The 10 Biggest Ski Resorts on the East Coast

Although the East is home to hundreds of small hills, there are a surprising number of big mountain ski areas that offer an abundance of terrain that rivals West Coast resorts. Many East Coast resorts get overlooked when skiers and riders are looking to book week-long vacations. Many people pass over these resorts, thinking they do not offer enough terrain to entertain you for more than a few days, and this assumption is just not true. There are a variety of resorts on the East that offer plenty of terrain for often a fraction of the price of many West Coast options. If you live on the East Coast, this is especially true when factoring in flight costs. Every resort on this list offers more than enough terrain to keep guests entertained for an entire vacation and will likely leave them wanting to return.

These are the 10 largest ski resorts on the East Coast, measured by skiable acres.

#10 Stowe, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 485
Number of Runs: 116
Vertical Drop: 2,360 feet

Stowe is situated on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and provides some incredible views of the rocky headwall of the mountain as well as the surrounding peaks. Its northern Vermont location means it experiences fewer freeze-thaw cycles than other competitors further south but requires a longer drive from most northeast metropolitan areas. That being said, Stowe is only a 45-minute drive from Burlington, Vermont, and a 2-hour drive from Montreal.

While there are some beginner options on the Mansfield side of the resort, most of the beginner terrain can be found off of Spruce Peak. If you are a more advanced guest, it is worth checking out Stowe’s famous Front 4; Starr, National, Goat, and Liftline. These runs test the skills of even the most seasoned skiers with long steep fall lines litered with moguls that test skiers endurance.

• Related: Stowe Mountain Resort, VT, to Close April 27 After Historic Snow Season

#9 Mont Sainte Anne, Québec

Skiable Acres: 547
Number of runs: 71
Vertical Drop: 2,050 feet

With a 360-degree skiable footprint, Mont Sainte Anne makes great use of its resort footprint with runs covering almost the entire mountain. With 71 runs across 3 different sides of the resort, guests can enjoy plenty of terrain options from beginner trails to steep technical terrain.

If you like to sleep in, no worries! Mont Sainte Anne offers some of the most extensive night skiing in North America, with 19 lit trails from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. Mont Saint Anne is also one of the most affordable resorts on this list, with ticket prices topping out at just $106 USD.

• Related: 9 Biggest Ski Resorts for Night Skiiing

#8 Sugarbush, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 581
Number of Trails: 111
Vertical Drop: 2,600 feet

Sugarbush is a great option for guests living in Boston or Montreal, as the resort is only a 3-hour drive from both metropolitan areas. Sugarbush is not as built up as other resorts on this list, giving it a more local feel while still providing a substantial amount of terrain. The resort is comprised of 2 mountain zones connected by the Slide Brook Express, the longest ski lift in North America. The 2.1-mile-long Slide Brook Express connects Lincoln Peak with the Mt. Ellen area and passes over a massive 2,000-acre backcountry area.

Beginners and park goers will find the most terrain on the Mt. Ellen side, while intermediates and experts will likely spend most of their time on the larger Lincoln Peak side. The steepest and toughest terrain can be found off the Castlerock double and is a must-visit for expert skiers.

#7 Mount Snow, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 601
Number of Runs: 85
Vertical Drop: 1,700 feet

Located in Southern Vermont, Mount Snow is one of the closest major resorts to many of the biggest metropolitan areas in the northeast. While it may not be the tallest mountain on this list, Mount Snow packs a punch with 85 runs serviced by 19 lifts. Mount Snow is known for being an intermediate skier’s paradise, with over 70% of its terrain dedicated to intermediate trails. Mount Snow is also renowned for its Carinthia parks zone, which consists of 10 different terrain parks covering 100 acres.

#6 Okemo, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 667
Number of Runs: 123
Vertical Drop: 2,200 feet

Similar to Mount Snow, Okemo is known for its abundance of intermediate terrain. With 98% snowmaking coverage on the mountain, Okemo is a great resort to book early-season trips to, as it is able to open more terrain earlier than most other East Coast destinations. With 123 runs to choose from, serviced by 20 lifts, Okemo supplies guests with plenty of terrain to explore for extended trips. With plenty of beginner terrain and lodging options, Okemo is a great option for families in the northeast looking for a destination resort closer to home.

#5 Stratton, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 670
Number of Runs: 99
Vertical Drop: 2,003 feet

Stratton is another great resort for guests who are not looking to drive too far from home, as it sits at the southern end of Vermont. Stratton’s proximity to major north-east metropolitan areas does lead to sizable crowds, but its impressive lift infrastructure makes up for this with six high-speed lifts. While not the most challenging resort, Stratton does offer a good amount of advanced terrain off the summit, with most of its beginner and intermediate terrain located on the lower section of the resort. With five different terrain parks available across the lower mountain, Stratton is also a great option for guests looking for extensive terrain park options.

#4 Mont Tremblant, Québec

Skiable Acres: 763
Number of Runs: 102
Vertical Drop: 2,116 feet

Mont Tremblant is the biggest resort in eastern Canada, with over 100 trails to choose from. With intermediate and advanced terrain off of nearly every lift, there is something for everyone wherever you are on the mountain. Expert and advanced skiers will never get bored, as almost half of Tremblant’s terrain is rated advanced or above. If you love glade skiing, the edge side of the resort provides plenty of glade terrain ranging from intermediate to advanced, with limited crowds compared to the rest of the resort. While Tremblant does not have the most extensive beginner terrain, greens can be found throughout the resort’s footprint, allowing beginner skiers to experience the whole mountain.

• Related: Club Med In Talks To Build Second Resort in Quebec

#3 Sunday River, Maine

Skiable Acres: 870
Number of Runs: 135
Vertical Drop: 2,340 feet

With 135 runs spread across 8 different peaks, Sunday River covers a staggering amount of terrain. Each terrain zone offers options from beginner to expert, making the whole resort accessible to almost any skier. The north peak offers an abundance of beginner terrain, while experts will find the most advanced terrain off of the Oz and Whitecap peaks. Intermediate cruisers can be found throughout the resort and make up the majority of the terrain at Sunday River. Sunday River is a great option for those who live in Boston or Montreal as these metropolitan areas are about a 3 and a half hour drive away.

• Related: Subaru Driver Charged With Causing $45,000 of Damage to Slopes and RFID Lift Gates at Sunday River, ME

#2 Sugarloaf, Maine

Skiable Acres: 1,360
Number of Runs: 176
Vertical Drop: 2,820 feet

While not the most accessible resort on this list, Sugarloaf is worth the trip. With 176 runs, there is plenty of terrain for all levels across the entire mountain. What makes Sugarloaf unique is its above treeline snowfields at the peak, which give guests the feeling of skiing on the West Coast without having to make the trek across the continent. Another unique aspect of Sugarloaf is its extensive backcountry terrain off Burnt Mountain, which adds to its already massive footprint. The sheer volume of runs and unique snowfields provides guests with a truly big mountain feel, which is hard to find anywhere else in the East.

• Related: Sugarloaf, ME, to Open New England’s Newest Lift-Serviced Bike Park on July 4

#1 Killington, Vermont

Skiable Acres: 1,509
Number of Runs: 155
Vertical Drop: 3,050 feet

Nicknamed the “Beast of the East” for a reason, Killington boasts the most terrain of any resort on the East Coast. Killington is also known for having the longest ski season in the East, often closing in June, thanks to the unprecedented snowmaking that takes place on Superstar. The resort is truly massive, with 155 runs spread across six different peaks and plenty of terrain for all ability levels. Its central Vermont location means it is not as close as some competitors further south, but the abundance of terrain is well worth the drive, as no other resort comes close to matching its combination of skiable terrain and vertical drop.

• Related: Killington, VT, Donates Closing Day Proceeds to Nearby Whaleback Mountain Chairlift Repair Fund

Many of these East Coast resorts get overlooked by many, but every resort on this list provides enough terrain to keep guests entertained for a week or more at a time. The terrain at these resorts may fall short of the massive terrain offerings at many resorts out west, but they make up for it with more affordable prices and a more intimate experience that is hard to find on the West Coast.