I started skiing as a kid, so when our daughter turned 3 we started her on skiis too. (I’m not an amazing skier, but I do enjoy it!) We plan to introduce our toddler soon, too- not sure if it will be this year (he’s only 2), but probably next year.
We’re lucky to live in New England within driving distance of quite a few great spots for winter sports. I’m listing the best places for a day trip skiing from Boston. You can easily do any of these with just one day, unless you prefer to stay overnight.
Ski day trips from Boston
If you’re looking for an easy day trip, here are the two main places I would choose. We don’t have big ski mountains in Massachusetts, but these 2 the perfect place to learn or get better.
Wachusett Mountain
- Located 54 miles west of Boston in Westminster, MA (about an hour’s drive each way)
- Best for beginner/intermediate skiers (too easy for experts)
- 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
- 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 (avoid on the weekends if possible- it’s always packed with adults trying to ski for the first time, which is kind of dangerous sometimes)
- 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 because you can head up early in the morning and be back around dinnertime.
Waterville Valley
- Quick 2 hour drive from Boston in Waterville Valley, NH
- Beginner ski areas, private lessons, group lessons
- 50 trails
- Vertical drop of 2,020 feet
Killington
- Located 3 hours from Boston in Southern VT (probably better for an overnight with kids in tow)
- 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
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, especially with our 2 year old and 5 year old in the car
