Snowstorm Izzy Promises A Great Ski Season - A Quick Guide To Where To Go Skiing In New York State

New York State has more to offer to ski enthusiasts than any other state in the US. Of the many—43 at last count—ski areas, five of the top ski resorts are at most a 3-hour drive from New York City.

The most popular ski destinations are Whiteface, Gore Mountain, Windham, Hunter Mountain and Belleayre—the larger of them in the Adirondacks and the Catskill Mountains.

The great news is that the 2022 season—thanks to snowstorm Izzy—appears to be graced with an abundance of snow. Here are some snowfall stats from January 2022 (this month).

Belleayre - 8 inches

Buffalo Ski Center - 1.5 feet

Greek Peak - 8 inches

Holiday Valley - 10 inches

Hunter - 14 inches

Labrador Mountain - 6 inches

Peek ’n Peak - 1 foot+

The state of New York provides ski reports in terms of surface conditions in the various destinations.

Here is a list of the two-letter abbreviations developed by the New York Ski Industry Association:

BS=Bare Spots; CL=Closed; CO=Corn; FG=Frozen Granular; HP=Hard Pack; IP=Ice Patches; IS=Icy Surface; LG=Loose Granular; O=Open; P=Powder; PP=Packed Powder; SC=Spring Conditions; SM=Snowmaking in progress; TC=Thin Cover; V=Variable; WG=Wet Granular; WP=Wet Powder

These codes are per the state safety laws and related standards, but also serve as an indication of how fulfilling a ski trip is going to be. Ski Areas of New York, Inc. is a trade organization that serves up information about ski areas and is a trove of information. 

Skiing has always attracted new enthusiasts—people interested in learning how to ski. And to serve that perennial need, every ski resort typically offers slopes for beginners and on-site trainers.

This YouTube channel https://explo.in/3o64E1q has a number of videos that break you in. (Watching ski tute videos might seem a little like learning to swim from a book, but a little visual grounding before getting to a ski destination never hurts.)

So the only way to start a lifetime affair with this most prestigious of winter activities is to start by hitting the slopes.

Pick the destination that offers the easiest access for you and well, get there. We have some information here on the destinations but there are more. We recommend going to one of the better known destinations, if only because they tend to be a little better serviced.

Make sure to check each ski area’s website and subscribe to receive last-minute deals and offers!

And please remember to social distance and wear a mask as required by state guidelines.

Gore Mountain (Adirondacks)

Operating for more than eighty years, Gore Mountain is the largest ski resort in New York. Spread over four peaks in the Adirondack Mountains, this premier ski destination has 110 ski trails, a vertical drop of 2,547 feet, and enough terrain for even the most demanding skier. The mountain has 14 lifts, including an eight-passenger gondola and two high-speed quad chairs.

Chair lifts have been upgraded and the resort now features six food options—from sit-down restaurants with a view to quick cafeterias.

Whiteface Mountain (Adirondacks)

You will find the largest vertical drop here—3,400 feet. Whiteface is more for the intermediate and advanced skier, but a good portion is beginner-friendly.

A major attraction nearby is Lake Placid—home of the 1980 and 1932 Winter Olympics—and is full of great restaurants and entertainment. An afternoon and evening on main street is nothing short of engaging.

Windham Mountain (Catskills)

For a family-friendly year-round resort in the Catskills within a few hours' driving distance of New York City, head to Windham Mountain in Windham.

This fantastic ski resort offers up 1,900 feet of vertical drop and is spread out over two mountains. The 11 lifts can move over 20,000 people uphill each hour.

This area is great for snowboarding. Six terrain parks offer all sorts of fun to challenging terrain to negotiate. 

Holiday Valley Resort (Chautauqua Allegheny)

Holiday Valley in the storybook village of Ellicottville is like several ski areas folded into one, with long straight cruisers, steep short black diamonds, and twisty routes down through large evergreens. 

Bristol Mountain (Finger Lakes)

This ski area features 138 acres of total skiable terrain, with 38 runs across a variety of terrain and ability levels. 

Hunter Mountain (Catskills)

In less than a 3-hour drive from New York City is Hunter Mountain. This resort is spread out over four mountains, and the ski runs are evenly split among beginner, intermediate, and advanced. 

Belleayre Ski Center (Catskills)

Also located in the Catskills—which means it is three hours from New York City—Belleayre is family-friendly.

In addition to skiing, the area offers three snowboard parks. Cross-country (Nordic) skiing is available and free. Ski instruction is available easily