The Northeast Region of the US is home to a number of great ski resorts. While none are as big as the slopes in the Rockies or Pacific Northwest, there are still a number of challenging resorts.
Explaining our Criteria
Here at Parks & Trips, we created a proprietaryDifficulty Scorethats generated by combining a number of metrics for each resort. Primarily, we look at the count of easy-intermediate-expert slopes by acreage and the maximum vertical drop of the overall resort.
Our algorithm compares each resort’s metrics with all others in North America, then gives each aDifficulty Score, which we use to rank them accordingly. Resorts with a lower score are easier than those with a higher one. However, a high score does not mean that the resort does not have any easy slopes, or vice versa. This is just an overall score given to the resort based on all its metrics grouped together.
Whiteface Mountain: The Most Difficult Ski Resort in the Northeast
Whiteface Mountain is one of the hardest ski areas in the country. It ranks in the top 10% of most-difficult ski resorts in all of North America, mostly due to the fact that it has 37% of its trails rated as expert-level, and a vertical drop of 3,430 feet.
Whiteface Mountainin Lake Placid, New York tops out as the most difficult ski resort in the Northeast US. With the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies, and the highest summit in our list, Whiteface ends up with almost a 65% Difficulty Score, and atop our leader board of difficult Northeast slopes.
Killington in Vermont comes in at a very close second place. Killington has the second-steepest vertical drop and second-highest summit elevation, both right behind Whiteface.
Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Maine rounds out our top three due to its high amount of expert-level trails. It also has the third-steepest vertical drop behind our first two ranked resorts.
But it's not just the snow that makes Jay Peak challenging. The mountain's steep, tree-lined glades are some of the best you will find anywhere. They require expert-level skiing skills, making it a true test for even the most experienced skiers.
Well, not everyone will consider it a resort—but if you do, Southern Colorado's Silverton Mountain is assuredly the wildest lift-served mountain in North America. Silverton is an expert's only affair, with no easy (or even advanced) ways down at all.
Rambo at Crested Butte is the steepest human-made run in North America, with a pitch of 55 degrees. An experience unlike any other, dropping down at the Rambo is no easy feat for even the most seasoned skier.
The Polecat at Wildcat, New Hampshire, winds nearly 3 miles down the 2,100-foot drop from the top, meandering mildly down the mountain with pitch changes.
Aspen-Snowmass is a world famous resort that is actually four ski resorts. Aspen Mountain (locals know it as Ajax) towers over what may be the best ski town anywhere and is filled with black diamonds among the rare greens and blues.
Rambo, located at Crested Butte Ski Resort in Colorado, holds the prestigious title of being the steepest ski run in the United States. The pitch is set at an astounding 55 degrees, meaning you'll be holding on for dear life almost every turn.
Take Aspen, Colorado for example. With its high-end resorts, designer shops, and famous visitors, it's no wonder that Aspen has gained a reputation as one of the wealthiest ski towns in the world. Celebrities and wealthy individuals flock to this picturesque town for its world-class skiing and upscale amenities.
7th Heaven is the steepest chair lift in North America. Seventh Heaven rises 437 feet over a length of 657 feet, giving a length:vertical ratio of ~1.503. And man, does that lift line right under the chair look enticing! Check out a video of 7th Heaven below.
It is the steepest ski slope in Southwestern Pennsylvania reaching a 72% grade and is considered by many to be comparable to runs found at New England resorts.
Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Corbet's Couloir is one of the steepest ski runs in the world. Named after mountaineer Barry Corbet who spotted the narrow couloir in 1960, it is considered a real challenge for professional skiers let alone advanced skiers on a ski holiday to the USA.
—William C. [Upper Liftline] is the most advanced trail in the northeast. The combination of cliffs and pitch as well as being directly under the Madonna I lift, makes this most difficult trail I have seen east of the Rockies. Upper lift line would not even be a posted trail at most other east coast mountains.”
Anyone who's ever ridden the Cannonball Quad chairlift at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, N.H. could argue it's a great place to ski and ride but also the coldest place on Earth.
Mad River Glen: With the world famous motto, “Ski It If You Can,” Mad River Glen has some of the most challenging terrain in the state, made doubly hard because much of the steepest terrain has no snowmaking or grooming. This leaves the natural terrain natural and provides jumps and obstacles to flirt with.
Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, Beech Mountain boasts a summit elevation of 5,506 feet above sea level, making it the highest ski resort in eastern North America. With 17 slopes and 8 lifts, Beech Mountain Resort has terrain for beginners and the seasoned expert.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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