Definition: Vertical drop is defined as the distance between the summit and base of a mountain, measured straight down. It can be determined by subtracting the base elevation from the summit elevation.
Example:Mount X's summit elevation is 3,000 ft., and its base elevation is 1,000 feet. Therefore, the vertical drop is 3,000 minus 1,000, or 2,000 feet.
Pronunciation: [vur-ti-kuhl] [drop]
Also Known As: Vert
Examples:
At 5,133 ft, Whistler/Blackcomb has the greatest vertical drop of any ski or snowboard resort in North America.