Best

Peaks Overall

The rank-order of East Coast ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.

#1 East Coast

Le Massif de Charlevoix

Le Massif de Charlevoix, QC

Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, QC

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Extraordinary footprint overlooking St. Lawrence River
Competitive vertical drop
Exceptional glade terrain
Reasonable crowds
High-speed lifts

  
    –   Cons

Much more difficult to reach than other Northeast ski resorts
Lower-mountain terrain reliability
Limited lodging

While it isn’t the most consistent ski area in the East, this Quebec resort’s otherworldly river views, reasonable crowds, and strong terrain allow it to stand out considerably versus anything else within thousands of miles of it.

See our review →

#2 East Coast

Killington

Killington, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Size for Vermont
Terrain diversity
Lift infrastructure
Snowmaking operations

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#3 East Coast

Tremblant

Mont-Tremblant, QC

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Terrain diversity
Ease of navigation
Modern lift infrastructure
Spectacular base village

  
    –   Cons

Frigid temperatures
Crowd flow on busy days

This busy, frigid resort offers a well-rounded East Coast experience and spectacular base village.

See our review →

#4 East Coast

Mont-Sainte-Anne

Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

Beaupré, QC

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Terrain diversity
Fast lifts
St. Lawrence River views
Available night skiing
Value

  
    –   Cons

Much more difficult to reach than other Northeast ski resorts
Some navigational challenges, especially around the summit
Some frontside snow reliability issues

While its northern location may dissuade some from visiting, this Quebec resort’s broad diversity and high-quality terrain make it a standout option versus other East Coast ski resorts.

See our review →

#5 East Coast

Stowe

Stowe, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Demanding expert terrain
Snow quality for Vermont
Modern lifts in most major areas
Ease of navigation

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#6 East Coast

Jay Peak

Jay, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Top-tier East Coast snow accumulation
Excellent glade terrain
Extraordinary expert chutes
Striking footprint
Fewer crowds than resorts further south

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#7 East Coast

Sugarbush

Warren, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Diverse terrain, including demanding expert and backcountry runs
Breathtaking mountain aesthetic
Local feel

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#8 East Coast

Sugarloaf

Carrabassett Valley, ME

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Size
Intuitive layout
One-of-a-kind East Coast bowl and sidecountry terrain
Local feel
Advance-purchase value

  
    –   Cons

Extremely variable openings for most unique terrain
Frequent wind holds and cold spells
Ordinary-feeling terrain on main resort face

Maine’s largest ski area is a competitive East Coast choice, but it’s a hard sell against more conveniently-located alternatives.

See our review →

#9 East Coast

Bretton Woods

Bretton Woods, NH

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Upscale feel and resort infrastructure
Family-friendly slopes, including glade terrain
Modest crowds
Stunning Mount Washington views

  
    –   Cons

Short vertical drop
Lackluster advanced and expert terrain

This Mount Washington-adjacent ski area offers the most upscale ski resort experience in New Hampshire, but its lack of advanced and expert terrain is a serious drawback.

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#10 East Coast

Saddleback

Rangeley, ME

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Striking aesthetic for the East Coast
Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
Lack of crowds

  
    –   Cons

Small footprint
Remote location
Limited on-site lodging for smaller groups

This remote Maine mountain delivers a combination of natural beauty, empty slopes, and reasonably well-rounded terrain that’s tough to match elsewhere in the Northeast.

See our review →

#11 East Coast

Sunday River

Newry, ME

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Size
Reliability for East Coast
Unique-feeling mountain pods
Available chondola and bubble lifts

  
    –   Cons

Lack of long terrain
So-so expert footprint
Slow lifts in some areas

One of New England’s largest, most reliable ski resorts is held back by a so-so vertical drop and less intense terrain than some competitors.

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#12 East Coast

Stratton

Stratton Mountain, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Lift infrastructure
Impeccable resort signage
Size and terrain for southern Vermont
Snowmaking and grooming operations

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#13 East Coast

Whiteface

Wilmington, NY

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Terrain diversity
Truly extreme, naturally formed Slides runs
Long vertical drop
Phenomenal resort views

  
    –   Cons

Extraordinary susceptibility to wind problems and lift shutdowns
Inconsistent trail openings in some places, especially the Slides
Slow, wind-exposed lifts in some areas
Frigid on-mountain conditions

Severe wind problems and unreliable trail openings detract from one of the most unique, challenging resorts on the East Coast.

See our review →

#14 East Coast

Owl's Head

Mansonville, QC

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Excellent views of Lake Memphremagog
Non-existent crowds
Simple layout served almost entirely by high-speed lifts

  
    –   Cons

Small size
Lack of facilities beyond base lodge
Lower snow totals than nearby resorts in Northern Vermont

This Eastern Township Quebec mountain offers great views, reliable snowmaking, and affordable lift tickets, all wrapped in a low-key, uncrowded setting.

See our review →

#15 East Coast

Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley, NH

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Local feel
Unique upper mountain setup
Ski racing and freestyle culture
Convenient on-mountain lodges
Close proximity to Boston

  
    –   Cons

Limited beginner and expert terrain
No true ski-in/ski-out lodging
Lower snow totals than some competitors
Upper mountain accessed only by t-bar

Despite a modest footprint size, this New Hampshire resort offers a compelling set of strengths for those driving up from Boston.

See our review →

#16 East Coast

Mont Sutton

Sutton, QB

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Exceptional glade footprint
Terrain diversity for a range of abilities
Unique Eastern Canadian charm
Value

  
    –   Cons

Outdated lift infrastructure
Limited lodging
Short vertical drop, even for the Northeast
Early-season reliability of glade terrain

Despite outdated lifts, a remote location, and a modest vertical drop, this southern Quebec resort’s glade terrain and lower-than-average crowds make it a unique option for an East Coast ski vacation.

See our review →

#17 East Coast

Smugglers' Notch

Jeffersonville, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Remote, beautiful footprint
Local feel
Variety of distinctive terrain
Reasonably-priced lift tickets

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#18 East Coast

Pico

Mendon, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Low crowds
Local feel
Straightforward footprint
Available ski-in/ski-out lodging

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#19 East Coast

Cannon

Franconia, NH

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Local feel
Modest crowds
Striking surrounding scenery
Extremely demanding expert runs

  
    –   Cons

Profound wind exposure
Inconsistent expert terrain openings
Limited beginner terrain
Slow lifts in some areas
Very limited on-site lodging

While it lacks the most modern infrastructure and sees inconsistent conditions, this state-owned New Hampshire ski resort offers unique terrain and low crowds.

See our review →

#20 East Coast

Burke

East Burke, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Low crowds and local feel
Competitive vertical drop for the region
Excellent lift ticket value

  
    –   Cons

Lower snow quality than nearby resorts in Northern Vermont
Small size
Slightly ordinary terrain

This Northern Vermont resort offers low crowds, reasonable ticket prices, and a respectable vertical drop, but it may not bring the snow benefits some might expect.

See our review →

#21 East Coast

Okemo

Ludlow, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Lift infrastructure in most major areas
Wide variety of beginner and groomed terrain
Size for southern Vermont

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#22 East Coast

Mount Snow

West Dover, VT

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Lift infrastructure in most major areas
Wide variety of beginner and groomed terrain
Size for southern Vermont

  
    –   Cons

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.

See our review →

#23 East Coast

Mont Orford

Orford, QC

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Low crowds and local feel
Technical glade terrain
Lift ticket value

  
    –   Cons

Small size
Variable quality of conditions
Mostly slow lifts

While this Eastern Township Quebec ski area becomes a legitimate expert’s playground when conditions allow, its small size and variable conditions hurt its overall appeal.

See our review →

#24 East Coast

Wildcat

Gorham, NH

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Stunning Mount Washington views
Long, consistent vertical drop
Straightforward layout

  
    –   Cons

Profound wind exposure
Small footprint
No on-site lodging

One of the tallest, most stunning ski resorts in New Hampshire is held back by a modest footprint size and significant wind exposure.

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#25 East Coast

Gore

North Creek, NY

MOUNTAIN SCORE

  
    +   Pros

Standout glade terrain
Lower crowds than other East Coast resorts
Value

  
    –   Cons

Lackluster on-mountain maintenance
Strange resort layout
Lower snowfall than Vermont resorts
No on-site lodging

New York State’s largest ski resort stands out with excellent glade terrain, but it can’t match the snow quality or on-mountain infrastructure of the best East Coast mountains.

See our review →