Jay Peak
385 acres, 81 runs near the Canadian border. Vermont's snowiest resort, legendary glades, Indy Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
22 Nov 2026
Closes
16 May 2027
Days open
175
Annual snow
359in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Jay Peak's summit reaches 3,966 feet, dropping roughly 2,153 vertical feet to a base at 1,814 feet across 81 runs spread over 385 acres near Jay, Vermont, close to the Canadian border. Terrain splits 50 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent beginner, 20 per cent advanced and 4 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 359 inches, the highest of any ski area in the eastern United States. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Nine lifts, including one aerial tram and four quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, one triple chair and two surface lifts.
Jay Peak has earned a reputation as Vermont's snowiest resort, a distinction rooted in its far-northern location and prevailing weather patterns that deliver substantially more natural snowfall than mountains further south in the state. This snow reliability, combined with legendary gladed terrain, has built a devoted following among serious powder skiers.
Jay Peak opened for skiing in 1957. Following the sudden death in March 2006 of Jacques Hebert, the Canadian principal shareholder and operator, his heirs, lacking experience running a major resort business, decided to sell. In 2008, a group of investors headed by Ariel Quiros and resort CEO Bill Stenger purchased Jay Peak and undertook a major expansion funded through the EB-5 immigrant investor programme, adding hotels, condominiums, an ice rink and an indoor water park.
That expansion later proved to be the largest EB-5 fraud in American history, with roughly 350 million US dollars raised from investors and around 200 million US dollars misused on unrelated projects and personal expenses. The Securities and Exchange Commission seized Jay Peak in 2016, placing it under receivership until an auction in September 2022 saw Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. of Park City, Utah, acquire the resort for 76 million US dollars, with the sale completed that November and the bulk of proceeds distributed to defrauded investors. Adult daily tickets run from 99 to 149 US dollars, with a discount available for Vermont residents.
2,152ft
Vertical
81
Runs
385 acres
Skiable
359in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
81 runs across 385 acres skiable
Jay Peak sits in Vermont's far north near the Canadian border, with 81 runs over 385 acres (156 hectares) and a summit at 3,970 ft (1,209 m). The base is at 1,810 ft (553 m), giving a vertical of 2,150 ft (656 m). Half the mountain is blue square at 50%, with 26% green, 20% black diamond and 4% expert. Snow is the real draw, with roughly 359 inches in an average winter, among the heaviest totals in the East. An aerial tram, four quads, a triple, a double and two surface lifts spread skiers across both sides of the mountain.
The mountain splits into two interconnected peaks, Stateside and Tramside, and the tram is the only aerial tramway in Vermont. The Face Chutes sit to the left of the tram, a steep open face with plenty of drops that stays sheltered from wind. Intermediates can ride from the top and keep right on Vermonter, one of the trademark runs. More than 100 acres of glades add low-angle tree skiing that holds powder well. Jay suits powder chasers and confident intermediates, though the 4% expert share means true steeps are limited.
Terrain split
81
runs
81 runs across 4 grades
Beginner21 runs · 26%
Intermediate41 runs · 50%
Advanced16 runs · 20%
Expert3 runs · 4%
Time it right
When to visit Jay Peak
The 2025-26 season at Jay Peak ran from 22 November 2025 to 10 May 2026, a remarkably long roughly twenty-four-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 359 inches, the highest of any ski area in the eastern United States. This exceptional snowfall total, driven by the resort's far-northern location, supports one of the longest seasons in the Northeast.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the deepest, most consistent conditions to Jay Peak's legendary gladed terrain. As an Indy Pass resort, Jay draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside dedicated powder-focused visitors drawn specifically to the mountain's exceptional snow totals.
Given Jay Peak's remote location close to the Canadian border, the resort draws a genuinely dedicated visitor base willing to travel further than for many other Vermont mountains, rewarded by consistently deeper snow than areas further south. School holiday periods bring family visitation supported by the resort's indoor water park and hotel amenities.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Pacific Group Resorts, Inc.'s November 2022 acquisition following the resort's EB-5 fraud scandal and subsequent federal receivership, Jay Peak has continued operating under stable ownership, building on nearly seven decades of history since its 1957 founding. The mountain's exceptional snowfall remains its defining seasonal characteristic.
Season 2026 - 2027
22 Nov 2026
Opens
16 May 2027
Closes
175
Days open
359 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Jay Peak
Daily snow reports at Jay Peak go back to 2025, 3 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
24 in
Snowiest day
18 Nov 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
375 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Jay Peak, and where to stay
Jay Peak sits near Jay, Vermont, close to the Canadian border, with a base elevation of 1,814 feet and a summit at 3,966 feet across a roughly 2,153-foot vertical drop over 385 acres. This far-northern setting places the resort in one of the snowiest corners of the eastern United States.
The town of Jay and the broader Northeast Kingdom region offer modest local lodging and dining, with the resort itself providing substantial on-site accommodation given its remote setting. Montreal, Canada, lies within a reasonable drive across the nearby border, adding an international dimension to the resort's visitor draw.
Vermont State Route 242 provides access to the resort through the Northeast Kingdom. Winter driving conditions on this route can include substantial snow and ice, consistent with the region's exceptional snowfall totals, and travellers should allow extra time given the resort's remote location. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, across the Canadian border, and Burlington International Airport, within Vermont, both serve the broader region, with Jay Peak drawing a genuinely international visitor base given its proximity to Montreal alongside its core Vermont and Northeast skier base.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Jay Peak, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Jay Peak's ski season?
Jay Peak's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 22 through May 16. That window is roughly 175 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Vermont, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Jay Peak have?
Jay Peak lists about 385 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 81 named runs (156 hectares alongside 385 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Jay Peak?
Trail grading at Jay Peak breaks down roughly as 26% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced, 4% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Jay Peak have?
Jay Peak operates 9 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 aerial tram, 1 triple chair, and 1 double chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Jay Peak?
Base elevation at Jay Peak is about 1,814 ft (553 m), with the summit around 3,967 ft (1,209 m), giving roughly 2,152 ft (656 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Jay Peak get each season?
Jay Peak averages about 359 inches (912 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Jay Peak accept the Indy?
Jay Peak is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Jay Peak lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$79 to US$149, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Jay Peak before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Jay Peak so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Jay Peak have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Jay Peak. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Jay Peak located?
Jay Peak sits in Vermont, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
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