If you’ve graduated from the green slopes and are craving a little more speed and challenge, Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont, delivers some of the most enjoyable intermediate terrain in New England. This guide traces the perfect progression — from Carinthia’s quieter runs across to the Canyon and Main Face — all just a few minutes from Valley View Villa.
🎿 Morning: Warm Up at Carinthia
Carinthia is famous for its terrain parks, but it’s also a great launching point for confident intermediates. Ride the Nitro Express to the summit, then drop into Milky Way, a flowing blue run that descends toward the Sunbrook base. It’s scenic, smooth, and perfect for finding your rhythm before tackling the mountain’s core blue terrain.
From there, follow Thanks Walt or Cloud Nine — both cruisy blues that funnel you toward High Traverse, the long connector to Mount Snow’s Main Face and Canyon zone. This route lets you experience multiple faces of the mountain without stepping into expert territory.
🏔️ Midday: The Canyon Express Zone
Once you arrive at Canyon Express, you’ll find Mount Snow’s signature blue trails — long, beautifully groomed runs that deliver rolling terrain and scenic views without the intensity of the black diamonds nearby.
Here’s a handy reference for the best blue trails across Carinthia, Sunbrook, and Canyon:
| 🏁 Trail | 🚠 Lift / Access | 🎿 Character & Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Milky Way | Nitro Express → Sunbrook | A mellow, scenic descent with room to carve; great early warm-up run. |
| Thanks Walt | Sunbrook | Smooth and steady, often freshly groomed — perfect for linking turns. |
| High Traverse | Connects Sunbrook → Main Face | Gentle connector with views; key route for moving across the mountain. |
| Snowdance | Canyon Express | Mount Snow’s most famous blue cruiser — wide, rolling, and confidence-boosting. |
| Standard | Canyon Express | A long, direct fall-line trail with predictable terrain; excellent for practicing edge control. |
| Overbrook | Canyon Express | Narrower, quieter, and more technical — great for honing short-radius turns. |
| Illusion | Canyon / Main Face | Slightly off the main flow, less crowded, with fun undulations. |
| One More Time | Canyon Express | Longer and more varied; features gentle steeps and relaxing cruisers in one run. |
| Upper Canyon / Upper Lodge | Summit Access → Canyon | Easy summit routes that let intermediates experience a top-to-bottom descent. |
🍔 Afternoon: Refuel & Ride Again
When hunger hits, head to Caffè 802 at the Main Base Lodge for sandwiches, soups, and hot cocoa. If you’re ready to unwind, drive five minutes to Sawmill Bar & Table or Trail 87 — two cozy West Dover spots that skiers rave about.
Back at Valley View Villa, you can soak sore legs in the outdoor hot tub and watch the sunset reflect off the private pond — the perfect après-ski reward.
🧭 Suggested Route for an Intermediate Day
Recommended Blue Trail Progression:
1️⃣ Start with Nitro Express → Milky Way
2️⃣ Ride Thanks Walt → High Traverse into the Main Face
3️⃣ Take Canyon Express → Snowdance
4️⃣ Mix in Standard, Overbrook, or One More Time
5️⃣ Finish with Upper Lodge → Canyon Base for a top-to-bottom finale
This route gives you a full taste of Mount Snow’s intermediate terrain — a perfect blend of smooth groomers, rolling turns, and scenic descents.
🌅 Wrap-Up
From Carinthia’s quiet corners to Canyon’s broad cruisers, Mount Snow’s blue trails strike the perfect balance between fun and challenge. Whether you’re refining technique or chasing a full-day adventure, it’s a mountain that rewards progression — and with Valley View Villa just minutes away, you can end every run with comfort, warmth, and a soak under the Vermont stars.
