The 2,500'+ vert poll

[Greg]

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.

Blech... :-?

For some reason when I was starting this thread, I just knew you'd reply questioning the validity of the poll. Come on, Steve, your last sentence sums this up - just starting a thread to give us something to talk about. This place has been kinda slow lately...

And comparing and contrasting is exactly the point. It's interesting to discuss how a particular stat (which many consider a primary metric to determine how "big" a mountain is) can be represented differently across differing terrain and trail layouts.

But with all that said, let's not take it too seriously... :roll:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Blech... :-?

For some reason when I was starting this thread, I just knew you'd reply questioning the validity of the poll.

He's in your head :lol:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

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

I quess I took the question to literally. It says in terms of vertical.

In terms of vertical who's the better basketball player Shaq or D. Wade?

Well lets compare and contrast the two. How's more important to the team, who's the better scorer, who gets more rebounds or you could just answer the question, who's tallest.

Ya see it turns out what we have here is yet another what's your favorite mountain poll.

 

[riverc0il]

i know i know... it's all in fun .

 

[Newpylong]

I would put Whiteface @ 3,166 feet - Lift serviced vertical drop. You can always squeeze more vertical out of every mountain if you want to hike... some more than others.

 

[kingslug]

I've had a lot more experience with Killington but haven't been there in a while. I had a nasty day at WF but think it could be great with better conditions. Haven't been to the others but this may change if i switch to days at the job.

 

[SnowRider]

I chose K-Mart because it is the only one I have been to!

SnowRider

 

[WWF-VT]

Killington MARKETS their 3,050' of vertical. No one ever skis it. The 2002-03 trail map actually listed the vertical rise of the K1 Gondola at 1642'.

 

[andyzee]

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.

Well you can see which young lad will remain young and in shape for the rest of his life.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Killington MARKETS their 3,050' of vertical. No one ever skis it.

Thats not true, I skied it last year:razz: But I bet I won't ever again.

 

[Zand]

You can ski all 3,050' at Killington at once. Catwalk-High Traverse, Great Eastern. It's posible.

Out of those, I've been to Smuggs, Sugarbush, and Killington. My favorite out of those, by far, is Sugarbush. Smuggs is awesome too and Killington is good when you're on Bear Mountain in April.

 

[Marc]

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.

Perhaps we're interpreting the question differently, but I read the question as asking, of the five ski resorts with the most vertical rise in the Northeast, which is the best. The "in terms of vertical" was to qualify the "top 5 Eastern ski resorts." I don't think it was meant to direct the discussion towards the quality of the vertical rise itself.

 

[Greg]

Perhaps we're interpreting the question differently, but I read the question as asking, of the five ski resorts with the most vertical rise in the Northeast, which is the best. The "in terms of vertical" was to qualify the "top 5 Eastern ski resorts." I don't think it was meant to direct the discussion towards the quality of the vertical rise itself.

This is in fact what I meant.

 

[freeheelwilly]

I've never skied Sugarloaf but I'd like too. I've skied all the rest. Please remove K-Mart from the poll; it cheapens all of us. :lol: I interpreted the poll the same way Rivercoil did. My vote: Sugarbush.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I've never skied Sugarloaf but I'd like too. I've skied all the rest. Please remove K-Mart from the poll; it cheapens all of us. :lol: I interpreted the poll the same way Rivercoil did. My vote: Sugarbush.

Willy, how could you?

 

[freeheelwilly]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Jonni]

I thought Sugarbush was the best IMHO. I love it for ME more than anything else, well, maybe except the Slide Brook, but that's another topic...

 

[smootharc]

As an aside....

...it's tough to argue with Mad River Glen's "measly" 2070 verts.....which are so darn relentlessly in your face from beginning to end, with numerous routes available, that you either bring your A game or get spanked. That 2k vert skis like 3k vert.

Great lover of all terrain Mad River Valley, myself. The natural trail cutting, nice amount of extra frosting from mother nature, backcountry options, and Egan's Big World Pub cover all Alpine skiing bases for this guy.

Anyways, let the discourse continue....

 

[NYDrew]

Whiteface, top to bottom challenge. Sugarbush is a close second, but its got all the same with less vert. Smuggs is next and loaf is 4th. Killington comes in 10th out of 5.

Never been to loaf, but anything is automatically above k mart by my default.

 

[kcyanks1]

I've only been to SB, Killington, and Whiteface on the list, and of the three, it's SB easily. I like the natural terrain, glades, and challenge at SB the most. Whiteface has some very fun stuff too, but it's not open with the same regularity as the good terrain at SB. Killington's vertical more too broken-up (yes, I realize you can ski it all it once if you really want to), the mountain is more crowded, and there are fewer natural, narrow trails that are still untouched by snowmaking and grooming.