Killington Ski Resort
Beyond its cozy small towns/cities and quintessential New England vibe, the Green Mountain State may be small but punches way above its weight when it comes to ski resorts, with a whopping 24 - many ddeveloped in the mid- to late-1950s - offering a mix of family-friendly slopes, challenging terrains, and picturesque settings. And here´s a quick look at are a half dozen of its best, most of which also have a good range of other winter activities as well as cool stuff to do all year round:
Located in the town of the same name, roughly in the middle of the state, the "Beast of the East," boasts Vermont´s largest skiable area – encompassing six peaks and more than 200 trails – and indeed, its one of the biggest on the Eastern Seaboard. It also has the longest season in the East, a kicking après-ski scene including more than a hundred restaurants and bars; great snowboard terrain parks; and plenty of other winter fun including snow tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more.
Quite a bit smaller than Killington but a much shorter drive from elsewhere in New England and beyond, this 600-acre resort down south in the Green Mountains town of West Dover has an elevation of 3,600 and a vertical drop of 1,700, While the terrain can be challenging, Mt. Snow´s 86 trails offer something for all skill levels, and it´s also known for its top-notch snowboarding parks.
Up north in the town of Jeffersonville - just under an hour from Burlington - "Smuggs" is considered one of the best family-friendly winter resorts in the U.S., offering excellent, even award-winning programs for kids as well as beginners. It also feels like an unglitzy, unpretentious, old-fashioned throwback - in a good way - and it has a loyal following among locals and visitors alike. With a maximum elevation of 3,640 ft. and a vertical drop of 2,610, its 1,000 skiable acres have 78 trails for all levels, and includes the Northeast´s only triple black diamond (the most extreme and challenging there is).
Also up north (and about 45 minutes from Smugglers´ Notch), the "Ski Capital of the East" is perhaps Vermont´s most iconic winter resort, boasting world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of Spread over tk acres and two mountains (including Mount Mansfield, the state´s highest peak at 4,393 ft.), It´s got 116 trails for all levels; high-speed lifts; and backcountry access; and upscale amenities, including fine dining and luxurious lodges.
A sophisticated Green Mountains resort with top-notch amenities located in the tiny eponymous town down south, about an hour from Brattleboro and just 15 minutes from Mount Snow, Stratton is built around southern Vermont´s highest peak (3,940 ft.) caters to families and upscale travelers. On skiable terrain of more than 670 acres, it has 99 trails of various degrees of difficulty; a vertical drop of 2,003 ft.; excellent grooming and snowmaking; and a bustling village with with plenty of après-ski dining, shopping, and nightlife.
In the Mad River Valley town of Warren in north central Vermont, this laid-back resort - one of New England´s largest - is known for its challenging terrain and across two mountains (the higher of which reaches 4,083 ft.), and appeals to advanced skiers and snowboarders. With a vertical drop of 2,600 ft., its 111 trails over 484 acres include expert-level glades and moguls Here, too, the après-ski scene is kicking.
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