Week 12 Top 30

After the week of powder, we didn’t see temps get above freezing in most places which is great for snow retention. Most mountains continued to open terrain while others remained completely open. For those who are new or forgot how these rankings work, think of it like the NCAA Top 25. Mountains move up the list based on snowfall, opening terrain, how well they hold onto terrain after major weather events and overall reputation among other factors. They can move down after closing terrain, other mountains getting more snow, and major lift malfunctions among other factors.

1.       Cannon (+2)

2.       Jay Peak (+3)

3.       Smugglers Notch (-2)

4.       Mad River Glen (=)

5.       Killington (+3)

Cannon has jumped into the top spot this week with some of the best skiing in all of New England including DJ’s Tramline, Mittersill, and the Front 5 area. Jay Peak has seen over 300 inches of snow this season and has all their terrain open. Smugglers Notch continues to hover just below 100% open and lacks the huge crowds that other resorts get. Mad River Glen is easily one of the best powder skiing mountains in Vermont and sticks at number four. Killington jumps back into the top five after having everything except their terrain park open.

6.       Stowe (-4)

7.       Saddleback (-1)

8.       Sugarbush (-1)

9.       Wildcat (=)

10.  Sugarloaf (+1)

Stowe continues to have great snow although they closed some trails off the Forerunner Quad. Saddleback continues to have almost all of their terrain open while having some of the best steeps in the state of Maine. Sugarbush is one of the better mountains in Vermont that has just been in the best shape over the past month. Wildcat may have closed some terrain this week but a majority of it remains open and very skiable while also paired with great views of Mount Washington. Sugarloaf jumps back into the top ten as they look to open SuperQuad this week.

11.  Sunday River (+2)

12.  Bolton Valley (=)

13.  Bretton Woods (-3)

14.  Loon (=)

15.  Magic Mountain (+1)

Sunday River reached 100% open this week which means you can ski across everything off each peak. Bolton Valley also has all their terrain open and doesn’t have the huge crowds that other resorts have. Bretton Woods drops a little but all of their terrain is still open but other mountains just have more varied terrain. Loon has everything open too as they are neck and neck with Bretton Woods. Magic just got to 100% open and is a very slept on mountain in the region that often gets overshadowed.

16.  Okemo (+2)

17.  Waterville Valley (-2)

18.  Pico (+3)

19.  Mt Snow (+1)

20.  Stratton (-3)

Okemo jumps ahead of Waterville as Waterville closed a few trails today while Okemo only lost trails for racing. Pico jumped up in the rankings as they are completely open and is one of the most underrated mountains in the region. Mount Snow stays ahead of Stratton since they offer similar terrain except Mount Snow has more of a park community.

21.  Gunstock (+2)

22.  Black MTN NH (+5)

23.  Attitash (-4)

24.  Bromley (=)

25.  Sunapee (+4)

Gunstock continues to offer great skiing while also having one of the best night skiing operations in all of New England. Black Mountain recently opened their new hike to terrain while Attitash saw some terrain closures throughout the week. Bromley sticks at 24 and is still 100% open while Sunapee got within one trail of 100% open this past week including opening all of their glades.

26.  Pleasant Mountain (=)

27.  Berkshire East (-2)

28.  Ragged (-6)

29.  Black MTN ME (NR)

30.  Mt Abram (NR)

Pleasant Mountain stays at 26 after holding onto most of their terrain while Berkshire East drops a little after losing some terrain. Ragged falls a little at no fault of their own but they still have great skiing. Black Mountain of Maine and Mount Abram join the rankings after reaching 100% open this week.

Biggest Jump: Black Mountain NH (27 to 22)

Biggest Drop: Ragged (22 to 28)

New To Rankings: Black Mountain of Maine, Mt Abram

Dropped From Rankings: Burke, Tenney

Ownership Breakdown:

Independent Mountains: 15

Vail Resorts: 6

Boyne Resorts: 4

Alterra Resorts: 2

Pacific Group Resorts: 1

Fairbanks Group: 1

Omni Resorts: 1

State By State Breakdown:

Vermont: 13

New Hampshire: 10

Maine: 6

Massachusetts: 1