WHAT SKI RESORTS ON THE EAST COAST ARE ON THE EPIC PASS?
HUNTER > OKEMO > KILLINGTON > MOUNT SNOW > STOWE > WILDCAT
TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 8 HOURS, 6 MINUTES
New England is the cradle of the North American ski industry and although its base villages might not be as high, or its annual snowfall totals as hefty as someplace like Park City, the resorts of the East Coast offer a classic, high-quality ski experience that is easily accessed from Boston, Providence, Portland, New York City, and a variety of other cities and towns across the East Coast of the United States of America.
With an Epic Pass in tow, skiers and riders can visit 13 resorts in all. However, in this road trip itinerary, we’ll focus on the resort majors in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, starting at Hunter Mountain. If you live in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island, we recommend doing this road trip in reverse order. So with that directional disclaimer out of the way, let’s put the pedal to the metal!
Although some of the following resorts and lodging options are not featured on the Ski.com website, our 65+ Mountain Travel Experts can still book your lodging, equipment rentals, or anything you might need while on your Epic road trip through New England. Get a free quote today.
Hunter Mountain, New York
New York City > Hunter Mountain – Total Travel Time: 2-3 hours
Stop to eat: Enzo’s Pizza and Grill | Saddlebrook, NY
Hunter Mountain is the most expansive ski area with relatively close proximity to New York City and this Empire State classic continues to grow after expanding its terrain offerings in 2019. On the way to “Huntah,” grab some authentic New-York-style pizza at Enzo’s Pizza in Saddlebrook before settling down for the night at one of the cozy lodging establishments. In the mid-winter months, the groomers do a fantastic job of shaping the slopes with seamless corduroy that is worthy of an early rise. At night, the clubs get rowdy so if dancing till the wee hours of the morning is your forte, consider Hunter a home away from home.
Best Known For: Nightlife, expanded terrain, snowmaking
Terrain Breakdown: Green – 25% | Blue – 30% | Black – 45%
Where to stay: The Mountain Brook, The Fairlawn Inn
Mount Snow, Vermont
Hunter Mountain > Mount Snow – Total Travel Time: 2-3 hours travel time
Stop to eat: Duncan’s Dairy Bar | Troy, NY
Home to the legendary Carinthia terrain park, Mount Snow is a premier ski resort in Southern Vermont, with easy access to a large majority of the urban hubs located in the northeast. Not only is Mount Snow a great destination for those who love to explore world-class terrain parks, but the groomed skiing and snowmaking allows for mountain operation to maintain quality conditions throughout the winter months. After skiing, explore the vibrant town of Dover which features plenty of fine dining and nightlife options.
Best Known For: Terrain Parks, snowmaking, family-friendly atmosphere
Terrain Breakdown: Green – 14% | Blue – 73% | Black – 13%
Where to stay: Seasons Condominiums, Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort
Okemo Resort, Vermont
Mount Snow > Okemo – Total Travel Time: 1 hour travel time
Stop to eat: Honeypie | Jamaica, VT
From Mount Snow, head north towards Okemo Resort on the beautiful VT Hwy 100-N, and along the way, stop at Honeypie in Jamaica, where you can grab a delectable burger. Once you’ve arrived at the foot of Okemo, in the town of Ludlow, Vermont, settle in for the night at one of the many cozy lodging options. In terms of skiing, Okemo is mostly intermediate and beginner terrain by most skier standards and serves as the perfect warmup for the varied terrain at the next stop, Stowe. What Okemo prides itself on is its state of the art snowmaking system, which covers some 95% of their skiable terrain.
Best Known For: Groomed terrain, fast lifts, classic New England atmosphere
Terrain Breakdown: Green – 30% | Blue – 37% | Black – 33%
Where to stay: Jackson Gore Village, Mountain Lodge at Okemo
Stowe, Vermont
Okemo > Stowe – Total Travel Time: 2 hours travel time
Stop to eat: Pho Capital | Montpelier, VT
Positioned below the massive, Mount Mansfield, Stowe is an East Coast ski resort with West Coast stature. Complimented perfectly by the quaint and quintessentially New England township of Stowe, the mountain resort is top-notch. The area sees quite a bit more natural snowfall when compared to its southern neighbors and on a good year, the glade skiing is some of the best in North America. In addition to plenty of intermediate and beginner terrain, Stowe features some of the best off-piste skiing in New England. After your legs are burnt out, the charming base village features plenty of restaurants and bars to unwind after a long day on the slopes. For the cross country crowd, The Trapp Family Lodge features an accompanying trail network that is a bucket list item for any skate ski enthusiast.
WATCH: Ski.com Epic Dream Job – Stowe, VT
Best Known For: Quintessential Vermont aesthetic, big mountain feel, world-class resort atmosphere
Terrain Breakdown: Green – 16% | Blue – 55% | Black – 30%
Where to stay: The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Trapp Family Lodge
Wildcat, New Hampshire
Stowe > Wildcat Mountain – Total Travel Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes travel time
Stop to eat: Cold Mountain Cafe | Bethlehem, NH
From Stowe, traverse east on HWY 15 towards New Hampshire and across I-91. If you’re hungry, Cold Mountain Cafe in Bethlehem serves up great American fare that will appease any appetite. Arriving at Wildcat Mountain, you’ll notice its base village is far from sprawling. But what “The Kitty” lacks in resort amenities, it more than makes up for with wild terrain and authentic local atmosphere. If you’re ready to take a break from the slopes after all this time on the road, enjoy a local hike, snowshoe, and cross country skate on one of the many trails that winds throughout the beautiful, White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Best Known For: Powder, off-piste terrain, dedicated locals
Terrain Breakdown: Green –20% | Blue – 47% | Black – 33%
Where to stay: Attitash Mountain Village, The Glen House
Ski.com’s 65+ Mountain Travel Experts are ready to plan the perfect road trip ski vacation for you and yours. Get a free quote that covers everything from your Epic Pass to flights, rental cars, lodging, and more.