Best in the East 2018: Challenge
The results of our reader-ranked survey of the top 10 most challenging resorts in Eastern North America.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
No. 1: Mad River Glen, VT
“Let’s face it, you don’t go to Mad River unless you are hard core. Come for the challenging terrain, stay for the challenging terrain.”
Photo courtesy of Mad River Glen.
No. 2: Sugarloaf, ME
“Sugarloaf has the only lift-served terrain above tree line in the east, giving it the challenge and variety of terrain to keep expert skiers happy and keep the adrenaline pumping.”
Photo courtesy of Ethan Austin.
No. 3: Smugglers’ Notch, VT
“It’s definitely easy to find challenging terrain if you want it. Some of it’s a little scary… but in a good way!”
Photo courtesy of Smuggler’ Notch.
No. 4: Cannon Mountain, NH
“Much of the terrain is geared towards advanced and expert skiers, combined with it’s awesome location, Cannon really stands out in the east.”
Photo courtesy of Cannon Mountain.
No. 5: Jay Peak, VT
“While Jay Peak does have money and investors, it doesn’t feel like a big cushy resort. You go there to ski. The terrain is gnarly and and the off trail skiing is staggering.”
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak.
No. 6: Stowe, VT
“Stowe is full of great New England steep, technical, and varied terrain.”
Photo courtesy of Stowe Mountain Resort.
No. 7: Whiteface Mountain, NY
“It’s the Olympic Mountain, what else can I say? If you can ski here, you can ski anywhere.”
Photo courtesy of Whiteface Mountain.
No. 8: Sugarbush, VT
“Sugarbush has legendary terrain, but you need to be a strong intermediate or better to really enjoy it. It packs big mountain terrain with a small mountain’s ambience and charm.”
Photo Courtesy of Eugene Krylov, Sugarbush Resort.
No. 9: Killington, VT
“Their terrain is the biggest and baddest in the east, I mean, there’s a reason it’s called The Beast of the East!”
Photo courtesy of Chandler Burgess.
No. 10: Wildcat, NH
“They keep half the trails ungroomed so terrain is always great in the woods and has some great soft bumps. Wildcat is really a skier’s mountain with a lot of challenging terrain, not for beginners.”
Photo courtesy of Wise Guy Creative Photography.
More for the east from the 2018 Resort Guide: