It may be 60 degrees in Boston, but three hours north, there’s plenty of snow left to savor those last buttery turns to carry you ski/snowboard bums through the summer. Just when we snow-obsessed New Englanders had lost all hope, Mother Nature came into central and northern Vermont, and parts of New Hampshire, with a massive late-season – and much-needed – wallop that dumped anywhere from eight inches to 2 ½ feet on the slopes.
It’s been another rough season for many mountains but the snowmakers have piled it up at many resorts to ensure the season lasts well into April. This recent batch of snow will make the spring corn and mashed potatoes last even longer, especially at the resorts with the deepest bases.
Here is a rundown of the best spots to get your spring turns in right through mid-April, while your non-skier friends are waxing their boats and digging out their beach gear. This is our guide to Spring Skiing in New England.
KILLINGTON
The Beast of the East – New England’s largest resort with seven peaks and 1,500-plus skiable acres – has lived up to its name once again. Thanks to 27-plus inches of snow in the past week, it’s skiing and riding as good as it has all year and should be in good shape right through April and into May. Amazingly, the snow guns have continued nightly as the Beast crews have augmented the natural snow with manmade to help keep as many trails open as possible as the temperatures rise.
With mountains upon mountains of snow having been blown onto Superstar all season, the infamous glacier is sure to once again be open for final shred sessions well into June, if not July.
STOWE
Killington’s neighbor to the north on I-89 is also rallying late season with some of the best spring skiing all year on tap for the end of the month. Stowe picked up 21 inches in the past week and flurries this week were providing some free refills with a couple inches here and there.
Besides skiing and riding, on April 8 Stowe will be selling gondola tickets to the top of Mount Mansfield to experience the much-hyped total solar eclipse that is going to be most visible in northern Vermont. Learn more here. Lodging is pretty much sold-out but there are some private homes available on the apps – at a very high markup. It might be worth the splurge though for a once-in-a-generation event.
Aside from the eclipse, our vote for the place to stay to get your final turns in is The Lodge at Spruce Peak, a stunning, 250-room, luxury ski-in, ski-out resort at the base of the legendary mountain. The gondola runs right through the heart of the lodge’s grounds, which also includes a world-class spa and wellness center, heated outdoor pool, and a village that rivals anything out west with several fantastic restaurants and pubs.
SUGARBUSH
Located roughly halfway between Killington and Stowe in Warren, Vt., Sugarbush also got crushed with a reported 22 inches recently. Mt. Ellen closes March 31, but the slopes stay open on Lincoln Peak through April, perfect for spring skiing in New England.
The recent snow and cold snaps should make sure the terrain is in good shape for the avalanche of upcoming spring events at Sugarbush, including Pride Weekend and pond skimming April 6-7 and the third annual Spring Fling on April 13, featuring G. Love and Grammy-nominated singer Reed Foehl. More about the spring events at the ‘Bush here.
SUNDAY RIVER
The snow gods weren’t quite as kind to Maine, but The River picked up eight inches to add a nice layer to its solid base that should keep New England’s fourth-largest ski area cranking deep into spring. With 135-trails and 18 lifts over eight mountain peaks, there’s plenty for all skill levels as the sun turns the hard pack into corn snow.
There are several super fun events coming up in the final weeks of the season, including the infamous Bust N’ Burn mogul competition (March 29-31) and Spring Fest Weekend (April 5-7). And of course, don’t miss the famous Alpeniglu, an actual igloo and outdoor bar at Jordan Bowl that’s open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily and for apres from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
SUGARLOAF
Two hours north of Sunday River (and slightly more than four hours from Boston), Sugarloaf is another behemoth eastern mountain that should be skiing deep into spring thanks to cold temps and a recent 10-inch blast of snow.
At 4,200 feet, it is the second highest mountain in Maine and has the only true above-the-treeline skiing in New England, when conditions permit. The ‘Loaf is a majestic beast worth the extra hour in the car, and the colder temps that far up north should keep the current snowpack around for quality spring carving into April.
One of the East’s biggest ski parties is the April 11-14 Reggae Fest. This is the festival’s 36th year and this edition features John Brown’s Body and Long Beach Dub All-Stars, among others over four days.
If you want to keep the skiing going even longer check out our guide to where to ski with the IKON Pass in the US for our picks for skiing out west!