Backcountry
The East Coast is known for having a plethora of ski resort options, but if that is not your cup of tea, and you want to earn your turns, there are a number of great backcountry ski areas available. With resort ticket prices continuing to climb higher every year, backcountry terrain has become a more appealing option for skiers looking to save a few bucks. Backcountry skiing can provide skiers with powder stashes for days after a storm, where resorts would see their snow skied out within the first morning. Many resorts like Le Massif and Sugarbush offer side country options, but this list focuses on backcountry destinations separate from resort operations.
#6 Brandon Gap, Vermont
Brandon Gap is located in the Green Mountains National Forest, an hour south of Burlington. The Ridgeline Outdoor Collective runs the trail network in partnership with the United States Forest Service and is free to the public. The trail network consists of four different terrain zones, including Bear Brook Bowl, No Name, Sunrise Bowl, and Goshen Mountain. The Bear Brook Bowl contains some of the more technical terrain in the trail system and provides 1,300 feet of vertical. The No Name area provides 1,100 vertical feet of more moderate terrain suited for intermediate skiers. Similarly, the Sunrise bowl supplies similar moderate terrain with around 500 feet of vertical drop. The Goshen Mountain zone supplies skiers with open meadows near the summit, which boast great views of the surrounding Green Mountains, and lines do get progressively steeper and more technical as you descend below the meadows.
#5 Baxter State Park, Maine
Baxter State Park is another great backcountry spot highlighted by Maine’s tallest peak, Mt. Katahdin, which has a summit elevation of 5,270 feet. Mt. Katahdin is located in Northern Maine and marks the end of the Appalachian Trail. The rugged terrain of the mountain is similar to Mount Washington in New Hampshire, with lots of high alpine terrain and open bowl skiing. The terrain on Mt. Katahdin is not for beginners and the hike into basecamp is not easy either, as base camp is 13 miles from the parking lot. Vistors also have to register before visiting the park, so plan ahead if you are visiting the park.
#4 The Adirondack slides, New York
The Adirondack slides of the high peaks region is some of the coolest terrain in the East. Mt. Marcy is located in this region and is the tallest peak in the state, standing at an elevation of 5,343 feet. The region is littered with rockslides which make for some unbelievable ski lines when conditions permit. The scenery in the area is also top notch as the region boasts over 40 mountains with summits over 4,000 feet. Unlike many backcountry areas in Vermont, the hike into a lot of these mountains can be lengthy, as there are limited roads in this region of the state. The high peaks region is fairly accessible to people who live in Burlington or Albany, which are around two hours away, but five hours away from metro areas like Boston or New York City.
#3 Gros Morne, Newfoundland
Gros Morne is located in the Long-Range Mountains, an outlying range of the Appalachian Mountains in Newfoundland, Canada. This region is by far the most remote on this list and is home to some of the most unique topography on the entire East Coast. The region is made up of high alpine terrain above the tree line, with steep gorges and fjords that dive into the Atlantic Ocean. The region also receives strong snow accumulation, with higher elevation zones receiving close to 400 inches of snow annually. If you are looking to stay overnight, there are several ski huts that can be found beside Bakers Brook Pond and in Southwest Gulch. The combination of spectacular views and unprecedented snow accumulation makes Gros Morne one of the best backcountry ski locations in the East.
#2 Chic Choc Mountains, Quebec
Located on the Gaspé Peninsula in Gaspésie National Park, the Chic-Choc Mountains supply some of the best backcountry skiing in the East. With tons of high alpine terrain and strong snow totals, many East Coast skiers make the long journey up the St. Lawrence Valley to experience some of the most unique terrain on the East Coast. The Chic Chocs are home to famous peaks like Mount Albert and Mount Logan, which stand at over 3,700 feet in elevation and provide high alpine terrain for herds of caribou who call the highlands of the region home. Although the Chic Chocs are not as remote as Gros Morne in Newfoundland, the closest international airport is almost 6 hours away in Quebec City.
#1 Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Mount Washington, located in the white mountains of New Hampshire, is undoubtedly the most iconic backcountry destination in the East. Standing at a whopping 6,288 feet, it is the largest mountain in the Northeastern United States. Tuckerman Ravine is the most famous backcountry zone on the mountain and should be on every East Coast skier’s bucket list. Most people wait until the end of the season to hike up Mount Washington, as weather conditions can be unpredictable and dangerous. Wind speeds can reach dangerous levels, as the second-highest wind speed on earth was recorded at the summit of Mount Washington, clocking in at 231 mph. With breathtaking views of the surrounding white mountains and strong snow totals, Mount Washington continues to be an iconic backcountry destination for many East Coast skiers.
Related: The 9 Best Resorts for Lift-Accessed Backcountry Riding in the U.S.
Many of these destinations are not the easiest places to get to, but they are worth making the trip to at least once. Although chairlifts are nice, there is something about earning your turns by hiking up the mountain that makes the way down that much more rewarding. Backcountry skiing can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. Always remember to bring the proper avalanche and safety gear and remember to ski within your limits with a partner.
Why do the ADK dirty like that? Could you be any more vague