Jay Peak, Vermont

Jay Peak Ski Resort is set in the Green Mountains which straddle the US/Canadian border, around 3½ hours drive from Boston. In wintertime, both easterly storms from the Atllantic and westerly storms from the Great Lakes dump large amounts of snow on these peaks, giving the area the highest natural snow fall in the Eastern US.

Jay Peak can trace its history back to the 1950s, when a small group of local businessmen bought the land, constructed a rudimentary ski area, then floated Jay Peak Inc as a company in 1955. Now over half-a-decade later, Jay Peak attracts over 300,000 skiers each year to enjoy some magnificent skiing. You’re allowed to ski anywhere within the resort boundary (as long as you stick to a group of at least 3), which encompasses some 385 acres of terrain spread over 2 mountains.

There’s a full range of programs for Kids at Jay. 3-5 year olds attend Kinderski, and 5-6 Mini-Learn-To-Ride. Both groups make good use of the indoor ramp area, a real boon on cold windy days. Between 6-10, skiers can go to Jay Explorers, and boarders to Mountain Riders.

The ski school offers comprehensive lessons for Novices. The Jay ‘Learn To Ski/Ride’ session includes a 2 hour group lesson, full equipment rental, and a Beginners Zone ticket (lower mountain lifts) valid for the full day. After a few lessons you should be well-up for easy runs like Racoon Run under the Village double.

Middle-level skiers/riders can zoom down some fine runs along the mountain ridges such as Vermonter, Montrealer and the 3 mile Ullr’s. But sooner or later you’ll have to turn your attention to the famous Jay glades. These were dreamt up in 1987, when the first of Jay’s 24 glades was created. The glades are cut out in summer by the same folk who groom the slopes in winter. A good place to start is the Moon Walk Woods, which has wide snow areas between sparsely planted trees.

Experts can pick from a number of steep chutes, like the face lines under the tram which are the sickest and steepest at Jay. Alternatively challenge yourself with some seriously wicked tight glades – it’s mad fun to make huge powder turns whilst simultaneously dodging a tree. Good picks are Andre’s Paradise (off Ullr’s) and Green Beret (off Vermonter).

Lodging-wise there’s lots of ski-in ski-out out accommodation in the base area. This ranges from Hotel Jay with hot tub and sauna, located a stone’s throw from the Tram station, to condos beside the the Racoon Run trail. Though you'd better bring you're own party with you as the nightlife at Jay is virtually non-existent. Surrounding towns Jay and North Troy are the best places to find restaurants, shops and bars.