2002 Number 19 Resort in the East: Mt. Snow, Vt.

It has long been known as the best “big mountain” close to the Big Apple. Mt. Snow has weathered years of high traffic well, and still wins kudos from loyalists and newcomers alike. “Good cruising with friends,” says one reader. Certainly, Mt. Snow has the cruising thing down, with three modern high-speed quads delivering skiers to tons of open intermediate terrain. This year, it will improve on that by widening the popular Canyon Trail, combining it with neighboring Choke to give skiers more room to cruise from the summit. The upper trails remain intact, preserving that old New England feel; but down below, they open out to 200 feet in width. Carvers love it. Readers know, too, that Mt. Snow has some steeps, as well as 139 acres of hand-cleared tree terrain, the most in southern Vermont. While few in number, the advanced trails are adored. “I love the North Steeps area,” says one reader. “Love the glades after fresh snow,” says another. Mt. Snow is fabled in the snowboarding world. Its Un Blanco Gulch snowboarding park was the first in the East. The Inferno terrain park is what millions of viewers saw on the ESPN X-Games each winter. All that coupled with easy access draws-you guessed it-crowds. That’s a chief reader complaint. “If I wanted to see this many people together, I could have ridden the subway,” laments a city-dweller. Another points out that there is a way to make it work. “There are no crowd problems if you use the whole mountain.” And readers love the accessibility. Only 29 miles off I-91, Mt. Snow is a quick ride from the big cities. “It’s a smaller mountain, but it does the best with what it has,” a reader remarks. Which is all, really, we can ask. Except one more thing: a repeat of this reader’s experience: “It snowed four and a half feet while I was there in March. Better snow than when I was in Alta in February!”

What’s New A change in the direction snow is blown will allow the resort to make snow more hours in the day without making runs unbearable to use; on-mountain espresso shop.

A Good Deal High Country Snowmobile Tours: Vermont is one of just two states in the nation offering an organized trail system. See beaver dams, deep forests, priceless beauty.

MEDALS SILVER Après-Ski, Off-Hill Activities, Family Programs.

HIGH/LOW RANK Après-Ski (16), Off-Hill Activities (24), Family Programs (27); Scenery (66), Weather (66), Value (72).

Don’t Miss Après-ski performer Bruce Jacques at Cuzzins each Friday and Saturday. Be warned: Lines form at 3 p.m. to see the comedian/musician perform.

READER REMARKS (+) “Easy to get to and great for all ages.” “This year was banner!”
(-) “Way too commercialized and impersonal. Ends season too early.” “They are proud of their resort and their prices reflect it.”