Mount Snow resort review

Mount Snow resort got its name for a reason: The snowmaking crews there make a lot of snow. The Mount Snow  has more than 250 snowmaking fans, the most fan guns in the entire North America. When the ski season starts in November, they start coating the mountain’s four faces, 87 trails, and 12 freestyle parks with white powder. Add 156 inches of average annual snowfall, and you will get a Vermont ski resort with huge snow base depths and varied terrain – all just four hours away from NYC.

Mount Snow resort

Mount Snow resort prides itself on opening early in November and closing in late April. My first visit there came over Thanksgiving weekend a couple years ago, and I can personally attest to the fact that they do everything possible to have decent early season runs. The caprices of the weather in the northeast can make skiing conditions quite unpredictable, so make no mistake about it – icy crust is very common here. However, for a snow-starved skier in the northeast, icy corduroy is better than no frozen granular at all, and the management at Mount Snow  resort seems to understand it by having 10 to 15 trails open during the very early season.

On my consequent ski trips to Mount Snow, I encountered various snow conditions but for the most part had quite positive experiences. There is plenty of terrain for all skills and levels; however, intermediate and advanced skiers should have a better choice. While the green trails are generally wide and gentle enough for beginners, icy conditions often make the trails quite challenging. Also, consider the length of certain trails. For example, Long John and Deer Run are very nice cruisers running from the summit; however, they are quite long and could be strenuous on total beginners armed only with the “pizza pie” stopping technique. Knowing how to control your skis and speed is extremely helpful in these situations and you should not overestimate your skills when it comes down to alpine skiing or snowboarding.

At the same time, there are plenty of trails for skiers and snowboarders comfortable in linking turns and taking on all levels of the beginner and intermediate terrain. The Main Face is a home for many signature trails including Snowdance, Standard, and above-mentioned Long John and Deer Run. However, if you are desperate to push the limits – and your luck – there is the whole North Face to do that. The majority of the trails are kept ungroomed for those who need extra adrenaline, steep pitches, and moguls. Aside from the famed Ripcord, an often icy and steep double black diamond trail, there are five glades for skiers and snowboarders preferring ripping through the wooded areas.

And, of course, freestylers will enjoy 12 parks, rails, boxes, and tree skiing areas at Mount Snow resort. On the top of it, there is a mini-pipe for those learning tricks, and a super-pipe build for big air stunts. Needless to say, Carinthia is a freestyle heaven for freestylers who want to learn first Tailgrab or master Frontside 360 Nosegrab. Finally, the Sunbrook area is the place where you can find the scenic cruisers and music blasting from chairlift towers along the Beartrap trail.

Mount Snow resort

At the end of a day, there are many ways to relax. The Mount Snow Grand Summit Health Club is open until 9 p.m.; they have various spa services and a heated outdoor swimming pool that I was told “is an extremely relaxing and romantic thing to do on a quiet starry evening.” There are also dozens of restaurant and bars in the area, including the Snow Barn bar that has a reputation for the best pizza in the valley.

While the Grand Summit Hotel is a nice place to stay, it is also pretty expensive lodging option. If you are on a budget, consider the condos and townhomes. I stayed in a very nice one-bedroom condo at the Snow Trees complex and can say only positive things about it. It had everything that you might need on a ski vacation: a fireplace, deck, privacy, and access to all amenities offered through the ski resort. It was relatively cheap and a short drive to the main lodge. There was only one problem with that particular lodging option: the roads around Mount  Snow resort. On a day when it rained – welcome to the northeast – and Mother Nature was in a bad mood, slush and mud made certain local roads quite challenging for a regular car.

Yet, having rain, sleet, and snow – all in one weekend – is not unusual for Vermont. The caprices of the weather can make a ski vacation in Vermont akin to a gamble, but 250+ fan snow guns, 80+ trails and just a 4-hour drive from NYC is a risk worth taking.

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