The Big Apple may be the epitome of urban life, but there is plenty of skiing to be had within driving distance from New York City. Options such as Camelback in Pennsylvania or the resorts in the Catskill Mountains are often feasible for a day trip or short weekend. While these areas offer some competitive experiences within a few hours of the city, some of the best skiing on the East Coast can be accessed on a weekend trip from NYC. Whether staying in-state with family or chasing powder with friends, here are the top five destinations to consider for a ski weekend out of New York City.
#5. Southern Vermont
Mount Snow and Stratton are only about four and a half hours away and have large footprints with about 150 inches of average annual snowfall. These mountains are known for being more busy and catered to beginners and intermediates, with Stratton having a larger base area and being closer to Manchester.
#4. New Hampshire
The resorts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are within six hours of New York City. Although these mountains don’t get nearly as much snow as alternatives in Vermont, great views and backcountry opportunities may attract some skiers. Resorts like Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain are great for beginners and families but may be crowded. Cannon Mountain is known for having more advanced terrain and having the only aerial tram in New Hampshire, providing incredible views of the White Mountains. The backcountry zones like Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington and others also draw expert skiers from all over the northeast, of course.
#3. Northern Vermont
Snowfall averages of 300 inches and more can be found within a seven-hour drive from New York City. In Northern Vermont, the slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort run down the east face of Vermont’s tallest mountain, Mt. Mansfield. Stowe is often cited as one of the greatest true ski areas on the East Coast due to many factors including its incredible snow quality, as well as the opportunity to hike and ski the state’s tallest peak. Jay Peak is also known for its snow quality and officially receives the most snow on the East Coast, often exceeding 350 inches. Jay is the furthest from NYC on this list, but the iconic mountain must be mentioned, and may be a good fit for a long weekend.
#2. Central Vermont
Next-level skiing can be had on many mountains near the city of Rutland, Vermont. Killington-Pico and Okemo are just over five hours away from NYC and stand out for their average annual snowfall of over 200 inches and much larger footprint than New York’s resorts. Killington specifically is one of the most popular resorts on the East Coast and the largest, with 1,500 skiable acres and 21 lifts, plus access to the seven lifts at Pico on the same ticket. Killington Ski Resort is also known as “The Beast of the East” for the longest season on the East Coast and the incredible infrastructure that makes up the all-season, destination resort.
Both Killington-Pico and Okemo offer high-class beginner terrain and base area lodging. The small town of Ludlow sits beneath Okemo while the large, tourist-centric Killington Village expands across the hills at the base of Killington Mountain. The Great Gulf of Canada development company recently announced a plan to invest $3 Billion into Killington Village within the next 25 years.
Sugarbush Mountain Resort is also in the area, slightly further north, and boasts an impressive footprint as well. With 16 lifts spanning across two separate mountains, Sugarbush can be a great alternative to Killington when looking for less crowds.
#1. The Adirondacks
Whiteface Mountain is the fifth tallest mountain in New York and home to the greatest vertical drop of any ski resort east of the Rockies. Bringing you just below the summit to a height of 4,400 feet, the resort’s “Summit Quad” provides access to the full 3,430 feet of vertical in one single run. From the top of this lift, the mountain’s famed slides are also skiable for experts if conditions allow after a short hike and approval from ski patrol. Whiteface is about six hours from New York City and about 20 minutes from the charming Olympic village of Lake Placid, which is a great place to spend a weekend in itself.
Gore Mountain is only about four and a half hours away from NYC and is the largest ski area in the state of New York. With 14 lifts, over 100 trails, and almost 500 skiable acres, this resort is renowned for its more varied terrain and tree skiing culture. Although the terrain is more expansive than Whiteface with different aspects, there is limited beginner terrain and the trails cater to intermediate-advanced skiers. The smaller towns at the base of Gore Mountain offer plenty of lodging and a more relaxed vibe, but don’t expect to find much nightlife or tourist areas.
So where should I plan my next weekend ski trip? Well, I am personally attached to the Adirondacks and think that Gore is a great option to consider as well as Whiteface on a weekend with good weather. Powder seekers will want to cross the border into Vermont. Okemo is my pick for an easy weekend in a pleasant town with great skiing, especially if there will be kids or novices on the trip. Passionate skiers will want to chase the powder up to Stowe or Jay Peak after a big storm and may want to check out New Hampshire for a change of pace. The Ice Coast may have its name for a reason, but there are certainly plenty of opportunities for world-class skiing on a weekend trip from New York City. Now bring on Winter!
