Liftopia's Top 10?

[James]

Pass the crack pipe?
I suppose if you lop off the top 3 the list isn't so bad.
Though I love Magic, I'd never recommend someone going there without a page worth of "buts" which would likely take it off the table. For one, snow.

For 2019:
Top Overall Ski Areas in North America

• #1 Magic Mountain, VT
• #2 Titus Mountain, NY
• #3 Mad River Glen, VT
• #4 Alta, UT
• #5 Powder Mountain, UT
• #6 Grand Targhee, WY
• #7 Snowbird, UT
• #8 Jackson Hole, WY
• #9 Jay Peak, VT
• #10 Big Sky, MT

https://bestinsnow.liftopia.com/winners/north-america/overall/

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The 2019 Best in Snow Awards, Powered By Liftopia, is the first and only list that ranks the best ski areas in North America.

This list is based on feedback from thousands of skiers and snowboarders, combined with Liftopia's proprietary dataset (which levels the playing field between big and small resorts), to uncover the true top ski areas across North America, based on what matters most to consumers.
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https://bestinsnow.liftopia.com/methodology/

 

[Bill Miles]

Well, it must be right because they have a secret algorithm, just like Z-rankings.

Digging a little deeper into regions and categories on their website, they list the two most challenging areas in the country as Magic Mountain and Bald Mountain In Idaho (appears they are talking about the 800' bump Bald Mountain area in central Idaho and not Bald Mountain at Sun Valley). Magic Mountain is also listed as first in snow consistency and quality.

Ridiculous, even worse than Z-rankings.

 

[James]

Magic Mountain is also listed as first in snow consistency and quality.

Truly laughable. Hopefully one day they'll get there, but only the most biased coupled with a ridiculous algorythm could come up with that.

I remember going to Magic after like a 20 inch dump a day before. Of course it's VT so it's accompanied by huge wind. One trail at the top from the traverse was 99% bare.

 

[x10003q]

I love Magic and yes, it has consistent snow quality:

consistently icy - 3-9-2019 - Magician closed - what a mess - Bromley in the background


one week later at Magic, 3-17-2019, more consistent snow conditions

Magic does not even have the best snow conditions between Bromley and Stratton, let alone the entire country.

 

[x10003q]

You can take Mad River off the list, too. If it does not snow, Mad River does not open.

 

[KingGrump]

From the posted results, likely they used a two part secret algorithm.
Part 1 - Dart board.

Parts 2 - Rocks.

Whatever sticks.

 

[dbostedo]

It's like taking a fan poll of which sports team is best... the team that promotes it most and has some crazy fans drumming up votes wins. Same thing here. Just a fun poll with no pretense (IMO) of being real reasonable rankings.

 

[4aprice]

Magic is a blast but as James pointed out that's providing it has snow. Kudos to them for rebuilding the place back to what it was. The addition of Green and replacement of Black along with a Carpet (beginner lift I believe) were much needed. Nice to see the "Golden Triangle" back in play.

 

[Corgski]

Pass the crack pipe?
I suppose if you lop off the top 3 the list isn't so bad.
Though I love Magic, I'd never recommend someone going there without a page worth of "buts" which would likely take it off the table. For one, snow.

For 2019:
Top Overall Ski Areas in North America

• #1 Magic Mountain, VT
• #2 Titus Mountain, NY
• #3 Mad River Glen, VT
• #4 Alta, UT
• #5 Powder Mountain, UT
• #6 Grand Targhee, WY
• #7 Snowbird, UT
• #8 Jackson Hole, WY
• #9 Jay Peak, VT
• #10 Big Sky, MT

https://bestinsnow.liftopia.com/winners/north-america/overall/

-----------------
The 2019 Best in Snow Awards, Powered By Liftopia, is the first and only list that ranks the best ski areas in North America.

This list is based on feedback from thousands of skiers and snowboarders, combined with Liftopia's proprietary dataset (which levels the playing field between big and small resorts), to uncover the true top ski areas across North America, based on what matters most to consumers.
------------------------
https://bestinsnow.liftopia.com/methodology/

Somehow Vermont has learnt to game this sort of thing. Remember when Springfield, VT claimed the title of being the real Springfield in "The Simpsons" when it was actually in Oregon all along.

 

[Sibhusky]

I figured those resorts had the best discounts on Liftopia. Since our resort didn't have anything on there any time I've looked, I figured that has to be part of the equation.

 

[James]

You can take Mad River off the list, too. If it does not snow, Mad River does not open.

Well they’re consistent about that, so the proprietary algorithm must weight that heavily. The magician behind the curtain, aka proprietary algorithm, is a few dudes who’ve gotten really baked and are slamming 7% micro brews.

Still waiting for someone who's skied Titus Mt. Looks fun. Considering there instead of Taos.

Family-Friendly Skiing in the Adirondacks.
Voted #2 Best Overall Resort in North America (2019)

https://www.titusmountain.com/​

 

[New2]

The 2020 survey is up... make sure to vote before you have this coming season's experiences to bias you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bestinsnow2020

Heh, and it asks about "last season? (Nov 2017-April 2018)"

 

[dbostedo]

Well they’re consistent about that, so the proprietary algorithm must weight that heavily. The magician behind the curtain, aka proprietary algorithm, is a few dudes who’ve gotten really baked and are slamming 7% micro brews.

Still waiting for someone who's skied Titus Mt. Looks fun. Considering there instead of Taos.

Family-Friendly Skiing in the Adirondacks.
Voted #2 Best Overall Resort in North America (2019)

https://www.titusmountain.com/​

640 vertical feet? I'll cancel my flight to New Mexico!

 

[James]

640 vertical feet? I'll cancel my flight to New Mexico!

Nothing in NM is in the top 10.
Stick with the Adirondacks, "the bark eaters".

 

[Wasatchman]

I have come to believe that any overall ranking of ski resorts is an exercise in futility because different people have different priorities and preferences. Some people prioritize challenge and vertical, some prioritize snow quality and/or quantity, some prefer manicured groomed terrain, others prefer accessibility, others après-ski, lack of crowds, size, etc. The list goes on. An overall ranking just seems so futile given such strong differences in personal preference for various attributes/categories.

I could see attempting to make rankings for various categories like snow quality, crowds, challenge, etc. Even that has its inherent issues, but at least that seems a little more manageable than some absolute ranking and doing this would seem to be of greater utility to people because based on their preferences they could get some ideas based on category rankings.

For those that love rankings, what is it about that you like about them? Is it because you have your own strong opinions so you like to see where resorts land relative to your rankings? Is it to get new ideas where to ski? To me, it just seems so much easier to try and figure out the attributes that you personally prefer and do the research to match your preference. It's no different than trying to rank cities. For some, NYC is hands down #1, and for others it would be last on the list. When I was younger I used to love rankings. As if they somehow validated my choices and it gave me some false pretext that the process was really analytical and therefore useful and carried weight. But as I said, I have now come to believe that blanket overall ratings of most things are futile due to individual differences in personal preference.

 

[Kneale Brownson]

What else will they talk about at this time of year?

 

[Sibhusky]

Filled out the survey, but don't want $100 so I can get more spam.
#inventiveemails

 

[EricG]

Interesting miscellaneous smattering of locations.

 

[Bill Miles]

I have come to believe that any overall ranking of ski resorts is an exercise in futility because different people have different priorities and preferences. Some people prioritize challenge and vertical, some prioritize snow quality and/or quantity, some prefer manicured groomed terrain, others prefer accessibility, others après-ski, lack of crowds, size, etc. The list goes on. An overall ranking just seems so futile given such strong differences in personal preference for various attributes/categories.

I could see attempting to make rankings for various categories like snow quality, crowds, challenge, etc. Even that has its inherent issues, but at least that seems a little more manageable than some absolute ranking and doing this would seem to be of greater utility to people because based on their preferences they could get some ideas based on category rankings.

For those that love rankings, what is it about that you like about them? Is it because you have your own strong opinions so you like to see where resorts land relative to your rankings? Is it to get new ideas where to ski? To me, it just seems so much easier to try and figure out the attributes that you personally prefer and do the research to match your preference. It's no different than trying to rank cities. For some, NYC is hands down #1, and for others it would be last on the list. When I was younger I used to love rankings. As if they somehow validated my choices and it gave me some false pretext that the process was really analytical and therefore useful and carried weight. But as I said, I have now come to believe that blanket overall ratings of most things are futile due to individual differences in personal preference.

I mostly agree on overall rankings, but I am interested in strengths and weaknesses in the various categories. Unfortunatelly, as mentioned in a previous post, Liftopia completely blew this one too. I don't think I will make a trip to Magic because they rate it most challenging and best snow consistency and quality in the country.

 

[Wasatchman]

I mostly agree on overall rankings, but I am interested in strengths and weaknesses in the various categories. Unfortunatelly, as mentioned in a previous post, Liftopia completely blew this one too. I don't think I will make a trip to Magic because they rate it most challenging and best snow consistency and quality in the country.

I am sure Magic Mt is awesome, but I hear you. Most challenging seems like a stretch.