Each year, readers of Ski Magazine vote on their favorite ski resorts. 12,000 randomly selected subscribers are mailed response forms, where they rate resort experiences. Based on these responses, Ski Magazine generates a list of the top resorts in various sections of the country.

This year, Pennsylvania’s Camelback and West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort captured a place in the “Top 20 East Resorts.” In its first ever placing, Camelback propelled to position 12, and the highest position among resorts in the Mid-Atlantic. In the highest showing ever for a southern ski resort, Snowshoe grabbed the 17th position. These two resorts are the only resorts located south of New York to rank in the top 20.

Located in the Poconos, Camelback has been busy making improvements in recent years. The resort now has two high-speed quads, a snowboard park, a halfpipe, and a tubing area.

“To be in the same company of - and, in many cases, ranked higher than - some of the most well-regarded resorts in the East is quite an honor,” said Sam Newman, President and CEO of Camelback. “It’s the result of a lot of hard work, and this season we’ll work even harder to maintain and improve upon this accomplishment,” he added.

Snowshoe has also been working overtime in recent years to reward skiers and snowboarders. Since 1995, $72 million has been invested at the resort, improving snowmaking, adding two high-speed quads, additional expert terrain, real estate, and more. With a peak elevation just under 5,000 feet, Snowshoe enjoys an average annual snowfall of 180 inches.

Canada’s Tremblant ranked first in the East, followed by Vermont’s Stowe and Killington. In the West, Canada’s Whistler/Blackcomb captured first place, followed by Sun Valley and Deer Valley.

Results of the Reader Resort Survey were published in the October 1999 issue of Ski Magazine.