These Southeastern States Have Higher Elevation Skiing Than All Of New England

By Matt Lorelli | August 19, 2020 2:10 pm

North Carolina and West Virginia are home to the highest lift-serviced skiing east of The Mississippi River.

I know, that came as a shock to me as well.

Clearly peak elevation does not equate to the best skiing.

West Virginia and North Carolina simply do not compete with New England when it comes to snowfall and terrain.

Winter Excitement in the Blue Ridge Mountains - Blue Ridge ...

North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Courtesy: Blue Ridge Mountain Life

Let’s take a look at the stats of the highest lift-serviced elevations from states east of The Mississippi. States are listed from highest elevation (in feet) to lowest.

North Carolina- Beech Mountain Resort

Peak Elevation: 5,506′

Fun Fact: Beech Mountain is the second highest ski resort east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Alps. It’s only beat by Terry Peak, SD with a peak elevation at 7,100′.

West Virginia- Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Peak Elevation: 4,848′

Fun Fact: Snowshoe averages a whopping 180″ of annual snowfall. That’s almost 100″ more, per year, than Beech Mountain Resort. Snowshoe is also an “upside-down” mountain with it’s lodging and resort village located at the top of the resort.

New york- Whiteface mountain

Peak Elevation: 4,386′

Fun Fact: Whiteface offers almost 300 additional feet of elevation if you’re willing to hike to The Slides. Whiteface also hosted the Olympic Downhill events in 1932 and 1980.

Maine- Sugarloaf Ski Resort

Peak Elevation: 4,237′

Fun Fact: Sugarloaf is home to the only lift-serviced above tree-line skiing in the east.

Vermont- Killington Mountain Resort

Peak Elevation: 4,241′

Fun Fact: Killington has arguably the most robust snow-making system in the east. Their snow guns allow “The Beast of The East” to open as early as October and stay open into June.