New York's Winter Wonderland: Top Ski Resorts Revealed
From the Catskills to the Adirondacks, New York State is mountainous, which provides ample opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts to hit the slopes. Whether you’re just strapping on the skis for the first time or you’re a seasoned veteran of the sport, there is a mountain for everyone to enjoy in the Empire State. Here are our favorites.
Gore Mountain, North Creek, NY
New York’s largest ski resort spans four mountains in the Adirondacks, boasting 119 runs and 2,537 feet of vertical drop. Ninety percent of Gore’s trails are intermediate or advanced, and there are also cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails on the mountain.
Whiteface Mountain Resort, Lake Placid, NY
One of the most prominent ski resorts in the state (and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondacks), Whiteface was the home of the 1980 Winter Olympics and still draws scores of winter athletes today. At 3,429 feet, it has the largest vertical drop of any mountain on the East. Whiteface also has training facilities, a terrain park, a bobsled, a luge, ice skating, and snow shoeing.
Hunter Mountain, Hunter, NY
Hunter Mountain is one of the most popular ski destinations in the Catskills. The ski resort has 58 trails, 11 lifts, a terrain park, extensive snowmaking, and high-quality training facilities, making it perfect for families and single skiers alike. Although it’s just a few hours from New York City, luxury lodging is available and worth it for a weekend trip.
Windham Mountain Resort, Windham, NY
Rivaling Hunter Mountain, Windham is another high-quality ski resort in the Catskills. The family-friendly mountain boasts five terrain parks, 53 runs, and a 1,600-foot vertical drop. Practice your freestyle skiing on the resort’s Big Air bag or try your hand at night skiing.
Belleayre Mountain, Highmount, NY
Perfect for intermediate skiers, Belleayre Mountain boasts 58 percent blue square trails, two terrain parks, and the enjoyable 7,000-foot Deer Run. Young kids will love the SkiWee Carousel, while advanced skiers can explore the glades at the top of the mountain. Extensive snowmaking ensures trails will be covered all season long.
Plattekill Mountain, Roxbury, NY
Plattekill Mountain has something for everyone. Of its 35 trails, 40 percent are advanced, 40 percent are intermediate, and 20 percent are beginner. The Catskills ski mountain is one of the few ski resorts still independently owned by a family, so you’ll get an authentic small mountain experience when you go. Check out the snow tubing and the old-school rustic lodge.
Catamount, Hillsdale, NY
Straddling the border between New York and Massachusetts, this 36-run ski mountain has a lot to offer snowboarders as well as skiers. Catamount’s terrain park has a Big Air jump, rails, table tops, and a 400-foot half pipe. Catamount is easy to get to from most parts of the Hudson Valley, Western Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.
West Mountain, Queensbury, NY
This small ski mountain in the lower Adirondacks is favored by skiers in the Albany area for its proximity to the capital. Fifty-five percent of the 29 runs are intermediate, and the mountain offers night skiing, snow making, and a terrain park.
Titus Mountain Family Ski Center, Malone, NY
Titus Mountain is local-family-owned, offering North Country skiers a chance to ski the foothills of the Adirondacks for affordable prices. Skiers access 50 runs across the three peaks via 10 different lifts. Night skiing is available in the “Moon Valley” area.
Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Patterson, NY
This small but well-groomed Hudson Valley ski mountain is convenient for ski lovers in Manhattan to get a quick fix. Thunder Ridge has six lifts and 30 runs, and makes enough snow to cover every trail. City folks don’t even need a car to get there. They just take the “ski train” from Grand Central to Patterson and hop on a shuttle bus to the mountain.
Key Insights at a Glance
