Skiing in New England is more than a mere sport; it’s what makes New England winters bearable for many residents. The pastime keeps entire small-town economies revved up from December through March (and for true addicts, April), and every year, pulls many an urbanite out from their city bubble and into face-to-face, downhill encounters with nature.

New England slopes vary greatly in difficulty and the crowds they draw. As would be expected, the more southern resorts and better-known, big-name spots tend to get packed with day-trippers from Boston, whereas the out-of-the way and independently owned and operated resorts often have small, dedicated followings of skiers. Every New England state (except Rhode Island) boasts its share of good slopes, though some are undeniably better than others. In Connecticut, Mohawk Mountain, Woodbury, and Powder Ridge are small but respectable runs. Favorites in Maine include Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Big Squaw, and Saddleback. New Hampshire’s mountains are plentiful, offering a wealth of downhill options. The best are Bretton Woods, Attitash, Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, and Wildcat. Skiing in Massachusetts revolves mostly around the bigger resorts at Wachusett and Nashoba Valley, which tend to get crowded. Vermont, meanwhile, draws some of the region’s most serious skiers—to top mountains like Stowe, Stratton, Okemo, Killington, and Mad River Glen.

In addition to skiing, the majority of resorts allow snowboarding, though some do so in designated areas, and many offer special snowshoeing trails. (The latter can also be found on many hotel properties.) Snowmobiles can be found come winter in many an area state forest; strict regulations, however, require enthusiasts to be careful about where they motor.

Ice skating, too, is a popular winter activity—done in town and city parks, and recreation rinks. Most are open to the public, usually charge a small fee, and are listed with local town halls. Local parks and are also full of sledding opportunities.