11 Best Adirondack Ski Resorts
Are you looking for the best place to spend your winter vacation? Are you a ski enthusiast that wants to teach your family how to ski? The Adirondacks offer some of the best skiing opportunities in the country. From beginner to advanced, there is a ski resort for everyone in the Adirondacks.
That being said, we’ve compiled some of the best Adirondack ski resorts so you can choose the perfect place for your winter getaway.
1. Whiteface
Located in Wilmington, Whiteface is one of the most popular Adirondack ski resorts. With an elevation of more than 4,600 feet, it is also the highest mountain in the Adirondacks. Whiteface has 87 trails and 53 acres of glade skiing as well as four terrain parks where both skiers and snowboarders can enjoy themselves. While it may be one of the busiest spots in Adirondack, it is also one of the most beautiful with amazing views of the High Peaks. Vertical drop? Whiteface has an outstanding 3,430 feet of vertical drop which makes the place a skiing and snowboarding paradise.
2. Gore Mountain
Gore Mountain is the largest ski resort in the Adirondacks. It is located in North Creek and has over 3,600 feet of elevation. Gore Mountain has 439 acres of skiable terrain with 110 trails, 14 lifts, and seven terrain parks where you can enjoy hours of skiing and snowboarding. It is also massive so you’ll never find yourself bored here. With a vertical drop of 2,537 feet, it is one of Adirondacks best ski resorts. Don’t have your own gear or happen to forget something? Gore Mountain has you covered with rentals and a retail shop on-site.
Pro Tip: Have your SKI3 loaded in advance for your convenience so you can avoid long lift lines.
3. Titus Mountain
Located at 215 Johnson Road, Malone, Titus Mountain has a family-friendly environment that makes it one of the best Adirondack ski resorts. This ski resort offers 50 runs, three terrain parks, as well as night skiing perfect for those who have a busy day schedule. They also have a variety of trails that are great for beginners and advanced skiers. Titus Mountain has 15 lit trails and two lit terrain parks that are open until 9 PM.
Want your kids to get involved in skiing as early as fourth grade? They have a special program for that too! The 411 deal of Titus Mountain gives fourth-grade students that participate in the Intro to Ski program a free season pass and rentals. It also comes with a free lift ticket and rental for a guardian.
4. West Mountain Ski Resort
Among the popular Adirondack ski resorts, West Mountain is the closest to the capital city, Albany. It is located in Queensbury and is only a 20-minute drive from Lake George. West Mountain Ski Resort offers day and night skiing and snowboarding. Bars and eateries as well as a rental shop are also available on-site.
West Mountain Ski Resort has 31 trails across 126 acres of skiable terrain perfect for any skill level. Considering the location and hotel and accommodation accessibility, the West Mountain Ski Resort is sure to give you a fantastic Adirondack skiing experience.
5. Oak Mountain
Located in Speculator, Oak Mountain is one of the best Adirondack ski resorts for those who are looking for a small and charming place. But don’t get us wrong, the place offers 22 alpine trails over 230 acres of skiable terrain and has a vertical drop of 650 feet. The place has two T-bars and one quad with an uphill lift capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour.
Not a fan of skiing and snowboarding action? Don’t worry! Oak Mountain has four lanes of snow tubing perfect for the whole family. They also offer a variety of ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and levels.
6. Snow Ridge
Located in Turin, Snow Ridge is a family-owned ski resort that offers stunning views of the Tug Hill Plateau. The place has 26 trails across 130 acres of skiable terrain and has a vertical drop of 500 feet. With 230 inches of snow per year and an elevation of 1,850 feet, Snow Ridge is a great place to ski and snowboard alone or with your family and friends.
Snow Ridge also offers night skiing every Thursday and Friday for those who don’t have the time to enjoy daytime skiing. Get a meal or just a drink to warm up at the on-site restaurant, The Tavern 230, after a long day of skiing and snowboarding or before heading back out again. The place also has two terrain parks and six lifts that include a quad, two triples, and three surface lifts.
7. Hickory Ski Center
Founded in 1945 by members of the American 10th Mountain Division, Hickory Ski Center was once known as Hickory Hill. It is just located north of Lake George in Warrensburg and is one of the oldest ski resorts in New York. Hickory Ski Center offers 19 trails across 225 acres of skiable terrain and has a vertical drop of 1,100 feet. There are three lifts that let you access all different kinds of terrain perfect for any level.
8. Woods Valley
South West of the Adirondacks is where Wood Valley is situated. The place offers 14 trails across 50 acres of skiable terrain. It has a vertical drop of 500 feet and an elevation of 1,400 feet. Wood Valley Ski Resort has three lifts which include two doubles. T-bar, magic carpet, and snow tubing are also available on-site.
The ski center is near Delta Lake so you can enjoy its view while sliding down the slopes. The resort is also close to Rome, New York, which is home to the popular Turning Stone Resort Casino so you can enjoy some entertainment after a long day of skiing.
Woods Valley also offers Learn to Ski or Learn Snowboard packages if you are a beginner and wish to learn the fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding. Both packages include an Easy Acres lift pass, rental equipment, and a group lesson where you can learn with other beginners.
10. McCauley Mountain
Another must-visit ski resort in New York is McCauley Mountain. The place is located in Old Forge and is one of the largest ski areas in New York. They are open for an average of 105 days per year which makes them one of the longest-operating ski areas in the state.
McCauley Mountain has a base elevation of 2,200 and a vertical drop of 633 feet. The place offers two T-bar rows, two rope tows, and one double chairlift that provides access to 23 different trails. From beginner runs to advanced runs and everything in between, McCauley Mountain has it all. They also offer ski and snowboard lessons for all levels as well as a variety of winter camping options. Watch out for some of the place’s special deals to get the most out of your skiing and snowboarding experience.
11. Beartown
The last ski resort on our list, but definitely not the least, is Beartown. Located in Platt, NY, Beartown has been around since the late 1950s. The ski resort offers different activities that everyone of any age or skill level can enjoy. This includes skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross country trails, ski team, lessons, and T-bar.
The place also has a lodge and concessions where visitors can enjoy a meal and relax after a day of skiing and snowboarding. The full adult rate for a day is only $24, making it one of the most affordable ski resorts in New York State. Beartown also offers discounts for students and military personnel, as well as special rates for families. Having a tubing party? Beartown provides party rates at $325 for three full hours of fun!
Which Ski Resort Is Best for You?
Wondering which ski resort is the best for you? Consider your level, budget, and what you are looking for in your skiing or snowboarding experience. The best ski resort is the one that can give you the time of your life. If you have time and resources, we highly suggest that you check out all 11 ski resorts on our list. Not a single one of them will disappoint.
Do a little research as to which ski resorts offer the best programs that will suit your needs, and consider its location, amenities, and accommodations nearby. By following these tips, we are confident that you will find the best ski resort in New York for you.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip and experience the best that the Adirondack ski resorts have to offer!