Ski Magazine top 20 in the East

Chuckstah

Not an Epic or Ikon resort in the top 5. Interesting.

https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/resort-guide-2025/the-top-20-resorts-in-the-east-2025/?fbclid=PAY2xjawGMvPlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpgClw9LMdmPyuVGHhdieJMaiqVbHPaUzBiU7IYiZs5x8UtKOmpwkWOB_kg_aem_c3sotKCGcujDqwdz1nZUHQ

lotsoskiing

The writers like old-school throwback places (BW excepted...maybe they like flat cruisers once in a while).

NewEnglandSkier13

lotsoskiing;c-66250 wroteThe writers like old-school throwback places (BW excepted...maybe they like flat cruisers once in a while).

They aren't chosen by the writers, there a poll each year that anyone can vote in which chooses the winners. And the only places on that list that could really be considered "old school" are Mad River Glen, Smugglers Notch, and maybe Cannon.

ADKskier

The fact that Whiteface isn't on this list is mind boggling. Love seeing MRG at the top again though!

riverc0il

Waterville at 10 seems like the biggest shocker on there. Combined with ADKskier noticing an omission of Whiteface. Swap those two areas on/off for sure!

I am getting strong Boston-area vibes from this list. All of the biggest NH areas are included, except Wildcat. Saddleback, Loaf, and River are all quite high (areas that are less skied by folks from VT, CT, NY, NJ, etc.). And WaWa obviously is there for proximity rather than quality (just like Holiday Valley). A bit of an Indy bias (20%), as well (Saddleback has "Pass: n/a" listed, but that seems to be a mistake).

joshua_segal

I think Le Massif would be on the list if more people had skied it.

Silly to have MRG at top unless the list is based on ambiance and expert skiing, but those obviously weren't among the criteria. Otherwise, what is Wawa doing on the list. IMO, even in MA, both Berkshire East and Jiminy are superior.

ski_it

WaWa??? #15 ahead of Okemo & Stratton. Whaaaaat? MRG #1 but Likelihood to Return: 1/20. If that is 1 out of 20 I don't get it. They must have required the Co-Opers to vote 10 times.

justkeepmovingne

Totally understand this list is never perfect. Still thrilled Gore ranks so high - and it should.

z1000307470

justkeepmovingne;c-66303 wroteTotally understand this list is never perfect. Still thrilled Gore ranks so high - and it should.

Shocking! Gore used to never make the list at all.

The idea of Holiday Valley or Wawa on the list is silly. Those places are great at what they provide, but, when I am in the mood to drive 5 hours for the weekend, Holiday Valley or Wawa is never on the list.

Putting MRG first on the list is also amusing since it is so dependent on natural snow.

rickbolger

z1000307470;c-66305 wrote Putting MRG first on the list is also amusing since it is so dependent on natural snow.

Maybe, maybe not. If I have my pick of northeast areas, every single one is 100% open and it's a midweek? MRG would indeed be first

joshua_segal

rickbolger;c-66317 wrote
z1000307470;c-66305 wrote Putting MRG first on the list is also amusing since it is so dependent on natural snow.
Maybe, maybe not. If I have my pick of northeast areas, every single one is 100% open and it's a midweek? MRG would indeed be first

If grooming, absence of snowmaking and a dearth of trails that are lower blue-square or easier. If liftlines were not a problem - then MRG, with its quaint retro feel - I agree it is #1.

However, the truth is, it's #1 for rarely more than 2-dozen days per season (if that)!

justkeepmovingne

z1000307470;c-66305 wrote
justkeepmovingne;c-66303 wroteTotally understand this list is never perfect. Still thrilled Gore ranks so high - and it should.
Shocking! Gore used to never make the list at all.

The idea of Holiday Valley or Wawa on the list is silly. Those places are great at what they provide, but, when I am in the mood to drive 5 hours for the weekend, Holiday Valley or Wawa is never on the list.

Putting MRG first on the list is also amusing since it is so dependent on natural snow.

It does seem like Holiday and Wawa belong in a totally different category.

Now, if you put together a "Top 20 Family Friendly Resorts [if you're a local to them]" list - then I could see them land high! That list would probably still have Smuggs, but would likely also include others like Bolton Valley, Jiminy, West Mt, etc.

joshua_segal

I disqualify Smugs because of its antiquated lift system. I can't imagine dealing with M1 on a mid-January sub-zero day!

JimK

I'm kinda good with about 60% of the top ten. Places like MRG, Saddleback, Smuggs are special to me and I'm glad they are getting love. Though by overall size and variety they are smaller than some of the more obvious top resorts like Killington, Sugarbush and Stowe.

lotsoskiing

I, too, like the list. The sad reality is that the likes of MRG, Smuggs, and Saddleback are so dependent on natural snow that they can also be horrid. Many of the other snowmaking-intensive places can still be in far better shape when the inevitable hits. Doesn't necessarily make them better, just more consistently close to their best days

rickbolger

joshua_segal;c-66322 wrotetruth is, it's #1 for rarely more than 2-dozen days per season (if that)!

First I read this as "2 days"
and I said, "huh? He's way off!"

Then I read it correctly as "2-dozen"
and I said the exact same thing... :D