New England’s 10 most luxurious ski resorts
There is nothing better than waking up slope-side, rolling out of bed and going straight to the ski lifts. It sure beats a snowy morning drive, searching for prime parking, then putting on your cold ski boots to make first chair in a mad dash. This is why staying on mountain, steps to the lifts is — in a word — awesome.
Here are 10 beautiful ski-in, ski-out lodges in New England that offer prime location, and some luxurious alpine amenities to boot.
Stowe Mountain Lodge, Vermont
Since the 1930’s Stowe has been considered “The Ski Capital of the East” thanks to its inimitable terrain, high-elevation snow and scenery. The only thing lacking for years was on-mountain lodging. Now with the swank Spruce Peak, Stowe is the Beaver Creek of the East when it comes to posh on-mountain lodging. Designed to resemble a grand turn-of-the-century Vermont camp, Stowe Mountain Lodge boasts 312 luxe rooms in the massive timber-and-stone lodge. The Stowe Mountain Lodge is uber upscale for downhillers, the valets whisk your skis from your car to the Alpine Concierge who will place them by the slopes in the morning. After skiing Stowe’s legendary trails, return to the chic, birch-lined lobby for wine and cheese, outdoor hot tubs or a spa treatment. Take in a concert next door, or just snuggle up in your fireplace suite.
Hermitage Inn at the Hermitage Club, Vermont
The Hermitage Club
Stay at this charming Vermont inn dating from 1842 and you can enjoy exclusive ski privileges at the only private ski resort in the East: The Hermitage Club. The ski slopes at Hermitage are perfectly groomed, featuring fresh untracked snow, served by a six-passenger heated bubble chair on what was formerly Haystack Mountain Ski Area. Membership has its powder privileges at The Hermitage, but you can sample the reserved snow while staying at the ski-in, ski- out inn — which happens to have a hot tub, sauna, and award-winning dining.
Warning: you may want to become a Hermitage Club member.
Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn, Vermont
Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn
Okemo rolls out delightful groomers and delicious on-mountain food daily. Why not stay at the dramatic New England Inn at the base of Jackson Gore? For ski families, they’ve thought of everything: underground parking, ski valet, an ice rink, swimming pools and hot tubs. The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster and s’mores by the fire bring family fun when the lifts are done. Spacious condo suites provide homey comforts. You can even farm the kids out for “Kids Night Out” programs and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine in the elegant Coleman Brook Tavern.
Jay Peak’s Hotel Jay, Vermont
Hotel Jay at Jay Peak
Of Jay Peak’s three new hotels in as many years, Hotel Jay is the finest. Your valet parking is complimentary, your room key is your RIFD lift ticket, and you don’t have to step foot outside for dining, shopping or the ridiculously-fun Pump House waterpark next door (admission included in your Jay ski-and-stay package). Ask for a slope-view room, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a bird’s eye view to show when the chairlift and Tram start spinning so you can head out and ski Jay’s classic trails and glades.
Sugarbush’s Clay Brook Inn, Vermont
Sugarbush
The big red hotel at Sugarbush’s Village at Lincoln Peak offers 61 residences, a veritable home away from home on the slopes. Vermont decor and a convenient boot room and ski shed by the slopes make this Sugarbush lodging very sweet. Kids will love Sugar Bears ski camp steps away at the School House and the heated outdoor pool; parents will like après ski at Castlerock Pub and dinner on locally farmed fare at Timbers.
Burke Mountain Hotel, Vermont
Burke Mountain
Every room at the Burke Mountain Hotel has a view of Burke Mountain‘s ski slopes or The Willoughby Gap to the North. No expense was spared at this slope-side hotel, opened in 2016. Vermont tile, stone, and wood adorn the lobby, hallways, common rooms and suites — most of which have fireplaces and decks. The Burke Mountain Hotel has everything you need before and after a day of skiing: ski lockers, a decadent outdoor pool and hot tub, the Vertical Drop retail ski shop, an arcade for kids, a breakfast café, plus après ski and casual tavern fare at the View Pub, or more formal dining in Willoughby’s. Burke feels like a private ski resort, with few skiers and a special setting in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, Maine
Sugarloaf
Once you have made the haul to this Maine ski haven, you don’t want to drive anymore. Staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, you can walk to the Superquad, ski shops, kids ski camp, and après ski at Sugarloaf’s famed pubs The Bag, Gepetto’s, 45 North and the Widowmaker Lounge. Or go soak in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel’s giant outdoor hot tub and call yourself a true Loafer.
Sunday River’s Grand Summit Hotel, Maine
Sunday River
The River’s legendary snow comes right to your doorstep at the Grand Summit Hotel. Ski valet, a slope-view outdoor pool and suite lodging are ideal for hardcore skiers and families alike. While it’s not fancy fare, you can dine on Maine cuisine in a cozy cabin atmosphere at Camp in the lobby, or take the free shuttle to Foggy Goggle for après ski music and pub fare. The Jordan Hotel is similar, slope-side with a great outdoor pool and Sliders restaurant, but not so close to après ski.
Killington Grand Resort Hotel, Vermont
Killington
Whether you choose a standard room or a penthouse suite, this Killington ski hotel is all about location — on the slopes at Snowshed. After taming The Beast, Killington’s nickname, ski back to your base and the bubbling outdoor pool and hot tub. Craving Killington best après ski at Pickle Barrel or Wobbly Barn? Take the shuttle and leave your car at valet.
Mountain Club at Loon, New Hampshire
Mountain Club at Loon
Loon’s Mountain Club has a perfect ski-in, ski-out location, away from the hubbub of Lincoln. You can be first gondola at Loon, and quit whenever you wish for a spa appointment. After the lifts stop, Loon’s slopes are vacant from your window view. Watch the groomers work their magic for your next morning of corduroy laps. The Mountain Club is home to a full-service Viaggio Spa, the fun Black Diamond Pub, and an indoor pool and outdoor hot tub with views of the ski trails. For nightlife, slide down to après ski at Paul Bunyan’s in the Octagon Lodge and send the kids to the Adventure Center.
