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- Oct 29, 2016
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Over the years, I have noticed huge variation in ski area size measurements due to different measurement approaches. I gathered the below measurements to have comparable stats and figure others may find this interesting. All major western North American ski areas are included (see attached text file for full list).
For those interested in measurement approach details:
For those interested in measurement approach details:
- Measurements include all area within the ski area's boundary subtracting any large "closed areas" if applicable. Treed areas are included. Ski areas that have villages inside the ski area has that land excluded. Hike to ski area is typically included (see notes for each ski area)
- Measurements are made with DraftLogic's "Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." This tool accurately calculates acres based on the standard surveying method which ignores vertical differences. It is quite complex to calculate the more complex "ground surface" area. Ground surface of a steep ski area (30 degrees, steeper than Snowbird's tram) would add about 15% more area than flat. A much less steep area (18 degrees) would add about 5%. However, steep ski areas often have unskiable (rocky) areas so that would reduce the gap.