Opinions on definition of "vertical feet"

**Endlessseason** · 10-23-2003, 10:41 PM

Many of you know that I do the VerticalFeet.com site. It has turned into a great reference site and gets a ton of traffic. I like to be as accurate as I can with the info I've gathered on the hundreds of resorts.
I've got an accuracy question and I need some opinions. I'm getting a few emails questioning how I'm defining one of the entries. I'm going to go with the majority opinion of you hard-core maggots on this one:

Should a ski resort's lift-accessed vertical drop measurement include terrain accessed by a cable tow that only runs a few weeks per season?

**Dexter Rutecki** · 10-23-2003, 10:45 PM

Unfortunately, maybe, yes.
Not that much different from a lift that's often on wind-hold or something like that.

**Ski Monkey** · 10-23-2003, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by Endlessseason
Should a ski resort's lift-accessed vertical drop measurement include terrain accessed by a cable tow that only runs a few weeks per season?

Is the resort you refer to Snowmass?

I think, technically it would be included. I mean, it is a lift, it does run, albeit rarely. Perhaps you can add a disclaimer that it's a tow? Refine lift accessed to chair/tram accessed?

**ak_powder_monkey** · 10-23-2003, 10:55 PM

2,100 appx. feet
Alyeska - Girdwood, Alaska

and the base is 250 feet freaking little mountains here

**lph** · 10-23-2003, 11:21 PM

What not using the poll option?

Yes, IMHO, absolutely.

**Endlessseason** · 10-23-2003, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by Ski Monkey
Is the resort you refer to Snowmass?

Yes.

**The AD** · 10-23-2003, 11:36 PM

I'd say that, yes it should be counted. The fact the lift doesn't run all the time doesn't matter.

**teledave** · 10-24-2003, 08:19 AM

It counts in my book.

A) It's a lift. Doesn't matter whether it's a surface lift or a 100-person gondy. Some of the best terrain in the world is accessed by surface lifts.
B) What lifts are open all season? Whether it is rarely open or not doesn't disqualify it's existence. Would you include the Marte in your ranking of Las Lenas? (Hypothetically, of course)

Just my $0.02. Sounds like somebody in mktg at a nearby area that just gets beat out on vertical because of it is whining to me.

Edit: After looking at your site, maybe its the other way around.

**Ripzalot** · 10-24-2003, 08:29 AM

yes, include drags even if infrequently open. a lift is a lift!

when are you gonna start doing euro resorts???? would be great to compare. i could help you out with the swiss ones!

quite a few will bump whistler from that top spot.

**summit** · 10-26-2003, 03:09 PM

List both and put an asterisk by the one with the rarely run lift. I mean next thing you know they'll want foot access terrain counted for vertical!

**dipstik** · 10-26-2003, 08:34 PM

"161 feet
Boyce Park - Boyce, Pennsylvania"

i bet that place rips

**Buster Highmen** · 10-26-2003, 10:54 PM

The only way to measure vertical feet is lying down.

**ak_powder_monkey** · 10-27-2003, 12:23 AM

he did you get the email about alpenglow

**Woolph** · 10-27-2003, 09:37 AM

You have to include it. Some years the Cirque only runs a few weeks but other years like this past season it was running for several months (I'm thinking feb-april but don't recall the exact opening date). The snow levels where about average so hopefully the Mtn. and patrol are starting to prioritize getting and keeping this terrain / lift open.

Crested Butte's High Lift would probably fall in the same catagory.

**homerjay** · 10-27-2003, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by dipstik
"161 feet
Boyce Park - Boyce, Pennsylvania"

i bet that place rips

I've been there and its siiiiiiiiick, brah.

**altagirl** · 10-27-2003, 03:11 PM

I'd say yes, include it, but put some sort of notation. Or maybe even list the resort twice - once including the top and once with only the part where it's normally open.

**Keoni** · 10-27-2003, 03:17 PM

Probably depends on the gender of the person taking the measurements(?)

**Beaver** · 10-27-2003, 03:20 PM

A lift is a lift. If it gets you any vertical anytime it should be counted.

**teledave** · 10-27-2003, 03:31 PM

I'm really disappointed that no one has inserted a pic of a certain maggete showing some vertical feet .

But I couuldn't find it.

**TomK** · 10-27-2003, 05:22 PM

Yes.

As long as it carries folks up the hill at least once a season it should count as part of their lift system.

**joshbu** · 10-27-2003, 06:17 PM

Slight thread hijcak:

Crystal: 3102'? No way. That's way too high.

In fact, from the trailmap:

Base = 4400' Silver King = 7013' Vertical = 3100'

Yet, 7013 - 4400 = 2613.

So where did that extra 500' come from, eh?

**Dexter Rutecki** · 10-27-2003, 06:22 PM

I'm sure Buster and others who have actually been there can explain this, but I believe at Crystal their vertical can't be accessed continuously.

edit: just checked the Crystal site and map, and they say the vertical includes something they call 'backcountry return', so I guess maybe they run a shuttle down below the bottom lift??

KQ · 10-27-2003, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Dexter Rutecki

edit: just checked the Crystal site and map, and they say the vertical includes something they call 'backcountry return', so I guess maybe they run a shuttle down below the bottom lift??

Yup - ff you ski Northback you have to catch a bus to get back to the area.

**BobMc** · 10-27-2003, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by teledave
I'm really disappointed that no one has inserted a pic of a certain maggete showing some vertical feet .

But I couuldn't find it.

This you mean?

http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/Mir.jpg

BobMc