9 Best New York Ski Resorts
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When you think of ski destinations in the United States, places like Colorado, Wyoming, and a slew of New England states likely come to mind first. However, there’s one place that shouldn’t be overlooked when planning U.S.-based ski adventures — New York state. There are more than 50 ski resorts sprinkled across the state, each offering its own perks for everyone from brand-new beginners to seasoned pros.
“A fun fact about New York is that it has more ski resorts than any state in the U.S., and there’s a lot of diversity within those resorts,” Dan Sherman, the chief marketing officer of Ski.com, shared with Travel + Leisure. “Lake Placid, known for being the two-time host of the Winter Olympics, is our most popular destination due to its fame, extensive terrain, and the variety of activities it offers. For example, in addition to spending the day at Whiteface Mountain for skiing or riding, visitors can experience what it’s like to be an Olympic bobsledder or skeleton at the Lake Placid Olympic Sports Stadium.”
Ready to plan your winter sports escape? Here are 9 of the best ski resorts in New York.
Gore Mountain
© NYSDED- Photo by Darren McGee
Gore Mountain, nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, is a sprawling winter paradise. In fact, Gore has the most skiable terrain in the state. The resort offers gentle trails for beginners and more challenging terrain for those with a bit more experience. It’s also a mountain ideal for those who care about keeping wild places wild. The mountain has a robust sustainability program and works alongside the Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure it operates with environmentally friendly practices.
Related: 10 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S.
Hunter Mountain
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Hunter Mountain, located in the Catskills, is known for its consistent winter experience (thanks to its snow-making program) and for being one of the easiest-to-reach mountains from the city. “One of the most accessible resorts is Hunter Mountain, located just 2.5 hours away by car from New York City,” Colin Smith, a Ski.com mountain travel expert, said. This is the perfect option for anyone in the area interested in enjoying a special weekend away or for locals who are eager to get their legs ready for a bigger trip out west to the Rockies or east to the Alps.
Whiteface Mountain
Frank DeBonis/Getty Images
Whiteface Mountain offers skiers and riders the chance to feel like an Olympian. After all, the mountain was the site of the 1980 Winter Games. Here, visitors can carve their turns down slopes that face Lake Placid and explore the Olympic facilities in their downtime. Guests can even take part in the bobsled experience and see how they’d fare against gold medalists.
Windham Mountain Club
© NYSDED-Photo by Darren McGee
Windham Mountain Club is a charming resort found in the northern Catskills that’s ideal for families thanks to its ski school for kids as young as three years old. The mountain is home to 54 groomed trails, along with six progressive terrain parks to help beginners advance to the next stage of their trick riding. And don’t miss the resort’s non-skiing activities, like snowshoe and yoga adventures.
Come Along on T+L’s Top U.S. Adventures
Belleayre Mountain
Courtesy of Belleayre
Belleayre is the place to be for skiers and riders looking for a quieter escape with fewer crowds. Its diverse terrain — including 22 percent beginner, 58 percent intermediate, and 20 percent expert trails — makes it a great place for families and groups of friends with different levels of ability, or anyone who wants to enjoy the mostly easy trails. It’s also a spot where you can always expect a good time, as the mountain regularly hosts events like holiday bazaars and live music performances.
Related: 20 Best Ski Resorts in the World
Bristol Mountain
Courtesy of Bristol Mountain
Bristol Mountain, located in the Finger Lakes region, offers skiers and riders the chance to ski down well-maintained trails, each offering more beautiful views than the last. The mountain is tiny, no doubt, with just 39 trails and two high-speed quads, but that’s more than enough to deliver a good time. Pair it with a nearby wine tasting adventure for a well-rounded Finger Lakes vacation.
Titus Mountain
© NYSDED-Photo by Darren McGee
Titus Mountain sits close to the Canadian border in the town of Malone. It’s a family-friendly mountain offering skiing and tubing during the day and night skiing on 15 lit trails after dark. The mountain offers just a handful of trails, including several greens, blues, and even a few double black diamonds, so there is something for every skill level. It also keeps things affordable for everyone looking to shred, with day lift tickets starting at $39 and season passes for just $199.
Willard Mountain
Courtesy of Willard Mountain
Willard Mountain, located in the eastern part of the state, is another small-but-mighty ski resort. The mountain only offers 16 trails, and only two are greens, so it’s ideal for advanced skiers looking for challenging terrain. Don’t worry, beginners: There’s also a small learning center and a ski school where you can learn the basics before tackling the larger slopes. Willard Mountain also offers night skiing for those looking to take a few turns under the stars.
Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Courtesy of Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Greek Peak is Central New York’s largest ski resort, with 44 trails and six chairlifts, offering plenty of terrain for all. It even includes a little off-piste fun with plentiful glade sections and several freestyle terrain areas. And, once guests are done on the slopes for the day, they can have a little more fun at the resort’s year-round indoor water park, where it’s always 84 degrees and sunny.
