The 2,500'+ vert poll

[Greg]

Okay which of the top 5 Eastern ski resorts, in terms of vertical, is the best? Have at it...

 

[Greg]

I've never been to Smuggs or the 'Face, but out of the three that I've been to, I have to give my vote to da Loaf when we're talking vert. If you come off the summit, there are several top-to-bottom run options available, especially once you reach mid-mountain. Of course the last 1,000 feet is a long runout, but after close to 2,000 feet of some awesome terrain, that mellower pitch is sometimes welcome.

I like Sugarbush best overall, and Killington's vert is a joke (the bottom of the Skyeship on Route 4 to Killington Peak). Killington is just a bunch of 1,000-1,500 trail pods across a broad area. I really hope to try Whiteface this winter...

 

[SkiDork]

K mart only because it's the one I know best...

 

[skibum1321]

I have only been to Sugarbush, Smuggs and Kmart. I would have to rank them as 1 Smuggs, 2 Sugarbush and 3 Kmart. I voted for Sugarbush in the poll because I thought it meant favorite - not biggest. My feelings on Killington are pretty well known and I won't elaborate - except to say that the only reason I used to go there was for late-season Superstar turns (which seem to be a thing of the past). Sugarbush is a great mountain and I love the flow of it. However, Smuggs just feels bigger because they only have the 2 top to bottom lifts. Sugarbush feels more fragmented and as a result, each run tends to be shorter.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I've never been to Sugarloaf. I agree with Greg about Kmart :roll: As far as the other mountains go they all ski great, but if we're talking about vert IMO there really isn'y much to discuss. Whiteface has the most, you can get it all without traversing, very little run off at the bottom. Heck, Little WF's summit is almost 2600 ft. and it looks small next to WF.

 

[TwinTips21]

Kmart just doesnt seem that big to me. It feels like a big mountain that was taken and turned 180 degrees.

 

[thetrailboss]

Remember that SB's vert is all chalked up on 'Ellen. I like that personally :beer: Others prefer LP.

 

[ski_adk]

1. White Face
2. Killington
3. Sugarbush
4. Smuggler's Notch (5 yrs in a row of early season skiing only)
5 Sugarloaf (only b/c I've never been here)

I picked White Face for a variety of reasons. It's got the best wide-open cruising of anywhere around. It has a rough, alpine setting which is often accompanied by demanding skiing conditions. Killington is 2nd because the place has an amazing variety of terrain. That makes it a very dependable alternative when things are sketchy in the Daks. Sugarbush was fun the few times I was there, and I defiately want to return again. And Smuggs is a great mountain with some really cool, challenging terrain. The only reason it fell to the bottom of the list is that the lift lines can be a real pain and I can't say I've ever truly experienced the place. I probably should give them bonus points though for the awesome party they throw during Brewfest.

Regardless of which gets the best vote, I'd ski any of these places anyday. The 4/5 that I've been to are all great places to ski. There are quite a few other places I've been to that, even though they don't have the height, they certainly ski like big mountains. Attitash, Sunday River and Jay are 3 that most immediately come to mind.

 

[Vortex]

Never been to White face. The loaf just feels good when you there. Gondi line and White Nitro, give me a rush. Tote Road nice place to make carved turns.

 

[skibum1321]

There are quite a few other places I've been to that, even though they don't have the height, they certainly ski like big mountains. Attitash, Sunday River and Jay are 3 that most immediately come to mind.

I would say that Sunday River skis bigger because of its massive width and the fact that most lifts are top to bottom. Jay is certainly a large mountain and skis big because most lifts are top to bottom and the terrain is tougher so it takes longer. I don't think that Attitash skis big at all.

 

[AdironRider]

Whiteface for sure. Best part about it is that its almost 3500 feet of SUSTAINED vertical. No real flat spots by any means.

 

[ChileMass]

I have never skied the Bush or Smuggs, but I may be one of the few here that has skied both the Loaf and Whiteface. For me, KMart is not in contention.

I picked Sugarloaf because from a skiing terrain perspective, it simply has more to offer than Whiteface. Sugarloaf has so much expert stuff plus the snowfields, and overall it's tougher than Whiteface, IMHO. Both ski big, but the Loaf skis bigger. The upper mountain at Whiteface is somewhat limited, while the upper trails at the Loaf are numerous and gnarly. Whiteface loses a few points for the long outrun at the bottom. And, the quality of the skiing clientele at Sugarloaf is perhaps the highest in the East. I've never skied anywhere in the East where there were so many excellent skiers, from ages 8-80.

But - given the choice of which to go to for a ski vacation, I would select Whiteface due to the combo of great terrain and wonderful off-mountain activities. If you haven't been to Lake Placid, you really need to go and experience what's there. Sugarloaf is such a haul for relatively spartan accommodations. If you're a skiing hardcore and you want the best pure skiing experience in the East, make the long drive to Sugarloaf. If you want just a bit more that a skiing-only vacation, try Whiteface. Honestly, you really can't go wrong either place.

 

[AdironRider]

Have you actually been into the Slides? Noone knows what Whiteface can really offer until they get themselves in there.

 

[riverc0il]

this poll really shows how much vertical gain can be a deceptive stat. you guys can have it this poll, but seems kinda silly to compare and contrast these vastly different ski areas.... some with long run outs and/or mountain seperations that make the top to bottom vertical kinda a silly statistic.

i know i know... it's all in fun just my two cents.

 

[ChileMass]

Have you actually been into the Slides? Noone knows what Whiteface can really offer until they get themselves in there.

No. Gotta admit it's been a while since I was last at WF........

 

[awf170]

Mt. washington. Didn't get to get a top to bottom run though because my dad is pathetic, out of shape old man. 4,200 vertical ft. of pretty much every kind of skiing.

Out of the mountain listed. I think Iceface would win because it is the tallest and most continious. Sugarbush has flat spots, and the last 500 vertical ft. of run out. Smuggs vertical goes down to the village so isn't really continious. Sugarloafs vertical is only 2,500 ft. They lie to you and count that stupid snubber lift. And the bottom 600 ft. of that is totally flat. Still not shabby though with 1,900 ft of steep skiing. And killington, you just don't want to hear what i have to say about that place.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Mt. washington. Didn't get to get a top to bottom run though because my dad is pathetic, out of shape old man.

...who drove your ass up there.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

this poll really shows how much vertical gain can be a deceptive stat. you guys can have it this poll, but seems kinda silly to compare and contrast these vastly different ski areas.... some with long run outs and/or mountain seperations that make the top to bottom vertical kinda a silly statistic.

i know i know... it's all in fun just my two cents.

I didn't think we where suppose to compare and contrast. This was Greg's question:

Okay which of the top 5 Eastern ski resorts, in terms of vertical, is the best? Have at it...

It's WF hands down. As far as long run out at WF I disagree. There is some just below the Mid-lodge, then comes more pitch, a little more run out then more pitch to the bottom. There are no flat spots. You never have to skate anywhere on WF to keep going anywhere on the the mountain.

 

[mattchuck2]

I picked Sugarloaf. If the mountains were the exact same distance from my door, I'd ski Sugarloaf about twice as often as I'd ski Whiteface (and this is coming from someone who - technically - has a Whiteface season pass). I like Sugarloaf's layout more than I like Whiteface's. Also, I think Sugarloaf has better skiers (as a whole), more consistent snow conditions, and a better park/pipe area. Of course, I invite any and all criticism, particularly from people who 've never been to Sugarloaf. Let the firestorm begin.

 

[riverc0il]

I didn't think we where suppose to compare and contrast. This was Greg's question:.

not to nit pick semantics here... well, actually that is exactly what i am going to do. but just remember, you started it if we were just picking favorites, everyone would vote in the poll and be done with it. by virtue of engaging in a discussion with multiple people, posting a diologue as it is, we are opening up the discussion to comparison and contrast. carry on.
:beer: