Mount Snow
600 acres, 87 runs near West Dover. Epic Pass access, top terrain parks, accessible from Boston.
Current Conditions→
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
148
Annual snow
166in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mount Snow's summit reaches 3,599 feet, dropping roughly 1,700 vertical feet to a base at 1,899 feet across 87 runs spread over 600 acres near West Dover, Vermont. Terrain splits 67 per cent intermediate, 16 per cent each for advanced and beginner, and 1 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 166 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Twenty lifts, including four quad chairs and six triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside three double chairs, one six-person chair, five surface lifts and one t-bar.
Mount Snow stands as one of southern Vermont's largest and most accessible resorts, prized for its considerable intermediate terrain and, at its Carinthia area, some of the most highly regarded terrain parks in the Northeast. Its relative proximity to Boston and the broader southern New England metropolitan area has long made it a popular weekend destination.
Walter Schoenknecht, who ran the Mohawk Mountain ski area in Connecticut, visited Vermont in 1946 seeking a location for a new resort with more reliable snowfall than areas further south, yet still accessible to New England's population centres. In 1953, he purchased land at the foot of what became known as Mount Snow, named for the farmer, Reuben Snow, who had previously owned it, and opened the resort in December 1954 with five trails on the lower mountain served by a rope tow and two double chairlifts.
Schoenknecht became known for extravagant, imaginative features, including an Italian-built aerial tram nicknamed the Air Car, an outdoor heated pool, and a large fountain geyser in Snow Lake, expanding the resort to 44 trails across three mountains with a gondola before financial difficulties led to bankruptcy in 1975. In September 2019, Vail Resorts purchased Mount Snow, joining Vail's portfolio and the Epic Pass network. Adult daily tickets run from 139 to 229 US dollars.
1,699ft
Vertical
87
Runs
600 acres
Skiable
166in
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
87 runs across 600 acres skiable
Mount Snow spreads 87 runs over 600 acres (243 hectares) near West Dover in southern Vermont, from a base at 1,900 ft (579 m) to a summit of 3,600 ft (1,097 m), a vertical of 1,700 ft (518 m). Blue squares dominate at 67%, with 16% green circle, 16% black diamond and only 1% expert, so this is a mountain for cruising rather than extreme steeps. About 166 inches of snow falls in an average winter. Twenty lifts, including a six-pack, four quads and six triple chairs, keep queues moving across the four faces.
Mount Snow is divided into Main Face, North Face, Sunbrook and Carinthia. Snowdance, Canyon, Exhibition and Ridge are the Main Face cruisers, and Long John is a 3.1 mile green run. The Grand Summit Express six-pack reaches the top quickly. North Face holds the steeps and glades, with Ripcord a double black and Challenger close behind. Sunbrook has mellow blues such as Thanks Walt and Cloud Nine. Carinthia runs 15 terrain parks, including Grommet and Inferno. Mount Snow suits families, intermediates and freestyle riders, and its closeness to Boston makes it a popular weekend trip.
Terrain split
87
runs
87 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 16%
Intermediate58 runs · 67%
Advanced14 runs · 16%
Expert1 run · 1%
Time it right
When to visit Mount Snow
The 2025-26 season at Mount Snow ran from 28 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, a roughly twenty-one-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 166 inches. Extensive snowmaking supplements natural snowfall to support the resort's early opening and consistent conditions across its considerable intermediate-weighted terrain throughout the season.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Mount Snow's varied terrain. As an Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Mount Snow draws substantial visitation from Epic Pass holders alongside its traditional Boston-area weekend visitor base, given the resort's relatively accessible southern Vermont location.
The Carinthia terrain park area continues to draw freestyle-focused visitors throughout the season, supporting Mount Snow's reputation as a premier terrain park destination in the Northeast. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's heavily intermediate-weighted terrain profile. Weekend crowds draw heavily from the greater Boston and southern New England region.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and Carinthia's terrain park offerings is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Vail Resorts' 2019 acquisition, Mount Snow has continued operating as part of the Epic Pass network, building on seven decades of history since founder Walter Schoenknecht's 1954 opening. The resort's accessible location and considerable scale remain central to its seasonal popularity.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
148
Days open
166 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Mount Snow
Daily snow reports at Mount Snow go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
12 in
Snowiest day
26 Jan 2026
5 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
59 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Mount Snow, and where to stay
Mount Snow sits near West Dover, Vermont, with a base elevation of 1,899 feet and a summit at 3,599 feet across a roughly 1,700-foot vertical drop over 600 acres. This southern Vermont setting places the resort within a considerable drive of the greater Boston metropolitan area.
West Dover and nearby Wilmington offer substantial lodging, dining and shopping within a short drive of the resort, giving Mount Snow a genuine mountain-town base area experience. The broader southern Vermont region surrounds the resort with additional outdoor recreation and scenic attractions.
Vermont State Route 100 provides direct access to the resort, connecting to the broader regional highway network toward Massachusetts and the greater Boston area. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the resort's popularity as a weekend destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Albany International Airport in New York and Bradley International Airport in Connecticut both serve the broader region within a reasonable drive, with Mount Snow's roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from Boston making it a popular and accessible weekend option for the greater New England metropolitan area.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Stays map loads when you scroll here
Hotels and lodges near Mount Snow, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Mount Snow's ski season?
Mount Snow's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 21 through April 18. That window is roughly 148 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 Mount Snow have?
Mount Snow lists about 600 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 87 named runs (243 hectares alongside 600 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 Mount Snow?
Trail grading at Mount Snow breaks down roughly as 16% beginner, 67% intermediate, 16% advanced, 1% 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 Mount Snow have?
Mount Snow operates 20 lifts across 6 lift types. The fleet includes 6 triple chairs, 5 surface lifts, 4 quad chairs, 3 double chairs, 1 6-person chair, and 1 t-bar.
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 Mount Snow?
Base elevation at Mount Snow is about 1,900 ft (579 m), with the summit around 3,599 ft (1,097 m), giving roughly 1,699 ft (518 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 Mount Snow get each season?
Mount Snow averages about 166 inches (422 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 Mount Snow accept the Epic?
Mount Snow is affiliated with the Epic. 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 Epic, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Mount Snow lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$109 to US$229, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (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 Mount Snow before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mount Snow 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 Mount Snow 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 Mount Snow. 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 Mount Snow located?
Mount Snow 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
From the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026