As the 2026 ski season hits it’s peak, the debate over which ski mountain is better heats up in the hallways. While some people crave skiing in the woods, others find themselves in the parks. We took a deep dive into the weekend plans of junior Gavin Clow, and senior Jaydon O’Bymachow. Two skiers that are making the most of the 2026 snow season.

The Heavy Hitters: Mount Snow and Killington Peak

For Clow the choice is clear: Mount Snow, located in West Dover, Vermont, is a favorite for those who like the woods. “I am all about the woods,” Gavin Clow shared. “Mount Snow has some incredible woods, like ‘The Trials’ and ‘Frontier.’ There’s nothing better than finding a fresh line of powder through the trees where it’s quiet and technical. It feels like a different world in there.” 

Growing up going to Mount Snow, Gavin and his buddy Matthew Jones share his best memory, “Me and him, we were staying at a ski on ski off house right on the mountain, and we went sledding one night when it was pitch black.”

If you are looking to go up to Mount Snow from Clinton Connecticut, it is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes. The drive is a straight drive up on I-91 with nice scenic mountain views in Vermont. The drive is worth it for the terrain that you ski; Mount Snow offers 86 trails that span 766 acres. On average, Mount Snow receives 150 inches of snow yearly backed with a snowmaking crew that increases that number. The cost of going to Mount Snow can range from $130 during midweek days, and up to $199 on weekends.

On the other side, O’Bymachow stays loyal to “The Beast of the East”: Killington Resort, located in Rutland Vermont. For Jaydon, the draw isn’t just the steep cliffs, but the world class freestyle setups. “Killington’s parks are massive,” Jaydon said. “Between the Woodward Park and the Peace Park, there’s always a new feature to try. Whether you’re a beginner or going big, the features there are better than anywhere else in New England.” 

For O’Bymachow, “My favorite memory at Killington was my first time skiing at a big mountain. It was pretty intimidating at first looking down the huge trails, but once I started skiing it turned into an experience that I will never forget.”

Although the drive from Clinton to Killington is 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, the extra 30 minutes to an hour is way more worth it. Killington offers 1,509 acres of skiable terrain with 155 trails. On average, Killington receives 250 total inches of snow yearly, it is because of the high elevation, and it tends to stay colder the more north that you go. Another great thing that Killington offers is the food, for Jaydon after a long day on the trails, Jaydon says that Sushi Yoshi is the best place to grab a bite to eat. 

While winter sports have been seen as an expensive hobby, Clow and O’Bymachow both agree that you don’t need to have a huge bank account to just enjoy the Green Mountains. If you are planning a trip to the Green Mountains soon, here are some student tips to help save money:

• Stop buying your tickets at the Mountains. If you can, buy your lift ticket 48 hours in advance, because some resorts like Killington and Mount Snow can offer up to 40% off of your ticket cost.
• Pack your own food: “Always bring a cooler,” Jaydon recommends, Eating your food that you brought from your house like a ham and cheese sandwich can end up saving you $40 at the end of the day.
• Leverage Student & Youth Passes: If you are under 18 and have a valid student ID, you can check out the Northeast Value pass which is $497 for 18 and younger, and $626 for adults. On the other hand, the Ikon Session pass is on average $300 for youth, while the adult tickets can range up to $1,399. These are specifically for younger riders and offer a much lower cost per day.
• Rent outside of the resort: Instead of renting skis or snowboards at the resort which could cost your from $35 to $100+, you can go to local towns where most have ski shops that cost less money to rent like Aspen East or Base Camp.