3 New England States Rank as Best for Winter Sports Enthusiasts

It's a well-known fact that New England is a great place for winter sports like skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and the list goes on and on. But of the six New England states, only three ranked in the top 10 as best for winter sports enthusiasts.

A new study by estate experts at The Steamboat Group analyzed several factors relating to winter sports accessibility and facilities in every state, including the number of winter sports resorts, average snowfall, and access to a range of winter activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, and ice climbing.

The northern New England states have had snowfall totals significantly less than normal so far this year, but the study uses the average snowfall for each state in determining where they place. Here's where the three states in the top 10 ranked.

Vermont - #3

Vermont has 28 ski resorts, as well as the largest average snowfall in the country at 89.3 inches. There are 20 cross-country ski areas, 30 ice skating arenas, and 150 ice-climbing routes. Vermont national parks offer snowshoeing and snow activities as well.

Maine - #5

Maine has 18 ski resorts, 15 cross-country ski areas, 37 ice skating arenas, and 120 ice climbing routes. Maine comes in second behind Vermont for the highest average snowfall nationwide at 77.3 inches.

New Hampshire - #6

New Hampshire has 26 ski resorts, 13 cross-country ski areas, 34 ice skating arenas, and a whopping 522 ice climbing routes thanks to the Presidential Range with thirteen mountains, nine of which are over 4,000 feet in elevation. The average snowfall in New Hampshire is 71.4 inches putting it just behind Maine.

The top two on the list are Alaska and Wyoming.