Most skiers judge a mountain by its terrain, but SKI Magazine's readers have been voting on something else entirely: the lifts. In the 2027 Resort Guide reader survey, ten East Coast resorts scored top marks for their lift systems, and the results show how much the humble chairlift has evolved — from heated, bubble-covered rides to a beloved single-seater that hasn't changed since the 1960s.
Topping the list with a score of 9.14 is a mid-sized resort that readers praise for having nothing but high-speed lifts, easy parking and a mountaintop lodge that one voter called "a slice of luxury in the mountains." Readers also flagged its grooming and snow quality, with the only real knock being a lack of challenge for experts.
Massachusetts' Wachusett Mountain took silver at 8.80, buoyed by its new six-pack chairlift, strong snowmaking and a reputation as the state's best spot for families, beginners and school groups — one reader noted a four-hour ticket is usually enough. Killington, Vermont's "Beast of the East," scored 8.31 on the strength of its vast lift network, snowmaking and terrain variety, even if readers grumbled about value and safety.
A tie at 8.20 went to two very different operations: Saddleback in Maine, loved for its brand-new lifts, short lines, greeters who help unload your gear at drop-off and excellent tree skiing; and an uncrowded, service-focused mountain that readers rated highly for grooming and snow quality. Loon and Sunday River in New Hampshire followed at 8.14 and 8.08 respectively — Sunday River standout for its mix of high-speed lifts and gondola, plus the "Igloo," a heated bubble lift readers say is unique in New England. Skiers did caution that beginners may find better value elsewhere given ticket prices.
Then there's the quirky heart of the list: Mad River Glen in Vermont, scoring 8.00 largely because it refuses to modernise. The resort still runs historic single-chair lifts and caps daily visitors, so lines stay short and the crowd stays loyal. Readers called it "a skiers' mountain" with a vibe and grooming that — per one partisan voter — beats nearby Sugarbush. Sugarbush itself just edged in at 7.97, with fast lifts and a fun run under a covered bridge through the neighbourhood, while a family-friendly New England favourite rounded out the top ten at 7.91 with reliable grooming and minimal weekend lift lines.
Why does any of this matter for your next trip? Because lift infrastructure quietly shapes a ski day: faster lifts mean more runs before the legs give out, bubbles and heated seats make cold snaps bearable, and well-placed lifts spread crowds across the mountain instead of stacking them in one base area. If queues, comfort and easy family logistics rank high on your ski holiday checklist, this reader-voted list doubles as a shortcut to which East Coast resorts are actually delivering. Details via Ski Magazine.
