Best Skiing Near NYC: Top 12 Resorts

New York City Is a Great Place for Snow Sport Enthusiasts

The city experiences four seasons, and countless beloved East Coast ski resorts are within day-trip driving distance. Even residents of Los Angeles and Denver have to drive 3+ hours to get to their favorite skiing, whereas NYC has so many options within 2 hours or less. Here are our favorite resorts, ranked by distance to NYC from closest to farthest away.

1. Big SNOW American Dream, NJ

Many people are unaware that New York City offers skiing and snowboarding year round at Big SNOW American Dream. This is the first indoor ski park in North America, offering a slope length of about 1,000 feet and a vertical drop of 160 feet.

Though it isn’t anything major, it’s perfect if you want to practice your turns or tricks in the off-season, or on a weekday evening. The slopes offer an intermediate run, a freestyle run, and a beginner area with lessons.

2. Mountain Creek, NJ

If your primary focus is getting as many laps in as possible, Mountain Creek NJ might be your best bet. The ski resort is 52 miles from Manhattan, offering 167 acres of skiing on four connected peaks that rise over 1,000 vertical feet over the base. The mountain is renowned for their freestyle terrain and their fleet of snow guns that cover 100% of the trails. You can worry less about snow and driving, and focus on skiing and riding.

3. Hunter Mountain, NY

Hunter Mountain is one of New York’s most popular and beloved ski areas. It is about 3 hours from New York City, and is considered the closest “big mountain” to NYC. The summit rises 1,600 feet to an elevation of 3200’ above sea level, with 320 acres of skiable terrain and 67 trails. This is the perfect mountain for a day-trip. It balances terrain and city accessibility very well, and for that reason is a favorite of many New Yorkers.

4. Thunder Ridge, NY

Thunder Ridge is another New York favorite. This modest ski area offers a respectable 500’ of vertical rise, 30 trails, and 90 skiable acres. The drive goes right up the scenic Hudson River Valley into the hills of Patterson, New York. It makes a memorable day trip and is especially great for beginner, novice, and intermediate skiers.

5. Windham Mountain, NY

Windham Mountain offers a big mountain feel, with 4-season amenities to keep guests entertained and thrilled throughout the year. The mountain itself boasts 1,600’ of vertical rise. The 54 trails spread out over the mountain’s 285 skiable acres. With 3 high-speed chairlifts, 6 terrain parks, 97% snowmaking coverage, Windham Mountain has something for everyone.

6. Mount Snow, VT

Mount Snow offers 600 acres of expansive beginner, intermediate, advanced, and freestyle terrain. Renowned as one of the best mountains in the East for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, Mount Snow dedicates an entire mountain peak, called Carinthia, to freestyle terrain. It is the southernmost resort in Vermont, and is located only 210 miles from Manhattan.

7. Gore Mountain, NY

Gore Mountain is one of New York state’s best ski areas. They offer a staggering 122 trails spread out over 448 acres. The mountain offers 14 lifts, 1 of which is a gondola, 8 terrain parks, and 28 different glades. At a whopping 2,537’ of vert, Gore offers runs that last longer than many other East Coast ski resorts. This comes at a price, as drivers will have to travel over 245 miles to get here. Once they arrive, they’re sure to be rewarded with some of the best skiing in the Empire State.

8. Killington, VT

Whether you call it K-mart, K-town, or the Beast, no east coast winter is complete without Killington in the mix. Usually the first to open and last to close in the East, Killington keeps the party going all winter long. The Beast offers the best Apres scene outside of NYC, and over 1,500 acres of skiing! With world-class terrain parks, an awesome lift system, and varied terrain that expands over 3,050’ of vert, it’s no wonder this is the most popular ski resort in the East. Killington is about 255 miles away from NYC.

9. Whiteface, NY

Whiteface Mountain is a beloved New York staple. Located just 13 miles from Lake Placid, the resort played host to the 1980 Olympic Games and is one of the only mountains in the East that can accommodate a Men’s Downhill Ski Racing Course. This is because Whiteface offers more vert than any other ski resort in the East (and many in the West), at a whopping 3,430’ above the base. The mountain offers 288 skiable acres, and all the amenities that come with a world-class Olympic skiing venue. It is about 295 miles from NYC.

10. Sugarbush, VT

Sugarbush Resort is the true essence of a Vermont skier’s mountain. With 484 acres of trails spread out across 4000 acres of terrain, Sugarbush offers a vast array of options for all types of skiers. Whether you want to cruise down winding, meandering switchbacks or shred steep, relentless mogul lines, Sugarbush has got you covered. What’s more is that the entire resort is littered with tree runs nearly everywhere across its 4000 acres, making Sugarbush a paradise for advanced skiers. Sugarbush is essentially two ski areas in one, connected by the Slide Brook Express Quad, one of the longest chairlifts in North America.

Lincoln Peak offers all of the lodging, dining, and modern amenities of the resort. It rises 2400’ from the base village and offers cruisers, steep mogul runs, and endless tree skiing. Over at Mt. Ellen, 2600’ vert of steeps, wide cruisers, and terrain parks with rails made in-house entertain every type of skier, with nearly no liftlines ever.

In addition to impeccable on-mountain dining, lodging, and service Sugarbush has some excellent apres-ski options down the road in the nearby town of Waitsfield. Though it’s not the wildest scene in Vermont, farm-to-table local fare and an impressive craft beer selection will satisfy even the snobbiest of Instagram foodies in your family.

11. Mad River Glen, VT (Skiers Only)

Come to the funky ski town of Waitsfield, VT and experience the no-frills, scruffy, local vibe of one of the truest skier mountains in America. Though Mad River Glen offers excellent beginner and intermediate slopes with plenty of variety, skiers flock here as an almost pilgrimage to experience quintessential New England expert skiing: tight, narrow tree lines choked with powder, as well as steep, winding and narrow mogul trails with plenty of opportunities to catch some air. Not to mention almost all of it is left ungroomed and without snowmaking.

Mad River Glen is an expert skier’s paradise, reflective of the motto: “Ski It if You Can”. They also offer some underrated nightlife, with General Stark’s Pub regularly hosting live music, and several other dive bars within 5 minutes. Though the Mad River Valley isn’t the most lively ski town in Vermont, it can certainly hold its own on most winter weekends.

12. Stowe, VT

An established heavyweight champion of a resort, Stowe is perched right on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s Highest Peak, and offers 2,360′ vertical with trails of all types. With the addition of neighboring Spruce Peak, Stowe offers everything from a luxurious, nearly European ski holiday with meandering cruisers and sunshine at Spruce Camp, to a knee-shaking, palms-sweating jaunt down some seriously steep and hairy trails down Mt. Mansfield, particularly off of the Four Runner Quad. This is where you’ll find the Front Four trails: Liftline, National, Starr, and Goat, all of which are forces to be reckoned with. The Gondola gives skiers access to some of the best sidecountry in the east, making Stowe a mountain that truly caters to all types of skiers.

The base village at Spruce provides plenty of off-hill activities, including rock-climbing, ice skating, and the Spruce Peak performing arts center. The luxurious and impressive Stowe Mountain Lodge is at the center of all of this, offering an impeccable ski-in/ski-out lodging experience. Not to mention, Stowe, VT itself is a classic, rustic Vermont ski town with exciting nightlife and numerous dive bars and taverns. Stowe seems to have it all, and although it’s a little pricey, it is well worth a visit to experience some of the best skiing and resort accommodations Vermont has.

NYC Movers

If you’re a skier or rider who wants the best city life that the United States has to offer, New York City is the perfect destination. You’ll find amazing mountains with night skiing super close to the city, and world-class mountain resorts within 2-4 hours’ drive.   If you find yourself dreaming about life as a skier or rider in the big city, Metropolis Moving can help. We have gained a reputation for being one of NYC’s most courteous, careful, and qualified moving companies. Get a moving quote today and you’ll be on your way to living the life you envision for yourself: sending it on the slopes every weekend and weeknight, while enjoying the electric energy and abundant opportunity this beautiful city has to offer off the slopes.