During the winter season, there typically isn’t much to do outdoors. Now more than ever given the pandemic setting, winter activities both outdoor and indoor are limited. However, if winter sports is something you and your friends or family want to try or an activity you’ve mastered over the years, we have the top five ski resorts you should visit!

Since travel isn’t much of an option at the moment, all these mountains are within driving distance. Generally, ski passes and rental equipment can be purchased in advance on the resort’s website.

1. Blue Mountain Resort: Carbon County, Pennsylvania. This mountain offers skiing, snowboarding, and even snow tubing during the winter season. Lessons can be arranged and equipment is available for rental. This mountain has a nice variety of trails ranging from green to double black diamond along with freestyle terrain courses complete with jumps and other tricks. Several precautions are being taken in consideration of COVID-19 such as an “arrive together, ride together” policy for the ski lifts. Blue Mountain is not only good for snowy days, the resort produces fake snow to ensure all trails are ready for shredding at all times.
2. Mountain Creek: Vernon, New Jersey. This resort is located at the top of New Jersey and currently has 15 of its 46 courses open. Mountain Creek accommodates both skiers and snowboarders and arranges for lessons on site. Tickets and passes can be purchased online for easy check-in.
3. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area: East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. As a family-oriented mountain located in the Poconos, Shawnee Mountain is a great place to get out and active during the pandemic. Currently, 18 of the 23 trails are open for riding with the longest trail coming in at a whopping 5,100 feet.
4. Hunter Mountain Resort: Hunter, New York. With 67 trails and four freestyle terrain parks, Hunter Mountain offers hours of fun for all skiers and snowboarders. Hunter Mountain has been operating since 1950 and offers about 320 acres of skiable land. Lessons and rental equipment are also provided on-site.
5. Killington Ski Resort: Killington, Vermont. If you’re up for more of a weekend trip, Killington is the perfect place to go. Perfectly safe for COVID-19 including cross-state travel restrictions and socially distant public areas. Including seven different peaks, Killington provides a worthwhile adventure for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels. Killington Resort alone has 155 trails combined with another 58 from Pico Mountain including Woodward Mountain Park, the terrain park for expert skiers and snowboarders ready to try new tricks and jumps.