The Best Skiing in Vermont

Vermont is known for its challenging ski slopes and its quiet, pastoral life. If the weather is right, the first big snowstorm hits in late October or early November and coats a number of mountain ranges in inches of fluffy flakes. Even without the big storms, the temperatures are perfect for adding inches of machine made snow. Vermont's ski areas are broken down by region: North, Central, and Southern. The skiing, including pricing for hotels and lift tickets, varies depending on which section you visit.

Northern Vermont
•Burke Mountain is located in the quaint Northeast Kingdom region. Two hours from Montreal, it is easy to ski by day and enjoy one of Canada's grandest cities by night. A total of 45 trails will appease all levels from beginner to advanced. Expert skiers love the 2,000-foot vertical drop that caters to the advanced slopes. The blend of location and trails makes this one of Vermont's most popular resorts. Lift tickets are $42 for adults and $36 for seniors and children twelve and under. Weekend and holiday rates increase by $10 for adults and $3 for seniors and children.

•Jay Peak holds the honor of being Vermont's most northern ski resort. Located very close to the Canadian border, temperatures tend to be cooler, so the amount of snow is far different than southern ski resorts. There are 76 trails for all levels that can be accessed by Vermont's only 60-person aerial tram. Rates for Jay Peak are $52 for adults, $42 for youth, and $15 for seniors.

Central Vermont
•Bolton Valley is located in Bolton. This popular resort offers sixty-four trails with a quarter of the trails made for beginners. Intermediate skiers find more than 40% of the downhill trails will suit their needs, and the remaining trails are for experts only. Located less than thirty minutes from Burlington, Bolton Valley is the top choice for the younger crowd. Weekdays rates are $42 for adults and $30 for youth. The rates increase by $7 for adults and $5 for youth on weekends and by $10 for adults and $6 for youth on holidays.

•Mad River Glen caters strongly to the expert skier. Forty percent of their 45 trails are for experts only. Located 45 minutes from Burlington, skiers will find themselves in a perfect location to mix skiing with an exceptional nightlife. Midweek and weekend lift tickets are $54 for adults and $40 for youth and seniors. The prices climb $2 on holidays.

•Smuggler's Notch is an award-winning family resort. The resort blends family activities and parents' nights out with a special touch. Lift tickets are $58 for adults and $42 for children and seniors.

•Stowe Mountain Resort offers 48 trails and even a special gondola that takes guests high into the mountains for either skiing or sightseeing. Located in Stowe, you can stay at the resort or at any of the area hotels and rental homes. Lift rates start at $48 for children and $68 for adults.

Southern Vermont
•Ascutney is considered Southern Vermont's best family ski resort. The picturesque setting in Brownsville, ensures that the resort sits far from busy traffic, but easily accessible from both the interstate and main routes. There are fifty-seven downhill trails and over eighteen miles of cross-country ski paths. 60% of those trails are for beginners and novices, while 40% are for expert skiers and all are easily reached by one of six lifts. Many kids programs, snowshoe trails, and even a ski tube slope keep families busy. Rates are $56 for adults and $39 for seniors and children twelve and under.

•Bromley is located in the picturesque town of Manchester. Rated the #1 resort for family skiing by Ski Magazine, Bromley offers some of the best instruction in Vermont. Thirty-five percent of their forty-four trails cater to beginners. Ten ski lifts guarantee that you will get up the mountain quickly to enjoy the fun! During the week, Bromley sells lift tickets at a reasonable flat rate of $25. Weekends and holidays find prices jumping quite a bit. Weekend rates are $61 for adults, $39 for children, and $53 for seniors. Holiday rates are an additional $3 over the weekend rates.

•Killington is the largest ski resort in the eastern United States. A whopping 200 trails and 33 lifts ensure that the crowds disperse evenly over the slopes. Currently lift tickets are $72 for adults and half-priced for seniors and children twelve and under.

•Mount Snow's 106 trails are geared towards intermediate skiers. The resort boasts exceptional childcare facilities for parents wanting a break away from the kids. Rates for the resort's 52nd anniversary are $72 for adults, $60 for teens, and $48 for children and seniors.

•Okemo in Ludlow offers over 100 trails. The family-owned resort strives to cater to guest demands. Rates are $66 during the week for adults and $43 for children and seniors. Prices increase slightly on weekends and holidays.

•Suicide Six is a smaller resort that also happens to offer the lowest prices in the area. Tickets cost $29 and up for adults and $23 and up for children and seniors. Skiing the 23 trails during the midweek is the best way to save a bundle.

There are many other ski areas scattered throughout the state. With a huge selection of slopes, resorts, hotels, and rental homes, you are guaranteed to find exactly what you desire. Vermont is a skier's paradise.