2019-2020 Opening Dates for Vermont Ski Areas
On Sunday, November 3, Killington became the first resort in Vermont to open for skiing and riding for the 2019-2020 season. The ski area is now open every day, and as the first big storm of the season moves into the mountains, most other resorts have announced tentative opening dates.
Snowmaking and natural snowfall are both dependent upon mother nature’s cooperation, so be sure to call ahead, check websites and plan accordingly in planning your early season skiing. We’ll update this list as we get more information.
When will your favorite Vermont ski area open for the season? Find out below.
Bolton Valley, Bolton | November 30
Bolton Valley will open on November 30 for the 2019-2020 ski season. The ski area was reporting a two-foot base as of Nov. 13.
Bromley Mountain, Peru | November 16
If all goes as planned, Bromley will open for the 2019-2020 ski season on Saturday, November 23. Early season operations are as follows: open November 23-24, suspend operations November 25-28, open November 29-December 1, suspend operations December 2-6, open December 7-8, suspend December 9-12, and open for full-time, 7-days-a-week operations on Friday, December 13.
Burke Mountain Resort, East Burke | November 28
Burke has announced plans to open for the 2019-2020 season of skiing and riding Thanksgiving weekend.
Cochran’s Ski Area, Richmond | December 14
Cochran’s Ski Area plans to open on Saturday, December 14 with the following hours of operation: Saturday: 9am – 4pm; Sunday: 9am – 4pm; Monday: CLOSED; Tuesday: 3pm – 6pm; Wednesday: 3pm – 6pm; Thursday: 3pm – 6pm; Friday: CLOSED
Killington Mountain Resort, Killington | November 3
Killington was the first Vermont ski resort to open this season, with lifts spinning by 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. As their website proudly says of this feat, “Winter starts when we way so.”
Early season operating hours are as follows:
| Midweek | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Weekends | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
| Peak Days* | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| *Peak Dates: November 28-December 1, 2019; December 21, 2019-January 1, 2020; January 18-20, 2020; February 15-23, 2020 |
Jay Peak has announced that opening day for the 2020 season will be November 15 following nearly three feet of snow in the first big storm of the season. The mountain received 73 inches of snowfall in November 2018.
Mad River Glen, Fayston | December 14
Mad River Glen plans to kick off its 2019-2020 season on Saturday, December 14.
Magic Mountain, Londonderry | November 30
Magic Mountain will open for skiing for the 2019-2020 season on November 30, with the tubing park opening a day earlier on November 29.
Middlebury Snow Bowl, Ripton | TBA
The Middlebury Snow Bowl is currently closed and has not yet announced an opening date for 2019-2020. However, Rikert Nordic Center announced plans to open the week of November 11.
Mount Snow, West Dover | November 13
Mount Snow announced just ahead of the first storm of the season that it plans to open on Friday, November 15. Carinthia Parks will be open to skiers and riders as well. Lifts will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through December 13.
Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow | November 22
Okemo has announced its opening date for this season as Friday, Nov. 22. Hours of operation are still pending but stay tuned on their website for more in the coming weeks.
Smugglers Notch Resort, Jeffersonville | November 28
Lifts will turn at Smugglers’ Notch on November 28, with full resort programming including ski lessons commencing on December 6. Keep an eye out for announcements about early season operating hours—regular season lift operations will start on Dec. 6.
Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe | November 22
Stowe will open for the 2019-2020 season on Nov. 22. More details, such as operating hours, are still to come. Keep an eye out for updates on the resort’s website.
Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton | November 23
Lifts will start turning for the 2019-2020 season at Stratton on November 23 at 8:30 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DJ Joe Bell will be dishing out tunes at Grizzly’s.
Sugarbush Resort, Waitsfield | November 23
Lincoln Peak will open on Saturday, November 23 this year, with Mount Ellen opening on Saturday, December 21 this season. On November 23, Sugarbush also celebrates with the Big Kicker, at Mt. Ellen, an epic rail jam party held in conjunction with Mad River Glen to celebrate the start of ski season in the Valley.
Suicide Six, Woodstock | December 14
Suicide Six plans to open for the season on December 14, with lifts operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., conditions permitting. Stay tuned for more information.
Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe | November 13
Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center is now open for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, thanks to several inches of fresh snowfall dropped by the latest early season snow storm.
Featured Photo by Chandler Burgess
