Unveiling the Hidden Gems: Discovering Vermont's Best Kept Secret Ski Resorts
Norah’s Icelantic skis from the lift
I moved to Northern Vermont three years ago to be closer to the best skiing New England has to offer and I have not been disappointed. There is nothing like waking up, having a nice hearty breakfast, and then heading out onto the slopes (some within a 10 minute drive, others not more than an hour) to ski some of the best snow and steep terrain around.
When it comes to skiing in Vermont, most people immediately think of popular destinations like Stowe or Killington. (I won’t subject you to my Stowe rant but it’s safe to say that if you’re not into the see and be seen vibe, Stowe is not your scene.) However, the Green Mountain State is home to several less-famous-but-seriously-great gems that offer an incredible skiing experience without the crowds. In this post, we'll explore three of the best lesser known ski resorts in Vermont: Smuggler’s Notch, Burke Mountain, and Jay Peak. Whether you're a seasoned skier or a beginner hitting the slopes for the first time, these ski resorts will leave you with an unforgettable experience.
Smuggler's Notch
Tucked away in the heart of the Green Mountains, and close to Stowe but with a decidedly chiller vibe, Smuggler's Notch is a charming and family-friendly ski resort that has managed to preserve its intimate and unspoiled atmosphere. Part of the charm lies in its older low capacity fixed lifts and because Smuggs can get pretty cold in the winter, those rides can be tough to endure. Yet with over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, Smuggs feels charming and undeveloped and is a lovely place to snuggle into some excellent terrain and feel like you’ve stepped back a bit into ski history.
Smuggler’s Notch has three distinct mountains: Morse, Sterling, and Madonna. The rather isolated Morse Mountain is where beginners will find the resort’s only green-rated terrain and one or two blues or blacks. While the isolation can make it feel, well, isolated from the rest of the resort, it actually creates a great learning environment because you don’t have to worry about aggressive skiers while concentrating on your new skills. If you’re a true beginner or someone who loves to cruise greens, this is a great place to go for your ski vacation.
Madonna and Sterling Mountains offer much harder terrain and skiers should go right to these mountains to access Smuggs’ decidedly challenging terrain. The trails are thoughtfully cut and the top of the upper-mountain blues offers spectacular views of the Green Mountains. Sterling Mountain offers the resort’s best single black terrain with moguls lines and lots of really fun steep terrain. Madonna is where expert skiers will find the resort’s longest vertical drop. The double blacks aren’t super long but they offer obstacles, narrow lines, and super steep terrain.
I’ve skied Smuggs a handful of times and have thoroughly enjoyed each day I spent on Sterling and Madonna. It’s not a place to ski if you’re in a hurry and it’s a fantastic place to spend a day or two feeling like you’re part of skiing history and, thankfully, a resort that is happy to keep itself grounded in a more authentic experience. It’s not even part of a pass program so be sure to check out its website to purchase a ticket.
Burke Mountain
Offering a more secluded and authentic skiing experience, Burke Mountain is a hidden diamond nestled in the Northeast Kingdom. Home of Burke Mountain Academy, one of New England’s premier ski academies that boasts alumni the likes of Mikaela Schiffrin, the mountain has been through a lot in the last few years but has managed to retain its charm and very local vibe.
Unfortunately, Burke Mountain (along with Jay Peak) was embroiled in a visa scandal in 2016. The resort's then-owners were accused of misusing millions of dollars raised through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a federal program that provides green cards to foreign investors who invest a significant amount of money in U.S. projects that create jobs. The incident led to a change in ownership and a period of uncertainty for the resort. However, Burke has moved past these challenges and continues to provide an exceptional skiing experience for its visitors.
I will say that unlike the beginner’s paradise of Smuggler’s Notch’s Morse Mountain, Burke does not have a lot of beginner terrain. New skiers will find some beginner trails and a magic carpet but the majority of trails (a whopping 89%) are rated either intermediate or expert-level. But if your group has skiers who can crush a blue, then Burke clearly has its benefits.
Burke is said to benefit from the Jay Cloud and counts more than 200 inches of snow each year, and tree-lined trails that will truly make you feel like you've uncovered your own private winter paradise. Like Smuggs, the vibe is super chill and the crowd is mostly local or folks who’ve been skiing it for many, many years. Unlike the big name resorts that are so popular you spend more time in lift lines than actual skiing, one of the best things about Burke is that the wait to board a lift is never more than a few minutes.
Burke is just about 45 minutes from my house and always worth the trip. Between the challenging and interesting terrain and lack of crowds, it’s a pleasure to spend a day skiing its slopes. Like Smuggs, it’s not part of any pass program, so hit up the website to grab your ticket!
Jay Peak
Riding up the Bonnie lift at Jay Peak
Jay Peak is my home mountain and I must say, I’m always a little reticent sharing its magic because I don’t want it to be overrun by people willing to drive the extra miles to the Canadian boarder. But for those seeking the ultimate adventure in the Vermont wilderness, Jay Peak is the epitome of hidden ski resorts. With its remote location near the border, Jay offers a snowfall record that is second to none in the region (usually 350 inches and counting!). It’s two sides, Stateside and Tramside, offer different dining and lodging amenities along with access to various lifts.
The resort's challenging terrain is a magnet for thrill-seekers, with steep slopes, mogul runs, and an impressive vertical drop. Jay’s tram carries skiers to the very top offering spectacular views including Québec to the north. There is some wicked hard terrain off the tram but also one of the most beautiful blue trails that winds down the mountain and allows skiers to bounce in and out of some beautiful glades along the way. Intermediate glades are Jay’s specialty and makes for a really fun experience for the whole family.
But Jay Peak is not just for the experts; it offers plenty of groomed trails and some very approachable mogul and green glade runs for those who want to try out new terrain without too much speed. There are magic carpets on both and family-friendly amenities, including a fantastic indoor water park for some post-ski relaxation. Jay can get cold and the water park offers families a great way to balance a day on the slopes with an afternoon or evening of fun down the slides.
While Jay Peak boasts some rad terrain and a big-mountain aura, its local feel is what makes is special. Like the other two mountains on this list, lines at Jay are never very long and there’s nothing like eating a to-go rice ball from Miso Hungry’s crew on the ride up the Bonnie. If you made the drive all the way up to Jay, know that it will be worth every minute; between the powder and the views, you will not be disappointed.
Grab your skis (or snowboard, if you must) and let’s head north!
These hidden ski resort gems offer a different ski experience from the well-known spots, providing a sense of authenticity and adventure. I might be biased, but I think it’s not an overstatement to say that Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is one of the most beautiful parts of the Northeast. It’s quite beautiful in summer and fall but winter is where it shines, both in its scenery and it’s winter activity offerings. So whether you're an avid skier looking for new slopes to conquer or a family in search of an off-the-beaten-path winter getaway, all three of these picks will exceed your expectations and leave you feeling really happy that you ventured all the way north. I look forward to seeing you on the slopes!
