14 Outstanding Places to Go Snowboarding or Skiing Near Providence, RI

While the state of Rhode Island itself may not be known for its mountains (shoutout to Yawgoo Valley, the one and only ski resort in Rhode Island!), there is an almost unlimited amount of incredible places to go snowboarding and skiing near Providence. We’ve selected some of our absolute favourite hills to be found nearby, including in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. There are also some fantastic options for cross country skiing near Providence. Read on to find out where to hit the slopes!

Yawgoo Valley

• Distance from Providence: 26.5 miles (~30 minutes)
• Accommodation available? No
• Experience Levels: Beginner

As Rhode Island’s only ski resort, Yawgoo Valley is one of our top choices for snowboarding and skiing near Providence. Just 30 minutes away, it’s easily accessible for a fun-filled weekend or post-work night skiing. The hill spans 36 skiable acres, with 14 trails, most of which are rated as beginner-level. There is 100% snowmaking for those days when Mother Nature just isn’t cooperating. If you’re not into skiing, there is also a tubing park, making it a great spot for some family fun!

Blue Hills Ski Area

• Distance from Providence: 35 miles (~35 minutes)
• Accommodation available? No
• Experience Levels: Beginner

Blue Hills is a fantastic option for beginner skiers or snowboarders who want to learn in a friendly, supportive, and unassuming environment. There are gear rentals and lessons available, and the resort has some of the best prices for skiing near Providence, giving beginners everything they need to get started.

Additionally, while Blue Hills does not have a hotel on-site, there are cozy lodge areas to grab food and relax. It’s perfect for spending a few hours on a winter day, enjoying the slopes and relaxing among friends and family.

Wachusett Mountain

• Distance from Providence: 60 miles (~1 hour, 10 minutes)
• Accommodation available? No, but the DoubleTree Leominster is nearby
• Experience Levels: All levels

As a Massachusetts favorite, Wachusett Mountain seemingly has something for everyone. There’s an entire area with beginner-friendly trails, with higher and more advanced trails towards the top of the mountain. With its welcoming atmosphere, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most popular places to go snowboarding and skiing near Providence.

It’s a fairly small resort, but it’s so beloved that, according to one reviewer, “the line for people to get their season passes was [so] long, they [had to give] out day passes to the people in line to go ski.” Aside from the variety of trails, locals love the friendly service and reasonable prices here, as well as its location around an hour outside of Providence.

Catamount Ski Area

• Distance from Providence: 140 miles (~2 hours, 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.

Bretton Woods

• Distance from Providence: 62 miles (~1 hour, 10 minutes)
• Accommodation on site? Yes, at Omni Mount Washington Resort
• Ability levels: All levels

New Hampshire’s largest ski area, Bretton Woods, is only about an hour away from Providence. With 10 lifts and 98 trails and glades spread across three peaks, Bretton Woods has something for everyone! The resort also offers cross-country skiing, with a total of 464 skiable acres of alpine runs and nordic trails.

Riders can rejoice at Bretton Woods being awarded “Best Grooming in the East” by Ski Magazine 5 years in a row! Enjoy night skiing, midweek passes, and lessons at this comprehensive resort. Staying for a night? Book a stay at the famous Omni Mount Washington Resort onsite and get your spa on after a long day on the slopes.

Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area

• Distance from Providence: 25 miles (~40 minutes)
• Accommodation available? No
• Experience Levels: All levels

As the only state facility offering groomed and tracked ski trails, Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area is a fantastic option for those looking to do some cross-country skiing near Providence. Meander through the park’s 10 miles of groomed trails using the trail maps that are available onsite. There is a heated restroom available to use during the day and room for 200 vehicles to park. 

Bradford Ski Area

• Distance from Providence: 88 miles (~1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Accommodation available? No
• Experience Levels: Beginner and intermediate

Bradford Ski Area is a small, locally-loved ski area that has a handful of family-friendly trails spanning all levels. There’s a lodge where you can buy lift tickets or season passes, rent gear, and sign up for lessons if you’re a first-timer. Lots of reviewers love Bradford Ski Area because it’s a safe and fun environment for those learning to ski, especially children and families.

Like most of the ski areas close to Providence, Bradford Ski Area is located on a hill and therefore, its trails are not extremely long. One reviewer says that Bradford Ski Area is “not a mountain by any means, but a good place to try the sport or get in some after work or school skiing.” However, if you’re hoping to sharpen your skills or take a quick half-day trip to snowboard or ski, there are fewer better places to go snowboarding or skiing near Providence than this!

Berkshire East Mountain Resort

• Distance from Providence: 135 miles (~2 hours, 20 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 Providence. 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.

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area

• Distance from Providence: 113 miles (~2 hours, 45 minutes)
• 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), making it a perfect place for first-timers to go skiing near Providence.

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.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

• Distance from Providence: 150 miles (~2 hours, 30 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 Providence. 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.

Pineridge Cross-Country Ski Area

• Distance from Providence: 159 miles (~2 hours, 45 minutes)
• Accommodations available? No, but stay at the nearby Gregory House Country Inn
• Experience Levels: All levels

For incredible cross country skiing near Providence, look no further than Pineridge Cross-Country Ski Area. In the foothills of the Taconic and Berkshire Mountains, you’ll find 35km of groomed and track set trails to enjoy. There are also 5km of backcountry cross country skiing, so you can enjoy some solitude in the wilderness. After a long day in the woods, you can relax at the lodge next to a roaring fire, or make a weekend of it and stay at this cute bed and breakfast!

Mount Southington

• Distance from Providence: 119 miles (~1 hour, 55 minutes)
• Accommodations available? No, but many options in nearby Southington
• Experience Levels: All levels

Just about 2 hours from Providence 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.

Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort

• Distance from Providence: 100 miles (~1 hour, 45 minutes)
• Accommodations available? No
• Experience Levels: All levels

Another great spot to go skiing near Providence, a couple hours’ 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.

Ski Sundown

• Distance from Providence: 99 miles (~2 hours)
• Accommodations available? No
• Experience Levels: All levels, but lots of beginner runs

Ski Sundown is an incredible spot for beginner skiing near Providence. 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. 

Skiing Near Providence, RI: Additional Resources

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.

Related Links:

• 16 Beautiful Places to Go Snowboarding & Skiing in New Hampshire
• 10 Beautiful Hikes Near Providence for Adventurous People
• Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which One Should You Choose?
• 14 Epic Places to Go Snowboarding & Skiing Near Boston for All Levels
• 30 Totally Genius Gifts for Skiers & Snowboarders (2020 Edition)