Trails With a View: The Best Vermont Scenic Ski Trails
March 11, 2018

One of the best parts of getting out on the slopes is skiing or riding on scenic Vermont ski trails. On any number of trails across Vermont, you’ll find views of Camels Hump, Mount Equinox, Mount Mansfield, and the Adirondacks.

Here are scenic Vermont ski trails where you’ll find beautiful views.

-Courtesy of Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch

Trail: Drifter, located on Madonna Mountain
Level: Intermediate
View: Drifter features breathtaking views of Sterling Mountain trails, as well as dramatic views of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak.
What makes it special: Starting well above the spruce/fir line, Drifter offers stunning views of Mount Mansfield and Stowe ski trails. Along the way, skiers and riders pass ice-covered cliffs before dropping below the frost line, giving way to glade entrances. True to its name, Drifter has its share of snow drifts, especially when a big storm and strong winds loads the trail with massive amounts of snow.

Okemo Resort

Trail: Dream Weaver, located in the South Face area
Level: Beginner
View: The view from the top of the Dream Weaver looks southward, offering views of ski trails at three neighboring ski resorts in the distance: Magic, Stratton, and Mount Snow.
What makes it special: Dream Weaver is 5,500 feet long with an average width of 150 feet. A slightly steep section near the top gives any beginner skier or rider a sense of accomplishment.  More advanced skiers and riders love this classic cruiser, too. The fire tower near the start of this trail is bonus if you’re looking for more spectacular views.

Burke Mountain

Trail: East Bowl
Level: Expert
View: The scenic Willoughby Gap can be seen from almost anywhere on Burke Mountain. But on a lucky bluebird day, you can catch views of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington and the Presidential Range as you come across the ridge and entrance of East Bowl.
What makes it special: At nearly two miles long, East Bowl offers long, winding, and narrow turns, leaving you wanting more.

Stratton Mountain Resort

Trail: Easy Street
Level: Beginner
View: Views stretch from nearby Mount Equinox and Bromley Mountain to the Adirondacks and Green Mountains.
What makes it special:  Find Easy Street from Mike’s Way, and then connect to Meadows and Lower Wanderer. The payoff? You even get to ski or ride through a scenic covered bridge on the way down.

-Courtesy of Bromley Mountain

Bromley Mountain

Trail: Runaround
Level: Beginner
View: From the summit of Bromley is your chance to soak up views to the west of Mount Equinox and the mighty Dorset Mountain.
What makes it special: At 2.5 miles, Runaround is Bromley’s longest trail. Winding along the western edge of the mountain, Runaround is a beautiful and fun run for all levels.  It’s been one of my favorite ski trails ever since I was a kid.

Pico

Trail: Birch Glade
Level: Intermediate
View:  You’ll see Deer’s Leap, a popular hiking spot just off the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, as well as a view of Chittenden Reservoir.
What makes it special: The trail, framed by birch trees, is the perfect pitch that’s not too hard and not too easy. On a powder day, it holds stashes well into the day. You’ll feel like a kid again bouncing through the small bumps and in and out of the trees.

Stowe Mountain Resort

Trail: Perry Merrill
Level: Intermediate
View: A stunning view that stretches north from Smugglers’ Notch over to Stowe’s Middle Mansfield area, where you’ll see a glimpse of the black diamond Bypass trail. You can see the “chin” of Mount Mansfield—the highest point in Vermont—as well as Stowe’s iconic red gondola. 
What makes it special: Named after legendary Vermont forester Perry Merrill, who was involved with the development of the Mount Mansfield’s ski trails, the winding trail takes you down from the summit of the Gondola area and offers magnificent views nearly the entire way down.

Killington

Trail: Great Northern
Level: Intermediate
View: You’ll see neighboring ski areas, including Stratton, Okemo, Magic, Pico, and Ascutney. On a clear day, the view eventually opens up to New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. When you reach the Snowdon area, located at the intersection of expert trail Royal Flush, you can look back at one of the most iconic views of Killington Peak, the K-1 Gondola, and the Peak Lodge.
What makes it special: Great Northern winds its way down for two miles from the summit of Killington Peak to Ramshead Base, offering 180-degree views most of the way.

Mount Snow

Trail: Freefall, located on Mount Snow’s North Face area
Level: Expert
View: The impressive natural beauty of Somerset Reservoir.
What makes it special: Freefall offers a full view of Somerset Reservoir and the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest. If black diamond trails aren’t your jam, soak up views from the balcony at the summit’s Bullwheel tavern.

-Courtesy of Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush

Trail: Panorama
Level: Intermediate
View: From the 4,000-foot peak of Mount Ellen, Panorama offers northwest views of the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain.
What makes it special: Feeling like you’re on top of the world with views as far as the eye can see.’

Jay Peak

Trail: Ullr’s Dream
Level: Intermediate
View: The mountains of Canada’s Eastern Township.
What makes it special: Some have claimed that you can see the skyline of Montreal on a clear day. Most will find this fast, wide trail offers a headwall guaranteed to get the blood (and adrenaline) flowing.

Bolton Valley

Trail: Cobrass
Level: Intermediate
View: On a clear day, Cobrass offers a lovely view of Camel’s Hump to the west.
What makes it special: Cobrass has a magic forest kind of feel. Even when it’s cloudy (which is often during the winter in Vermont), the evergreens that line Cobrass make it one of the prettiest trails in Vermont.

-Cobrass at Bolton Valley

What are your favorite scenic Vermont ski trails?

For more information about Vermont ski areas, visit www.skivermont.com.

-Main photo courtesy of Burke Mountain.