The 7 Best Vermont Mountains for Year-Round Adventure

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Vermont is one of those places that stays with you. I’ve been coming here for years — in every season, through mud, snow, sun, and fall foliage — and I’ve set foot on every mountain in this guide. From crisp autumn hikes to powdery winter slopes, Vermont’s peaks have a rhythm all their own.

I’ve climbed Camel’s Hump with the scent of pine in the air and 360-degree views stretching into New York, New Hampshire, and Canada. I’ve skied the legendary front face of Stowe’s Mount Mansfield, where every run feels like a nod to Vermont’s ski heritage. In summer, I’ve followed winding trails up Killington and Stratton to watch the sunset spill across the Green Mountains. Each mountain has its own personality…some rugged and wild, others polished with resort amenities. All of them capture that unmistakable Vermont blend of challenge, beauty, and community. If you’re ready for a mix of world-class skiing, rewarding hikes, and epic views, these are the mountains I keep coming back to, season after season.

Vermont’s Best Mountains at a Glance

I’ve hiked and skied every mountain in this guide, in every season, and each one offers something unique. Here’s the quick version before we dive into the details:

• Best time to visit:
  • Hiking: Late summer through early fall for clear trails, mild temps, and peak foliage.
  • Skiing: January–early March for the most reliable snow.
• Top mountains for hiking: Camel’s Hump (wild and rugged, 360° views), Mount Mansfield (Sunset Ridge Trail is a must), and Mount Abraham (accessible summit with sweeping vistas).
• Best for skiing: Mount Mansfield/Stowe (legendary runs), Jay Peak (deepest snow in the East), Killington (“Beast of the East” with terrain for all levels).
• Hike + Ski on the same mountain: Killington, Stratton, and Mount Mansfield have year-round appeal — ski in winter, hike in summer.
• Easiest to access from major towns: Mount Ascutney (close to Windsor/Woodstock) and Killington (near Rutland).
• Most unique experience: Mount Mansfield’s arctic-alpine tundra — a rare ecosystem you can explore without leaving New England.

Vermont’s mountains are year-round playgrounds, whether you’re chasing summit views, fresh powder, or quiet moments in nature. Here are my selections for the 7 best mountains to visit in Vermont in 2025.

1. Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield honestly delivers the best skiing and hiking combo in Vermont. At 4,395 feet, it’s the state’s tallest peak and you can access it year-round through Stowe Mountain Resort.

In winter, lift tickets run around $135-195 depending on when you buy them (always get them online ahead of time to save money). The gondola operates daily from 10am-4:30pm during summer season (June 21-October 19, 2025), and it’s $20 for adults, $15 for kids and seniors. I’ve taken that gondola ride multiple times and the views are actually incredible – you can see into New York, New Hampshire, and even Canada on clear days.

The hiking here is legit challenging. The Sunset Ridge Trail is my go-to route because it hits that sweet spot of being tough enough to feel accomplished but not so brutal that you hate your life. What makes this mountain really special is the alpine tundra zone near the summit – it’s basically like stepping into the Arctic without leaving New England. The ecosystem up there survived from the last ice age, which is pretty wild when you think about it.

Parking at the base costs $30 on weekends and holidays (8am-2pm), but it’s free Monday through Thursday. Pro tip: if you’re hiking, get there early – like 7am early – because the parking lots fill up fast during peak season. The mountain gets crowded, but I’ve found that early morning or late afternoon visits give you way more breathing room and better photos.

• Read my guide on the best places to visit in VT

2. Camel’s Hump

Camel’s Hump is Vermont’s third-highest peak at 4,083 feet, and it’s one of those mountains that actually looks like its name. The hump-shaped silhouette is iconic, and honestly, the hiking here feels more rugged and wild than some of the resort mountains.

There are three main trails to the summit: Burrows Trail (shortest but steep), Monroe Trail (longer but more gradual), and Forest City Trail (most secluded). I’ve done all three, and the Burrows Trail from Huntington is my favorite because you get the reward without as much time commitment – it’s about 4.8 miles round trip. The Monroe Trail from Duxbury is longer at 6 miles but has better parking and facilities, including porta-potties at the trailhead.

Parking is free at all trailheads, which is refreshing compared to some other popular spots. The Huntington side gets busier on weekends, so definitely aim for an 8am start if you’re going Saturday or Sunday. I learned this the hard way when I showed up at 10am and had to park on the road.

The summit views are honestly some of the best in Vermont – you get 360-degree views including Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and White Mountains. What I love about this mountain is that it’s still undeveloped. No ski lifts, no concession stands, just pure Vermont wilderness. The state has done a great job keeping it that way, and the local hiking community is really passionate about conservation here.

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3. Killington Peak

Killington – aka “The Beast of the East” – is Vermont’s largest ski area with 155 trails across seven peaks. Daily lift tickets range from $99-180+ depending on the season and how far ahead you book. Kids 6 and under ski free, and Vermont/New Hampshire residents get discounts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.

The K-1 Express Gondola runs year-round and gives you access to hiking trails in summer. Summer scenic rides operate Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm (July-September), then daily during foliage season. It’s about $25 for a scenic gondola ride, which honestly beats hiking 4,241 feet if you’re just here for the views.

I’ve skied here probably a dozen times, and the variety is what keeps me coming back. The mountain has something for every skill level, from gentle greens to legitimate expert terrain. The snow conditions are usually solid – they average 250+ inches annually plus extensive snowmaking. What’s cool is that all Killington tickets are also valid at nearby Pico Mountain, so you’re basically getting two mountains for the price of one.

For hiking, there are about 15 miles of designated trails accessible from the gondola. The summit hike is moderate and takes about 2-3 hours round trip from the top of the gondola. I did this last summer and the views of the Green Mountains are spectacular. The trail network connects to the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail, so you can really make a day of it if you’re into longer hikes.

• Read next: The Most Beautiful Places on the Appalachian Trail

4. Mount Ascutney

Mount Ascutney is a 3,144-foot monadnock (isolated mountain) that’s perfect if you want epic views without the crowds of the bigger peaks. The coolest thing about this mountain is that you can drive most of the way up via the Mount Ascutney Parkway – a 3.7-mile toll road that costs $5 per person.

I actually love this setup because you can drive to the upper parking lot (elevation 2,800 feet) and then hike just 0.9 miles to the summit. It’s a nice compromise between driving straight to the top and doing a full mountain hike. The final section has some rock scrambles and can be steep, but it’s totally doable for most people.

There are also four full hiking trails if you want the complete experience: Weathersfield Trail (most popular), Brownsville Trail, Windsor Trail, and Futures Trail. The Weathersfield Trail is about 5.2 miles round trip with 2,185 feet of elevation gain. I’ve done this one twice, and it passes some beautiful waterfalls and the historic Norcross Quarry.

The 25-foot observation tower at the summit gives you views across the Connecticut River Valley and into New Hampshire. On clear days, you can see the White Mountains and even Mount Washington. What’s unique about Mount Ascutney is its geological history – it’s made of igneous rock that’s totally different from the surrounding area, which explains why it stands alone.

The state park campground has 38 tent/RV sites and 10 lean-tos if you want to make it a multi-day trip. Plus, it’s really accessible from I-91 (Exit 8), making it a great option if you’re driving up from southern New England.

5. Mount Abraham

Mount Abraham sits at 4,006 feet and offers some of the most accessible alpine zone hiking in Vermont. You can reach the summit via two main routes: the Long Trail from Lincoln Gap (4.8 miles round trip) or the Battell Trail (5.3 miles round trip).

I prefer the Lincoln Gap approach because the parking is better and the trail is more direct. The road to Lincoln Gap is paved and maintained, unlike some of the more remote trailheads. However, Lincoln Gap Road closes in winter, so you’d need to use the Battell Trail for winter hiking or snowshoeing.

The Battell Shelter is located 2 miles up the Battell Trail and makes a good rest stop before the final push to the summit. From there, it’s another 0.9 miles on the Long Trail to reach the top. I stayed at the shelter once during a Long Trail section hike, and it’s well-maintained with a reliable water source nearby.

What makes this mountain special is the alpine zone at the summit – it’s one of only three along the entire Long Trail. The fragile alpine plants can’t handle foot traffic, so it’s really important to stay on the marked trail and on the rocks. The summit offers 360-degree views including Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, White Mountains, and Mount Washington on clear days.

The hike involves some rock scrambling near the top, but nothing too technical. I’ve seen families with older kids do this hike successfully. The final approach can be steep and the rocks get slippery when wet, so good hiking boots are essential. Plan on 4-5 hours round trip and bring layers – the summit can be significantly colder and windier than the parking area.

6. Mount Ellen

Mount Ellen is part of Sugarbush Resort and gives you the best of both worlds – serious skiing in winter and excellent hiking when the snow melts. Full mountain lift tickets at Sugarbush range from $135-195 for peak season, but you can get Mount Ellen-only tickets for about $20 less during non-peak times (available Monday-Friday starting 12/20).

The Green Mountain Express Quad and other lifts service Mount Ellen‘s 39 trails and 11 wooded skiing areas. I’ve skied here multiple times, and the terrain is more mellow than Lincoln Peak but still has some legitimate challenging runs. The views from the summit look out over the Mad River Valley and connect to Lincoln Peak via the Slide Brook Express.

For summer hiking, Mount Ellen connects to the Long Trail system and offers access to the Monroe Skyline. The summit sits at 4,083 feet (same as Camel’s Hump) and provides excellent views of the surrounding Green Mountains. I hiked this last fall during foliage season, and the colors were absolutely incredible.

Sugarbush runs scenic lift rides on holidays during summer 2025, and the Sugarbush Adventure Center offers mountain biking, zip-lining, and other activities. The base lodge at Mount Ellen has that classic Vermont ski lodge vibe – it’s more low-key than the Lincoln Peak village but has everything you need including the Green Mountain Lounge.

What I really appreciate about skiing Mount Ellen is that it feels less crowded than the main mountain, especially midweek. You get shorter lift lines, more space on the trails, and a more relaxed atmosphere while still having access to quality terrain and snow conditions.

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7. Jay Peak

Jay Peak consistently gets the most snow in eastern North America – averaging 356 inches annually thanks to something called “The Jay Cloud.” That’s not marketing hype; I’ve skied here during storms where they got 20+ inches overnight while other Vermont resorts got maybe 6-8 inches.

Lift tickets are surprisingly affordable compared to the mega-resorts. Daily tickets range from about $92-135 depending on the day and how far ahead you book. Vermont residents get nearly $20 off with a valid VT ID, which is a nice touch. Jay Peak season passes start at reasonable prices with no price increases from last year as part of their “Mission Affordability” promise.

The mountain has 81 trails serviced by 9 lifts, including Vermont’s only aerial tram. That tram ride is actually an experience – it takes you to the 3,968-foot summit with views into Canada (you’re only 8 miles from the border). I’ve done the tram ride in summer for the views alone, and it’s worth it even if you’re not skiing.

What makes Jay Peak unique is their “liberal in-bounds policy” – basically, if you can ski it and it’s within the resort boundary, you’re allowed to ski it. This includes tons of natural glades and off-piste terrain that would be roped off at other resorts. I love this approach because it rewards good skiers without being overly restrictive.

The resort also has Vermont’s only indoor waterpark (Pump House), an ice arena, and an 18-hole golf course. It sounds gimmicky, but it actually works well for families or if you want to extend your stay beyond just skiing. Plus, Jay Peak season pass holders get reciprocal access to five other PGRI resorts, including one in British Columbia.

The one downside is location – it’s about an hour north of Stowe and can feel pretty remote. But honestly, that remoteness is part of the appeal. You’re not dealing with the crowds and traffic of the I-89 corridor resorts.

• Read my ultimate guide: Bucket List Things to Do in Vermont

FAQs about the Best Mountains in Vermont

Here are some popular questions I get about the top mountains to visit in VT.

What is the best mountain to ski in Vermont?

For me, Stowe’s Mount Mansfield tops the list. It has a mix of challenging runs, long cruisers, and some of the most consistent snow in the state. I’ve skied there multiple times, and the variety. Plus, the views across the Green Mountains keeps me coming back.

Which Vermont mountains are best for hiking?

I love Camel’s Hump for its wild, rugged feel and panoramic summit views. Mount Mansfield is another favorite for hiking, especially via the Sunset Ridge Trail. Both offer challenging climbs and unforgettable vistas, especially in fall.

Can you hike and ski the same Vermont mountains?

Absolutely. Mountains like Killington, Stratton, and Mount Mansfield have ski resorts in winter and well-marked hiking trails in summer. I’ve done both on the same peaks, and it’s amazing to see the transformation between seasons.

What is the best time to hike in Vermont?

Late summer into early fall is my favorite. Trails are clear, temperatures are comfortable, and in September–October, the foliage is incredible. I avoid early spring (“mud season”) when trails can be messy and fragile.

What is the best time to ski in Vermont?

January through early March is usually the sweet spot. I’ve found February often has the most reliable snow conditions, though December can be great if there’s an early-season storm.

Do you need special gear for hiking Vermont’s mountains?

In summer and fall, sturdy hiking boots, layers, and plenty of water are essential. In winter, if you’re doing any backcountry hiking or snowshoeing, I bring microspikes or crampons for icy sections.

Are Vermont’s mountain trails open year-round?

Most trails are open year-round, but I always check local trail reports before going. Some higher-elevation routes are closed in spring for mud season to protect the terrain.