Ski Mountains
1. Sunday River, Newry, ME
The most accessible of Maine’s high-mountain skiing, Sunday River splashes across eight interconnected peaks, with 131 diverse trails served by 16 lifts (including four high-speed quads). Lights extend evening skiing on most weekends and holidays. Snowmaking on 92 per cent of terrain guarantees a long season. Evenings are enlived by the popular Shipyard Brew Haus microbrewery. Summer golf resort.
15 South Ridge Rd. • 207 824 3000 • Ski: mid-Nov–mid-Apr • Adm • www.sundayriver.com
2. Sugarloaf, Carrabasset Valley, ME
Sugarloaf caters to adventure skiers. Offering the only lift-served skiing above the treeline in the East, its 54 miles (87 km) of trails crisscross the second highest peak in Maine at 4,237 ft (1,291 m). The continuous vertical drop of 2,820 ft (860 m) is New England’s longest. Fifty of Sugarloaf’s 146 trails are rated either difficult (black diamond) or expert (double black diamond). Summer golf resort.5092 Sugarloaf Access Rd. • 207 237 2000 • Ski: mid-Nov–late Apr • Adm • www.sugarloaf.com
3. Saddleback Mountain, Rangeley, ME
Remote but affordable wilderness skiing is the lure of Saddleback, which sprawls across a cluster of high alpine peaks covered with snow-frosted evergreens. Lifts bring skiers to elevations greater than 4,000 ft (1,219 m) for more than 2,000 vertical ft (609 m) of skiing. Less developed than many ski areas, Saddleback’s summer activities lean toward guided mountain hiking and guided flyfishing.976 Saddleback Rd. • 207 864 5671 • Ski: Dec–Mar • Adm • www.saddlebackmaine.com
4. Mount Mansfield, Stowe, VT
As the tallest of the Green Mountains, Mansfield challenges hikers every summer and fall. Come winter, Stowe Mountain Resort takes over the slopes with 116 trails and more mile-long lifts than any other resort in the East. With average annual snowfall of 333 inches (8.46m), Stowe has a long season of deep snow. Summer golf resort.5781 Mountain Rd. • 802 253 3000 • Ski: mid-Nov–mid-Apr • Adm • www.stowe.com
5. Killington, VT
Killington Resort stretches across six mountain areas in central Vermont, providing 140 ski trails. As New England’s largest ski resort, it also features 20 lifts, including two express gondolas and five express chairs, that give access to the highest lift-served ski terrain in Vermont. For boarders there’s The Stash and Dream Maker terrain parks and the 500-ft (152-m) Superpipe.4763 Killington Rd. • 802 422 6200 • Ski: mid-Nov–mid-Apr • Adm • www.killington.com
6. Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville, VT
Smugglers’ is an all-season family resort well known for its learn-to-ski programs and activities for kids. The resort stretches across three peaks, with 8 lifts serving 78 trails. Smugglers’ skiing can be challenging, despite its family orientation; the Black Hole is the only triple black diamond trail in the Eastern US. Summer golf resort.4323 Rte. 108 S. • 802 644 8851 • Ski: mid-Nov–mid-Apr • Adm • www.smuggs.com
7. Jay Peak, Jay, VT
Snuggled up against the Canadian border in northern Vermont, Jay Peak’s glade skiing is ranked by experts as among the best in the US. Annual snowfall of 355 inches (9 m) reduces the need for snowmaking. The eight lifts serving 76 trails include a 60-passenger tramway. Summer golf resort.4850 Rte. 242 • 802 988 2611 • Ski: Nov–early May • Adm • www.jaypeakresort.com
8. Mad River Glen, Waitsfield, VT
This mountain with some of the East’s most challenging terrain is run by a co-op of hardcore skiers who keep it simple: no snow-boards; a single-chair lift from 1948 that limits numbers on the slopes; and no fancy base lodge or hotels with hot tubs.802 496 3551 • Ski: mid-Dec–early Apr • Adm • www.madriverglen.com
9. Attitash, Bartlett, NH
Not as big or challenging as some New England areas, Attitash (and attached Bear Peak) have vistas of the White Mountains to make the skiing memorable. The longest vertical drop is 1,750 ft (534 m), but 11 lifts serve 70 trails.Rte. 302 • 800 223 7669 • Ski: late Nov–Apr • Adm • www.attitash.com
10. Cannon Mountain, Franconia, NH
One of the oldest ski areas in the US, Cannon has a refreshingly noncommercial feel about it – not to mention spectacular White Mountains vistas from its 72 trails.9 Franconia Notch State Park • 603 823 8800 • Ski: Nov–mid-Apr • Adm • www.cannonmt.com
