When does ski season begin in the Northeast?

Question

Looking to plan a vacation near a ski resort in the Northeast (NH, VT or ME). I'm wondering what month, or week if you're that experienced in the climate up there would be the EARLIEST that I could plan such a vacation? Don't answer this question if you're not from the Northeast.

Answer 1

Reliably, you don't want to go any earlier than January. Some resorts will open on mostly man-made stuff by Thanksgiving (Hunter and Killington), but they are crowded, and the "snow" is icy.

For great skiing (at least in the east) I suggest northern VT. There are some really nice areas up that way, such as Stowe, Jay, Mad River, Bolton, etc. Depends on what you are looking for though. Anyways, there is no way in heck anybody could predict down to a week the best time to go. There are way too many variables. Sometimes, the snow doesn't really fly until late January, early Feb. You have to watch the forecasts. If you are planning long range, then don't plan it until February to be guaranteed results. Avoid President's Day weekend...it will be crowded.

You would be best served if you could watch the weather, and if a storm blows in, fly on up. That's when you catch the best snow. I used to live in upstate NY, and made the drive up to northern VT every time a blizzard came through.

Answer 2

about as early as late november i thinkk. but i'd wait until december or january if i were you. you should go to the nordic inn in NH, we've stayed there before, and the rooms are great, and theres great scenery and mountains to ski on all around its soo prety.

Answer 3

Places like sunday river and killington usually have trails open for thanksgiving, but I wouldn't plan a vacation around this. I would recommend finding somewhere to stay in central VT or around N.  Conway, NH for the 2nd or 3rd week in december, at the earliest. These locations are central to at least half a dozen respectable ski areas each, giving you the best choices of where to go for the best available conditions. If you can wait until mid january, you're going to avoid all the winter break crowds and generally have much more snow cover.

Answer 4

anytime after christmas you should be good the best time is late feb. wich is pretty late