I would never say I’m an amazing skier, but I’ve been skiing since I was a child. I took a little break and learned to snowboard as a teenager (it was the cool thing to do). Then a few years ago I went back to skis – mostly because snowboarding involves a lot more falling! We’ve introduced our preschooler to skiing, and we plan to introduce our toddler soon, too. We’re lucky to live in New England within driving distance of quite a few great spots for winter sports. These are the best places for a day trip skiing from Boston. You won’t need to stay overnight (unless you want to!). I’m including details about some of our favorite places to ski near Boston, especially for a day trip.
Ski day trips from Boston
If you’re looking for an easy day trip from Boston, here are the two main places I would choose. We don’t have huge ski mountains in Massachusetts, but they’re the perfect place to learn or get better. Ski season will be here before you know it!
Wachusett Mountain
- Located 54 miles west of Boston in Westminster, MA (about an hour’s drive each way)
- Best for beginner/intermediate skiers
- High-speed quads, private lessons, group lessons
- Easy day trip from Boston
- Easy drive west from Boston on Route 2
- Has a retail shop, cafeteria/restaurant, equipment rentals on site
- Considered to be a small mountain
- Great for all ski levels
- Night skiing available
Nashoba Valley Ski Area
- Located 40 miles northwest of Boston in Westford, MA (about 45 minutes)
- Small ski area with a designated beginners area
- Beginner terrain park
- Equipment rentals on site, cafeteria/restaurant
- Black diamonds are more like beginner trails at other, larger mountains
- Advanced skiers will be bored here
- Snow tubes and snow tubing park located just down the street
- Magic carpet at the beginner area
- Perfect place to learn to ski
- Night skiing, too!
New England ski areas
These are all within a three-hour drive of Boston. Personally, I’d rather stay overnight if I’m driving 2+ hours, but I know a few people who will do these as day trips!
Waterville Valley
- 2 hour drive from Boston in Waterville Valley, NH
- Beginner ski areas, private lessons, group lessons
- Vertical drop of 2,020 feet with 50 trails
Killington
- Located 3 hours from Boston in Southern VT
- Cute downtown area, resort area
- Several double black diamonds at the summit are great for advanced skiers
- Largest ski area in the east with the largest vertical drop in New England (3050 ft)
- Lodge at summit (Killington Peak) is a great stop for lunch and views
Loon Mountain
- Located about 2 hours from Boston
- Loon Mountain Resort is slopeside. Ski-in, ski-out with a restaurant, indoor pool, and other amenities.
- Lodge at summit is a great stop for lunch and views!
- Novice area includes a magic carpet and chair lift, for a discounted price vs. access to the whole mountain
Other New England ski areas
Some of these are Southern NH ski areas and others are located in VT.
- Pats Peak, Bretton Woods, Mount Sunapee, Sunday River, Loon Mountain, Crotched Mountain, Jay Peak, Cannon Mountain, Jiminy Peak
- We love the White Mountains but I prefer to stay overnight if we’re going that far.
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