, for couples looking to fill their off-mountain time.
There’s a luxe hotel with outdoor hot tubs, shopping, handsome Alpine spas, and a plethora of dining and nightlife options. Stowe is surrounded by Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and Spruce Peak, which has a vertical drop of 2,360 feet. The mountain also has more mile-long lifts than any other resort in the East, which I think makes it a fantastic option for advanced skiers like myself, though its 116 trails and 485 total skiable acres have terrain for all ability levels.
I find this resort to be a great choice for those traveling with non-skiers, as the area has adorable shops and markets with a small-town ambience. Nearby there’s the Trapp Family Lodge of “The Sound of Music” fame, which has an Austrian-style beer hall, brewery, and wine tasting room. I tend to stay in the heart of Spruce Peak Village at the Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe’s only ski-in/ski-out hotel.
There are fireplaces in every room and windows with views of the mountains. Whiteface Mountain in New York is where I first learned to ski. The resort has almost 100 trails for both beginners and experts.
There’s a scenic view of Lake Placid from New York’s Whiteface Mountain. Whiteface Mountain Ski ResortWhiteface Mountain near Lake Placid is where I learned to ski and first got interested in winter sports. I have fond memories of my dad taking us up the Whiteface gondola, as well as memories of visiting the charming nearby town of Lake Placid.
Whiteface Mountain has long been a favorite amongst East Coast shredders like me for its daring stats, including the largest vertical drop east of the Rockies at 3,430 feet. For the 2022-2023 ski season, new snowmaking pipe has been installed around the mountain, as well as new snow guns and snowmaking hydrants, to improve skiing conditions. Despite having one of the more expensive one-day lift tickets at $119, it’s well worth it in my opinion; the resort has 91 trails covering 299 total skiable acres and 11 mountain lifts.
Whiteface is also one of the more challenging mountains in the Northeast due to it’s varied terrain, which is why advanced skiers like me prefer it. The region is also home to other winter sports, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating. Just a short drive from nearby Lake Placid, which was the host of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, you can bobsled on a former Olympic track or try out a toboggan chute.
While the resort doesn’t have an on-site hotel, there are accommodations nearby. Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa is my pick for its in-town location in Lake Placid, which is roughly 20 minutes from Whiteface away by car. The inn has classic suites that typically include a fireplace, jetted tub, and scenic views of the lake and mountain.
I’ve also enjoyed dining at The View, Mirror Lake Inn’s on-site restaurant that serves fresh pastas and custom cut and aged steaks. I think New York’s Hunter Mountain is an ideal resort for beginners, and has an abundance of lodging and casual dining. Hunter Mountain is a good resort for beginners since it has a variety of gentle slopes.
Dan KodayHunter Mountain is a popular ski spot in New York that’s an easy drive or bus ride from New York City. It also gets high marks for its affordability as one-day passes cost around $90. I think Hunter is an excellent place for groups of all sizes who want different challenges.
I visited first in 2015, when I was honing my skills again after a few years off the mountain. Since Hunter has some more gentle slopes, with 25% beginner trails and 30% intermediate, it’s an ideal place for learners, in my opinion. Beginners can enroll in group or private one-on-one lessons at the on-site ski and snowboard school.
By the time I returned for a second visit in 2019, I no longer found any of Hunter’s terrain challenging, and was also able to explore some of its harder runs, like the thrilling West Way and Claire’s. The mountain’s 67 trails, 13 lifts, four terrain parks, and 1,600-foot vertical drop mean there’s plenty of variety for skiers of all levels. One of the terrain parks, Park Ave, I think is a particular highlight for experienced shredders with its expert-level jumps, transitions, and rails.
In the summertime, I also highly recommend the Scenic Skyride for a stunning sightseeing trip through the peaks of the Catskills. For accommodations, one of the newest and I think most exciting hotel openings in the area is Hotel Lilien, a restored 1890s estate renovated to 18 distinct rooms. It has a large art collection and a rotating artist-in-residence program, and is just four minutes by car from Hunter Mountain.
Liftside Village Condos is another of my favorite places to stay for its laid-back, family-friendly accommodations. It has rustic suites and condos, ski-in/ski-out access, and outdoor hot tubs. I also recommend fueling up with a quick slice and a drink at Santini’s Pizza, or indulging in fireside pub fare and happy hour specials at Van Winkle’s — just two of the many casual dining options I opt for when I’m at Hunter.
Sunday River in Maine is my go-to for winter wonderland scenery. It also has one of the cheapest day passes in the Northeast. Sunday River has one of the more affordable day passes in the Northeast at $49.
Dan KodayMaine is one of those places that I think is stunning in every season, and come the wintertime, it’s usually covered in pillowy powder at Sunday River ski resort. One thing I particularly appreciate about Sunday River is that it’s high on affordability, with one-day lift passes for just $49. Spanning three miles over eight interconnected peaks in the charming resort town of Newry, Maine, Sunday River has an impressive 878 accessible acres for skiing and snowboarding.
The resort has 135 trails, 18 lifts including four high-speed quads, and a vertical drop of 2,300 feet with slopes suitable for all experience levels. I’ve also come to know Sunday River for its dependable conditions and varied terrain. The resort makes snow with over 2,000 snow guns to give visitors the best possible ski and snowboard conditions all winter long.
I recommend staying at the Jordan Hotel for sweeping views of the mountain’s western peaks, and slopeside ski access via the Lollapalooza trail. Dining options at Sunday River are plentiful with over a dozen on-site bars and restaurants. Coffee Hound Coffee Bar is my must for fueling up before hitting the slopes for its specialty coffees, gourmet hot chocolates, and freshly baked mini donuts, which I always find hard to resist.
When lunchtime or dinner rolls around, I like to go to Camp, a restaurant that has a cozy dining experience with comfort foods like poutine, pork and veal meatballs, and slow-roasted chicken. For a more laid-back skiing trip with less crowds, I’d head to Belleayre Mountain in New York. I’ve found Belleayre Mountain to be less crowded than other ski resorts in the Catskills.
Dan KodayI’ve found Belleayre Mountain Resort in the Catskills to be generally quieter and less crowded than its nearby competitors like Hunter and Windham, and it’s another easy drive option for travelers coming from the East Coast. The resort’s recent improvements, including miles of new snowmaking pipe and new snow guns, I think make it an even more appealing getaway for great snow conditions. Technically, Belleayre’s runs are shorter, but it has stats comparable to nearby mountains, with 175 total skiable acres, a 1,400 vertical drop, and more than 63 runs.
Visitors can also partake in snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and scenic gondola rides. Belleayre Mountain has a variety of lodging options, including Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa, which is a wellness-focused property with private yoga, pilates, and meditation sessions available. Menla has cozy rooms as well as private cabins.
I also enjoy staying at the unique Roxbury Experience, where suites are inspired by fantastical worlds like Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. ” There are several on-mountain dining options at Belleayre. Groomers Pub serves drinks and pub fare like chicken wings and nachos, and Waffle Cabin serves waffles and hot drinks.
My favorite place to eat is Marketplace, which has grab-and-go items like jumbo Bavarian pretzels and the resort’s signature chili. For a casual skiing atmosphere and wide-open trails, I visit Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. Loon Mountain is a great no-frills ski resort in New Hampshire.
Dan KodayI had planned a few trips out West to ski in 2019, and also decided to take a quick weekend trip with my husband to New Hampshire. Neither of us had ever skied there before, and I’m glad we went. Loon is a fantastic, no-frills ski destination, in my opinion.
It’s at the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and about an hour’s drive from Wildcat Mountain. This means visitors can conveniently experience both resorts over a couple of days if they want to, like I did. New Hampshire’s skiing terrain impressed me, and I particularly loved Loon’s casual atmosphere.
With 61 trails, 11 lifts, and a 2,100 foot vertical drop, Loon Mountain has something for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The resort has open, unobstructed runs that I think are ideal for intermediate skiers who like to cruise down the mountain. I think one of its most interesting draws is ski biking, a modern alternative to more traditional snowsports.
And skiers visiting with a group can try out the resort’s new Kanc8 chair, a lift with heated seats that fits eight people at once. Whichever activity you go for, day passes at Loon cost $56. The Mountain Club is Loon’s only ski-in/ski-out lodging option, and while I didn’t personally stay there, I heard from other visitors that it’s a guest-favorite for its varied accommodations.
There are rooms with whirlpool tubs that I think would be great for an intimate couple’s getaway, and also multi-level suites that can sleep up to 10 people for group ski adventures. For dining, I enjoyed the comforting New England fare at The Black Diamond, an on-site restaurant that focuses on locally sourced, farm-to-table food. It had a lively crowd when I visited, as well as a great selection of spirits.
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