Readers' Top-Ranked Ski Resorts in the East 2021
The results of our reader-ranked survey for resorts along the East Coast.
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Contrary to what you may have heard, the East Coast has more to offer skiers than ice. Find out where you are likely to find the deepest powder, the best glades, and the most quintessential New England resorts. You may ski more artificial snow than natural, but eastern ski areas make up for unpredictable conditions with their quality snowmaking and distinct charm. And who knew you could have an epic powder day in West Virginia?
Click on photos to learn more about each resort.
No. 1: Smugglers’ Notch, Vt.
“Smuggs is all about enjoying the outdoors, slowing down, and remembering the important things in life. My family has been shaped by our whole experience there both winter and summer.”
Read why Smugglers’ Notch is the top-ranked resort in the East
No. 2: Tremblant, Québec
“We LOVE Tremblant!! The resort, the staff, the people, the conditions (sometimes COLD!), the cuisine…..Unequivocally our FAVORITE resort of ANY we’ve visited, including Whistler. This was our fifth season there and look forward to the next.”
No. 3: Mad River Glen, Vt.
“It’s not for everyone, but if you get the vibe and understand the mystique, it’s an unbeatable experience. “Ski it if you can” is not just a catchy slogan.”
No. 4: Killington, Vt.
“Killington is well known for its night life, diverse and challenging terrain, and size. The Beast of the East is a fun mountain for the intermediate to expert skier seeking varied and diverse terrain.”
No. 5: Whiteface Mountain, N.Y.
“When you pull up to resort, you can feel the energy from the vertical view and scenery. By the end of day skiing, you feel it in your body soul and mind!”
No. 6: Holiday Valley, N.Y.
“For a small vertical the terrain choices are impressive. The town of Ellicottville is top-notch for quaintness, dining, and nightlife. Buffalo people know how to party.”
No. 7: Bretton Woods, N.H.
“One trip to this beauty and you will understand why it is consistently in the top rankings for scenery and grooming. This year they added a new high-speed gondola to their already well-stocked assortment of high-speed lifts. A new lodge is being built at the top of the gondola terminal and it is truly a sight to behold. What keeps me driving the 7 hours each way is the vast network of untouched glades filled with pristine New Hampshire Pow, and the way I feel at home as soon as I arrive in the lot.”
No. 8: Sugarbush, Vt.
“Having skied all of the big resorts in New England over the years, we keep coming back to Sugarbush as our favorite due to its charm, friendliness, and a magical, enchanted vibe emanating from the mountain itself and the surrounding environment in Mad River Valley. Everyone I know who has spent time at or near Sugarbush recognizes this special vibe. It resonates deeply at a soul level. To top it off, the skiing is always great. The groomers must have magic of their own to be able to keep the conditions on the mountain so perfectly skiable even when surrounding resorts can’t.”
No. 9: Wachusett Mountain, Mass.
“This family owned business puts all of its resources back into the mountain, with state of the art snowmaking and meticulous grooming twice a day!”
No. 10 Sunday River, Maine
“I have been going to Sunday River for 30-plus years. I’d say they have the best snowmaking and grooming in the east. The conditions are the best they can be despite what mother nature throws at them. We take what we can get and the Sunday River snowmaking and grooming crew are the best at making lemonade when mother nature is serving up the lemons.”
No. 11: Jay Peak, Vt.
“Jay Peak is in a class by itself. The wildest and best glades in the East, endless bumps and steeps, and great natural snow. If you’re an advanced skier looking to keep it turned to 10 all day, this is the place.”
Learn why Jay Peak is “the surest bet for powder in the East”
No. 12: Sugarloaf, Maine
“Sugarloaf is an East Coast diamond in the rough (I feel a bit guilt sharing it!). The conditions are always the best on the east, the vibe is so chill and friendly, lift lines are minimal and you just have fun at the ‘Loaf!”
No. 13: Stowe Mountain Resort, Vt.
“Stowe is the quintessential New England Ski Resort. The skiing is challenging as is the weather on Mount Mansfield. There’s a lot of charm and ambiance in the village of Stowe.”
No. 14: Stratton Mountain, Vt.
“This is one of our go-to resorts on the East coast…growing up skiing out west this is a good ski fix. It does have some decent glade skiing when the conditions permit and if you love to rip it down groomed runs it has plenty of options. I do love VT as it is very New England and does have some charm.”
No. 15: Snowshoe Mountain Resort, W.Va.
“Best in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Great terrain, excellent snow and temperatures, and a wonderful village. It’s very much like a western ski resort tucked into the Appalachian Mountains. Its elevation and climate give it more snow and less ice than many of the eastern resorts. “
No. 16: Seven Springs, Pa.
“Amazing commitment to snowmaking. Varied terrain with tons of terrain park and freestyle features. Awesome staff and ski patrol focused on the customer. The Foggy Goggle rivals any ski town bar.”
No. 17: Mount Snow, Vt.
“Mount Snow is absolutely the best environment for family or young adult skiing. Food is great, people are the best on and off the resort, the quality of skiing on the mountain is awesome, and there is nothing like happy hour at Mount Snow.”
No. 18: Gore Mountain, N.Y.
“What Gore lacks in amenities, it makes up for in quality. It has a lot of skiable acreage, vertical, and variety. You won’t get the grand resort experience from this mountain, but you will have some good runs and a decent lunch.”
No. 19: Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt.
“My favorite VT resort! Not too large, not too small. Challenging and diverse, yet perfect for beginners.”
No. 20: Loon Mountain, N.H.
“This is my ‘home’ resort. While it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, the snow and terrain are great. Has steeps, wide groomers, and great lifts. Good snowmaking.”
