5 MOUNTAINS YOU NEED TO SKI THIS WINTER IN THE NORTHEAST
From the sprawling resorts like Killington and Sunday River, to the small rope tow hills that dot the Northeast, there’s a lot of variety out there when it comes to ski areas and resorts in the region. If you’re like me, getting out and experiencing it all is part of the fun each winter. With so many options on where to go, I’ve put together a list of the five mountains I think you should ski in the Northeast this ski season.
Sunday River.
Looking down the slope at Dynamite Hill Recreation Area, which is a 65 ft. vertical cable tow hill in Chestertown, NY.
Note: This is not your typical resort list from a big publication. The mountains listed may or may not be the biggest or the “best,” but, rather, they’re places I think that are worth your time for varying reasons, which I outline.
Whiteface Mountain
Wilmington, nY
The view from Little Whiteface looking at Whiteface Mountain.
On a run at Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface IS my home mountain, but that’s not why it makes the list. With more vertical than any other ski area in eastern North America, Whiteface is a must-visit for any East Coast skier. Whiteface is an Olympic mountain, having hosted the winter games in 1980, and it skis like it, with great expert terrain, such as Upper Skyward, Mountain Run and Hoyt’s High. Come prepared, because the 3,166 ft. of lift-served vertical will have your legs on fire if you’re not ready. For those who are a bit more adventurous, that vertical can be upped to 3,430 ft. (hike-to) when The Slides are open.
Middlebury Snowbowl
HANCOCK, VT
A map of Middlebury Snowbowl.
A glade at Middlebury Snowbowl.
Riding the Worth Mountain Chair at Middlebury Snowbowl.
Did you really think this list would just be me spouting off a bunch of the biggest ski resorts in the East? That’s not how we roll around these parts. Don’t let this mountain’s small size fool you; Middlebury Snowbowl has a lot going for it, especially in the woods. Owned and operated by Middlebury College, the Snowbowl offers a pretty good mix of terrain for its size. The groomers can be steep in spots, the woods are fantastic, and the natural-only terrain is a ton of fun, especially off the Bailey Falls Lift. The best part? It’s very affordable, with lift tickets running around $63 when I visited in February 2026 (off-peak).
Smugglers’ Notch
Jeffersonville, VT
The skiing in northern Vermont is incredible. Jay Peak, Bolton Valley, and Stowe are all worthy of a visit, but this year I’m suggesting you make the trip to Jeffersonville to ski Smuggs’. What Smuggs’ lacks in modern amenities, it makes up for in great terrain and snow. Yeah, the lifts are old and slow. Big deal. You won’t be thinking about the lifts while you’re skiing down Doc Dempsey’s or through the Highlander Glade.
Mount Mansfield seen from Smugglers’ Notch.
Highlander Glade at Smugglers’ Notch.
Doc Dempsey’s Glade at Smugglers’ Notch.
The trees are epic, the groomers are great, the views are top notch, and we can’t forget to mention that Smuggs’ averages the second-most snowfall in the East. Put it all together and you’ve got the makings of one of the best places to ski around.
WILDCAT MOUNTAIN
GORHAM, NH
Mount Washington seen from Wildcat Mountain.
For reasons I won’t mention here, Wildcat Mountain making the list may be a surprise to a lot of people, but I’m putting it on the list anyways because, frankly, the view is elite. That’s not to say the terrain isn’t fun — it is — but this view is arguably the best in the East, and that’s because Wildcat sits adjacent to Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the Northeast. As a result, the entire time you're skiing Wildcat you’re looking at an up-close view of Mount Washington and some of the other mountains in the Presidential Range. The view is about as “western” as it gets for an eastern ski area. It really is that good. You won’t be disappointed … unless you’re there on a cloudy day.
On a trail at Wildcat Mountain.
A run under the Wildcat Express Quad, which is Wildcat’s main lift.
On a trail at Wildcat Mountain.
Every run off the main lift has more than 2,100 ft. of vertical so you get nice and long runs. There’s a pretty good mix of groomers, natural-only trails, and trees. That said, this is one you want to wait to visit until there’s plenty of trails open; otherwise, you’ll likely miss out on the more interesting terrain this mountain has to offer.
Northeast Slopes
East Corinth, VT
Riding the T-Bar at Northeast Slopes.
I couldn’t wrap this list up without a nod to a classic small ski hill. Northeast Slopes has charm and character the bigger mountains simply can’t replicate. They’ve been spinning rope tows since the 1930s and there are even multiple Hollywood set pieces at the bottom of the hill. Both Beetlejuice movies were shot nearby and the bridge coverings used in both films have found a second life at Northeast Slopes, for use as storage, a pavilion, and to house equipment.
The bridge covering from the film ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ at Northeast Slopes.
Skiable trees at Northeast Slopes.
Looking up at a run at Northeast Slopes.
Interesting history aside, this small, 35-acre ski hill, with 360 ft. of vertical, has some fun terrain and, in many ways, skis above its size. Compared to some of the other small hills I frequent, the runs are a bit longer, there are some steep areas, and there are even some skiable trees. Plus, you can’t beat the price. When I visited in March 2026, a ticket was just $15 and a hot dog was only $3.