Best in the East 2018: Character
The results of our reader-ranked survey of the top 10 unique resorts in Eastern North America.
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No. 1: Mad River Glen, VT
“The single chair says it all: this is skiing at its roots, with love. Why change a thing?”
Photo courtesy of Mad River Glen.

No. 2: Smugglers’ Notch, VT
“Smuggs is an oasis in the land of range rovers and ‘cool kids’. Sick terrain, sick vibe, awesome people, a true skiers mountain. If I want to ski the East, and ski it old-school, I’m going to Smuggs.”
Photo courtesy of Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

No. 3: Cannon Mountain, NH
“Cannon is the quintessential old-time skier’s area! It has the most character and essence of ski culture in the east.”
Photo courtesy of Cannon Mountain Ski Area.

No. 4: Sugarbush, VT
“Love the character of this resort. They’ve done a very nice job of modernizing the mountain with still preserving its charm as a small New England ski hill.”
Photo courtesy of Sugarbush Resort.

No. 5: Wildcat, NH
“There is no resort on the east that offers up the character and class that Wildcat does. The terrain is classic and hasn’t changed in years, come as you are and enjoy a good time with friends and family.”
Photo courtesy of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area.

No. 6: Tremblant, Quebec
“Awesome European resort ambience with a super friendly community.”
Photo courtesy of Tremblant Ski Resort.

No. 7: Sugarloaf, ME
“Sugarloaf has a great vibe with an awesome local following!”
Photo courtesy of Skye Chalmers.

No. 8: Whiteface Mountain, NY
“The Olympic history here is really cool! It’s living, breathing ski heritage.”
Photo courtesy of Whiteface Mountain.

No. 9: Jay Peak, VT
“They get amazing snow and have kept the old-school feel and lifts. It’s the best in the east! And when it’s not? Time to hit their sweet waterpark.”
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort.

No. 10: Stowe, VT
“Preserving the classic Vermont vibe while in the midst of a huge amount of updates has been tricky, and yet they’ve handled it well.”
Photo courtesy of Stowe Mountain Resort.
More for the east from the 2018 Resort Guide: