Like other recreational outlets, ski resorts took a tumble during the COVID pandemic. Statista.com reports that 462 ski resorts were open during the 2020-21 winter season, eight fewer than in the previous year. Over three decades from the 1991-92 ski season, the number of ski resorts overall in America has declined by 15.4%.
Yet the ski industry still thrives. Statista also estimates the ski and snowboard resort industry in the U.S. reached a market size of $4.28 billion in 2022. And nothing is going to stop hardcore skiers from hitting the slopes – not when there are tall ski areas in nearly every state on which to swoosh down. (These are the states with the most ski resorts.)
To identify the ski area with the largest vertical drop in every state that has ski areas – 37 of them in all – 24/7 Tempo reviewed several ski area and ski resort databases and ranked the 420 ski areas and resorts in the U.S. with available data by the vertical drop of their skiable trails. We then independently verified the vertical drop for the top-ranked example in each state. In the case of a tie within a single state, the ski area with more skiable acres was chosen. Data on the year each ski area opened is from the industry advocacy group National Ski Areas Association. (Here’s a look at the newest ski area in every state.)
As expected, the ski areas with the largest drops are concentrated in Western states. One slope at Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado has a vertical drop of 4,425 feet, with a total of 2,000 skiable acres. The Big Sky Resort in Bozeman, Montana, sports one vertical drop of 4,350 feet and more than 5,000 acres of ski trails. Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Resort’s highest vertical drop stands at more than 4,000 feet. Skiers at that trendy resort can glide down more than 2,500 acres of snow cover.
Yet even warmer climates provide skiers a chance to race down hillsides – albeit at lesser heights. In Alabama, the Cloudmont Resort near Mentone has a vertical drop of only 150 feet and nine skiable acres. Looking for a higher ski area in the South? Check out Sugar Mountain Resort near Banner Elk in North Carolina. Its greatest vertical drop measures 1,200 feet with 125 skiable acres.
Alabama: Cloudmont Resort
> Vertical drop: 150 ft., the only ski area considered in Alabama
> Regional and national rankings: 17th highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 404th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 9 skiable acres, 2 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1971
> Nearest city: Mentone
Alaska: Alyeska Resort
> Vertical drop: 2,500 ft., the highest of 7 ski areas considered in Alaska
> Regional and national rankings: 35th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 41st highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,610 skiable acres, 7 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1959
> Nearest city: Girdwood
Arizona: Arizona Snowbowl
> Vertical drop: 2,800 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Arizona
> Regional and national rankings: 27th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 30th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 777 skiable acres, 8 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1938
> Nearest city: Flagstaff
California: Heavenly Mountain Resort
> Vertical drop: 3,500 ft., the highest of 26 ski areas considered in California
> Regional and national rankings: 8th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 8th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 4,800 skiable acres, 27 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1955
> Nearest city: South Lake Tahoe
Colorado: Telluride Ski Resort
> Vertical drop: 4,425 ft., the highest of 32 ski areas considered in Colorado
> Regional and national rankings: 2nd highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 2nd highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 2,000 skiable acres, 19 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1972
> Nearest city: Telluride
Connecticut: Mohawk Mountain
> Vertical drop: 650 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Connecticut
> Regional and national rankings: 73rd highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 229th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 112 skiable acres, 8 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1947
> Nearest city: Cornwall
Idaho: Sun Valley
> Vertical drop: 3,400 ft., the highest of 17 ski areas considered in Idaho
> Regional and national rankings: 10th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 11th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 2,054 skiable acres, 18 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1936
> Nearest city: Sun Valley
Illinois: Chestnut Mountain
> Vertical drop: 475 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Illinois
> Regional and national rankings: 18th highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 274th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 220 skiable acres, 8 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1959
> Nearest city: Galena
Indiana: Perfect North Slopes
> Vertical drop: 400 ft., the highest of 2 ski areas considered in Indiana
> Regional and national rankings: 27th highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 298th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 100 skiable acres, 5 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1981
> Nearest city: Lawrenceburg
Iowa: Sundown Mountain
> Vertical drop: 475 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Iowa
> Regional and national rankings: 18th highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 274th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 85 skiable acres, 6 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1974
> Nearest city: Dubuque
Maine: Sugarloaf
> Vertical drop: 2,820 ft., the highest of 17 ski areas considered in Maine
> Regional and national rankings: 3rd highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 29th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,240 skiable acres, 14 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1951
> Nearest city: Carrabassett Valley
Maryland: Wisp Ski Resort
> Vertical drop: 700 ft., the only ski area considered in Maryland
> Regional and national rankings: 8th highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 213th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 137 skiable acres, 10 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1956
> Nearest city: McHenry
Massachusetts: Berkshire East
> Vertical drop: 1,180 ft., the highest of 11 ski areas considered in Massachusetts
> Regional and national rankings: 38th highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 146th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 180 skiable acres, 6 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1960
> Nearest city: Greenfield
Michigan: Mount Bohemia
> Vertical drop: 900 ft., the highest of 32 ski areas considered in Michigan
> Regional and national rankings: 3rd highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 188th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 585 skiable acres, 2 total lifts
> First year of operation: 2000
> Nearest city: Mohawk
Minnesota: Lutsen Mountains
> Vertical drop: 1,088 ft., the highest of 16 ski areas considered in Minnesota
> Regional and national rankings: 2nd highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 156th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,000 skiable acres, 8 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1948
> Nearest city: Lutsen
Missouri: Hidden Valley
> Vertical drop: 320 ft., the highest of 2 ski areas considered in Missouri
> Regional and national rankings: 38th highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 322nd highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 65 skiable acres, 9 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1982
> Nearest city: Wildwood
Montana: Big Sky Resort
> Vertical drop: 4,350 ft., the highest of 15 ski areas considered in Montana
> Regional and national rankings: 4th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 4th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 5,850 skiable acres, 39 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1973
> Nearest city: Bozeman
Nevada: Diamond Peak
> Vertical drop: 1,840 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Nevada
> Regional and national rankings: 67th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 86th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 655 skiable acres, 7 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1966
> Nearest city: Incline Village
New Hampshire: Cannon Mountain Ski Area
> Vertical drop: 2,180 ft., the highest of 28 ski areas considered in New Hampshire
> Regional and national rankings: 9th highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 58th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 285 skiable acres, 10 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1938
> Nearest city: Franconia
New Jersey: Mountain Creek
> Vertical drop: 1,040 ft., the highest of 2 ski areas considered in New Jersey
> Regional and national rankings: 47th highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 164th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 167 skiable acres, 9 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1965
> Nearest city: Vernon Township
New Mexico: Taos Ski Valley
> Vertical drop: 3,131 ft., the highest of 8 ski areas considered in New Mexico
> Regional and national rankings: 16th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 17th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,294 skiable acres, 13 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1955
> Nearest city: Taos
New York: Whiteface Mountain
> Vertical drop: 3,430 ft., the highest of 35 ski areas considered in New York
> Regional and national rankings: the highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 10th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 299 skiable acres, 11 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1958
> Nearest city: Lake Placid
North Carolina: Sugar Mountain Resort
> Vertical drop: 1,200 ft., the highest of 6 ski areas considered in North Carolina
> Regional and national rankings: 2nd highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 141st highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 125 skiable acres, 8 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1969
> Nearest city: Banner Elk
North Dakota: Huff Hills
> Vertical drop: 450 ft., the highest of 3 ski areas considered in North Dakota
> Regional and national rankings: 21st highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 281st highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 80 skiable acres, 4 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1991
> Nearest city: Mandan
Ohio: Mad River
> Vertical drop: 300 ft., the highest of 5 ski areas considered in Ohio
> Regional and national rankings: 42nd highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 329th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 144 skiable acres, 11 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1962
> Nearest city: Bellafontaine
Oregon: Timberline Lodge
> Vertical drop: 4,540 ft., the highest of 13 ski areas considered in Oregon
> Regional and national rankings: the highest of 165 ski areas in the West, the highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,685 skiable acres, 9 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1937
> Nearest city: Government Camp
Pennsylvania: Blue Mountain Ski Area
> Vertical drop: 1,082 ft., the highest of 21 ski areas considered in Pennsylvania
> Regional and national rankings: 44th highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 157th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 171 skiable acres, 13 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1977
> Nearest city: Palmerton
Rhode Island: Yawgoo Valley
> Vertical drop: 245 ft., the only ski area considered in Rhode Island
> Regional and national rankings: 123rd highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 359th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 36 skiable acres, 4 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1965
> Nearest city: Exeter
South Dakota: Terry Peak
> Vertical drop: 1,100 ft., the highest of 2 ski areas considered in South Dakota
> Regional and national rankings: the highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 153rd highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 600 skiable acres, 5 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1936
> Nearest city: Lead
Tennessee: Ober Gatlinburg
> Vertical drop: 600 ft., the only ski area considered in Tennessee
> Regional and national rankings: 12th highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 246th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 38 skiable acres, 4 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1962
> Nearest city: Gatlinburg
Utah: Snowbird
> Vertical drop: 3,240 ft., the highest of 14 ski areas considered in Utah
> Regional and national rankings: 15th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 16th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 2,500 skiable acres, 14 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1971
> Nearest city: Salt Lake City
Vermont: Killington Ski Resort
> Vertical drop: 3,050 ft., the highest of 20 ski areas considered in Vermont
> Regional and national rankings: 2nd highest of 139 ski areas in the Northeast, 25th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 1,509 skiable acres, 21 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1958
> Nearest city: Killington
Virginia: Massanutten Resort
> Vertical drop: 1,110 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in Virginia
> Regional and national rankings: 3rd highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 152nd highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 82 skiable acres, 6 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1973
> Nearest city: Harrisonburg
Washington: Crystal Mountain
> Vertical drop: 3,100 ft., the highest of 16 ski areas considered in Washington
> Regional and national rankings: 18th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 19th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 2,600 skiable acres, 11 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1962
> Nearest city: Enumclaw
West Virginia: Snowshoe Mountain
> Vertical drop: 1,500 ft., the highest of 4 ski areas considered in West Virginia
> Regional and national rankings: the highest of 17 ski areas in the South, 116th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 270 skiable acres, 14 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1974
> Nearest city: Marlinton
Wisconsin: Granite Peak Ski Area
> Vertical drop: 700 ft., the highest of 29 ski areas considered in Wisconsin
> Regional and national rankings: 4th highest of 99 ski areas in the Midwest, 213th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 200 skiable acres, 7 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1937
> Nearest city: Wausau
Wyoming: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
> Vertical drop: 4,139 ft., the highest of 9 ski areas considered in Wyoming
> Regional and national rankings: 5th highest of 165 ski areas in the West, 5th highest of 420 ski areas in the U.S.
> Add’l ski area stats: 2,500 skiable acres (+3,000 backcountry acres), 16 total lifts
> First year of operation: 1966
> Nearest city: Teton Village