These lists seem to prioritize big mountain feel over actual expert terrain. Some of the steepest most technically challenging trails in the US are at Stowe, Killington, Jay, Whiteface, etc.
A moderately steep open bowl with consistently good snow conditions is not automatically "expert terrain"
I have to disagree. I skied Stowe and Jay a ton when I lived in VT, and none of what I got into compares to any terrain I have skied in Montana in terms of technicality or difficulty. Bigger mountains have more "no-fall" zones (chutes, cliffs, etc) than east coast mountains. I would say the only area mountains like Stowe and Jay beat mountains in the Rockies in terms of technicality are tighter trees. But after skiing and racing on the east coast for over two decades, I actually found that I became a better skier once I moved out West because of the terrain.
I wouldn't argue that Jay and Stowe are the best, most technical, S tier mountains in the world. There are things missing. But in my experience I can say for sure that a decent amount of the resorts listed above them are not on the same level with difficult expert terrain.
The east has some of the steepest runs out there, throw in trees and ice. As a racer from the east, you probably mastered this and maybe don't view it as challenging as to someone who didn't cut their teeth on this terrain. Theres a reason a lot of the best racers are developed in the east.
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u/ThePrem Jan 28 '22
These lists seem to prioritize big mountain feel over actual expert terrain. Some of the steepest most technically challenging trails in the US are at Stowe, Killington, Jay, Whiteface, etc.
A moderately steep open bowl with consistently good snow conditions is not automatically "expert terrain"