The Northeast's deep-snow giants and cult classics, from Vermont's Green Mountains to Maine's remote big-mountain terrain and the Adirondacks' Olympic peak.
The full ranking
The Northeast's deep-snow giants and cult classics, from Vermont's Green Mountains to Maine's remote big-mountain terrain and the Adirondacks' Olympic peak.
Killington Resort (Vt.)
The Beast of the East is the region's biggest ski area, with nearly 2,000 acres, seven peaks, and one of the longest seasons in the country, plus the liveliest apres and nightlife scene on the East Coast.
Bretton Woods (N.H.)
New Hampshire's largest ski area sits beneath Mount Washington and the grand Omni hotel, famous for the best snowmaking and grooming in the East and a polished, family-friendly experience.
Sugarloaf (Maine)
A remote western Maine giant with the only lift-served above-treeline skiing in the East, vast terrain, and a soulful vibe that turns a ski trip into a week-long adventure.
Saddleback Mountain (Maine)
Reopened in 2020, this independent Rangeley mountain won over SKI readers with 2,000 vertical feet, expert glades, honest pricing, and a tight-knit community feel.
Smugglers' Notch (Vt.)
America's family resort pairs award-winning kids' programs with genuinely tough terrain across three interconnected northern Vermont peaks.
Holiday Valley (N.Y.)
Western New York's beloved destination near Ellicottville delivers impeccable grooming, modern lifts, and a charming ski-town scene that punches well above its modest vertical.
Loon Mountain (N.H.)
One of the closest major mountains to Boston, Loon spreads more than 400 acres across three White Mountains peaks with fast lifts, strong snowmaking, and a lively base.
Whiteface Mountain (N.Y.)
The Olympic mountain above Lake Placid boasts the greatest vertical drop in the East and legitimately steep, challenging terrain, including the famed Slides.
Stowe Mountain Resort (Vt.)
A quintessential destination resort on Mount Mansfield, pairing the legendary Front Four with a foodie ski town that charms every visitor.
Jay Peak (Vt.)
Tucked against the Canadian border, Jay gets the most natural snow in the East and backs it with glades, steeps, and an indoor waterpark for off-slope days.
Ranked across 5 sources: SKI Magazine · Reader Resort Survey, Best in the East 2026; OnTheSnow · Top Rated Northeast Ski Resorts (Reader Reviews); Condé Nast Traveler · Readers' Choice Awards 2025 (Top U.S. Ski Resorts); USA TODAY 10Best · Readers' Choice: Best Ski Resorts 2025; Google Reviews · Ranked by Rating (June 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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