Mount Snow Ski Resort is one of Vermont’s largest
and most convenient. Located just off Route 100 near Wilmington,
Mount Snow Vermont is easily accessible from any major
East Coast cities. If you are a little farther a field,
airports in Albany (New
York) and Hartford (Connecticut) are just two hours
away.
Mount Snow Ski Resort rises to 3,600 feet at its summit, so if there is snow in Vermont, there is snow at Mount Snow. For off months, Mount Snow Vermont has invested heavily in snowmaking equipment to allow for quality skiing in all but the worst winters.
Expert skiers and snowboarders may prefer Killington or Pico resorts, but for the average downhill sportsman Mount Snow Ski Resort is second to none in Vermont. Most of the trails at Mount Snow are rated blue, so intermediate skiers will find the resort a cruising paradise. In addition to the varied slopes on the main face (the best is Snowdance, off the Canyon Express lift), there are some great blue clusters in quieter parts of the mountain. The Carinthia area has almost a dozen groomed runs. Sunbrook lift gives access to the Big and Little Dipper, nice long routes down the back side, as well as other intermediate trails.
Experts may also want to try the Sunbrook area, for the Dark Side of the Moon glades and Beartrap, a solitary black diamond serviced by its own lift. The most extreme terrain at Mount Snow Ski Area is on another back hill, the North Face. This is the site of the legendary Ripcord, a tricky black run with a 37-degree pitch. Fallen Timber, Free Fall, and Olympic are also worthy challenges.
In good snow, Mount Snow Vermont has some of the best tree runs in the state. The Plunge on the North Face has the steepest; Sap Tapper on the main face and Claim Jumper on Carinthia have more gentle grades. Snowboarders will enjoy the multiple terrain parks, the best being the unnamed park below Intro Express on Carinthia.
Many visitors to Mount Snow Ski Area can make the commute just for a day. If you want to stay for a night or more, there are plenty of options. Many of the condominiums and lodges at the base area have good bargains for mid-week stays. There are also some good Vermont bed and breakfast inns in the area, including the Deerhill Inn and Doveberry Inn in West Dover. The Dover Bar & Grill, a local après ski hangout, is just down the road from these inns.
On weekends and holidays, when Mount Snow Ski Area gets crowded, you can head to Mount Snow’s sister resort, Haystack Mountain. Haystack is smaller, but quieter.
