Magic Mountain
127 acres, 50 runs on Glebe Mountain. Authentic, uncrowded southern Vermont skiing, Indy Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
5 Dec 2026
Closes
3 Apr 2027
Days open
119
Annual snow
145in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Magic Mountain's summit reaches 2,850 feet, dropping roughly 1,500 vertical feet to a base at 1,348 feet across 50 runs spread over 127 acres on Glebe Mountain near Londonderry, Vermont. Terrain splits 32 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent expert, 24 per cent beginner and 18 per cent advanced, with average annual snowfall of roughly 145 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Four lifts, including one quad chair and two double chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift and one t-bar.
Magic Mountain markets itself as an authentic, deliberately unpolished throwback to an earlier era of Vermont skiing, prized for its challenging natural terrain and genuinely uncrowded slopes. The resort's substantial expert terrain, at 26 per cent of its trail count, reflects a character shaped by the steep, ridge-lined topography that first drew its founder to the mountain.
Swiss-born ski instructor and filmmaker Hans Thorner, searching Vermont in the late 1950s for a location reminiscent of his native Swiss Alps, found Glebe Mountain's steep ridgelines suited his vision, and opened Magic Mountain in 1960 with a T-bar serving the lower half of the mountain, adding a substantial 7,379-foot double chair in 1962. Magic formed part of Vermont's original 'Golden Triangle' alongside Stratton Mountain and Bromley Mountain, all within 10 miles of each other, and thrived through the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s.
Boston Concessions, which also owned neighbouring Bromley, purchased Magic in the mid-1980s, but a downturn in the real estate market led Bromley's owners to close Magic entirely in 1991. The resort remained closed for years before reopening to the public in 1997, and in November 2016, following a poor winter and difficult operating results, Magic Mountain Management LLC sold the property to Ski Magic LLC, led by Geoff Hatheway. Adult daily tickets run from 96 to 116 US dollars, with children aged 5 and under skiing free.
1,503ft
Vertical
50
Runs
127 acres
Skiable
145in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
50 runs across 127 acres skiable
Magic Mountain packs 50 runs into 127 acres (51 hectares) on Glebe Mountain in southern Vermont, running from a base at 1,350 ft (411 m) to a summit of 2,850 ft (869 m), a vertical of 1,500 ft (458 m). The split is steeper than its size suggests: 26% expert, 18% black diamond, 32% blue square and 24% green circle. About 145 inches of snow falls in an average winter. A quad, two double chairs, a T-bar and a surface lift keep the lift system simple, and lines stay short.
Black Line and Redline run side by side as the steep headline pitches, while Wizard is a narrow groomed cruiser down the west side of the mountain with double black terrain dropping away beside it. The gladed network is the standout, with trails such as Disappearing Act, The Hallows, Goniff Glade, Twilight Zone, Voodoo, Pixie Dust and White Tiger, said to be the most extensive tree skiing in southern Vermont. Magic suits advanced skiers who like natural, uncrowded terrain, and beginners have a modest but real share of the trails.
Terrain split
50
runs
50 runs across 4 grades
Beginner12 runs · 24%
Intermediate16 runs · 32%
Advanced9 runs · 18%
Expert13 runs · 26%
Time it right
When to visit Magic Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Magic Mountain ran from 20 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly fifteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 145 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather on Glebe Mountain's steep terrain.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Magic's genuinely challenging, expert-weighted terrain. As an Indy Pass resort, Magic draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside dedicated visitors specifically seeking its authentic, deliberately uncrowded character within southern Vermont's Golden Triangle region.
Given Magic's proximity to major metropolitan areas as one of southern Vermont's ski destinations, the resort draws visitors seeking a genuine alternative to the more heavily developed mountains nearby, including former Golden Triangle neighbours Stratton and Bromley. School holiday periods bring some family visitation, though the resort's substantial expert terrain skews its visitor base toward more experienced skiers.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Ski Magic LLC's November 2016 purchase, the resort has continued rebuilding on more than six decades of history since founder Hans Thorner's 1960 opening, including the multi-year closure of the 1990s. Magic's authentic, throwback character and challenging terrain remain central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
5 Dec 2026
Opens
3 Apr 2027
Closes
119
Days open
145 in
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Magic Mountain, and where to stay
Magic Mountain sits on Glebe Mountain near Londonderry, Vermont, with a base elevation of 1,348 feet and a summit at 2,850 feet across a roughly 1,500-foot vertical drop over 127 acres. This southern Vermont setting places the resort within the historic Golden Triangle region alongside Stratton and Bromley mountains.
Londonderry and the broader southern Vermont region offer lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort. Manchester, a larger regional town, lies within a reasonable drive as well, providing additional visitor services and shopping.
Vermont State Route 11 provides access to the resort through southern Vermont. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the region's status as a significant ski destination cluster. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Manchester's smaller regional airfield offers limited service, while Albany International Airport in New York and Bradley International Airport in Connecticut serve as more practical gateways for visitors flying in from further afield, given Magic's position within a reasonable drive of southern New England's metropolitan areas.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Magic Mountain, powered by Stay22.
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Magic Mountain Webcams
1 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Magic Mountain's live webcams
Check live conditions across Magic Mountain with 1 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Base Area1,345ft
- This Magic Mountain webcam streams live from the base area of Vermont's beloved independent ski area in Londonderry, showing current snow conditions and activity at the 1,350-foot base on Glebe Mountain. Use this Magic Mountain live cam to check visibility and snow quality before heading out on the classic 1960s-era terrain that made this resort famous among serious New England skiers. A reliable Magic Mountain live snow cam for one of the last independently owned ski areas in southern Vermont, with 1,500 feet of vertical and a reputation for some of the gnarliest steeps on the East Coast.
Magic Mountain snow cams FAQ
How often do Magic Mountain snow cams update?
All Magic Mountain snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Magic Mountain.
Which Magic Mountain webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Base Area webcam at 410m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Magic Mountain webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Magic Mountain lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Magic Mountain snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Magic Mountain snow cams?
Check Magic Mountain webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Magic Mountain lift tickets?
Use our Magic Mountain webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Magic Mountain webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Magic Mountain snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Magic Mountain intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.