Ultimate Boston Ski Road Trip

If you are looking for terrific skiing near Boston, pack up your ride and experience five epic ski resorts along historic Route 100. If you’re from out of town, you can fly into Boston, grab a rental car, and you will be on your way. Head out on Hwy 2 from Boston, and in less than three hours, you will be at your first resort, Mt. Snow. Make sure to bookend your Boston ski road trip with a night or two in Boston to enjoy spectacular seafood, craft brews and some of the finest nightlife on the East Coast.

These 5 Vermont ski resorts make for the perfect skiing road trip getaway from Boston.

What Is Skier’s Highway?

“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” And the truth is there’s no way to avoid this temptation, especially when you’re in Vermont and can enjoy visiting some of the most scenic and historical ski resorts in the U.S. Route 100 is a beautiful stretch of road which runs North and South along the spine of the Green Mountains for 146 miles. Known also as the Skier’s Highway, anyone looking for a new ski experience will have difficulty narrowing down which resort they’ll visit. Considering about 14 ski resort options are within reach, it’s no easy task. Are you ready for your Boston ski road trip?

Travelers from the Great Boston Area and New Hampshire alike will pass by thousands of acres of pristine land for an incredible experience that can’t be found in most places. Those who aren’t as familiar with the byway can also explore parts of the entire area through self-guided tours. But only if you have time to do so! Keep in mind that the weekend traffic tends to be much heavier than weekdays. If you can hit the road during the week, you’ll find the slopes less crowded and grab better deals on lodging.

Drivers must slow down while driving down Route 100 due to the wind. But most aren’t bothered by this fact because it allows you to enjoy the rolling hills and mountain vistas. If you weren’t planning on heading to Vermont, now is the perfect time to experience this Boston ski road trip yourself!

Ski Resort #1: Mount Snow

First up on your trip down the byway is Mount Snow. Known as Vermont’s closest “Big Mountain Ski Resort,” it offers guests an incredible experience and plenty of excellent snow-packed slopes. The resort features a summit elevation of 3,600 feet and more than 86 trails skiers of all levels can traverse.

As one of the first ski resorts on the East Coast, Mount Snow has continued to define itself within the ski industry. When you’re looking for something to do during a quick slope break, you can try out their indoor bowling alley, movie theater, tubing or snowshoeing.

Feeling a little hungry? Mount Snow features delightful and tasty food and drink options on and off the mountain when you need to refuel. Get everything from BBQ to burgers and traditional eats to make you feel at home. If none of these choices pique your interest, try heading half a mile away to Dover to find more dining choices.

Lodging and accommodations options are bountiful, whether you’re looking to stick close to the base or prefer staying within Dover. You can choose from more than 30 condos, lodges, hotels, and B&Bs that best suit your needs. From rustic feels to elegant spaces, there’s a place with your name on it. At Mount Snow, there’s a little something for everyone, which is why so many people can’t get enough.

Ski Resort #2: Stratton

Located roughly 15 miles north of Mount Snow sits Stratton Mountain, a pristine ski resort with a backdrop of pure white snow all around (at least in the winter). When it first opened in 1961, the resort had three lifts, eight open trails and plenty of fresh snow. They used their laid-back charm to draw guests in, and still do today. Now the resort is proud boast 180 inches of annual snow and has a bounty of snowmaking machines to help them achieve peak snow conditions for skiers.

Less than 15 minutes away (North and South of the resort) are three towns visitors can stop by if they’re looking for alternative nearby lodging options. Winhall, Stratton, and Bondville have classic small-town charm and are just as accommodating as the resort. And, if you have yet to find a restaurant that meets your culinary dreams, you’re sure to find one close.

Stratton ski resort has always made hospitality their No. 1 priority, and they provide complimentary mountain tours to help get you acquainted with the area. If you’ve never visited, this opportunity will be great for you and your family to feel confident when zigging back and forth down the mountain.

And if you think you need more things to do, think again. With various events, bustling nightlife and four incredible terrain parks, your to-do list won’t be easily crossed off. Try a moonlight snowshoe trek, get a little shopping out of the way or kick up the mountain experience by booking a snowcat ride before dinner. You won’t soon forget the memories at Stratton, or the great skiing and beautiful views!

Ski Resort #3: Killington

As you make your way further north, you’ll soon come upon the ski resort at Killington. It’s only about an hour away from Stratton. Being the biggest ski resort in the northeast of the U.S. (nearly 2,000 acres) can seem like a major deal, but Killington keeps it real by delivering outstanding service while staying humble. It makes people want to come back every year, and why the experience is always a joy.

The towns of Rutland, Mendon, and Killington are close by for convenient pitstops to and from the resort. Of the three, Rutland offers plenty of food and bar choices like Roots or Little Harry’s to get a taste of local cuisine. And who doesn’t love a little bit of home cooking?

Featuring seven distinct mountain areas, 212 trails and 1,977 skiable acres, you can exert all of the winter energy you’ve been holding onto since last season. Killington has an annual snowfall of 250 inches and utilizes 250 snowguns to cover 60 acres. Guests can enjoy smooth, perfect surfaces every day with nightly grooming thrown into the mix. You can also make your way to The Stash, the resort’s natural terrain park environment.

Smugglers Notch has an odd name, but the skiing is top notch.

Ski Resort #4: Stowe

Stowe Mountain Resort, a ski area with a lot of heart and soul, is located 75 miles away from Killington toward the border of Vermont and Quebec, Canada. Stowe is one of those places that has an incredibly positive impact on you every time you go. People can attest to how visiting this resort makes them feel, thanks to Nathaniel Goodrich’s efforts back in 1914. When he first skied the terrain, he brought his passion and ideas, inspiring others along the way. Those who were inspired saw how vital the area around Stowe was, and his passion spread like wildfire. Since then, the resort has prospered, becoming a place of luxury and world-class guest services.

The closest major city from Stowe is Burlington, and though the drive is a little under an hour, it’s definitely worth the detour. Not only will your eyes feast on more of Vermont’s beautiful scenery, but you can also explore the city and its dining, drink, shopping, and lodging options. (Burlington is another excellent fly/drive ski vacation starting and ending spot.)

With a summit elevation of 4,395 feet and over 115 trails, advanced and beginner skiers alike can partake in the splendor of the resort. If you’re looking to unwind while at Stowe, shop at convenient spots throughout the resort or treat yourself to fine dining at Cliff House or Solstice Restaurant.

Or, if you want to be a little indulgent, you can pick from an assortment of spa treatments that’ll soothe weary muscles and warm you up after a chilly day. Their award-winning spas will take you on a transformative journey to reconnect the body and mind, so why not try it out yourself? Stowe is a special place, and you may never want to leave after getting the best treatment!

Ski Resort #5: Smugglers Notch

Just another 37.5 miles away, you can find yourself at Smugglers Notch, also called America’s Family Resort since they are the No. 1 Kid-Friendly Resort in the U.S. Parents can rest assured that the kiddos will have plenty to do. Kids programs galore and family-friendly areas make it easy for everyone to have a great time.

The resort’s name often piques the curiosity of those unfamiliar with it. It all began 200 years ago when smugglers used the caves and wooded areas of the mountain range to stash goods until they could be taken across the Canadian border. People did this due to an embargo placed on English goods by the U.S. Congress. The area was the perfect place to carry out the operations, and the actions of those past smugglers left a vital part of history behind for others to discover.

Smugglers Notch is full of incredible history, 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, more than 75 trails, and three massive interconnecting mountains for a convenient skiing experience. And being so close to Stowe means you can fit it into your vacation before heading home. No matter which resort you choose, there are various adventures just waiting around the winding corners of Route 100. Which one will you explore and conquer next?

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