Best small ski areas debate

For me, hands down, Discovery Ski Area near Anaconda, MT.  The backside is some of the steepest, tightest lift serve in the state.

Castle Mountain, AB. Not far from MT, 2 chairs, no one there and some of the best all-day powder turns I've ever had. Really great locals as well.

For me, hands down, Discovery Ski Area near Anaconda, MT.  The backside is some of the steepest, tightest lift serve in the state.

Yup, it is a great area.  We skied it once on a powder day arriving around noon on a Sunday and immediately went to the backside.  WOW, incredible terrain.

Red Lodge Mountain. Cole Creek Drainage. Nothing steeper or harder. 2400 mountain verts

Best in the country however is got to be BRIDGER BOWL.

Red Lodge Mountain.  Cole Creek Drainage.  Nothing steeper or harder.  2400 mountain verts

Best in the country however is got to be BRIDGER BOWL.

Bridger too big now too count as SMALL IMHO.

I think we should set some guidelines as to what counts as a small mountain.

For example:

number of lifts <=4 (no trams, gondolas, etc.)
vertical <= 2000' (this is tough, I guess it depends on how you define 'small')

Others that may be included:

local vibe factor (1-10 scale, obviously very subjective)
proximity to major metro area (the further away, the better, IMO)
ticket price < $50
backcountry/slackcountry access (1-10 scale)

any additional factors that can be quantified?