The mountain, at a glance
Owned by Middlebury College, the Snowbowl is a no-frills, affordable gem with empty trails and a warm, community feel.
A compact college-owned hill with a welcoming community feel and a manageable footprint.
Skiable acres
110
Vertical drop
1,000 ft
Trails
17
Lifts
3
Who's it for?
Plan your first day
A relaxed option for learners and families who prefer a simpler mountain day.
Check operating days and lesson availability before committing to a trip.
Aprés-ski & local pours
Scene: Quiet community hill
Local picks — hours change seasonally, so check before you go.
Our experience there
In our opinion, the Middlebury Snow Bowl is one of the last true, unspoiled historic ski areas left in Vermont. Owned by Middlebury College, this place completely skips the corporate mega-resort fluff and delivers a raw, community-driven vibe that takes you right back to skiing's roots. The mountain features classic, winding New England cut trails, a solid vertical drop, and some surprisingly fun glades and steep pitches off the summit without any massive lift lines to slow you down. The historic base lodge with its original fieldstone fireplace feels exceptionally cozy and welcoming. The main trade-offs are that it is smaller than the commercial giants, lifts are a bit older, and snow conditions depend more heavily on natural weather since snowmaking isn't wall-to-wall, but for a genuine, laid-back Vermont ski day, it is hard to top.
Where to stay
Middlebury offers a walkable town, inns and restaurants for a quieter ski break.
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