Two linked mountains in the Mad River valley in Vermont, joined by a long chairlift across the ridge, with a spread of terrain that runs from gentle learning slopes to some of the steeper skiing in the east.

Castlerock on the Lincoln Peak side is deliberately left narrow and ungroomed and has a following of its own. The rest of the mountain is more conventional and very well maintained.

The Mad River valley below is one of the more attractive parts of Vermont, with inns, farms and a food scene that has grown steadily. Warren and Waitsfield are both worth an evening. Boston is around three hours away and New York five, so weekends fill and midweek stays quiet.