Looking for a fun, affordable family winter getaway this season? Consider the Connecticut ski mountains. New England’s third-largest state has five working ski resorts that offer affordable, family-friendly skiing and snowboarding, plus some fantastic New England views. Whether you’re looking for fun for the whole family or challenging terrain for the adventurous skier or snowboarder, Connecticut will have something to meet your needs.
Mohawk Mountain
Founded by Walter Schoenknecht in 1947, Mohawk Mountain has been a leading player in the Connecticut ski industry for more than half a century. A large part of its success can be attributed to its emphasis on snowmaking.
In addition to its sizeable skiable terrain, Mohawk Mountain is a popular destination for snowboarders and day skiers. This ski area is located in the Mohawk State Forest and has a maximum elevation of 1600 feet. Its ski lifts are among the highest in the state.
Mohawk Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding on 26 ski trails. The trails are primarily groomed, and snowmaking covers nearly all terrain.
The Mohawk Mountain Ski Area is located in the southern Berkshire Mountains. The summit elevation is 1600 feet, with a 650-foot vertical drop. The ski terrain varies from intermediate to expert runs. Steeper runs dominate the slopes of Mohawk Mountain.
The ski trails of Mohawk Mountain are lighted for night skiing. In addition, the ski area offers group lessons.
Powder Ridge
Located in central Connecticut, Powder Ridge has been a famous ski mountain for many years. It offers tubing, mountain biking, and skiing. It’s also a place to learn to ski.
The ski area was purchased in 1990 by White Water Mountain Resorts. Its 5.5 kilometers of skiable terrain and 152 meters of vertical descent make it an ideal destination for a day on the slopes. The mountain is home to several terrain parks, including a complete half-pipe.
Powder Ridge also hosted an active racing program. The mountain has many events, including music festivals and sports competitions. It is a popular destination with day skiers and night skiers. It is located between elevations of 115 and 245 m. It has a heated beer garden and various outdoor dining options. It also offers lessons and equipment rentals.
The mountain is a bit underrated. It is a great place to learn to ski and ride, but it is a bit short on terrain for beginners.
Ski Sundown
Located in the small town of New Hartford, Connecticut, Ski Sundown is a beginner-friendly ski resort. It has 65 acres of skiable terrain. Its vertical drop is 625 feet, and its peak elevation is 1075 feet. It has 15 of its 16 trails lit for night skiing.
Ski Sundown offers a variety of services. They have a rental shop, group lessons, freestyle terrain lessons, and a child ski school. It also organizes wine-tasting events and job fairs. They also have a lodge with free Wi-Fi and coin-operated lockers. The resort has a live webcam that shows current conditions.
Ski Sundown is also popular with night skiers. There are three triple chairlifts and two surface lifts at the resort. They are located at 126 Ratlum Road.
One of the biggest attractions at Ski Sundown is its terrain parks. There are two terrain parks, including one for beginners.
Ski Sundown is also known for its excellent snowmaking. The resort has 100% snowmaking capacity. In 2009, the resort’s pump house was rebuilt and upgraded to increase snowmaking. It also installed snow guns on its Gunbarrel trail.
Mount Southington
Located in Plantsville, Connecticut, the Mount Southington ski resort has been a popular local destination for downhill skiers and snowboarders for over 50 years. Featuring 50 acres of terrain, the ski area has seven lifts and fourteen ski trails, making it an excellent destination for family skiing and snowboarding.
The ski resort offers a variety of packages for skiing. Mount Southington provides lessons and rentals, as well as a terrain park. The ski area also provides some special events and activities. The resort is open on weekends from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM and weekdays from 10 AM to 10:00 PM.
The ski area has 14 ski trails, of which 40% are suitable for beginners, 20% for intermediate, and 20% for expert skiers. The trails are illuminated at night. The mountain has an interactive piste map that allows visitors to see the slopes and the surrounding terrain.
The ski area is open from December through mid-March. In addition to skiing, the resort offers snow tubing, snowboarding, and high school racing teams.