While the state of Connecticut is not notorious for snowy, white-capped mountains in the winter, once the colder months roll around and there are a few inches of fresh powder, Connecticut does have some great destinations for beginner – average-level skiers and snowboarders.
Let’s look at some of the best options for a day spent on the slopes.
The Best Places to Ski in Connecticut
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area - Cornwall, CT
While most of the terrain in Connecticut is made up of green and blue hills, Mohawk Mountain is one of the few places that offers black diamond runs.
The 112-acre area has 26 trails for skiers and snowboarders to choose from, which can be accessed by their 5 triple lifts and 3 conveyor carpets.
All-day passes are $77 for adults and $67 for kids (12 and under) and seniors (65 and up).
Season passes can be purchased for $300-$750 depending on age and time frame.
Mohawk has children’s lessons or as they like to call it “Snowhawks”, group lessons, private lessons, and parent-tot lessons in which an instructor will guide moms and dads on the most effective methods for teaching their little ones to ski.
Tubing is available Friday-Sundays in season, and is $35 for 1hr 45min, which is where the ‘conveyor carpets’ come into play, so folks don’t have to lug their tubes to the top.
Boots, helmets, poles, skis, and snowboards are available for rent in all sizes in the lodge.
Mount Southington Ski Area - Southington, CT
Right off I-84 in central Connecticut is Mount Southington. Their 51 acres of skiable land have 14 trails ranging in difficulty levels from green circles like ‘Thunderbolt’ to black squares like ‘The Glacier’.
The mountain has 7 lifts for easy transportation to the top, as well as 2 terrain parks on a couple of their blue runs with rails, jumps, and boxes.
All day passes for adults are $70 and for juniors/seniors, they are $60.
Kids 5 and under are let in for $30.
Mount Southington is an idyllic destination for children learning how to ski and snowboard, as the area has 6 different programs for little ones: “Snow Play” accustoms children ages 3-6 to the basics of snow sports, “Little Tykes Ski Club” is a month-long instructional program for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders, and “Wild Things” is a multi-week weekend instructional program for ages 6-14.
There are also 3 separate 8-week programs for kids ages 6-16 that help them progress in skiing, snowboarding, and alpine - “Into to Freeskiing”, “Intro to Free Ride”, and “Intro to Alpine Ski Racing”. Mount Southington also has equipment for rent in their Ski Shop, which also offers tune-ups and waxing.
Powder Ridge Mountain - Middlefield, CT
Powder Ridge Mountain in Middlefield, CT has 19 trails consisting of 9 green, 7 blue, and 3 black. There are 4 terrain parks on the right side of the mountain equipped with friendly rails and ramps.
All day passes are $60 for adults, $54 for juniors (6-12) and seniors (65+), and $35 for children (1-5). Private and group lessons are available for all ages, as well as two kids’ instructional programs, “Little Rippers” and “Ridge Rippers”.
8 lifts run all season to take skiers and snowboarders to the top of the 720ft peak. Like Mohawk and Southington, Power Ridge also offers tubing and gear rental for all guests.
Ski Sundown - New Hartford, CT
Ski Sundown is the highlight of New Hartford, CT with over 70 acres worth of skiing/snowboarding trails.
The mountain has 16 options, with 9 green, 3 blue, and 4 black.
There are 3 triple chair lifts and 2 conveyors that can transport over 8,000 skiers per hour.
An average season length at Sundown is around 85 days, with day passes listed at $70 for adults, $60 for juniors, $30 for children, and $44 for seniors.
All ages can participate in lessons, as the mountain has programs specially catered for kids, teens, and adults, as well as adaptive lessons. Sundown also makes rentals easy as visitors can reserve equipment online in advance.
Ski Conditions in Connecticut for 2024
Because none of the mountains in Connecticut are crazy steep or super high, more advanced athletes may want to venture out of state.
However, for those brand new to the sport or trying to master the basics, CT has low-stake, friendly conditions.
Sometime in between December-March will be your best bet to go, as this is when snowfall is the most significant.
The Bottom Line: Skiing Connecticut
Connecticut may not quite compare to Utah or Colorado, but for skiers just beginning, especially little kids, there are places all over to learn the basics and build on-the-mountain confidence.
And if you need more convincing, just ask U.S. Olympic medalists Olivia Giaccio (Redding, CT), and Hannah Soar, (Somers, CT).