Hartford, the capital city of Connecticut, is a fantastic place to live if you love winter sports. For snowboarding and skiing near Hartford, there are countless hills within driving distance. We’ve rounded up a list of our favourites, some close to home and some a few hours away, so you can decide what kind of experience you’re after. Whether you want to do some night skiing during the week, or escape to the mountains for the weekend, we’ve got you covered with our list of 14 scenic places to go snowboarding or skiing near Hartford!

The Top 14 Places to Go Snowboarding or Skiing Near Hartford, CT

Mount Southington

  • Distance from Hartford: 22 miles (~25 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No, but many options in nearby Southington
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Just under half an hour from Hartford is the fun and family-oriented Mount Southington. The hill has 14 trails across 51 acres, with 425 feet of vertical. There is 100% snowmaking capacity for perfect conditions all season long, as well as 100% night skiing lighting. Hungry or thirsty after a long day at the hill? Mount Southington has plenty of options for dining and après.

Berkshire East Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Hartford: 80 miles (~1 hour, 25 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? Yes, at the Warfield House Inn
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Looking to escape the crowds but still want an excellent mountain experience? Berkshire East Mountain Resort is a great option for snowboarding and skiing near Hartford. There are 45 trails with a fairly even mix of greens, blues, and black diamonds. There are also terrain parks and a tubing area. Berkshire East is also the first ski area on the planet to be powered by 100% renewable energy! This resort definitely gets a (green) thumb’s up from us.

Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort

  • Distance from Hartford: 22 miles (~30 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Another great spot to go skiing near Hartford, a half hour’s drive gets you to Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort. Test your skills on the mountain’s 15 trails and 4 terrain parks. Not up to snuff? Lessons are available, as well as rentals. There is also a tubing area, and plenty of options for dining after a long day on the slopes.

Thunder Ridge Ski Area

  • Distance from Hartford: 70 miles (~1 hour, 15 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No, but many options in nearby Danbury
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Thunder Ridge Ski Area is a smaller gem of a ski resort, and it made our list for two reasons: it’s less than two hours from Hartford, and lift tickets are much cheaper compared to some of the larger, more commercial resorts. This means that skiing here is accessible and affordable, and it isn’t hard to get to.

There are just over 20 trails, with a pretty even mix of easy, intermediate, and expert slopes. Thunder Ridge also has two beginner ski areas and a terrain park for first-timers to get some experience under their belt.

Ski Sundown

  • Distance from Hartford: 20 miles (~40 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No
  • Experience Levels: All levels, but lots of beginner runs

Ski Sundown is an incredible spot for beginner skiing near Hartford. The hill has 16 runs across 70 skiable acres, with 56% of their runs rated as beginner. There are also 2 terrain parks for working on your tricks! We think Ski Sundown is an excellent option because of their 1st Timer packages. Get an 8-hour lift ticket, equipment rentals, and a 1.5 hour lesson, all for one low price. 

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area

  • Distance from Hartford: 41 miles (~1 hour)
  • Accommodations available? No, but ski and stay packages available through the Cornwall Inn
  • Experience Levels: Beginner to intermediate

While smaller than many resorts on our list, the family-run Mohawk Mountain is a fantastic choice for beginners looking for places to ski or snowboard on a budget. This ski resort is less expensive than most resorts on our list because of its small size – you can get a lift ticket for less than $40 on weekdays (and $67 on weekends)! Only an hour from the city, it’s a perfect place for first-timers to go skiing near Hartford.

Locally, Mohawk Mountain is known as “the home of snowmaking.” This sentiment rings true, as there’s active snowmaking on 95% of trails. A lift ticket is also good for night skiing, as many of the trails are open past the evening hours and are well-lit. 30% of the trails are beginner or intermediate level, meaning that you can definitely hone your skills on the many trails offered at Mohawk.

Ski Butternut

  • Distance from Hartford: 51 miles (~1 hour, 25 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No, but many options nearby
  • Experience Levels: All levels, but mostly intermediate

Ski Butternut is a great spot for those looking to level-up their snowboarding and skiing near Hartford. With 100 skiable acres there’s plenty of space to cruise through the beautiful hardwood and evergreen forests of the Berkshires. However, Butternut’s trails are 60% intermediate, so it’s a prime location for beginners looking to venture into new territory. The resort has 100% snowmaking coverage, as well as affordable prices, making it a quality option for a day on the slopes.

Catamount Ski Area

  • Distance from Hartford: 58 miles (~1 hour, 30 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? Yes, multiple options
  • Experience Levels: Beginner to intermediate

Located in the Berkshire Mountains, Catamount Ski Area is a small, 36-trail ski area that’s great if you’re looking for smaller crowds and a more intimate skiing or snowboarding environment. The resort features lots of beginner to intermediate trails, perfect for those still learning and wanting to practice their skills.

They’ve got great prices on passes – unlimited, 6 day, weekday, and night passes. There’s also a discounted college pass for anyone with a university ID.

Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Center

  • Distance from Hartford: 38 miles (~50 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No
  • Experience Levels: All levels

In the cold winter months, something sweet and delicious is always a perfect antidote to a frosty day. Why not venture out to Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Center, a working family farm that produces maple syrup, as well as the location of 20km of groomed cross country skiing trails? The trails range from beginner to expert, meandering through the farm’s scenic pastures and forests. Rentals and lessons are available, as well as a cozy wood fire in the Center to warm back up when you’re done. Don’t forget the bottle of maple syrup to take home! 

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Hartford: 98 miles (~1 hour, 40 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? Yes, at the Country Inn
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Situated in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is one gem of a place to go skiing near Hartford. While there are trails and resources for all levels of snowboarders and skiers, it is an especially wonderful ski resort for beginners to get on their feet, with tons of long, beginner-friendly slopes to practice on. It’s also got some of the most stunning views in the Berkshires.

Hunter Mountain

  • Distance from Hartford: 149 miles (~2 hours, 30 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? Yes, multiple options
  • Experience Levels: All levels

With its year-round resort amenities, Hunter Mountain is a well-known spot for snowboarding and skiing near Hartford. It’s got all of the major amenities, from rentals and lessons to double black diamond rated slopes and a terrain park. While the terrain isn’t as well-groomed as some of the larger resorts, it’s a nice spot for a day trip to try out some new and different slopes near Hartford.

Located in the Catskill Mountains, Hunter Mountain is a mid-sized resort with a variety of trails (67, to be precise). It’s also one of the few ski resorts near Hartford to be part of the Epic Pass network, so avid skiers and snowboarders with an Epic Pass can hit the slopes here for no additional charge.

Otis Ridge Ski Area

  • Distance from Hartford: 50 miles (~1 hour)
  • Accommodations available? No
  • Experience Levels: All levels

For a great family-friendly hill, check out Otis Ridge Ski Area. Choose from 10 runs that are split evenly among greens, blues, and black diamonds. There is also a ski school and rentals. Otis Ridge is a great option for the budget-conscious among us, with $20 lift tickets during the week, and just $40 for a full day during the weekend. Seniors are free, so grandma and grandpa can get in a day of shredding as well! Enjoy slopeside dining and drinks at the Grouse House after another perfect day at the hill.

Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center

  • Distance from Hartford: 11 miles (~25 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? No
  • Experience Levels: All levels

Winding Trails is a gorgeous spot to take part in some excellent cross country skiing near Hartford. The area features 20km of trails spread across 350 acres of woodland and lakes. The trails are all groomed daily. There is also a rental centre and a retail shop, as well as a cozy lodge with a fire and a snack bar. 

Killington Resort

  • Distance from Hartford: 155 miles (~2 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Accommodations available? Yes, at the Killington Grand Resort
  • Experience Levels: All levels

As one of the largest places to go snowboarding and skiing near Hartford, there’s a LOT to do and tons of trails to ski or snowboard at Killington Resort. Here, you’ll find trails for every experience level, from bunny hills to double black diamonds, as well as tons of on-site amenities for when you’re ready to rest from the slopes. They’ve got lessons, rentals, and learning areas for beginners, and snowmaking in several sections of the park.

Off the slopes, book a room at the Killington Grand Resort for the perfect winter getaway – complete with a spa, dining, and cozy rooms for a good night’s sleep!

What You Should Know Before Snowboarding or Skiing Near Hartford, CT

What to Pack:

  • Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
  • Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
  • Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
  • Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
  • Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
  • Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.

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