Skiing in Vermont: Guide For Best Mountains and Dates for Peak Snow

If you’re a skiing enthusiast looking for the perfect place to hit the slopes, Vermont should definitely be on your radar. Nestled in the northeastern United States, Vermont is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of top-notch ski resorts. The state also receives a lot of snowfall during the winter months. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, Vermont has something to offer for every level of skier.

What makes Vermont so special for skiing is the consistently cold temperatures and high annual snowfall, which make for some of the best powder conditions in the country. So pack your bags, grab your skis, bundle up, and get ready for an unforgettable ski vacation in Vermont!

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak, located just five miles south of the US-Canadian border in Vermont, is known for receiving the most natural snowfall of any ski resort in the East! With 101 trails (81 Alpine & 20 Cross Country) to choose from, there’s something for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The ski area has a maximum elevation of almost 4,000 feet!

You’ll find 15 easy trails, 31 intermediate trails, and a whopping 33 advanced/expert trails. And for those who love glade skiing, there are 24 glades to explore as well.

In addition, at this resort, you’ll find 2 terrain parks and a hi-speed quad lift to help you catch some big air. When you’re ready for a break, check out one of the resort’s 9 lifts, including a double, triple, and quad, as well as a surface lift and a tram.

The resort spans 385 skiable acres and boasts a vertical drop of 2153 feet. And with 80% snowmaking coverage on 308 acres, you can count on plenty of fresh powder all season long, no matter how snowy is actually is.

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The fun doesn’t stop when the lifts close. Jay Peak Resort also offers rentals, lessons, and a variety of amenities, including indoor and outdoor ice skating, a racing program, and childcare services for those parents out there.

After a long day on the mountain, you can relax in the resort’s indoor water park, indoor climbing gym, movie theater, or one of its 16 restaurants. And for the ultimate in relaxation, check out the resort’s spa and wellness center, complete with a hot tub and pool, which is perfect for sinking in after a long day on the slopes.

Plus, on-site and nearby lodging options allow you to easily ski in and out and make the most of your trip.

Jay Peak Resort is in the beautiful towns of Jay and Westfield, Vermont. Located in Orleans County, this resort is also only 30 minutes from the city or Newport and is easily accessible by car or from Northeast Kingdom International airport.

Average Annual Snowfall

At Jay Peak, snowfall typically occurs from November through April, with most of it occurring from December through March. On average, Jay Peak receives 279 inches of snow per year which is a HUGE amount of powder.

February is the best month to visit the resort, as the average snowfall for February is a whopping 75 inches, with 16 snowfall days. The average base depth is 26 inches, while the average summit depth is 47 inches. The maximum base depth recorded for the month in recorded history was 45 inches, and the most significant snowfall was 23 inches.

Okemo Mountain Resort

Okemo Mountain Resort was once a tiny, community-operated ski hill. However, in 1982, Tim and Diane Mueller took over and transformed it into the bustling four-season resort.

First, Okemo has a total of 121 alpine trails, with a breakdown of 32% easy, 37% intermediate, and 31% advanced/expert trails. There are also 12 glades and 7 terrain parks to explore, including a half pipe for all you freestylers out there.

In total, the resort has 20 lifts, including 7 surface lifts, 3 triple lifts, 9 quad lifts, and 4 hi-speed quad lifts, as well as a whopping 667 skiable acres and a vertical drop of 2200 feet.

Don’t worry about the snow conditions – Okemo has got you covered with 98% snowmaking coverage on its 654 acres. However, on average, the resort receives 200 inches of annual snowfall, so you can expect plenty of fresh powder no matter when you visit. You can also rent equipment or take lessons if you need to.

The fun doesn’t stop when the slopes close – Okemo also offers on-site and nearby lodging options, as well as ski-in and ski-out access and a wide range of amenities like ice skating, tubing, and even a spa and pool to relax in after a long and eventful day on the mountain. And with 16 restaurants on-site, you’ll never go hungry during your stay.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and hit the slopes at Okemo!

The resort is a little over two hours away from Bradley International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. It’s about three hours from Boston Logan International Airport. It is about 12 miles from Londonberry and 25 miles from Rutland.

Average Annual Snowfall

Okemo Mountain Resort gets most of the snow from December to March, with a yearly average of 200 inches. If you’re heading to the slopes in February, you’re in luck – this is typically the snowiest month of the year.

On average, February sees 34 inches of snowfall, with an average total of 9 days of snowfall. This means you can expect plenty of fresh powder to play in during your trip. And with an average base depth of 26 inches and an average summit depth of 36 inches, you’ll have plenty of snow to carve up on the mountain.

Killington Resort

Killington Ski Resort is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, with 155 trails to choose from, including 28 easy trails, 66 intermediate trails, and 61 advanced/expert trails. If you’re after something a little bit different, you’ll find 16 glades and 6 terrain parks, including a half pipe, to explore.

There are plenty of ways to get around the mountain. The resort has 22 lifts, including surface, double, triple, quad, hi-speed quad, six-pack, and gondola lifts. With 1,509 skiable acres and a vertical drop of 3,050 feet, there are plenty of terrains to keep you entertained throughout your trip.

In addition to its impressive ski terrain, Killington also has a top-notch snowmaking system covering 600 acres, ensuring there’s always plenty of snow to enjoy. While the resort typically sees 250 inches of annual snowfall, the snowmaking system acts as insurance and helps to supplement natural snow when needed. 

If you need rentals or lessons, the resort has you covered, with equipment rentals and lessons available for both skiers and snowboarders of all skills and levels. Unfortunately, night skiing is not possible as lights have yet to be installed.

Aside from skiing and snowboarding, Killington also offers a variety of extra amenities to enhance your visit. You’ll find on-site and nearby lodging options, ski-in/ski-out access, lessons, rentals, racing, tubing, sleigh rides, childcare, and a spa and wellness center with a pool and hot tub.

The resort also has 47 EV charging stations with Level 2 and Level 3 charging capabilities and 9 on-site restaurants for a variety of dining options.

Killington Ski Resort is located in Rutland County, close to the town of Killington. The nearest airport is Rutland country airport which is about 30 minutes away. It is about 2 hours from Burlington International Airport.

Average Annual Snowfall

Killington gets plenty of snow, with a yearly average of 250 inches. Just like many other skiing resorts in Vermont, Killington also gets the heaviest snowfall in February, with an average of 45 inches. The average base depth at the mountain is 23 inches, while the average summit depth is 32 inches. 

Mount Snow Resort

Mount Snow is a very popular destination for skiing in Vermont, known for its close proximity to major cities in the Northeast. It was founded by National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame member Walter Schoenknecht in 1954 and has since become a well-known destination for both skiers and snowboarders alike.

This impressive resort boasts 86 alpine trails, with 19 trails suitable for beginners, 42 for intermediates, and 15 for advanced or expert skiers. Mount Snow also has glades and 10 terrain parks, as well as a half pipe for snowboarders.

The resort is equipped with 20 lifts, including 5 surface lifts, 4 double lifts, 6 triple lifts, 1 quad lift, 3 hi-speed quad lifts, and 1 six-pack lift. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy 600 skiable acres with a vertical drop of 1700 feet. 

The resort has 80% snowmaking coverage on 472 acres and an average annual snowfall of 128 inches. Mount Snow offers rentals and lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, and, unfortunately, there is no night skiing available. 

In addition to the ski and snowboard amenities, the resort also offers on-site and nearby lodging, ski-in/ski-out access, and a range of amenities such as racing, tubing, childcare, spa and wellness services, a pool, hot tub, and 16 restaurants to meet every taste.

If you live in or around a major city in the Northeast, such as New York City, Boston, Albany, or Hartford, a trip to Mount Snow in southern Vermont is a feasible option. The ski resort is located within the Green Mountains and is just a short drive from West Dover, only four miles away. This makes it a convenient destination for a ski or snowboard trip.

Average Annual Snowfall

The snowiest month at this resort is February, as it reaches up to 41 inches of snow on average. December and January are just a little behind, with an average of around 30 inches of snow. Still quite impressive!

In February, the average base depth, or the amount of snow at the bottom of the mountain, is 25 inches. The average summit depth, or the amount of snow at the top of the mountain, is 32 inches. The maximum base depth recorded is 50 inches, and the most significant snowfall in a single day in recorded history on this mountain was 18 inches.

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