Northeast Ski Resorts Enjoy Snowy President's Day Weekend

Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes with abundant powder and packed powder conditions across the region.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ski resorts throughout the Northeast experienced a banner President's Day weekend and week, with plentiful snowfall and excellent conditions. Resorts like Whiteface, Smuggler's Notch, Butternut, and Holiday Mountain reported up to 2 feet of new snow, allowing for powder and packed powder skiing. The article also highlights recent changes at Smuggler's Notch, where a new ownership group called Bear Den Partners has purchased a controlling stake in the resort, as well as improvements made by the new owners of Holiday Mountain.

Why it matters

The Northeast's ski industry relies heavily on strong holiday weekends like President's Day to drive revenue and attract visitors. This extended period of ideal snow conditions and high attendance is a welcome boost for resorts that have faced challenges in recent years due to climate change and the pandemic.

The details

Ski resorts across the Northeast, from the Catskills to Vermont and Massachusetts, experienced exceptional snow conditions over the President's Day holiday weekend and the preceding week. Whiteface near Lake Placid and Smuggler's Notch in Vermont both reported up to 2 feet of new snow, while Butternut in Massachusetts and Holiday Mountain in New York also saw significant accumulations. The snowy conditions allowed for excellent powder and packed powder skiing throughout the region.

  • The President's Day holiday weekend and the preceding week featured the best ski conditions in many years across the Northeast.
  • Bear Den Partners purchased a controlling stake in Smuggler's Notch resort prior to this ski season.

The players

Smuggler's Notch

A popular family-friendly ski resort in Vermont known for its challenging terrain and base area village.

Bear Den Partners

A consortium of investors that purchased a controlling stake in Smuggler's Notch resort, as well as other ski areas in the Northeast like Burke Mountain and Berkshire East.

Holiday Mountain

A ski resort in New York's Catskill region that has undergone a major transformation and revitalization under the leadership of owner Mike Taylor.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The new ownership group at Smuggler's Notch is expected to make infrastructure upgrades to the resort's snowmaking and lift systems in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

The Northeast's ski industry has weathered significant challenges in recent years, but the strong snow conditions and high attendance over the President's Day holiday point to a promising outlook for the remainder of the winter season.