25/26 Preseason Top 30

Last year the ski season began in October which means we are just one month out from the start of a new season! Each year we release a preseason ranking which project how we think the season is going to go at each mountain and to keep it fresh each year, our one rule is that the number one mountain last season cannot be ranked number one in the preseason rankings this year. With that, here is this season’s preseason Top 30 Ski Areas!

1.       Mad River Glen

2.       Jay Peak

3.       Sugarloaf

4.       Stowe

5.       Killington

This season we are projecting Mad River Glen to have the best season in New England! Their season will start off slow through the beginning of December and then take off after the holidays. Will Jay Peak have another season like they did last year? We wish but its unlikely. Still the snow should be some of the best in the region. Sugarloaf stakes its claim as the highest rated Maine ski area on this list and will have one of the longest seasons in the east this season. Stowe and Killington will have normal seasons especially with the return of Superstar in the spring.

6.       Sunday River

7.       Saddleback

8.       Smuggler’s Notch

9.       Sugarbush

10.   Cannon

After last year’s Halloween opening, Sunday River went on to become the second mountain open for daily operations in the region last year and we would expect more of the same this year if the temps cooperate. Saddleback and Smuggler’s Notch had strong under the radar seasons last year and we expect more of the same this year. If the Slide Brook Express opens at Sugarbush this year, it would be one of the biggest upgrades in terms of guest experience in the region. Cannon will be the go-to mountain in New Hampshire this year.

11.   Bolton Valley

12.   Waterville Valley

13.   Loon

14.   Okemo

15.   Bretton Woods

Bolton Valley is one of the most consistently underrated mountains in New England and received 375 inches of snow last season while also having night skiing off Vista Peak which can also give you great views of the sunset. Waterville Valley is set to add a new T Bar this season and will have an unloading area at The Chute. Loon and Okemo will have normal seasons while Bretton Woods also has a brand-new Bethlehem Express Quad II this year and is developing a new glades trail.

16.   Magic Mountain

17.   Black Mountain (NH)

18.   Stratton

19.   Wildcat

20.   Mount Snow

Both Magic Mountain and Black Mountain offer good skiing and good vibes with Black Mountain having one of the longest seasons in the east last year. Stratton and Mount Snow look to have a cooler start to the season than what mother nature provided last year while Wildcat looks to bounce back from a forgettable season.

21.   Gunstock

22.   Attitash

23.   Pleasant Mountain

24.   Pico

25.   Berkshire East

Gunstock and Attitash both look to have strong seasons after repairs and inspections to critical lifts (Panorama, Flying Bear) have been completed. Pleasant Mountain offers tremendous lake views and good skiing while Pico allows you to escape the Killington crowds with great conditions usually. Berkshire East remains the top mountain in southern New England.

26.   Sunapee

27.   Ragged

28.   Bromley

29.   Mount Abram

30.   Burke

Sunapee gets the nod ahead of Ragged and Bromley here due to the views that they offer while Ragged remains a little-known gem in the Granite State.  Mount Abram, Big Moose, and Black Mountain of Maine are all on a similar level but we’ll give the nod to Mount Abram because we literally threw darts at a board and that’s where it hit. Burke Mountain will be an interesting ski area to follow this year as they finally have new owners and Tom Day is taking over GM duties.

Biggest Jump: Black Mountain (NH) (25 to17)

Biggest Drop: Berkshire East (16 to 25)

New To Rankings: Mount Abram, Ragged

Dropped From Rankings: Cranmore, Pats Peak

Ownership Breakdown:

Independent Mountains: 14

Vail Resorts: 6

Boyne Resorts: 4

Alterra Resorts: 2

Pacific Group Resorts: 2

Fairbanks Group: 1

Omni Resorts: 1

State By State Breakdown:

Vermont: 14

New Hampshire: 10

Maine: 5

Massachusetts: 1