We recently asked our social media audience, “what’s the best ski resort to check out fall foliage?” and the responses poured in. From vibrant hardwoods in the Northeast to the golden aspens of the west, skiers and snowboarders shared their favorite spots for leaf-peeping via chairlifts, hikes, and scenic drives. Whether you’re chasing peak colors or planning a fall adventure, these crowd-sourced picks are among the nation’s best destinations.
The Best Ski Resorts for Fall Foliage: Views from Our Audience
Much of our audience responses highlight the Northeast’s dominance due to its mix of maples, oaks, and birches. However several responses did focus on the stunning views of golden aspens found in the west.
Ski resorts tend to offer elevated views of changing leaves via chairlifts, trams, and hikes. Around 70% of responses favored the Northeast for its dense forests, with users like Loup G noting, “Head to the Northeast… That’s coming from a Colorado native.” Western resorts were praised for golden aspens, but you need to make sure you time it right.
Top Resorts
Here’s the breakdown of the 5 most-mentioned resorts:
- Stowe Mountain, Vermont (8 mentions) – Commenters recommended Stowe Mountain in Vermont the most, highlighting its Auto Toll Road as a remarkable way to view the foliage.
- Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire (7 mentions) – New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain earned the second position with the help of its stunning Ariel Tramway, allowing guests to catch stunning views of the leaves.
- Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont (5 mentions) – “Smugglers Notch by a mile” – Jessie M.
- Aspen, Colorado (5 mentions) – Aspen is the only western ski resort to crack the top 5, but it’s stunning views earn it the spot.
- Whiteface Mountain, New York (3 mentions) – Stunning views of the Adirondacks coupled with remarkable gondola rides brought Whiteface into the top 5. “Whiteface would be hard to beat.” – Bob B.
Standout Responses:
While these might not make the top 5, these are a few of our favorite responses that we received.
“Be not concerned with the ski resort… If you want an amazing fall… Head to the Northeast… That’s coming from someone who’s lived in Colorado his whole life but definitely knows the difference from experience.” – Loup G.
“Park City Utah. Hear me out. I grew up in the foothills of the Adirondacks, went to college in NH, so I’ve seen most of the northeast. I lived in the Rockies. But Park City and the gondolas with the aspens and the red, pink, and purple underbrush. Hit it in its prime week, you will see.” – Luke P.
“I’m from Maine and I’d suggest SADDLEBACK MAINE , Sugarloaf, Cannon, Jay, Killington Stowe and, if you like to drive, 302 out of Conway to Littleton, down 93 to Cannon for a tram ride before it’s closed for replacement, continue down 93 to Lincoln and take the Kanc back to the Conway area. Keep your wires out for moose.” – Jeannine C.
