You might be wondering, why would I board East?! Well, we’re here to tell you, the Northeast boasts some of the best places to board that will give the West a run for its money! While it’s true that the snow is wetter and there is more ice to contend with on the East coast, there are still amazing places to snowboard for any avid boarder. If you have begun planning for a winter season boarding down some rad slopes, check out some of our top picks for the best mountains in the Northeast:
Stowe Mountain: Stowe, Vermont
Mountains: Mt Mansfield (The tallest peak in Vermont) & Spruce Peak
Hailed as the “Ski Capital of the East,” a trip to this quaint mountain village that boasts a combination of expert ski and snowboard terrain and friendly hospitality is sure to be the highlight of your year. Enjoy updated fast and efficient lifts and amazing terrain!
Be aware: This area is one of the most expensive places to ski or board in the East and is VERY crowded on weekends.
Sugarloaf Mountain: Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Sugarloaf, a place for truly adventurous skiers and snowboarders, is the second-largest ski area in the East. Explore powder-filled backcountry at Brackett Basin and amazing lift-serviced treeline boarding here! You’ll be surprised to find it is pretty much in the middle of nowhere and a long drive from the closest major city of Boston, but it’s well worth it!
Quick facts: 1,240-acre ski area and an amazing annual snow record of 200 inches!
Whiteface Mountain: Wilmington, New York
Best known for the largest vertical drop in the East, and the two-time host of the Winter Olympics, Whiteface Mountain is home to some of the most challenging terrain in the East! While Whiteface mountain boasts an amazing powder playground for advanced boarders, beginners shouldn’t be put off, there is a whole section of the mountain reserved for more gentle slopes. Be warned, you will find numbingly old conditions here so be sure to dress accordingly! There is no hotel to stay in at the base of Whiteface, so Lake Placid is your best bet for an overnight stay and food after a long day on the slopes.
Loon Mountain, Grafton County, New Hampshire
Loon Mountain is a great destination for families, intermediate boarders, and freestylers. Just two hours north of Boston, it’s a convenient day trip! You’ll enjoy gentle cruising terrain and black diamond steep pitches with over half of the mountain for intermediates. You can also spend time snow tubing, ice skating, and climbing on the indoor climbing wall! Freestyle boarders will love the award-winning parks and the only superpipe in New Hampshire!
Jay Peak Resort: Jay, Vermont
Five miles from the US-Canadian border you will find Jay Peak, a remote location with the most natural snowfall of any ski mountain in the East! You can board here from mid-November through mid-May! We’re all about longer snow seasons! You can access Jay Peak’s 385 acres by riding Vermont’s only aerial tramway, and by chair/surface lifts. (They can move 12,000 skiers an hour!) For beginners, there are 15 trails with the rest divided between intermediate and expert. Most notable for its backcountry skiing! Get the feel of an international vacation due to the proximity to Quebec: you’ll hear French and English on the slopes!
Get The Best Gear At 3 Rad Kids!
Whether you are a beginner or advanced snowboarder, we have something for you at 3 Rad Kids! We know buying a snowboard outright can be daunting and expensive, and that’s why we came up with our easy lease-to-own snowboard options! Fill out an application today! A board like the Nidecker Escape could be yours today!
