This list compares a select group (82) of alpine ski areas, based on a loose criteria of: a) areas nationwide over 1,000 vertical feet, b) most lareas in VT, NH, ME and MA, since the object of my interest is comparing New England ski areas.  My original intent was to to compare lift ticket prices.  The work has transcended that original goal and and is now cutting the data several ways, to see where the resorts stack up numerically. 

This list is not intended to determine the "best" areas.  Beauty of course, is in the eye of the beholder.  I am only ranking resorts numerically.  In many cases, significant ticket price reductions can be had by shopping around, going on special days, bulk and group ticket sales, promotions, early, late season, etc.  Shop around.

Here are the data I chose to accumulate:

1. Name of Resort and State
2. Lift Ticket Prices - I chose the Adult Full-day, full-price walk-up window, Holiday/ season (generally Jan-Feb, non-holiday) weekend rate.  Of course your mileage will vary, but this is a basis of comparison.  Midweek prices are peak season.  Smallest Multi-day rates are  used when single day rates are not available.   Source: Resort Web sites.
3. Vertical - Source: White Book
4. Lift Capacity Per Hour -Source: White Book
5. Ski-able Acres, Trails, Average Snow, Snowmaking - Sources: Ski Town, Newenglandski, White Book

For 2007-2008, a trend to remove midweek price differentials has occurred for most resorts in Vermont and the larger resorts in New Hampshire.  The push for multi-day rates, or "hook" type programs which offer a discount in return for an up-front financial commitment (i.e., Sugarbush's "Sugarcard", Stratton's "X2 Card") are prevalent.

Resorts are color coded: West Resorts, Northeast Resorts. (note: these colors are selected for the appropriate ski wax type, not political leanings, smarty-pants :)

For all you analytic-obsessive types who want to crunch some numbers, do some ratios and come up with bizarre correlations, here is the underlying data in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (Updated 11/18/07).  Have fun!

All information is taken from public sources.  I am responsible for any errors found herein.  If you would send me corrections and amplifications, I would be pleased to update this site.  You can find my address hidden over here to avoid conspirators and spammers.

Last Update 11/21/07

Bill Tarkulich, Lexington, Mass.

Copyright 2005-2007, Bill Tarkulich