Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort, Middlefield

There are three important numbers behind Powder Ridge Mountain and Resort's success: 1959, the year it opened; 1962, the year top-to-bottom skiing started; and 91, as in Interstate 91, which cuts through Connecticut and gives skiers throughout New England easier access to the mountain. These days, Powder Ridge bustles throughout the year as visitors flock to the park to ski, tube, snowboard, and even mountain bike during warmer months.

• Snowfall: The mountain receives an average of 38 inches of snow per year, but it supplements those natural flakes with snowmaking machines on 90% of its trails.
• Trails: Speaking of trails, there are 22 of them snaking around the resort. All told, there are more than 80 skiable acres, and more than 40% of the mountain is rated easy enough for beginners.
• Concerts: Powder Ridge doubles as a concert venue, including for its popular summer series.