The Upper Valley’s Small But Mighty Alpine Ski Areas

For nearly three decades, winter at Higgerson & Company has been defined by skiing in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Phyllis and I raised two ski racers here, and over twelve busy seasons that meant logging countless miles at nearly every major resort in the region. But long before the big mountains entered the picture—and long after—the heart of our skiing life has always been local.

Our kids learned their first turns at Saskadena Six, spent seven formative years with Ford Sayer at the Dartmouth Skiway, and trained with the Hanover High School ski team at Storrs Hill. The larger resorts may offer more vertical and faster lifts, but for us—and for many families here—it’s the smaller, community-centered ski areas that leave the deepest impression. They’re where skiing feels personal, accessible, and rooted in place.

Ski Quechee: South facing, boasting the high-speed “Quadzilla” chair and located in the heart of the Upper Valley, Ski Quechee has been promoting the snow sports stoke for skiers and riders, both young and old, for more than 50 years. Owned and managed by the Quechee Club in Quechee, Vermont, the hill has always been open to the public for skiing and riding, and the welcoming Quechee community vibe is immediately established when you jump on the horse-drawn sleigh that transports you from lodge to lift. Ski Quechee features 13 trails, snowmaking and a terrain park, a cozy lodge with great hot chocolate and is an amazing place to learn how to ski or ride.

Friday – Sunday | 9 AM to 4 PM
3268 Quechee Main Street, Quechee, VT 05059
(802) 295-9356

Saskadena Six: The Standing Mountain in the picturesque hamlet of South Pomfret, Vermont has been sending skiers (and now riders) down a gravity fueled thrill ride since 1936 when ski pioneer Wallace “Bunny” Bertram moved the area’s first rope tow from Gilbert’s Hill in Woodstock to what was then known as ‘hill six’ in South Pomfret. Our former hometown hill, this is where the little Higgerson’s first learned to ski on Easy Mile. With accessible terrain for families and an excellent ski school, plus challenging options for advanced skiers & riders, you’ll happily spend the day ripping it up on the hill or sitting by the fire in the lodge.

Wednesday – Sunday | 9 AM – 4 PM
Open Daily During Peak Periods & Holiday Weeks
247 Stage Road, South Pomfret, VT 05067
(802) 457-6661

Dartmouth Skiway: Since 1956 this hidden gem in the tiny notch between Holt’s and Winslow’s Ledges in Lyme, New Hampshire has made it their top priority to remind their mountain family that skiing is just pure fun. 104 skiable acres, two lifts and two carpets with snowmaking capacity over 60 acres make the hill a great bet for good conditions. From the Ford Sayre youth ski team to the 100+ Olympians that have carved the slopes, from the ‘magic carpet’ beginner area to the awesome McLane Family Lodge, memorable days are made in this mountainous corner of the Upper Valley.

Monday – Sunday | 9 AM – 4 PM
39 Grafton Turnpike Road, Lyme Center, NH 03769
(603) 646-7669

Whaleback Mountain: ‘Ski it to believe it!’ is the slogan at the little local mountain that could and for the 2026 season, Whaleback Mountain is celebrating its 12th year as a nonprofit. Located off I-89 (you’ve seen the lights!) in Enfield, New Hampshire, the local vibe here is focused on the mission to maintain an affordable, accessible, and fun winter sports destination that welcomes everyone. Family-friendly affordable skiing and riding remains a top priority, as do programs such as after-school groups, lessons, adult race leagues, and hosting area clubs. Season’s passes as well as daily tickets are offered. Live music every Friday night in the lodge also helps build a fun community vibe here.

Monday | Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 2 PM – 7 PM
Friday | 1 PM – 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday | 9  AM – 4  PM
160 Whaleback Mountain Road, Enfield, NH 03748
(603) 448-5500

Storrs Hill: One of the birthplaces of U.S. Nordic Ski Jumping, Storrs Hill continues a proud tradition started by the Lebanon Outing Club in 1925 when the first ski jump, known as ‘The Scrape’ was constructed by Erling Heistad. With a vertical drop of 300 feet, 10 acres of night skiing since 1939, a legendary Poma lift (you know, with the Frisbee in the middle), 7 trails, a Terrain Park and the 50 Meter ‘Heistad Hill,’ Storrs Hill Recreation Area in Lebanon, New Hampshire is the second not-for-profit Upper Valley community ski hill on our list. If you had been around in 2004 you would have caught U.S. Ski Team member and all-time greatest alpine skier in history, Mikaela Schiffrin, running slalom gates during practice. Steeped in tradition? None more so. In 2022, the Lake Placid NY Olympic Regional Development Authority donated landing mats for 25- and 50-meter jumps enabling year-round jumping at Storrs. So the tradition continues.

Friday | 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday | 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday | 11 AM – 6 PM
Alpine Race and Nordic Jumping training ongoing
60 Spring Street, Lebanon, NH 03766
(603) 448-4409

We’ve been fortunate to call the Upper Valley home for nearly 28 years. Rick spent his summers here growing up, with family roots in Barnard, South Pomfret, East Thetford, and now Quechee—and even after all this time, our appreciation for this place continues to grow. The lifestyle here, shaped by four distinct seasons, close-knit towns, and unmatched access to the outdoors, is truly incomparable.

If time spent skiing, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying these winter days has you thinking about making the Upper Valley home—whether in Hanover, Lyme, Norwich, Woodstock, or one of the many remarkable towns that define the region—we’d love to help. Explore Higgerson & Company’s current listings, or reach out directly to start a conversation. We’re always happy to share insight, answer questions, and help you take the next step toward finding a home that fits the way you want to live.