Vermont · best time to ski · updated 2026-11-07

Best time to ski Jay Peak

From Montreal / Burlington via VT 242. Status: Likely not open yet (resorts here usually open around Nov 21, an estimate).

Quick answer

Quietest: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, especially in March. Busiest: Saturdays, plus Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas to New Year's, New Year's weekend, MLK weekend.

This week at Jay Peak

SatNot open
SunNot open
MonNot open
TueNot open
WedNot open
ThuNot open
FriNot open

See the full 7-day forecast

Crowds by day of the week

Mon
Quiet
Tue
Quiet
Wed
Quiet
Thu
Quiet
Fri
Quiet
Sat
Busy
Sun
Busy

Typical non-holiday weeks this season, from the SkiWhen crowd model.

Holidays and school breaks to know

PeriodDatesExpect
Thanksgiving weekendNov 26–29Packed
Winter break (VT)Dec 21–25Busy
Christmas to New Year'sDec 26–Jan 1Packed
New Year's weekendJan 2–3Packed
MLK weekendJan 16–18Packed
Presidents' Day weekendFeb 13–15Packed
February vacation (est.) (VT)Feb 16–19Busy

School break dates marked (est.) are estimates.

Month by month

MonthQuiet daysPacked days
December 2026182
January 2027195
February 2027182
March 2027230
April 2027120

Calmer mountains nearby

Magic Mountain, Burke Mountain, Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley usually draw smaller crowds than Jay Peak on the same day.

Questions skiers ask

When is Jay Peak least busy?

Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside holidays and school breaks, especially in March.

Is Jay Peak busy on weekends?

Yes. Saturday is usually the busiest day of the week at Jay Peak. Arrive before the lifts open or go on a weekday.

When is Jay Peak busiest?

Saturdays, plus thanksgiving weekend, christmas to new year's, new year's weekend, mlk weekend.

Will Jay Peak be busy this weekend?

Check the live 7-day crowd forecast for Jay Peak on SkiWhen. It updates every morning with snow and weather.