The 7 Most Iconic Ski Runs on the East Coast

The East Coast, or, the ‘Ice Coast’, as some may say it, is widely regarded as having some of the most icy and variable conditions in North America. Due to this, challenging runs on the East Coast are often overlooked. This article should change that, however, as it is a list of all of the most challenging and iconic ski runs on the East Coast.

Superstar, Killington, VT

Superstar at Killington, Vermont, is arguably the most famous ski trail on the East Coast. Most years, if not every year, Superstar has the longest season of any trail on the East Coast. It is usually skiable from November until mid to late May. Some years it is even open until June! Superstar also hosts the Women’s Stifel Killington Cup every November and has since 2016.

Paradise, Mad River Glen, VT

If you are looking for a challenge, look no further than the Paradise run at Mad River Glen, Vermont. Mad River Glen’s Motto, “Ski It If You Can,” really shows itself on this run. Paradise is an extremely steep run, riddled with any type of natural obstacle that you could think of. Skiers will have to avoid rocks, cliffs, trees, and sometimes even frozen ice waterfalls!

Face Chutes, Jay Peak, VT

The Face Chutes at Jay Peak, Vermont, are some of the steepest marked trails on the East Coast. The Face Chutes have an average pitch of about 30 degrees and a maximum pitch of about 37 degrees. That will be sure to give even expert skiers a run for their money!

White Heat, Sunday River, ME

Accessed by the White Heat Quad on the White Cap Peak at Sunday River, White Heat is one of the East Coast’s longest and steepest bump runs. It is sure to give your legs a challenge, as locals claim that it is the longest, widest, and steepest ski run on the East Coast.

Black Hole, Smugglers Notch, VT

Being the one and only triple black diamond in the northeast, you would expect Black Hole to be a challenge. You would be right. As one of the steepest runs on the East Coast, the beginning of Black Hole has an average pitch of about 33-35 degrees, making it a challenge, even for expert skiers.

The Slides, Whiteface, NY

Accessed by hiking off of the top of Whiteface Mountain’s summit quad, the slides offer some of the best skiing in the state of New York. Due to Whiteface’s 155-inch (394-centimeter) average snowfall, the slides are a natural snow playground in the winter months.

Goat, Stowe, VT

Goat at Stowe, Vermont, is a perilous run, dropping about 1,800 vertical feet of moguls, rock drops, and boulders along the way. Goat is one of the trails in the Front Four at Stowe. The other trails are Starr, National, and Liftline. These four trails are all accessed by the Forerunner Quad and are among the most difficult runs at Stowe. 

Hopefully, this post has made you appreciate East Coast skiing more. The East Coast truly has much more to offer than just icy trails, and any of the resorts and runs on this list are certainly worth a visit if you are ever in the area.