As the air turns crisp and the leaves shift to fiery shades of red, orange, and gold, the East Coast becomes one of the most spectacular places in the world to experience fall. While scenic drives like New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway or Vermont’s Route 100 are iconic, there’s another way to see the season’s colors from a fresh perspective: leaf peeping from the chairlifts and gondolas of ski resorts.
Across New England and the Northeast, resorts open their lifts on select weekends for foliage season. Many also host fall festivals with live music, local food, and family-friendly activities, making it the perfect time to plan a getaway. Here’s your state-by-state guide to the best fall foliage lift rides and festivals on the East Coast.
Massachusetts
Wachusett Mountain
Just an hour from Boston, Wachusett runs its SkyRide during autumn festivals. Popular events include Oktoberfest, AppleFest weekends in mid- to late-October, BooFest for families, BBQFest, and KidsFest in September. Scenic rides are paired with live music, craft vendors, and seasonal treats.
Berkshire East
Set in the Berkshires, this quieter resort offers a Summit Express ride above rolling hills. It’s a peaceful alternative to busier leaf-peeping hubs, perfect for travelers seeking fewer crowds.
Vermont
Stratton Mountain
Stratton’s gondola runs on fall weekends, taking visitors to sweeping views of the Green and White Mountains.
Killington
The K-1 Express Gondola climbs to Vermont’s second-highest peak. On clear days, the ride offers views stretching across five states and into Canada.
Mount Snow
The Bluebird Express offers an easy ride over the Green Mountain National Forest, with vistas of Somerset Reservoir.
Stowe Mountain
The Gondola SkyRide to Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, is a bucket-list foliage experience.
Jay Peak
Its aerial tram is one of just two in the East and delivers unmatched views across northern Vermont and into Canada.
Mad River Glen
Famous for its historic single-chair, Mad River Glen opens only a few fall weekends. The ride is part nostalgia, part unbeatable scenery. The Green and Gold Weekend in early October is the highlight.
Middlebury Snow Bowl
This small but scenic mountain offers lift rides on select October weekends, showcasing the Champlain Valley at its best.
Magic Mountain
In southern Vermont, Magic runs lifts for fall weekends in late September and October, often paired with live music and food trucks.
New Hampshire
Cannon Mountain
The Aerial Tramway ascends to 4,080 feet, with views over Franconia Notch and into Maine, Vermont, and Canada. It’s one of the most iconic fall rides in New England.
Loon Mountain
Loon’s gondola carries visitors to Loon Peak, where glacial caves, an observation tower, and hiking trails add to the foliage experience.
Tenney Mountain
A revived local favorite, Tenney runs scenic lift rides on weekends through late October, offering a quieter escape.
Wildcat Mountain
Across from Mount Washington, Wildcat’s gondola delivers views of the Presidential Range under a canopy of color.
Kancamagus Highway
While not a lift, this 34-mile byway is one of America’s most famous foliage routes—perfect to combine with your lift adventures.
Maine
Sunday River
The Chondola, a hybrid of chairlift and gondola, runs on weekends to North Peak. It’s ideal for families and delivers broad mountain views.
Camden Snow Bowl
Unique for its ocean views, Camden’s chairlift overlooks hillsides ablaze with color while Penobscot Bay sparkles in the distance. Fall weekends here often include community food events and family activities.
New York
Bristol Mountain
The Comet Express chairlift offers a 15–20 minute ride with panoramic views of the Finger Lakes region—rolling hills, vineyards, and lakes included.
Belleayre Mountain
In the Catskills, Belleayre’s fall festival weekends combine gondola rides with craft markets, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Whiteface Mountain
Near Lake Placid, the gondola runs on autumn weekends, with views across the Adirondacks and High Peaks Wilderness.
Maple Ski Ridge
Hosts a family-friendly Fall Fest in October with lift rides, hayrides, and seasonal games for kids.
Pennsylvania
Blue Mountain Resort
In the Poconos, Blue Mountain operates its Comet Quad chairlift on fall weekends. Views stretch over valleys and ridges glowing with autumn color.
Jim Thorpe
While not a ski resort, Jim Thorpe’s Fall Foliage Festival runs across the first three weekends of October, combining crafts, live music, and small-town charm.
Planning Tips
- Book early: Fall weekends, especially festival dates, sell out quickly.
- Check calendars: Most lifts operate only on weekends, with limited hours.
- Bundle experiences: Pair a lift ride with a scenic drive or local festival for the ultimate fall getaway.
- Dress in layers: Mountain summits can be significantly cooler than valleys.
Bottom line: Whether it’s Wachusett’s AppleFest, Mad River Glen’s Green and Gold Weekend, or Camden’s ocean-view chairlift, East Coast fall foliage lift rides are more than just sightseeing—they’re seasonal traditions. Start planning now for the best views, best prices, and best availability.