Vermont is arguably the birthplace of snowboarding and the home of the biggest innovator of snowboarding equipment and image, Burton Snowboards.  With long icy cold winters and smaller, flatter terrain, Vermont still manages to bread a multitude of champion riders, particularly halfpipe jocks.

When you are considering an awesome long term destination for a US snowboarding holiday, Vermont (and East Coast USA) is probably not going to be on the top 10 list, but there is still a lot the East Coast, and particularly Vermont can offer

Hints & Tips

• Planning a trip to the east coast can be a difficult thing to do, as the good times of the season usually don't follow any particular pattern.  The best time to visit the east is December (when we usually get most of our snow), February and March (which is when most of the major competitions happen).  Stay away from the east in January as it is traditionally rainy.
• Try to avoid trips on holiday weekends (Christmas and Thanksgiving).  Not only will you pay higher ticket prices, but you will have to deal with enormous crowds.
Accommodation
• Most states in the East which have resorts are yet to be urbanized. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are all rather rustic.  What this means is that the resort area has a lot going on, but there is nothing around it.  It also means that lodging can be expensive as everything else is in resort areas.  The best way to avoid paying way too much is to plan on driving 20-30 minutes from the area to stay the night.  Traditionally, the further you travel from the mountain, the cheaper hotels get.
• A lot of times the best way to find a place to stay is to get there and see what is around.  Most people will be able to tell you if there is a nearby town that will offer more affordable accomodation.

Transport

A car is the ultimate mode of transport because the resorts around the East Coast are spread across a small area. By having a car, you are then able to pick the resort with the best conditions and terrain on the day.

Last updated on 01 November 2004.