Top 10 views from the summit at New England ski areas

Jay Peak is slated to run its lifts one final weekend this season. (Jay Peak Mountain Resort)

Few will deny that New England is one of the most scenic parts of the United States, a status that takes on another identity during the winter months.

Whether it be a look at Mount Washington, Lake Winnipesaukee or a wide-open expanse that stretches for miles on end, there are plenty of places to get lost in the surrounding scenery while riding a lift or making turns toward the horizon.

So what’s the best summit view across the New England ski world?

We picked our top 10 here (plus a few more):

1. Wildcat Mountain, N.H.

George is so close, you feel like you can touch it. Wildcat can feel like an imposing mountain for some. Add being across Pinkham Notch from Mount Washington’s western slope rising above, it can be intimidating. But it comes with a view that will take your breath away, looking across the way and seeing Tuckerman and Huntington ravines and the summit of Mount Washington. It’s even better when there’s a bit of wind on the rock pile and snow is blowing around.

2. Cannon Mountain, N.H.

Not nearly as imposing as the look of Washington from Wildcat, but heading up the Mittersill Chair on Cannon, or coming down Tramway off the summit and looking across Franconia Notch to the broad, western shoulder of Mount Lafayette on a nice day, it becomes apparent why it is among one of the top hikes in the White Mountains. For those skiing the Front Five, the sight of Route 93 could be a drawback, but it is easy to redirect one’s attention to Echo Lake at the foot of the mountain. On a clear day, the perfectly U-shaped walls of Willoughby Gap, more than 40 miles away across the border in Vermont, are clearly visible. Views can stretch into Canada, less than 60 miles away, as the crow flies.

3. Gunstock Mountain, N.H.

Surrounding mountains aren’t the only way to have a good view from the top. During the heart of winter, the white vastness of Lake Winnipesaukee stands out below the ski trails, with snowmobile tracks criss-crossing the frozen lake. Islands seem to pop more against the white landscape as opposed to water. The flatness of the lake also makes the taller mountain ranges to the north appear to rise even higher.

4. Saddleback Mountain, Maine

When you head to Rangeley, you know there’s not much up there other than the necessities. Looking out from the top of the Kennebago Quad, one might feel like there’s nothing around for miles. The views are big; Quebec is only 30 miles away and Vermont is less than 50.

5. Bretton Woods, N.H.

Mirroring the terrain difference between the two ski areas, Wildcat shows George’s wilder side whereas Bretton Woods shows his gentler side. Bretton Woods also has the Omni Mount Washington Resort, its red roof like a beacon, the golf courses turned cross-country skiing fanned out near the hotel and the Mount Washington Cog Railway climbing to its winter turnaround. Mount Eisenhower, about four miles southwest of Washington, looks like a sugarloaf after a fresh snowfall.

6. Mount Sunapee, N.H.

Along the same lines as Gunstock and Saddleback, water figures prominently with Lake Sunapee less than a mile from the entrance to the ski area. A bonus is looking off to the west while riding up the Sunapee Express and seeing ski trails from a handful of different mountains across the river in Vermont.

7. Jay Peak, Vt.

Rising high above the surrounding area, Jay Peak provides views that stretch far and wide whenever the Jay Cloud gets pushed aside. Looking to the north is the St. Lawrence Seaway, and, supposedly, Montreal (about 70 miles away), while Whiteface is 80 miles to the west; looking south are the rolling hills of the Northeast Kingdom.

8. Loon Mountain, N.H.

The vista can stretch from Moosilaukee and the Kinsmans to the west, the south end of Franconia Ridge right in front, and the Kancamagus seemingly opening a path toward Washington. But the most-catching sight is that of the Cannonballs, the ridges on the backside of Cannon. Looking from left-to-right from Loon, the subpeaks grow in size as you get closer to Cannon.

9. Bolton Valley, Vt.

Looking westward, Bolton Valley looks across Burlington and Lake Champlain toward Whiteface in New York. If the lookout tower on Vista Peak is open, it provides outstanding 360-degree views from above the trees, of Mount Mansfield to the north (not visible from the slopes) and Camel’s Hump to the south. Also on Vista Peak is the 121-foot wind turbine that helps run the mountain.

10. Blue Hills, Mass.

Playing hooky from work is always fun, but being able to keep an eye on the office while doing so is even better. Less than 10 miles from downtown Boston, there is a view of the skyline from the trails; the Eliot Tower, a short walk from the top of the double chair, gives a better view from above the trees. 

Honorable mentions

Camden Snow Bowl’s view of Penobscot Bay; Stowe, looking through Smugglers’ Notch from the top of Nosedive; Sugarloaf, trying to picking out Katahdin on a bluebird day; Sugarbush’s bowl shape looking from North Lynx over toward Valley House; Wachusett looking at Monadnock.