The Smallest Ski Areas In The US

[RustyK]

https://unofficialnetworks.com/2021/04/ ... ski-areas/

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?


I have not been to any of these myself..

[Stormchaser]

https://www.skiward.com/mountain-info/about-us/

220′ vertical drop and 45 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain
9 trails and 4 lifts including a triple chair, T-bar and a 250′ carpet lift

[XtremeJibber2001]

I learned how to ski at Summit Ski Area, which has just 306' of vertical and is the oldest ski resort in the PNW. It has one chair lift (2 person fixed grip by Riblet) and a handful of trails.

Fun fact, they've also talked about an interconnect that would connect Summit to Timberline (called 'Summit Master Plan). In the 50's the 'SkiWay' connected Summit to Timberline.

[G-smashed]

Powder Ridge Conn.
Huskie Hill at UCONN.
18th hole at Bethpage St Park, Bethpage NY.

All no longer there. Honorable mention: Big Snow E. Rutherford, NJ

[daytripper]

Campgaw in NJ

[boston_e]

https://www.skiward.com/mountain-info/about-us/

220′ vertical drop and 45 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain
9 trails and 4 lifts including a triple chair, T-bar and a 250′ carpet lift

Ski Bradford and Nashoba Valley are two other small little local hills that have managed to keep going and to keep themselves off of NELSAP, both also in that 200' to 250' vert range i'd guess.. Small little gems that are great to have in our backyard. Lots of after school programs, local race programs, night skiing adult leagues etc etc.

[Dickc]

https://www.mcintyreskiarea.com/

McIntyre is 200 vertical with two 1972 Hall Doubles. They are looking to replace one in 2022 with a quad so they can dedicate the other double to run more slowly for the little ones to more easily load.

[DrJeff]

The smallest one listed, Four Seasons, is where I made my first turns ever back in December of '79 that started my love affair with skiing!

Back then it was known as 90 acres. Caber rental boots, blue Elan rental skis with spademan plate bindings and safety straps. Even 40+ years later I vividly remember that day when it all began for me and skiing!

[Captain Hafski]

Went one time to Ski Mountain in Pine Hill NJ. I remember thinking it looked like a big piece of cardboard tipped up on edge a little bit !

Looks like it closed in 1980. The "summit" was at the highest point in southern NH at 241 feet.

[DES]

The first one on the list, Powder House Hill, may be exaggerating their vertical, haven't skied it but I've driven past, and it doesn't look twice as big as the vertical at my house of 92 feet (haha- ski area over reporting). But if you do go there after a snowfall and have more than one person with you I'd recommend also going to York and do a lap or two at Mt Agamenticus, now NELSAP'd but it was an upside down area that you can drive to the top (with views of the ocean) then ski down and get pickups at the old chairlift base. "Ski the Big A"!

[BoozeTan]

Powder Ridge Conn.
Huskie Hill at UCONN.
18th hole at Bethpage St Park, Bethpage NY.

All no longer there. Honorable mention: Big Snow E. Rutherford, NJ

Powder Ridge is still operating. They were closed a couple seasons back but have been open for the past few years...

[easyrider16]

Boston area's Blue Hills looks mighty by comparison with its lofty 309 foot vertical drop. It's actually got decent pitch given its size, and allows for a good five or six turns before you reach the bottom.

[Seamus the Leprechan]

Never been there, butt ski area at West Point.

[Killingtime]

Never been there, butt ski area at West Point.

The Victor Constant Ski Area at West Point has about 450 feet of vert. Even smaller though is Ski Campgaw in New Jersey. Blistering 270 feet of vert.

[brownman]

Sonnenberg in Barnard still has good pitch.
Loved the poma