Blue Hills Ski Area
Blue Hills Ski Area is the small downhill ski area on Great Blue Hill in Canton, a short drive south of downtown Boston. DCR owns the land and lists it as the William F. Rogers Ski Area. A private operator runs it, with skiing, snowboarding, tubing, rentals and lessons. The season generally runs from mid-December to mid-March.
It's a learning hill first. The operator calls itself Boston's backyard ski area and says it specializes in people skiing or riding for the first time, plus skiers who want to sharpen up or squeeze in a few runs after work.
Blue Hills Ski Area at a Glance
How Big Is Blue Hills Ski Area?
The operator lists a 309-foot vertical drop, 60 skiable acres, 16 trails and 4 lifts. That's a small hill, so think of Blue Hills as a place for lessons, practice laps and night sessions rather than a full ski day.
The hill itself is the north face of Great Blue Hill, the 635-foot summit at the west end of the reservation.
When the Ski Season Runs
DCR says the downhill season generally runs from mid-December to mid-March. Opening day depends on cold nights, because almost every trail runs on made snow. The operator says it has a snowmaking system with fan and tower guns and grooms the trails daily, so the hill can open in years when the rest of Greater Boston has bare ground.
Check the operator's website on the day you plan to go. Opening dates, night hours and holiday schedules are set by the operator, not DCR, and they change with the weather.
Night Skiing
Blue Hills has lights on a number of its trails, so the hill stays open after dark in season. That's a big part of why it's busy on weeknights: it's close enough to ski after school or work without taking a day off.
Lessons, Tickets and Rentals
Lift tickets, lessons and season passes are sold online through the operator's shop. The operator also rents skis, snowboards and gear at the base lodge and runs group programs for schools and clubs.
We don't list prices here. They're set by the operator each season and change between weekdays, nights and holidays. Buying ahead online is the safest way to see the current rate.
- First time: book a lesson package. The hill's beginner area is set apart from the main slope.
- Kids: the operator runs lesson programs for young skiers and riders; check age limits before you book.
- Tubing: the operator added tubing lanes after new management took over in 2024. Tubing runs on its own schedule.
A Short History of Skiing on Great Blue Hill
People have skied here since the 1930s. DCR's trail map credits the Civilian Conservation Corps, who worked in the Blue Hills from 1933 to 1937, with cutting ski runs on Great Blue Hill.
The operator says Blue Hills was one of the first ski areas in New England to use artificial snow. In the early 1960s, Larchmont Engineering, leasing the hill from the old Metropolitan District Commission, installed snowmaking on the main slope and the beginner area and used the hill to test new hoses, guns and nozzles.
Two local names come up a lot. Olympic silver medalist Penny Pitou ran the ski school around 1960. Dan and John Egan, who grew up in Milton and learned on this hill, went on to become well-known extreme skiers, and the ski area put up a plaque in their honor in 2023.
Getting There and Parking
The ski area is on Route 138 in Canton. From I-93 or I-95, take the Route 138 exit in Canton and head north about a mile, through one traffic light. The ski area and Trailside Museum parking areas are on the right. More lot details are on our parking page.
By transit, MBTA bus 716 between Mattapan Station and Cobbs Corner in Canton stops near the ski area. DCR warns the route has an unusual schedule, so check it before you rely on it with a bag of gear.
Other Winter Things to Do in the Blue Hills
The rest of the reservation doesn't close for winter. When there's enough snow, DCR allows cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on park trails. A free Cross-Country Ski Routes brochure is available at Reservation Headquarters on Hillside Street and at the Houghton's Pond visitor center.
- Winter hiking: the summit trails get icy. Traction devices make the red dot trail up Great Blue Hill much safer after a freeze.
- Ice skating: DCR runs three skating rinks near the reservation, the Shea Rink in Quincy, the Ulin Rink in Milton and the Metropolis Rink in Canton.
- Trailside Museum: the indoor animal exhibits make a good warm-up stop next door to the ski area.
Mountain biking is closed on all reservation trails during March, which is also roughly when the ski season ends. See the rules page for the details.
Blue Hills Ski Area FAQ
When does Blue Hills Ski Area open?
DCR says the downhill season generally runs from mid-December to mid-March. The exact opening day is set by the operator and depends on cold enough nights for snowmaking, so check bluehillsboston.com before you go.
Is Blue Hills good for beginners?
Yes. The operator says it specializes in first-time skiers and riders, and the hill has a separate beginner area with lessons and rentals at the base. With about 309 feet of vertical, it's built for learning and short practice sessions.
Does Blue Hills Ski Area have night skiing?
Yes. A number of trails are lit, and the operator runs night sessions in season. Hours change through the winter, so check the operator's schedule for the night you want to go.
How much are lift tickets at Blue Hills?
Prices are set by the operator each season and vary by day and time. Tickets, lessons and season passes are sold on the operator's online shop, which shows the current price.
Who runs Blue Hills Ski Area?
The land belongs to the state and is part of DCR's Blue Hills Reservation, which lists it as the William F. Rogers Ski Area. A private operator runs the lifts, lodge, lessons and rentals.
Can you go cross-country skiing in the Blue Hills?
Yes, when there's enough snow. DCR allows cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on reservation trails, and a free route brochure is available at Reservation Headquarters and the Houghton's Pond visitor center.
Facts from the DCR page for Blue Hills Reservation.