Home |
| Back Issues |
| Message Boards |
| Calendar of Events |
| Race Results |
| Current Weather |
Advertise |
| Free Issue |
| Subscribe |
| Distributors |
| About Us |
Winter Adventure in the Adirondacks
By Darryl Caron
If you enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding, the incredible beauty of the Adirondacks and Capital-Saratoga region in winter is unrivaled. The mountain resorts have terrain challenging enough for the expert and gentle enough for the novice. The wide trails that go on forever, great verticals, huge bumps, and glades galore all add up to magnificent skiing and boarding.
And, so far this winter is looking good. The Farmer's Almanac is calling for lots of snow in the Northeast, and we've got El Nothing-O in the Pacific messing with the weather — let it snow!
Whiteface and Gore Mountains continue to rank among the "Top Ten in the East" according to Ski and Skiing magazines. And Lake Placid, the Winter Olympics Village, continues to be one of America's top hosts for winter sports competitions. Here's a preview of ski and ride centers in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas, highlighting what's new, what's unique, and what's not. For comparison, I've listed the adult rate full day, weekend (non-holiday) lift ticket prices. All area codes are 518 unless listed.
In the northern Adirondacks, Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington has added face skiing that boosts its vertical drop to 3,350 fee — from its summit elevation of 4,867 feet! Whiteface has 67 trails (one-third each of most difficult, more difficult, easiest), and 10 lifts including the Cloudsplitter Gondola, which takes you from the base to the top of Little Whiteface in seven minutes. They have 97% snowmaking coverage (not including The Slides), a 425-foot FIS halfpipe, new terrain park trail, and lessons and rentals. The Slides is a 35-acre expert only area (open conditions permitting). Adult rate is $46. Call 946-2223, (800) 462-6236, or visit www.whiteface.com or www.ridewhiteface.com.
In the foothills, Titus Mountain near Malone, has a vertical drop of 1,350 feet, provides family skiing and snowboarding fun at affordable prices. With 26 trails (from beginner to expert), 8 chair lifts, night skiing, 95% snowmaking coverage, snow tubing, 2 lodges, lessons and rentals. Operating daily, nights Wed-Sat. Adult rate is $35. Call 483-3740, (800) 848-8766 or visit www.titusmountain.com.
In Saranac Lake, Mount Pisgah Veterans Memorial Ski Center is an excellent family slope offering 5 groomed trails (beginner and intermediate) for skiers and snowboarders and 1 T-bar lift. The ski area has a 300 feet vertical drop, 80% snowmaking, night skiing, and lessons in a casual atmosphere. Operating Tue-Sun, nights Tue-Fri. Adult rate is $18. Call 891-0970, 891-4150 or visit www.saranaclake.com.
In the Southeastern Adirondacks, Gore Mountain in North Creek has 3 mountains of skiing and riding, with a 2,100 feet vertical drop from its summit elevation of 3,600 feet! Gore offers 62 trails (30% most difficult, 60% more difficult, 10% beginner), and 9 lifts including the new Northwoods Gondola, which takes you from the base to the upper mountain in around 8 minutes. They have 95% snowmaking coverage, new trails on Bear Mountain, a halfpipe, a terrain park, glade skiing, cross country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, lessons and rentals. Adult rate is $34. Call 251-2411, (800) 342-1234 or visit www.goremountain.com.
In Warrensburg, Hickory Ski Center has a 1,280 feet vertical drop, the 6th highest of ski areas in NY on 15 trails (from easiest to most difficult). The snow is all natural... so let it snow. The advanced trails are reached by 2 poma lifts; T-bar services the beginner trails for skiers and snowboarders. Lessons available. Operating Sat-Sun. Adult rate is $34. Call 623-2825 or visit www.hickoryskicenter.com.
In Glens Falls, West Mountain has a 1,010 feet vertical drop with 22 trails (from easiest to most difficult) for skiers and snowboarders, serviced by 7 lifts. West has complete snowmaking, snow tubing, 2 lodges, lessons and rentals. Night skiing is available on 13 trails, which is 70% of their terrain. Operating daily, nights Mon-Fri. Adult rate is $35 (8 hour shift). Call 793-6606 or visit www.westmountain.com.
In Speculator, Oak Mountain Ski Center has a 650 feet vertical drop, serving up 13 trails (from beginner to expert) for skiers and snowboarders with 3 surface lifts. Oak offers great family skiing with a full range of basic, no-nonsense services including lessons, rentals, and a cafeteria with hearty, homestyle cooking. Operating Fri-Sun. Adult rate is $14. Call 548-7311 or email lpgerm@capital.net.
In the Capital-Saratoga region, Willard Mountain Ski & Ride Center south of Greenwich has a 505 feet vertical drop, 14 trails (from learning to steep, challenging terrain) and 4 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. Willard offers full snowmaking, night skiing, snow tubing, lessons and rentals. Operating Tue-Sun, nights Tue-Sat. Adult rate is $23 (8 hour shift). Call 692-7337, (800) 457-7667 or visit www.willardmountain.com.
In Rotterdam, Maple Ski Ridge has a 400 feet vertical drop offering 7 trails (from beginner to expert) and 4 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. Maple Ski Ridge offers great local skiing with snowmaking on 95% of their trails, snow tubing, a newly expanded lodge, lessons and rentals. Operating Sat-Sun, nights Tue-Sat. Adult rate is $21. Call 381-4700 or 377-5172.
In Caroga Lake, Royal Mountain has a 550 feet vertical drop, 14 trails (from beginner to expert), and 3 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. Royal provides fast lift service, snowmaking on 90% of its trails, a lodge with lounge, lessons and rentals. Operating Sat-Sun. Adult rate is $23. Call 835-6445.
In the Southwestern Adirondacks, McCauley Mountain in Old Forge with a 633 vertical drop has 14 trails (from beginner to challenging expert) and 6 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. McCauley has 65% snowmaking coverage, snow tubing, lessons and rentals. Operating Wed-Mon. Adult rate is $22. Call (315) 369-3225 or visit www.oldforgeny.com.
In Turin, Snow Ridge Ski Area has a 500 feet vertical drop, 22 trails (from intermediate to challenging expert) and 7 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. Snow Ridge has 50% snowmaking coverage, lessons and rentals. Operating daily, nights Thu-Fri. Adult rate is $26. Call (315) 348-8456, (800) 962-8419 or visit www.snowridge.com.
In the Central-Leatherstocking region, ski and snowboard resorts include: Shu-Maker Mountain in Little Falls with 22 trails and 3 lifts (800) 689-0969; Val Bialas in Utica with 5 trails and 2 lifts (315) 738-0328; and Woods Valley in Westernville with 12 trails and 3 lifts (315) 827-4721. In Watertown, there๊s Dry Hill with 7 trails and 3 lifts (800) 379-8584.
In the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock offers a vertical drop of 1,140 feet, 40 trails, and 9 lifts including a new 6-passenger high-speed chairlift, a half-pipe, and 93% snowmaking coverage. Operating daily & nights. Adult rate is $46. Call (413) 738-5500 or visit www.jiminypeak.com. In New Ashford, Brodie Mountain has a vertical drop of 1,250 feet, 40 trails, 6 lifts, 95% snowmaking coverage, snow tubing, and cross country skiing. Operating Wed-Sun daily & night. Adult rate is $40. Call (413) 443-4752 or visit www.skibrodie.com.
In Pittsfield, Bousquet Ski Area has 21 trails, 2 lifts, snow tubing, and night skiing. Call (413) 442-8316 or visit www.bousquets.com. In Great Barrington, Ski Butternut has 22 trails, 8 lifts, and cross country skiing. Call (413) 528-2000 or visit www.butternutbasin.com. In the upper Hudson Valley, Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale on the NY/MA border has 26 trails, 6 lifts, and night skiing. Call (800) 342-1840 or visit www.catamountski.com.
In future issues, we will preview the major ski and snowboard resorts in the Catskills, and the Green Mountains of Vermont in more details. For now, here's a list of the resorts including web addresses for more information.
In the northern Catskills the major resorts include:
Ski Windham www.skiwindham.com
Ski Plattekill www.plattekill.com
Hunter Mountain www.huntermtn.com
Ski & Board Cortina www.thecatskills.com
Ski Bobcat www.bobcatskicenter.com
Belleayre Mountain www.belleayre.com.
In the Green Mountains of Vermont the major resorts include:
Jay Peak Resort www.jaypeakresort.com
Stowe Mountain Resort www.stowe.com
Smuggler's Notch www.smuggs.com
Bolton Valley www.boltonvalleyvt.com
Sugarbush www.sugarbush.com
Mad River Glen www.madriverglen.com
Killington www.killington.com
Okemo Mountain Resort www.okemo.com
Magic Mountain www.magicmtn.com
Bromley Mountain www.bromley.com
Stratton (www.stratton.com)
Mount Snow (www.mountsnow.com).
With more than 40 skiing and snowboard centers, the Adirondacks and surrounding areas have mountain slopes challenging enough for the expert and gentle enough for the novice. With a host of country inns, friendly festivals, and activities for every age group, the resorts have everything — from skiing and snowshoeing to snow tubing and ice-skating. So plan the excitement of a winter day trip, weekend or vacation, and return again and again.
I encourage you to experience the great outdoors. Not just at the same resorts you've gone to in the past, try some new destinations; visit some of the smaller (or larger) ski and board centers that in many ways are unique. For a copy of the 2000-2001 NYS Winter Travel and Ski Guide call the NYS Division of Tourism at (800) CALL NYS or visit www.iloveny.state.ny.us.
Think snow!
Copyright© 2000 Adirondack Sports & Fitness. All Rights Reserved.