Best Peaks Overall in
The rank-order of Vermont ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
#1 in Vermont
KillingtonKillington, VT
Killington, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
61
- Size for Vermont
- Terrain diversity
- Lift infrastructure
- Snowmaking operations
- Lift logistics that lead to large crowds in popular areas
- Ease of navigation
Size, snow quality, and terrain diversity make this East Coast mountain incredibly appealing, but navigation could be easier.
#2 in Vermont
StoweStowe, VT
Stowe, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
61
- Demanding expert terrain
- Snow quality for Vermont
- Modern lifts in most major areas
- Ease of navigation
- Crowd flow
- Impractically placed Mansfield base facilities
Despite a few logistical flaws, this classic Vermont resort holds its own against the best on the East Coast.
#3 in Vermont
Jay PeakJay, VT
Jay, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
59
- Top-tier East Coast snow accumulation
- Excellent glade terrain
- Extraordinary expert chutes
- Striking footprint
- Fewer crowds than resorts further south
- Frequent wind holds
- Lackluster snowmaking and grooming
- Extraordinary cold spells throughout the core season
- Slow or uncomfortable lift rides aside from tram
- Long drive from major metropolitan areas
Vermont’s northernmost resort offers class-leading snow and expert terrain, but resiliency issues hurt it against more convenient competitors.
#4 in Vermont
SugarbushWarren, VT
Warren, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
59
- Diverse terrain, including demanding expert and backcountry runs
- Breathtaking mountain aesthetic
- Local feel
- Lack of snowmaking on some trails, especially expert terrain, that leads to inconsistent conditions
- Limited beginner terrain
- Long distance between the two resort sides
This charming Vermont resort offers diverse, demanding terrain and a local feel. However, the best expert runs aren’t always open.
#5 in Vermont
StrattonStratton Mountain, VT
Stratton Mountain, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
56
- Lift infrastructure
- Impeccable resort signage
- Size and terrain for southern Vermont
- Snowmaking and grooming operations
- Crowds
- Commercialized feel
- Inconvenient overflow parking
- Lack of true expert terrain
This southern Vermont mountain delivers an ideal family experience thanks to excellent grooming and easy navigation, but you’ll be giving up some snow and terrain quality for the location.
#6 in Vermont
Smugglers' NotchJeffersonville, VT
Jeffersonville, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
53
- Remote, beautiful footprint
- Local feel
- Variety of distinctive terrain
- Reasonably-priced lift tickets
- Archaic, low-capacity lifts
- Lackluster snowmaking operations
- Beginner zone poorly connected with other resort areas
- Long drive from major Northeast cities
Ancient lifts and lackluster resiliency measures hold back a staple of the northern Vermont skiing scene.
#7 in Vermont
PicoMendon, VT
Mendon, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
53
- Low crowds
- Local feel
- Straightforward footprint
- Available ski-in/ski-out lodging
- Modest footprint
- Secondary lifts that don’t operate consistently
- Closed on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Intermediate trail congestion at summit
This central Vermont mountain gets overshadowed by bigger competitors, but it offers decent terrain and an escape from the crowds.
#8 in Vermont
OkemoLudlow, VT
Ludlow, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
52
- Lift infrastructure in most major areas
- Wide variety of beginner and groomed terrain
- Size for southern Vermont
- Lack of expert terrain
- Lift logistics at the main base area
- Crowds during peak times
This family-friendly mountain boasts modern lifts and a wide variety of groomers, but expert terrain is lacking. Crowding has gotten worse in recent seasons.
#9 in Vermont
Mount SnowWest Dover, VT
West Dover, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
52
- Lift infrastructure in most major areas
- Wide variety of beginner and groomed terrain
- Size for southern Vermont
- Crowds
- Outdated lift infrastructure in some areas
- Less unique terrain and lower snowfall than resorts further north
This popular resort delivers a lot for southern Vermont but struggles to handle crowds in some areas.
#10 in Vermont
Mad River GlenWaitsfield, VT
Waitsfield, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
49
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Local, uncommercialized feel
- One-of-a-kind single chair
- Small footprint
- Extremely limited snowmaking, leading to large terrain closures throughout the season
- Slow, low-capacity lifts
- Ban on snowboarders
With very limited snowmaking and a ban on snowboarders, this small Vermont mountain is about as raw as it gets for the Northeast.
#11 in Vermont
BromleyPeru, VT
Peru, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
49
- Ease of navigation
- Sunny, south-facing slopes
- Local feel
- Low crowds
- Small footprint
- Lack of difficult terrain
While much smaller and less diverse than Vermont’s major destinations, this local-feeling hill will satisfy families thanks to easy navigation and low crowds.
#12 in Vermont
Bolton ValleyRichmond, VT
Richmond, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
47
- Strong regional snowfall
- Lack of crowds
- Excellent tree terrain
- Available night skiing
- Easy access to lift-accessed backcountry terrain
- Small footprint
- Limited vertical drop
- Slow lifts
- So-so snowmaking, leading to unreliable trail openings throughout the core season
This Vermont mountain is too small and undeveloped to compete with the state’s most popular destinations, but its combination of local, uncrowded slopes and strong natural snowfall may do the trick for some.
#13 in Vermont
Magic Mountainlondonderry, VT
Londonderry, VT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
44
- Diverse slopes for the size
- Demanding terrain for southern Vermont
- Low on-piste skier density
- Value
- Limited snowmaking across all levels of trails, leading to widespread thin cover
- Modest footprint
- Utilitarian, run-down vibe
- Slow, low-capacity lifts
- Closed on most off-peak weekdays
This modestly-sized mountain doesn’t have the refinement to compete with the destinations, but it’s hard to beat for the challenge and value in southern Vermont.