Top of Ski Mountain | Image: iStock

When it comes to towering verticals, the Rockies, Alps, and Andes usually steal the spotlight. But the East Coast has some surprises of its own. While the peaks are not as tall, the region still offers impressive descents, icy challenges, and some of the steepest trails around. For skiers who want to rack up vertical feet without leaving the East, these five resorts belong on your list.

5. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont — 2,610 feet

Smugglers' Notch, Vermont | Image: SKI Magazine Resort

Known affectionately as “Smuggs,” this mountain balances family-friendly terrain with some of the gnarliest expert lines in the East. Runs like Upper Lift Line, Freefall, and Black Hole are legendary. Upper Lift Line drops relentlessly beneath the Madonna I lift with ledges stacked one after another, while Freefall offers raw, ungroomed pitches with drops and waterfalls. Black Hole, one of only a handful of triple black diamonds in the Northeast, is reserved for true thrill seekers.

4. Sugarloaf, Maine — 2,820 feet

Snowy ridges at Sugarloaf, Maine | Image: Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf offers big vertical paired with classic East Coast conditions. Trails like Black Diamond, FIS, and White Nitro showcase why this mountain draws advanced skiers from across New England. Black Diamond is steep and rocky with moguls that demand precision. FIS provides a wide icy descent perfect for high-speed carving, while White Nitro drops into a double black pitch that keeps even seasoned riders on edge.

3. Sugarbush, Vermont — 2,600 feet

Steeps and glades at Sugarbush | Image: Sugarbush Resort

Spread across two mountains with six peaks, Sugarbush delivers both size and variety. The resort is home to more than a hundred terrain features, extensive glades, and the wild Slide Brook Basin. For experts, the must-ski trail is Rumble, a steep and narrow run loaded with obstacles like bumps, trees, and hidden stumps. It is an East Coast classic that rewards precision skiing from top to bottom.

2. Killington, Vermont — 3,050 feet

Looking out from Killington Peak | Image: Killington Resort

Known as the “Beast of the East,” Killington is the largest ski destination on the coast, with terrain stretched across seven peaks. Outer Limits, one of the steepest mogul runs in the region, keeps legs burning all the way down. Devil’s Fiddle adds its own mix of ice and moguls, while glades like Julio and The Throne deliver technical tree skiing. Killington’s scale, snowmaking, and vertical give it a reputation that rivals many western resorts.

1. Whiteface Mountain, New York — 3,430 feet

The iconic Slides at Whiteface Mountain | Image: Whiteface Resort

Whiteface holds the crown for the greatest vertical drop in the East. Its legendary Slides are steep, narrow chutes that only open when ski patrol deems them safe, making them a rare and coveted experience. With a peak elevation over 4,800 feet and descents more than three times the height of the Empire State Building, Whiteface provides the kind of vertical challenge usually associated with much larger ranges.

Closing Turns

The East Coast may not reach the towering heights of the Rockies, but it still offers steep lines, icy chutes, and vertical drops that demand respect. Resorts like Whiteface and Killington prove that skiers do not need to leave the region to find serious descents.

For skiers who want to track their vertical and relive their biggest days, Shredder is the perfect companion. From steep mogul runs to legendary chutes, Shredder helps you log every turn and connect with others chasing vertical across the East Coast and beyond.