The Best Ski Towns New England
VERMONT- Maine-New Hampshire
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe VT Best Ski Town
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe is by far the most upscale ski town in New England and the closest you’ll come to an Aspen- or Telluride-like experience in the East. In addition to great bars and restaurants, Stowe boasts a variety of luxury resorts and spas, as well as a four-season recreation trail, movie theater and shopping, plus an ever-growing variety of lodging, dining, art galleries and entertainment options at the base of the ski mountain (Mt. Mansfield) itself. The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center hosts concerts, theater productions and more, and the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum is an entertaining schuss through history.
To ease the aches and pains of a long day on the mountain, check out the spas at Topnotch, Stoweflake or the Stowe Mountain Lodge.
Killington, Vermont
Ski gondolas ascending the slopes, Killington Ski Resort., Vermont
Christian Aslund/Getty Images
They call Killington “The Beast” for its remarkable size (six peaks, 21 lifts, 141 trails) and for having the longest vertical drop in New England. Once you’ve worn yourself out on the slopes, head for the Lookout Tavern, easily spied with its colorful sign and rooftop deck; they’re known for their wings but serve a full menu, and in addition to oversized cocktails and beer, you can even order a glass of fancy champagne to toast the day’s conquests.
Ludlow, Vermont
Ludlow VT Home to Okemo Mountain
Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain gets a special mention here for its unique snowcat dining experience. The same slopes that looked so friendly and inviting during your day of skiing take on an air of mystery and adventure when you climb aboard the Grey Goose snowcat for a journey up the mountain to the Epic restaurant. Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy a five-course fireside dinner up among the stars (or snowflakes). Tom’s Loft Tavern is the local hotspot for après-ski drinks.
Bethel, Maine
Sunday River
Sunday River draws skiers and snowboarders to the small town of Bethel, Maine, with some of the best snow conditions—and one of the longest winter-sports seasons—in the East. And while it’s not exactly a rollicking party town, there’s plenty of fun to be had here once you’re off the slopes.
Founded in 1774, Bethel village is sometimes overlooked by Sunday River visitors, but it’s a cute little New England town with some nice restaurants.
Camden, Maine
Camden Snow Bowl snow, Maine
Coastal Camden may be known more for its lobster dinners than its skiing, but it’s also home to the iconic Camden Snow Bowl, an old-fashioned New England ski area uniquely situated within sight of Penebscot Bay that’s currently undergoing a major renaissance.
The 80-year-old Snow Bowl, famous for its annual toboggan races, is getting a $4.5-million facelift that will include a new lodge, trails (now up to 20), glade skiing, lifts (including a new triple chair to the summit), and snowmaking. All of which is helping to put Camden on the map as a regional destination for snowsports as well as a great town for shopping and dining.
Off-mountain activities include shows at the Camden Opera House, browsing the boutiques on Main Street and Bay View Street, and lighthouse and schooner tours. Dining options include traditional Down East favorites like Cappy’s Chowder House and the acclaimed Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn.
North Conway and New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley
Mount Washington
You can almost walk from the slopes of Cranmore Mountain to the main drag in North Conway, and this is one of the few ski towns in New England where the mountain and town seem like one. There’s so much to do here when you’re not skiing or boarding, including riding the mountain coaster at Cranmore, taking a scenic train ride, ice skating at night, and summiting mighty Mount Washington by car or, in the winter, via snow coach.
The closely connected towns of Jackson and Bartlett add even more dining and winter sports options, including the old school Black Mountain and challenging Wildcat ski areas. For après ski we like the Red Parka for prime rib, drinking and dancing; the Moat Mountain House for sampling locally brewed beers and meeting new friends at the bar; the Shannon Door when we want to get our Irish on and the Muddy Moose for pub grub.
Lincoln, New Hampshire
Ski Town Loon Mountain
Lincoln is home to Loon Mountain and, with its location just off of I-93, one of the easiest New England ski towns to get to, with charming Woodstock just on the other side of the highway. The Woodstock Inn & Brewery is our favorite après-ski stop in the area, with great food and some excellent brews by the mug and growler. Right off the slopes at Loon, you can head upstairs in the Octagon Lodge to the Paul Bunyan Room: a rare on-mountain bar with an authentic local atmosphere that features a wrap-around deck for viewing the slopes and a fireplace for warming up afterward. For a sit-down dinner, it’s still hard to beat The Common Man, a New England institution.
While you’re in Lincoln, don’t miss Ice Castles, New Hampshire: a marvelous palace made purely of frozen water.