Cannon Mountain is the stronger all-round pick here. It offers a larger, more varied mountain than Smugglers' Notch Resort. That said, Smugglers' Notch Resort is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Cannon Mountain delivers more mountain for your trip.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Cannon Mountain | Smugglers' Notch Resort | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 645m (2,116ft) | 791m (2,595ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 1,280m (4,199ft) | 1,109m (3,638ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 634m (2,080ft) | 318m (1,043ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 410cm (161in) | 711cm (280in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 97 | 78 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 11 | 8 |
Resort Size Total groomed and patrolled terrain | 279 acres | 299 acres |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 32% | 19% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 36% | 50% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 32% | 31% |
How you actually reach each resort. Times are the whole airport-to-base journey by the realistic route (drive, or rail where that is the practical option).
| Cannon Mountain | Smugglers' Notch Resort | |
|---|---|---|
Access tier Overall ease of reaching the resort | moderate | easy |
Trip shape Whether one flight gets you within a ground leg, or a connection to a regional airport is required | One flight in | One flight in |
Closest airport Nearest airport and the whole journey time to the base | Manchester (MHT), 1h 58m | Burlington (BTV), 58m |
Other airports Alternative gateways, including a bigger hub where one is in range | Boston (BOS) 2h 45m, Montréal (YUL) 3h 46m | Montréal (YUL) 2h 20m, Boston (BOS) 3h 36m |
Cannon Mountain edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.
Both resorts have comparable vertical drop, so you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.
Smugglers' Notch Resort gets substantially more snow each season, a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.
Cannon Mountain dedicates significantly more of the mountain to beginner runs, a much friendlier option for new skiers and snowboarders.
Cannon Mountain is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Cannon Mountain's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
Smugglers' Notch Resort is easier to reach: one flight to Burlington (BTV), then about 58m to the base. Cannon Mountain means one flight to Manchester (MHT), then about 1h 58m to the base.
Cannon Mountain has more beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Cannon Mountain wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers: more mountain to explore over a full week.
Smugglers' Notch Resort gets more snow annually, giving better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Cannon Mountain is the better pick for beginners. It dedicates more of its mountain to green runs and easy terrain, which means less time hunting for appropriate slopes and more time building confidence.
Smugglers' Notch Resort gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Cannon Mountain is the larger mountain by trail count (Cannon Mountain: 97 trails, Smugglers' Notch Resort: 78 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Cannon Mountain: 32%, Smugglers' Notch Resort: 31%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
Cannon Mountain is generally the better family resort based on its terrain mix. More beginner-friendly slopes means children and less experienced parents have plenty of room to ski without feeling pushed beyond their comfort zone. That said, both resorts have established ski schools, so check current program reviews before booking.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.