^Honorary Mention: Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort, Alabama (150′ vertical)
Bigger isn’t always better, okay?
When it comes to ski resorts, bigger typically means mo’ people, mo’ money, and mo’ problems as a famous rapper from Brooklyn, NYC once said.
These are 5 of the smallest ski areas in the continental United States by vertical drop.
Have you been to any of these local gems?
Powderhouse Hill Ski Area, ME
Powderhouse Hill is owned by the town of South Berwick, Maine and operated by volunteers.
The little hill has been ferrying skiers and riders up Powderhouse Hill since 1939 when a local ski enthusiast built the first rope tow on the slope.
Vertical: 175′
# of Trails: 3
# of Lifts: 1
Lift Ticket Price: $5 (cash only)
Standing Rocks Park, WI
Standing Rocks Park is a 524 acre park located near Stevens Point, WI. The park offers year-round activities including downhill and nordic skiing.
The area only operates on weekends and holidays.
Vertical: 125′
# of Trails: 5
# of Lifts: ?
Lift Ticket Price: $16
Arrowhead Recreation Area, NH
^Courtesy: New England Ski History
Arrowhead is a very small ski area located in near the border between Vermont and New Hampshire.
The area first opened in 1962 with a 600′ vertical, but has operated a nonprofit on just 120′ of vertical since the 2002-2003 season, according to New England Ski History.
The old trails can still be accessed for backcountry skiing and riding or snowshoeing.
Vertical: 120′
# of Trails: 2
# of Lifts: 1
Lift Ticket Price: $9
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports, IL
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports is another teeny-tiny ski area located in the United States. The ski area has a 100′ vertical drop, and is home to ‘The Alley’ terrain park.
It’s a convenient hill for Chicagoans looking to escape to the outdoors for a few hours.
Vertical: 100′
# of Trails: 5
# of Lifts: 7
Lift Ticket Price: $29 (Saturday/holiday)
Four Seasons Golf and Ski Center, NY
The Four Season Golf and Ski Center doesn’t have any relationship to the Four Seasons luxury hotel chain, or the Four Seasons Landscaping business in Philadelphia 😆
The ski center is home to the one of the smallest verticals in the United States at just 100′, and is an excellent place to teach youngsters or beginners how to ski or ride.
Vertical: 100′
# of Trails: 4
# of Lifts: 2
Lift Ticket Price: $21