When it comes to mountain stats, the stat that many skiers are most interested in is vertical drop. After all, steep and deep is what skiers’ dreams are made of. However, just because a ski resort has a lot of vertical doesn’t mean it’s primarily for advanced skiers. These ski areas often have plenty of friendly groomed slopes, too. Consider Beaver Creek in the Vail Valley, which is considered a great family ski resort with lots of fun, long groomers, and boasts more than 3,000 feet of vertical drop.
So what does it actually mean when we talk about a ski resort’s vertical? Simply put, vertical is measured from the highest to the lowest points on the mountain. In other words, vertical is just the difference, presumably the “skiable difference,” between the peak and base of a ski resort. Take Breckenridge as an example. The base elevation of 9,600 feet and a peak of just under 13,000 feet equates to a vertical drop of just under 3,400 feet. Vertical is simply a very useful measurement of how “tall” a ski resort is. That’s the amount of elevation change that you’ll actually be able to ski.
Continue reading as we take you around North America, highlighting the ski resorts with the most vertical.
Ski Resorts With The Most Vertical Drop
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada: 10,300 feet of vertical
Whistler Blackcomb makes up the largest ski resort in North America. It has more than 10,000 feet of vertical between the two mountains and an astonishing 8,000 acres of skiable terrain. Good luck trying to ski it all. But once you’ve gotten your fill of resort skiing at Whistler Blackcomb, it’s time to for heli-skiing. Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass holder get 20% of Whistler Heli-Skiing packages.
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Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada: 5,620 feet of vertical
Revelstoke, in the Canadian Rockies of Interior British Columbia, has the second-longest vertical in North America. While it’s a bit of a trek to Revelstoke from the closest airport in Kelowna, it’s every bit worth it when you’re greeted with 5,620 feet of vertical. Revelstoke Mountain is the only resort in the world offering lift, cat, heli, and backcountry skiing from one village. Those progressing intermediates who want a taste of cat skiing skiing can take advantage of Revelstoke’s Intro to Cat Skiing program, which is a two-day powder program tailored for intermediate skiers and riders. Though it may not be as convenient as other ski resorts, Revelstoke is hard to beat for its vertical terrain.
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Telluride, Colorado: 4,425 feet of vertical
Telluride is a great example of a ski area with a lot of steep, challenging terrain for advanced skiers, yet plenty of terrain for everyone else. Telluride’s 2,000 acres of skiable terrain is nicely divided between challenging chutes, bowls, steeps, bumps, and wide-open groomers. You could ski all week and still just touch the surface of all that Telluride has to offer. Many OnTheSnow users know just how great Telluride is. Telluride was rated the Best Overall Ski Resort in North America for the 2023-24 ski season.
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Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming: 4,139 feet of vertical
Few U.S. ski resorts have the vertical and skiable terrain of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where skiers and riders are greeted with an incredible 4,139 feet of vertical and 2,500 acres of terrain. Fittingly, Jackson Hole was rated no. 1 for expert terrain by OnTheSnow users for the 2023-24 ski season. You can make it a whole week of skiing with nearby Grand Targhee, home to 2,270 feet of vertical, and Snow King, which is the only nearby ski area with night skiing. Bonus: Jackson is arguably one of the most fun ski towns in America.
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Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado: 4,406 feet of vertical
There are few ski destinations in America that are better for racking up vertical than Aspen. Snowmass, which is a favorite of families for its groomers and activities for kids, boasts 3,500 acres of skiable terrain and 4,406 feet of vertical. It’s the largest and most expansive of Aspen’s mountains, and averages just two skiers per acre. But don’t overlook Aspen Highlands’ 4,352 feet of vertical and 1,500 acres of skiable terrain. Highland Bowl is one of America’s most iconic places to ski and ride for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
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Big Sky, Montana: 4,350 feet of vertical
Located in southwest Montana, Big Sky has an impressive amount of vertical. Guests can take the Lone Peak Tram to the Lone Mountain summit and are greeted with several single, double, and even triple black diamond runs back down to the base. Big Couloir and the North Summit Snowfield are some of the most challenging runs at the resort. Steep and deep seekers will love Big Sky for these runs and its 400″ of average snowfall. After you’ve exhausted Big Sky’s 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, hop on a shuttle to explore Yellowstone National Park.
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Kicking Horse, British Columbia, Canada: 4,314 feet of vertical
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, located near Golden, British Columbia, offers a diverse mix of challenging terrain and excellent snow conditions, with a vertical drop of 4,314 feet and 3,486 acres of skiable terrain. The ski area is home to large alpine bowls and long steep chutes, while lift lines are consistently short. Though it may not have the convenience of some of Canada’s other ski resorts, Kicking Horse is a can’t-miss ski destination. Make a whole week of it by heading to Revelstoke or the Banff ski resorts, all of which are less than two hours from Kicking Horse. Lake Louise is just over an hour away.
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Timberline Lodge, Oregon: 3,690 feet of vertical
Timberline, located just 60 miles from Portland, boasts the most vertical in the Pacific Northwest, where skiers and riders shred just below the summit of Mt. Hood. The historic, rustic Timberline Lodge, which is just steps from the lifts, is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes. You may recognize it as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Bonus: Timberline has the longest ski season in North America, often open until August. Mt. Bachelor, with 3,365′ of vertical, is just two and a half hours away.
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Beaver Creek and Vail, Colorado: 3,340 feet and 3,450 feet of vertical
Beaver Creek and Vail, located 20 minutes apart by shuttle or car, offer thousands of feet of vertical between the two ski areas. The family-friendly, upscale Beaver Creek has 3,340 feet of vertical with 2,000 acres to ski and ride. It has a lot of groomers, yet tons of terrain for advanced skiers and riders to play in. Vail is no slouch at 3,450 feet of vertical with 5,317 acres of skiable terrain. Vail’s incredible back bowls are not to be missed.
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Snowbird, Utah: 3,240 feet of vertical
Snowbird, a unique resort with 3,240 feet of vertical and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain, is just a short jaunt from Salt Lake City up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The cable car takes you to the top, where the fun is just beginning. Alta, which is a more rustic, laid-back ski area, is virtually next door. Alta has 2,538 feet of vertical drop and 2,614 acres of skiable terrain.
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Sun Valley, Idaho: 3,400 feet of vertical
World-famous Sun Valley, America’s first destination ski resort, has long been a favorite for skiers and riders. Located near Ketchum, Sun Valley is one of those very few resorts where “magical” is the only description that really applies. Sun Valley’s magic extends to its slopes, where it has an impressive 3,400 feet of vertical across two distinctive mountains and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. Because Sun Valley is a little bit more off the beaten path, visitors can enjoy uncrowded slopes and little to no lift lines.
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Breckenridge, Colorado: 3,398 feet of vertical
Breckenridge’s mountain stats speak for themselves: 5 peaks, 3,398 feet of vertical, 2,908 skiable acres, 189 trails, 3 terrain parks, and the tallest chairlift in North America. It offers superb skiing and riding for all ability levels while boasting some of the most vertical in Colorado. Plus, the old West town of Breckenridge is a gem to experience after a day on the slopes.
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Mammoth Mountain, California: 3,100 feet of vertical
Mammoth Mountain is the playground for California skiers and riders willing to make the trek for incredible powder, plenty of advanced terrain, and one of the longest seasons in North America. Boasting more than 170 runs across 3,500 acres of skiable terrain, and home to a great village, Mammoth truly is a ski destination for everyone. Beat the crowds and lift lines by going during the week.
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Snowbasin, Utah: 2,900 feet of vertical
While many skiers and riders head east from Salt Lake City to the likes of Alta, Snowbird, and many more Utah ski resorts, Snowbasin Resort, one of America’s oldest ski resorts, is a great option just north of Salt Lake City. Its 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and 2,900 feet of vertical has a bit of something for everyone. Enjoy wide-open bowls, glades, groomers, steeps, and multiple terrain parks at the resort that played host to numerous events at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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Hero image ©Alta Ski Area/Rocko Menzyk
December 11, 2024
