The Highest and Lowest Ski Resorts in The Country
If there’s anything that the highest and the lowest ski resorts in the country can tell us, it’s that people will find a way to slide on snow, no matter where they are. While Colorado takes top honors for having the highest resorts in elevation in the country, the lowest ones – found around the East Coast and Midwest – are a testament that while elevation and terrain might be important to some, just finding some snow to play on makes for a fun day for most. The following list offers the highest ski resort base elevations, followed by the lowest.
The Highest Resorts
1. Loveland Ski Area, Colorado
Loveland’s base sits at 10,800 feet, and if that’s not high enough for you, the ski area’s summit tops out at 13,010. Loveland’s Lift 9 takes skiers and snowboarders to 12,700 feet, also making it one of the highest chairlifts in the country.
2. Monarch Mountain, Colorado
Located off of Monarch Pass, Monarch Mountain’s base area is at 10,790 feet, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given its location on the high and winding mountain road. The ski area uses it’s elevation to its advantage; along with lift service, Monarch offers cat skiing for anyone looking to explore the terrain outside the ropes.
3. Arapahoe Ski Basin, Colorado
A-Basin, A-Bay, A-Bay Bay, The Legend, whatever you call it, sits at 10,780 feet, just barely behind neighboring Loveland Ski Area. It’s got a special place in the heart of every Colorado skier and snowboarder, and is typically one of the first to open and last to close in the country.
4. Ski Cooper, Colorado
Leadville’s little gem, Ski Cooper’s base area is found at 10,400 off of Tennessee Pass, and in the midst of storied landscape of the 10th Mountain Division, a ski-mountaineering division of the armed forced that got its start in the area around World War II. Ski Cooper also offers cat skiing for anyone looking to explore more of the terrain, and incorporate a little bit more elevation gain into their day.
5. Silverton Mountain, Colorado
Southwest Colorado’s Silverton Mountain rounds out the top five, with a base area of 10,400 feet. Not exactly the place to bring the kids, Silverton Mountain’s cult status in skiing has come from big lines in the San Juan Mountains, and guided and heli-skiing options to explore the terrain.
The Lowest Resorts
1. Yawgoo Valley, Rhode Island
America’s lowest ski resort by elevation is Rhode Island’s Yawgoo Valley, whic sits at a whopping base elevation of 70 feet. The ski area makes the most of its altitude, though; it’s 36 skiable acres are all open for the season, with night skiing available on every trail.
2. Spring Mountain Ski Area, Pennsylvania
78 feet above sea level is the starting point for Pennsylvania’s Spring Mountain Ski Area, making it the second lowest ski resort in elevation in the country. Spring Mountain has a 14 inch to 24 inch base for the season, and the mountain has enlisted a fleet of snowmaking guns to add to the total.
3. New Hermon Mountain, Maine
Maine’s Hermon Mountain sits at 100 feet above sea level, and offers both skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing to take advantage of conditions.
4. Mt. Southington Ski Area, Connecticut
Mt. Southington Ski Area’s website boasts of thrills made locally – and at a base elevation of 100 feet above see level, if we’re being technical. Along with daytime operations, Mt. Southington offers night skiing to take advantage of their terrain.
5. Alpine Valley Ski Area, Michigan
Southeast Michigan’s Alpine Ski Area sits at 126 feet above sea level, and is open daily from 10am to 10pm for daytime runs, and nightime operations.
