Mount Snow isn’t just a ski mountain. Once the snow melts and the green takes over, the same slopes that draw skiers all winter become some of the best hiking in southern Vermont. Hiking Mount Snow gets you to a 3,600-foot summit with views that stretch across the Green Mountains, the Berkshires, and on a clear day, all the way to the White Mountains up north. It’s one of our favorite summer activities when we’re up at Valley View Villa – just a 7-minute drive to the base lodge.
The Trails
Mount Snow has seven hiking trails ranging from easy loops to lung-burning summit climbs. Here’s what you need to know about the main options:
The Gondola Service Road is the most popular route to the top. It’s a wide gravel road with a gradual, steady incline – nothing technical, just a consistent uphill walk. Great for families with older kids or anyone who wants to reach the summit without scrambling over rocks. Plan on about 90 minutes up.
Haselton Trail runs under the gondola line through dense forest. It’s rockier and steeper than the service road, with consistent elevation gain through shaded woods. If you want more of a “real hike” feel, this is your trail. Moderate to difficult.
Bear Climb is the steep one. It cuts straight up through forest and ski slopes, gaining 1,700 feet of elevation with no apologies. Pick this if you want a workout and don’t mind your quads reminding you about it the next day. Strenuous.
Barnes Camp Loop is on the opposite end of the spectrum – a short, flat trail with boardwalks and interpretive signs through wetlands near the base. Perfect for little kids or anyone who just wants a pleasant walk in the woods without breaking a sweat.
Hike Up, Ride Down
This is the move. On days when the Bluebird Express chairlift is running (typically Fridays through Sundays, mid-June through mid-October), you can hike to the summit and ride the chairlift back down. It’s the best of both worlds – you get the satisfaction of earning those views on foot, and your knees get a free pass on the descent.
Lift tickets for the ride down run about $20 for adults and $15 for juniors and seniors. Season pass holders ride free. Kids 4 and under are free too, though children in carriers aren’t allowed on the chairlift. The lift loads from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last download at 5 PM.
At the Top
The summit at 3,600 feet doesn’t disappoint. On a clear day, you can pick out Somerset Reservoir to the south – it’s shaped like a seahorse, which is one of those things you can’t unsee once someone points it out. The Green Mountains roll out in every direction, and the Berkshire hills fade into the distance to the southwest.
The Bullwheel restaurant sits right at the summit with outdoor deck seating, a full bar, and casual food. There’s something deeply satisfying about hiking to the top of a mountain and ordering a cold beer with that view. They even have live music on Sunday afternoons during the summer season.
Tips for Your Hike
Start early if you’re going on a weekend, especially during foliage season. The parking lots at the base fill up, and the trails get busier after 10 AM. Bring water – there’s no water source on the trails, and the summit climb is exposed in sections where old ski runs cross the path.
The weather at 3,600 feet can be noticeably cooler and windier than the base, even on a warm summer day. A light layer in your pack is smart insurance. And if you’re planning the hike-up-ride-down combo, check the Bluebird Express schedule on Mount Snow’s website before you go – it doesn’t run every day.
For families staying at Valley View Villa, this is an easy morning or afternoon activity. Drive over to the base lodge (about 7 minutes), pick your trail, and you’re hiking. Pair it with lunch at the Bullwheel on top, or grab food back in town at Trail 87 or The Last Chair after you come down.
Getting There
🗺️ Mount Snow Resort, 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, VT
🚗 7 minutes from Valley View Villa
🎫 Bluebird Express: ~$20 adults / $15 juniors & seniors / free for season pass holders & kids under 4
⏰ Lift operates Fri-Sun, mid-June through mid-October, 10 AM – 5 PM
🥾 Trail difficulty: Easy (Barnes Camp Loop) to Strenuous (Bear Climb)
📏 Summit elevation: 3,600 feet / ~1,700 feet of elevation gain from base
🌐 mountsnow.com for current schedules and conditions
🗺️ More to Explore Near Mount Snow
- 5 Best Hiking Trails Near Mount Snow — More trails at every difficulty level nearby
- Summer Adventure Guide: Golfing, Biking & Outdoor Fun at Mount Snow — Everything else to do at the resort in summer
- Mountain Biking at Mount Snow – Lift-Served Trails — Ride the same mountain on two wheels
