Skiing
New York State

© Traveling Times, Inc.

In New York State there's almost as much up and down as there is side to side. And it's not just in New York City, the world's unquestioned champion of skyscrapers and high-rises.

     Rather, you'll find most of New York State's vertical challenges away from Manhattan, among the 50 ski resorts spread across nine state regions, ranging from the Hudson River Valley (within easy driving distance of New York City) to the most western region of the state.

     While it doesn't often receive the notoriety enjoyed by Colorado and British Columbia, with resorts like Aspen, Vail, Copper Mountain and Whistler, New York State is nonetheless one of the most ski-frantic areas in the entire country.

     And when you add the 100 downhill trails of neighboring Vermont's 17 alpine ski resorts, the six ski resorts of New Hampshire, and Quebec's resorts across the Canadian border, the most populated part of the continent is well served with a wide variety of skiing and snow boarding experiences, from beginners' slopes to international playgrounds.

Lake Placid

The state's headliner, of course, is Lake Placid, the site for both the 1932 and 1970 Olympic Winter Games. In fact, few places anywhere on the continent provide so many wintertime vacation possibilities.

     For that you can thank the legacy of the Olympics. The facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid are now operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, including Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain ski areas, the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, and the Olympic ice and jumping complexes.

     The Lake Placid area is within the Adirondack region, located in the northeastern part of the state, with 10 major ski hills/resorts scattered throughout the mountains.

     Whiteface, with a vertical drop of 3,216 ft., is higher than any ski resort east of the Rockies. And the views seen as you ascend the mountain includes thousands of acres of pristine forest and Lake Champlain. There are 66 trails at Whiteface, including glades, which span 170 acres. All of the trails are snow boarder friendly.

     Gore, though a smaller mountain with a vertical drop of 2,100 ft., still offers plenty of choice with seven chair lifts and 25 trails ranging from beginner to expert.

     And, of course, no trip to the area would be complete without visiting Lake Placid itself and the Olympic Village that is set within the six million-acre Adirondack Park.

     There are hundreds of miles of cross-country skiing trails easily accessible from the village. And, between the speed skating oval and the area's lakes, there are almost endless opportunities to ice skate.

     In addition, dog sled trips across Mirror Lake and breathtaking rides at the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute add a sense of adventure off the ski hills.

     Take a ride on a bobsled or luge at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, see a competition at the Olympic Ski Jumps, cross-country ski on the trails at the Olympic Sports Complex, or watch some of the world's finest skaters take to the ice at the Olympic Arena.

     The village itself, without traffic jams, strip shopping malls or tangles of flickering neon, offers quaint and cozy shops selling everything from outdoor gear and apparel to gourmet foods, rare books and Adirondack crafts.

     Throughout the village, there is an endless variety of charming lodging properties, family owned restaurants, inviting apres-ski pubs and nightclubs.

Other Ski Areas

But, there are plenty of other choices for New York bound skiers and snow boarders in the Capital/Saratoga, Catskills, Central Leatherstocking, Chautauqua/Allegheny, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley Niagara, and Thousand Islands regions of the state.

     At Finger Lakes you will find a vast region that stretches from Pennsylvania all the way up to Lake Ontario. Located on the Allegheny Plateau, the area is not only well known for the unusual shapes of its lakes, but also for its world class wineries and maple sugaring.

     The bigger sites, such as Bristol Mountain Ski & Snow Boarding Resort in Canandaigua, Greek Peak at Cortland, Toggenburg near Fabius, Labrador at Truxton, and Song Mountain at Tully, range from 700 ft. to 1,200 ft. in vertical drops. Bristol is the biggie at 1,200 ft.

     But, regardless of the size of the hill, the entire region makes ample use of the nearby lake for snowmobiling, fishing, cross-country skiing, and other winter related activities.

     Just southwest of Finger Lakes, the Chauatauqua area that borders Pennsylvania offers Peak'n Peak Resort among the area's five ski hills and accompanying resort facilities.

     Near Clymer, Peak'n Peak has a 400-foot vertical drop (with the longest run being 4,100 ft.) and 27 trails accessed by nine lifts.

     The Catskills, with its 11 ski resorts and ski areas are within an easy two-hour drive from New York City and offer the highest hills next to the Adirondacks. The major hills have vertical drops that range from 400 ft. at Maple Ski Ridge near Schenectady to the 1,600-foot Hunter Resort at Hunter.

     With all these resorts combined, in New York State you have one of the most exciting varieties of ski and snow boarding experiences to be found anywhere in the country.
-By Ray Chatelin