Resorts & Mountains in Vermont > Magic
Update on 3/16 at 5:30 p.m.: Smugglers' Notch is the last ski resort in the state to announce it will stop operating at end of day on March 17.
Update on 3/15 at 2 p.m.: Bolton Valley Resort will close at 4 p.m. today (Sunday) for an unknown amount of time.
Update on 3/15 at 10:30 a.m.: Middlebury Snow Bowl is closed immediately for the season.
Update on 3/15 at 9:30 a.m.: Suicide Six ski area is closed immediately for the season.
Update on 3/15 at 9 a.m.: Bromley ski area has announced it...[Read more]
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Pico, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
Snowmaking, lifts, grooming machines and more. Here's a look at on-mountain improvements at Vermont ski resorts for this winter.
Bolton Valley
Bolton Valley is upgrading its snowmaking system. The pumps at the Timberline pump house will be balanced, allowing for more water to be pushed uphill more quickly. The resort is also adding to its gun and hose inventory. These two upgrades will allow the resort to blow snow in multiple locations at the same time.
Burke Mountain
Burke...[Read more]
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Killington, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Resort improvements, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
With the addition of Burke Mountain to the list of open ski areas this weekend, and the re-opening of three other areas, you'll have the choice of 10 ski resorts in Vermont to choose from this weekend. It's early season and there's limited terrain available, so check on what trails are open at the resorts before you jump in the car.
You'll find a scrollable list of snow conditions on our Vermont Snow Reports page, and a link to each ski resort's snow condition report on this page.
Other ski...[Read more]
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Burke, Fall & Early season, Magic
We're taking a look around the Green Mountain State to see who is doing what to their resorts for the coming winter. Let's get started by looking at the improvements at ski areas in southern Vermont.
Ascutney Trails community ski hill
Volunteers have been working on a new warming hut at the base of the rope tow. They've also be clearing trails and preparing the area for the winter season. More work days are planned for this fall. Check their Facebook page for info.
Bromley...[Read more]
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bromley, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Resort improvements, Stratton
If you want to get a few last turns in for the season, there's one Vermont ski resort open this midweek, and two more plan to reopen for the coming weekend — April 30 and May 1. The terrain is very, very limited and is only for advanced skiers.
Check the list on this updated post.
Stowe had its final day of the season on Sunday, April 24.
In other news, Magic Mountain in southern Vermont is again trying to close a sale with potential new buyers. They report that if all goes as planned, Ski...[Read more]
Monday, April 25, 2016
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Magic, Spring skiing, Stowe, Sugarbush
It's been a rough start to the ski season. Abnormally high temperatures have made snowmaking difficult to sustain. Vermont's larger and higher-altitude resorts made snow early on and have worked diligently to retain and expand coverage. We enjoyed some spring-like skiing at Smugglers' Notch over a week ago, for example.
Today you can make turns at eight Vermont ski resorts. (See our post about ski resort opening dates, here.) Two Nordic ski areas are also offering very limited skiing due to...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Magic, Mount Snow, Pico, Rikert
Powder Magazine reports today that Magic Mountain in southern Vermont is under new ownership.
They write: “...Just prior to the 4th of July holiday, an email was sent out to pass holders and members of the Magic Faithful Club that Sullivan would no longer be operating the resort. A new company called Magic Mountain Resort, formed by Tom Barker, a retired IBM and Lockheed Martin engineer who has had a business stake in Magic for more than a decade, would be taking over resort...[Read more]
Friday, July 11, 2014
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Magic
We should reach a total of 14 open ski resorts in Vermont this weekend. Bolton Valley and Middlebury Snow Bowl open today (Friday) and Pico opens to passholders today. Pico's public opening is Saturday and they have a good ticket deal this weekend. (See our Vermont ticket deals list.)
Burke Mountain opens Saturday, and Magic Mountain hopes to do the same if they can lay down enough snowmaking.
As for the natural-snow-dependent Mad River Glen,...[Read more]
Friday, December 13, 2013
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Mad River Glen, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Pico
Recently we recapped central and northern Vermont ski resort improvements for the 2013 - 2014 ski season. Now up: ski areas in southern Vermont. Here are some changes you can expect this winter.
Bromley Mountain
Bromley invested in some new snowmaking guns, pipe, an air compressor and a Prinoth BR350 groomer. The installation of the new centrifugal air compressor replaces three older models and increases snowmaking efficiency. In the base lodge, you'll notice some renovations and...[Read more]
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Resort improvements, Stratton
Easter is hopping closer! This year it falls on Sunday, March 31. Vermont ski resorts often have Easter-themed events to get families out on the snow. Some ski areas also hold mountain-top sunrise services, where you can get some first tracks after the service.
Call or visit the ski resort websites to confirm that the details haven't changed!
Stowe Mountain Resort: Easter Sunrise Service & Easter Egg Hunt
A non-denominational service atop Mt. Mansfield. Free...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Filed in: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
We're going to be skiing into the New Year in style! The snow's great for all kinds of skiing and riding. Plus, there are torchlight parades and/or fireworks at resorts such as Burke Mountain, Jay Peak, Bolton Valley, Sugarbush Resort, Stowe Mountain and Stratton Mountain this evening.
On the “bummer” side of things on this New Year's Eve, however, Magic Mountain in southern Vermont is closed today and tomorrow because of lift maintenance issues. Really bad timing. At Bolton Valley,...[Read more]
Monday, December 31, 2012
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Catamount Nordic, Cross-country skiing, Magic
A cold front has allowed snowmaking to resume across the state. Thank goodness! And a little bit of fresh snow has fallen over the last two days at higher elevations.
Inconsistent temperatures have forced a couple ski areas to push back their opening dates. Cochran's Ski Area is pushing its opening day back to December 22. Magic Mountain also changed its opening date; it's now December 21. Both ski areas are making snow now.
For an updated look at Vermont...[Read more]
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's, Craftsbury, Fall & Early season, Grafton Ponds, Magic, Trapp Family Lodge
<<CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT VERMONT TICKET DISCOUNTS POST!>>
Updated 3/15/2013
Finding the best lift ticket values takes a little bit of poking around. We’re here to help as we’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the best lift ticket deals at Vermont ski resorts!
This list covers Vermont frequent skier cards, special discount skiing days, Vermont resident lift ticket deals, and the like. It does not cover season passes — so if you are going to ski for eight or more days at a...[Read more]
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Filed in: Bromley, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush, Ticket discounts
Boy there’s a lot of snowmaking going on lately! Seems like the ski resorts are opening new terrain every few days or — in some cases — every day!
Stowe Mountain Resort reported that it set a new record: “We had over 130 snowguns running continuously this past weekend.” And I saw the snowguns in action on the petite Cochran’s ski area this weekend.
All the ski resorts are talking up their snowmaking “firepower” and respect for their hard-working snowmaking teams. (A...[Read more]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's, Craftsbury, Cross-country skiing, Mad River Glen, Magic, Northeast Slopes, Stowe, Suicide Six, Trapp Family Lodge
Holy coastal blizzard, Batman!
Southern Vermont got dumped on thanks to this storm that made its way up the East Coast. Resorts were reporting one to two feet of new snow. Nice!
As you head north in Vermont, the snow totals diminished. Even still, places like Smugglers' Notch and Bolton Valley reported several inches of new snow.
The only problem — and it's an all-too-common one — is the damn wind. Why does wind always seem to come to visit when the snow does? So today some ski resorts were...[Read more]
Monday, December 27, 2010
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Magic, Smugglers' Notch
Have you seen our list of Vermont lift ticket deals? If you are heading to the slopes in the next few days (and you really should), you may want to check it out. You can find a deal as low as $15 during the midweek days leading up to Christmas!
We can now welcome Burke Mountain, Cochran's, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Pico Mountain, Suicide Six and Magic Mountain to the list of Vermont's ski areas that are open for business. So many choices. Mad River Glen is still looking for a bit more of a base on...[Read more]
Friday, December 17, 2010
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Burke, Cochran's, Mad River Glen, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Pico, Suicide Six, Ticket discounts
This season it was challenging to get information on Vermont ski resort mountain improvements. You see, I like to write about the on-mountain, skiing-related improvements because those apply to all skiers and riders, whether or not you are dining at or staying overnight at a resort or not. While this year there are some serious dollars being spent here and there on slopeside lodging, ice rinks, mountain coasters and art centers, the skiing-related improvements are fewer and farther between.Is...[Read more]
Monday, September 27, 2010
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Magic, Resort improvements, Stratton
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE 2012-2012 SEASON PASS DEAL DEADLINE POST!>>
Updated 9/1/2010
It’s inching closer to Labor Day, school time and the colors of fall — and it’s time to think about season pass discounts!
Here are important deadlines to keep in mind while you decide what Vermont ski resorts you might ski this winter, and whether a season pass is a good deal for you. (Do the math!) The earliest discount deadlines are between August 30 and Labor Day!
Some resorts are...[Read more]
Friday, August 20, 2010
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
Magic Mountain ski area in southern Vermont made the front page of today's Boston Globe.
This small ski area is selling shares in an attempt to become a cooperatively owned ski area, much like Mad River Glen. Magic's owner believes this is the only way that skiers will see the lifts turning beyond this ski season.
Here's a link to the article.
[Read more]
Monday, February 8, 2010
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Magic
We were on the lift at Smugglers' Notch this morning with some friends by about 8:30 a.m. An hour earlier the temperature had been a balmy 5 degrees at the top of Sterling Mountain. Luckily, the sun was out all morning and temperatures felt higher than they have in a couple of days.
I had come prepared with three layers of fleece and my shell jacket; liners in my mittens; and my balaklava pulled up high over my cheeks. Except for my toes later in the morning, I was really quite toasty.
We...[Read more]
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's, Magic, Smugglers' Notch
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEE 2018-2019 OPENING DATES!>>
I received a list of Vermont ski resort opening dates in my email, as reported by Ski Vermont. Of course, these may change, depending on the weather.
As you may know, Colorado's Loveland Ski Area was the first to open in the country. They loaded their lifts with skiers for the first time on Wednesday, October 7. (Can you believe it?) It was their earliest opening in 40 years. We're closing in on the 2009/2010 ski season,...[Read more]
Friday, October 9, 2009
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bromley, Fall & Early season, Jay Peak, Killington, Magic, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch
OK folks, ski resort crews are making snow in Colorado and they have had some natural snowfall at higher elevations, too. Later this week, Vermont mountaintops may actually see some early snowflakes. Ski season is creeping closer!As part of our update on on-mountain improvements being made at Vermont ski resorts, here's a quick recap of what's been happening at Sugarbush, Mount Snow and Magic Mountain ski resorts that will impact your enjoyment of the snow during the 2009 - 2010 ski...[Read more]
Monday, September 28, 2009
Filed in: Magic, Mount Snow, Resort improvements, Sugarbush
THE DEAL
What: Magic Mountain Ski Resort is being converted into a limited liability corporation and will sell shares in the company
Where: Londonderry, Vermont
How much: A share costs $3,000.Heck, that's like bringing your family to Stowe for a long weekend!
Small, family friendly, rugged, steep. These are all words used to describe the southern Vermont ski area that is being sold share by share.
Magic Mountain president James Sullivan is working out the details with the Nelson...[Read more]
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Magic
<<FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE CURRENT VERMONT LIFT TICKET DISCOUNTS!>>
Updated 3/13/2009
2008-2009 Season Deals
I've compiled a list of Vermont ski ticket discounts. That's right, these are some of the best skiing deals for you Vermonters and flatlanders. Here in Vermont, we have to get something for suffering through lower-than-average paychecks and higher-than-average housing prices!
Some of these deals require that you show proof of Vermont residency, while most ticket...[Read more]
Monday, November 17, 2008
Filed in: Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Mad River Glen, Magic, Mount Snow, Okemo, Pico, Stowe, Ticket discounts
