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Family Travel, Hotels & Resorts, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Skiing with Baby? Palisades Tahoe in California’s Sierra Nevada Proves Ideal for Multigenerational Ski Holiday

January 21, 2025 krubin723 Leave a comment

*Skiing Palisades Tahoe © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Eric Leiberman & Sarah Falter, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

As our three-generational family with baby in tow pulls into Palisades Tahoe, a premier mountain resort in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, after a three-hour drive from Sonoma we are greeted with the Olympic flame – a reminder of having hosted the 1960 Olympics when this cherished ski destination was called Squaw Valley. Palisades Tahoe is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this season (it opened on Thanksgiving, 1949), and all season long, is honoring its origins, heritage and place in developing skiing. But what really impresses us is how the resort has incorporated technology and understanding of what skiers and riders need and want into its state-of-the-art facilities.

*Watching the skiers come down to the base at Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

From the Village base, you can’t appreciate just how vast Palisades Tahoe resort. Unlike most ski mountains (especially in the Northeast), where you can see the trails meander from the summit like fingers stretching down, you can’t see the slopes. Instead, the trails seem to fold into onto themselves into the undulating hills and peaks (six on Palisades Tahoe and two more on Alpine) – making it really interesting and exciting to explore and discover. Indeed, the lifts take you over peaks so as you ride, the mountain reveals itself in dramatic fashion.

*For such a vast ski area – 270 trails over 6000 skiable acres – Palisades Tahoe is remarkably easy to navigate, thanks to the tools the resort provides © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Imagine: 270 trails spread over 6,000 skiable acres across eight peaks. Such a massive network can be intimidating, but Palisades Tahoe does a stellar job to ease the way for newcomers, beginners, low intermediates and infrequent skiers, and people (like me) coming from the Northeast where ski areas are one-tenth the size. But thanks to the incredible support – including a ‘first-timer” website, resort app, ambassadors, and great signage, very soon you do get the hang of it. And once you do, skiing/snowboarding at this magnificent mountain destination, which affords some of the most spectacular vistas in the world, is thrilling.

Indeed, Palisades Tahoe is an “upside down” mountain, its trails designed with the most plentiful and interesting greens and blues at the top, so even beginners and low intermediates get the full experience and awe of the spectacular vistas that make Palisades Tahoe such a special place.

*Taking in the awesome view as you travel the tram to High Camp at Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Palisades Tahoe, which changed its famous name of Squaw Valley in 2021 out of respect to the indigenous Washoe people who occupied this land before – is now part of Alterra Mountain Company’s vast portfolio of mountain destinations and one of 58 global resorts included in Alterra’s Ikon Pass program. This is (and always was) a high-end, luxurious resort with the finest, state of the art lifts and services. Its phenomenal lift network (a mindboggling 43 lifts), multitude of peaks, and especially its European-style tram, make you feel you are skiing the Alps rather than California’s Sierra Nevada. (Its tram is iconic, and one of the older ones is repurposed as a bar at the base.)

Also, the Funitel which operates from the base, is the only one of its kind in North America, operating on two cables for enhanced stability. (It is recommended for beginners and low intermediates to ride down, rather than ski down Mountain Run, a 3.2 mile-long blue trail, not so much for its difficulty, but because it is narrow and can be crowded with fast skiers.)

*The European-style tram at Palisades Tahoe makes you think you are skiing the Alps instead of California’s Sierra Nevada © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Riding the tram up to High Camp, at 8,200 ft. elevation, where you are greeted with the Olympic rings and where the heritage of having hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics (it was known as Squaw Valley then) lives on, proves one of our favorite experiences.

*The tram pulls into High Camp where the Terrace Café provides the most spectacular place to enjoy wine and the view © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Here you find the Terrace Restaurant and Bar and Granite Bistro-Pizza where you can sit at walls of windows with the most magnificent views all the way to Lake Tahoe, as well as the High Camp Marketplace and a porch area that is the most magnificent viewing platform.

*The Terrace Café at High Camp at Palisades Tahoe provides the most spectacular place to enjoy wine and the view © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You also find the Olympic Museum with interesting artifacts, photos, prints of news headlines and lists of medal winners, and a video (free admission). The 1960 Olympics was most notable for USA’s Carol Heiss winning gold in figure skating and taking the Olympic oath on behalf of all the athletes, the first time a woman had this honor; Penny Pitou winning silver in Women’s Downhill and Giant Slalom, and USA winning gold in hockey over Canada and USSR (free admission).

*The Olympic Rings outside the Olympic Museum at Palisades Tahoe, which hosted the 1960 Olympics when the resort was known as Squaw Valley © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There is also a small exhibit that honors the legacy of the indigenous Washoe people.

What is more, there is an actual skating rink, which was closed during COVID and awaiting restoration.

High Camp can be enjoyed by green and blue skiers (as well as the most advanced skiers who go through narrow, ridiculously steep openings between boulders) have access to a range of trails.

*Take the tram up to High Camp for a first time on snow! © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Nonskiers can also purchase a ticket for the tram to enjoy this area. (It’s also where Eric and Sarah take the baby for his first experience playing on snow!)

Considering how Palisades Tahoe is a world-class, world-famous destination drawing from far and wide (especially with the benefits of being part of Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass which incentivizes people to explore new destinations), what strikes me is the unpretentious, easy-going California-friendly feel – very possibly because it is about 4 hours drive from San Francisco, about 3 from Sonoma, so has its regulars who come season after season.

*Palisades Tahoe is an “upside down” mountain – green and blue skiers get the benefit of the view to Lake Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Of all the ski destinations we have visited, none make it easier for a newcomer, first-timer, beginner or infrequent skier to orient to the mountain, which makes the logistics as convenient as possible, especially for a ski area as humongous as Palisades Tahoe.

*The trails at Palisades Tahoe seem to fold into the mountains © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Inside Tip: The paper map (yes, REALLY helpful), has a progression plan that lists the lifts and the trails in an order. Also, there are helpful ambassadors at the base. People you wind up riding the gondola or chairlift with also provide the benefit of their experience. We strongly urge visitors to read the “first timers guide” on the website (https://www.palisadestahoe.com/explore/first-timers-guide)

You will get the most out of the mountain by downloading its Palisades Tahoe App.that gives up up-to-date information on lifts and trail status, parking availability (notably, the parking lot is right at the village, a short walk to the lifts) and road conditions, and maps in your hand. You can also use the app to track your progress on the slopes. A new navigation tool within the app allows you to easily identify terrain that aligns with your ability level and guides you how to reach those areas at the resort. (https://www.palisadestahoe.com/palisades-tahoe-app)

Just how vast? Palisades Tahoe offers 3,600 skiable acres; of its 170 trails, five terrain parks and 16 bowls.

*Skiing Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Of the 170 trails on Palisades Tahoe, 25% are beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced (the biggest surprise for me was the quantity and quality of green and blue trails, especially from the top). One of the hardest trails, K-2 – that the most advanced skiers have to hike to once they get off the lift – is world famous, while the longest trail, Mountain Run, at 3.2 miles, is graded intermediate (beginners and low intermediates are advised to take the Funitel down to the base not because the trail is difficult but that it is narrow and highly trafficked that can be intimidating).

Palisades Tahoe has a vertical rise of 2,850 feet, rising from a base elevation: 6,200’ to a peak elevation of 9,050’. Its six mountain peak are Snow King (7,552’); Broken Arrow (8,030’); KT-22 (8,070’); Emigrant (8,774’); Washeshu Peak (8,885’, its name changing soon); and Granite Chief (9,006’). It gets annual average annual snowfall of 400 inches (yet 300 sunny days a year!), but still has snowmaking at 11 out of 29 lifts.

Once I get my ski legs back on the greens from the Big Blue Express, I venture over to the Gold Coast Express and enjoys Gold Coast Face (the easiest blue), Mystery and Emigrant Gully. I appreciate the excellent signage that points to the easiest way down, how to get back to a lift, and even signs that warn against beginners or low intermediates from venturing down a particular trail, or taking a particular lift. And even on a busy Saturday morning, the lift line never takes long.

*Watching a skier come down the black diamond trail into the base from our balcony at The Village at Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Alpine is an experience in itself- just getting there with the new Base-to-Base gondola, which opened for the 2022-23 season, offers quite a ride with gorgeous views as it traverses the mountain peaks (it makes two stops along the way). But this involves a little bit of strategic planning, since the gondola often has holds for the wind, in which case, there is a shuttle bus available to go back to the other base.

*Skiing Alpine © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Alpine, which for many years was its own ski area, has a vertical rise of 1,802 ft, from a base elevation at 6,835’ to a peak at 8,637’. It has two mountain peaks, Ward Peak (8,637’) and Scott (8,289’). It offers 100 trails (25% Beginner, 40% Intermediate and 35% Advanced) and seven bowls on 2,400 skiable acres accessed by 11 lifts, with an uphill capacity of 19,400 people per hour (snowmaking on 9 of them).

At Alpine, Eric especially enjoys the Lake View lift to the summit with a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe, where you can get to two great blues, Outer Limits and Twilight Zone.

Village at Palisades

Considering how vast and expansive Palisades Tahoe is, we so appreciate the logistics, especially for our multigenerational family traveling with a baby.

When we arrive at the Village at Palisades,after pulling into its own secure underground garage with elevator access to the floor, and enter our two-bedroom condo (full kitchen, dining table, living room, two bathrooms), we walk out to the balcony and are awed by the view: we are literally the closest we can possibly be to the Funitel, Base-to-Base Gondola and aerial tram, with gorgeous views of the mountain faces. The logistics prove ideal since we will be taking turns skiing and taking care of Eric and Sarah’s baby. (Palisades Tahoe does not have on-site childcare but there are daycare options nearby you can find at its website.)

The luxurious condo offers marvelous amenities – the resort charge includes garage parking, high speed internet, towels in the spa, local and toll free phone calls, 24-hour front desk, guest computer with printing, board and Xbox games to borrow at the front desk, in-room coffee and tea, multiple WiFi hot spots throughout the resort. Other guest amenities include access to eight hot tubs, four sauna, three fitness rooms, media room, and HD TVs, pool table and children’s room and guest laundry among the five, tastefully designed buildings that make up the Village resort.

*Dusk at Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Staying in The Village isn’t just massively convenient (especially with the baby) and delightfully pleasant, but we get to look out as the first golden rays of sun touch the mountain peak just outside our balcony, and watch how the sun creates a pinkish aura as it sets.

I enjoy my time strolling my grandbaby around and poking into the cute shops and galleries while Eric and Sarah ski – the village is most pleasant. I especially love the fun place to hang out under the tram and Funitel and watch the skiers come down, as a DJ spins music. We also discover a yoga studio and Sarah takes a morning class before skiing.

*The Village at Palisades Tahoe © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are about a dozen restaurants, cafes, eateries in the Village (one has karaoke on a Friday night), a market, shops and a fantastic photo gallery.

Also the resort is also just a short hop into Tahoe City – a charming mountain village alongside Lake Tahoe, where we enjoy two fun pubs, Bridgetender Tavern and Shadyside Lounge – which got crowded, real fast.

Programs, Events, Clinics & Happy Hour

Among the many marvelous programs and clinics offered at Palisades Tahoe one that got my attention was an opportunity to join a free, interactive on-the-mountain Guided Tour with a UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) Scientist to learn the environmental history of Alpine Meadows and the role of the US Forest Service and public lands at Palisades Tahoe. The one-hour tours are offered at 1pm on Fridays, mid-February through March, from the Alpine Lodge (https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/ski-scientist)

Sunset Happy Hour at High Camp; enjoy a champagne toast and breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the snowcapped peaks as the sun sets behind the Sierras (select winter dates, December-February; 4-6 pm, $24; pick up tickets, vouchers at tram base https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/activity-finder/sunset-happy-hour)

Guided Snowshoe Tour & Chalet Dinner at Alpine: This dining adventure starts at the Last Chair Bar in the Alpine base lodge with a hot glass of mulled wine and a 15-minute walk up a moderately pitched ski trail to the Chalet at Alpine for a four-course Bavarian inspired meal. (snowshoes provided). ($140, must be 21+, https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/activity-finder/snowshoe-tour-chalet-dinner).

Among other activities and special events (check the listing): snow tubing (and disco tubing); Ikon Pass Thursdays Clinic; 3-Day All-Mountain Experience; 3-Day Women of Winter Camp; Telemark Clinic.

A four-day Lift Pack saves up to 40% on lift tickets (ski any four days throughout the season); a Demo 4-Pack lets you try different gear; a perfect Progression Program helps first-time skiers and riders (13+) after three beginner lessons at Alpine, you get complimentary unrestricted pass for Palisades Tahoe.

Calling itself the Spring Skiing Capital®, Palisades Tahoe keeps its slopes open through Memorial Day. The Skiers and riders can explore Palisades Tahoe and beyond with the Ikon Pass, which provides access to 58 top ski destinations. (Ikon Passholders have access to a travel desk to help arrange the trip.) But Lake Tahoe is very much a four-season outdoor adventureland – you can even bike 80 miles around Lake Tahoe.

Located off Highway 89, between Truckee and Tahoe City, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Palisades is 42 miles from Reno, 96 miles from Sacramento, and 196 miles from San Francisco via Interstate 80.

Visit Palisades Tahoe, www.palisadestahoe.com, 800-403-0206.

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International Travel, Resorts & Hotels, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Best of the Alps Destinations, Where Skiing Began, Showcase Heritage, Authenticity

January 6, 2025 krubin723

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Best of the Alps, a tourism promotion consortium founded more than 40 years ago, recently came to town to remind American travel writers that this is where skiing began over 100 years ago and that these iconic destinations are still for the most part villages and towns where people live year-round, where tourists come year-round, and where you can be immersed in heritage and traditions as you experience all that the mountains have to offer.

*Best of the Alps is a consortium of 10 resorts, with a centuries long heritage of tourism.*

“There is more to skiing than a purpose-built resort,” said, Sammy Salm, CEO of the Best of Alps. “These villages have existed for 100 years, some for more than 300 years, attracting summer travelers. Then, 155 years ago, some hotels decided to stay open in winter.” They built the first motor-driven ski lift, hosted the first Winter Olympics.

These are the most authentic places, he noted. Most of the businesses have been in the same family for generations. There are cultural and sports events throughout the year – some 1,000 in 10 destinations – covering all manner of interests. You enjoy cuisine that reflects the locality – “farm to table” before the expression was a thing.

There are iconic hotels – some five star, some with a century of history but with the modern amenities and technology to suit today’s skiers, even Americans. And while the Alps are regarded as upscale, there are accommodations to meet every budget and style of travel – you can find hostels; cool, trendy boutiques; hotels ideal for families, multi-generational families and women traveling solo. “There is something for every level, age, interest, summer and winter.”

Best of the Alps Span Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy: Chamonix Mont-Blanc, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Crans-Montana, Kitzbuhel, Megeve, Garmisch-Partenkirghen, Lech Zurs am Arlberg, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Courmayeur, and Davos – each manifesting its own charm and authentic style, a strong sense of place, identity. Together, they form the “cradle of skiing.”

“If you like skiing, you will want to go to the Alps at least once,” reflects Cortina’s Maria Alessandra Montuori.

***Cortina D’Ampezzo,*** *the “Queen of the Dolomites” in a national park within a UNESCO World Heritage Area, epitomizes charm, glamour and elegance (photo: Cortina Marketing)*

Cortina D’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites” in a national park within a UNESCO World Heritage Area, epitomizes charm, glamour and elegance. Today, it is in northern Italy, but for 400 years (until 1900), Cortina was part of Austro-Hungarian Empire, so manifests an Austrian ambiance. There is evidence of ancient Roman settlements, traces of the Barbarians. During its strategic geographic location on one of the crossings through the Alps, Cortina was part of the Republic of Venice and even today is on the Venice Simplon train route from Paris to Venice. The railway arrived in the mid-1800s bringing the first wealthy Anglo-Saxon, German and Russian travelers. Newspaper articles and guidebooks written by pioneering mountaineers soon made Cortina d’Ampezzo known all over the world. Beginning in 1896, Cortina’s “purity of air” made it one of the first tuberculosis retreats. Visitors started playing golf in summer (there are two courses), then skiing. Today, the town of 6,000 inhabitants offers 20,000 guest beds, 85 restaurants and 200 shops.

Set on a plateau 4500 ft. high, Cortina d’Ampezzo, with 6,000 inhabitants, offers skiers breathtaking scenery from an altitude of 1224 to 3248 meters. The resort’s three ski areas are connected by a free bus and offer 120 km of slopes (the longest trail is 10 km),accessed by 35 lifts with snow making. Winter activities also ski mountaineering, sledding in the moonlight after a dinner in a mountain hut, 70 km of Nordic skiing and 100 km of snowshoeing and 50 km of winter hiking. In summer, Cortina offers 400 km of hiking trails, biking on hundreds of kilometres of marked trails amid magnificent Dolomite scenery, mountain climbing, an indoor climbing center, indoor and outdoor tennis; golf, summer ice skating; horse riding, canyoning, and activities families can enjoy together – water park, skate park, zipline.

“’New’ isn’t a new lift, it’s a new way to enjoy mountain,” Montuori tells me. “People can exercise the way they like.”

Seventy years since it was the first Italian venue for the Olympics, in1956, Cortina will host the 2026 Winter Olympics (with Milan), spurring new development and improvements.

The most convenient airports are Venice (there is bus service from Venice Airport), Treviso, and Innsbruck; the train station is Toblach. (cortina.dolomiti.org)

“Discover your true nature” is the motto of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a multifaceted mountain region at the base of the 2,962 meter high Zugspitze mountain. It features winter sports with 207 km of ski runs (longest is 6.8 km) from a base at 708 meters to 2,962 meters, state-of-the art lifts, snowmaking on four long runs into the valley, backcountry skiing; the legendary ski stadium and ski jump and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn invites ski alpinists to a “Ski Tour Evening.” Also: 28 km of cross-country ski tracks, the famous biathlon and cross-country ski center in Kaltenbrunn (snow-making and flood lights for night-skiing); Visitors’ Biathlon in Kaltenbrunn on Wednesdays); ice skating and curling at the Olympic Ice Sports Center on one of the many natural lakes. The racy 1.6 km run down from the cozy lodge, St.-Martins-Hütte am Grasberg, is an insider tip for bold sledders. Garmisch-Partenkirchen also offers 110 km of groomed winter hiking trails. Special experiences: a torch hike through the Partnachklamm gorge featuring amazing ice and snow formations; a romantic ride in a horse sleigh; guided winter hikes from the Gesundheits-Eck meeting point (book January-March).

In warmer seasons, hiking in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region offers varied landscapes and breathtaking views of hiking along 300 km (124 miles) of paths (the GaPa tour planner, www.gapa.de/tourenplaner, has detailed route and trail descriptions); you can plan multi-day tour with overnight stays in rustic mountain lodges, or guided hikes ranging from herbal excursions to therapeutic climatic healing hikes. Also rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing, paragliding, hang gliding, tennis, horseback riding, fishing, archery or a ride in a historic horse-drawn carriage, plus 23 golf courses within one hour’s drive.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with 10,000 guest beds, 172 restaurants and 450 shops, can be reached by German Rail, Deutsche Bahn (Saturdays ICE connection from Hamburg, Berlin and Dortmund-Ruhr Area-Cologne with no train changes). Nearest airports are Munich and Innsbruck. (www.gapa.de)

Kitzbühel and the holiday resorts of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg, Austria, known globally as a winter holiday destination with almost 130 years of skiing tradition, offers a mix of down-to-earthiness and cosmopolitan outlook, of rural charm and urban flair. Its accessibility, long winters, reliable snow conditions, multitude of sports activities and maximum comfort are the hallmarks of this town, also lovingly referred to as “Gamsstadt” (chamois town). It offers a total of 234 km of downhill runs (longest is 8.3 km), including the world-famous “Streif”. Families will delight in the free practice lifts in the valley. Kitzbühel also offers 70 km of cross-country skiing, winter hiking and snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, curling and new trend sports. In summer Kitzbuhel offers 1,000 km hiking trails; four golf courses; 1,200 km road network for road bikes and 800 km for mountain bikers. It is reached by train from the Kitzbuhel station; the nearest airports are Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich. (www.kitzbuehel.com)

*Davos Klosters, one of 10 Best of the Alps destinations, received its first winter guests 150 years ago. Today, it offers 300 km of slopes among six ski areas (photo: Davos Klosters)*

Davos, Europe’s highest city and the picturesque alpine village of Klosters are set amid stunning mountain scenery and the granddaddy of winter Alpine tourism. Davos Klosters received its first winter guests 150 years ago. Today, it offers 300 km of slopes among six ski areas: Madrisa and Rinerhorn are the family-friendly ski areas, Jakobshorn is the “fun mountain” for freestylers and après-ski connoisseurs. Parsenn is the classic ski area with wide pistes, Pischa is considered the off-piste paradise and Schatzalp is the “chill” ski area for pleasure skiers. Its 275 km of ski sloopes (longest is 12 km), rise from 1124 to 3146 meters. Among the activities: daily experiences with local guides, an extensive network (100 km) of cross-country tracks, hiking trails (170 km in winter, 700 km in summer), mountain biking routes (700 km) in all the tributary valleys, adventure and theme parks, a lively art and culture scene including the Kirchner Museum.

Davos Klosters, which offers childcare programs, has also been awarded the Family Destination quality seal, which distinguishes holiday resorts that specifically match offerings to children. Families can enjoy learn-to-ski programs, family-friendly ski traiing area; Madrisa – Switzerland’s first child-friendly six-seat chairlift up to Schaffurggli; a Nordic Park; and Schatzalp, a leisurely 2.8 km tobaggon-run that descends to Davos Platz, ice skating, hockey.

Summer activities include an aquatic center; wakeboarding; Sertig waterfall; river rafting; 18-hole and nine-hole golf courses; vintage Rhaetian Railway and cultural offerings. Families will particularly enjoy the Davos Adventure park; GWunderwald; Schatzalp summer tobaggon; kick bikes; Madrisa; Dwarf trail; Foxtrail Davos (solve puzzles to discover the mountains)

Take the train to Davos; the nearest airport is Zurich (www.davos.ch)

Lech Zurs am Arlberg is a cosmopolitan mountain village of just 1,500 inhabitants in a mountain region of five villages which form Austria’s largest ski destination (the fifth largest in the world) – affording 305 km of ski trails (it’s famous for its off-piste territory, which is best explored with a guide). Besides alpine skiing there is also snowshoeing, cross-country, tobaggoning, sledding, ice skating, curling, horsedrawn sleigh rides, art installations, Arlberg can be combined with visits to Vienna or Zurich (by train). Closest airports are Altenrheim, Innsbruck, Zurich, Friedrichshafen (www.lechzuers.com)

St. Anton am Arlberg is a Tyrolian mountain village, where you can enjoy uncrowded outdoors with all the amenities of an international holiday resort. Just 2400 inhabitants host 11,623 guest beds. The destination offers 305 km of ski slopes (longest is 9 km0, accessed by 88 lifts. There is also 40 km of cross-country skiing; 80 km of winter hiking (300 km of summer hiking). It is accessed by train to St. Anton am Arlberg; the nearest airports are Innsbruck, Friedriichshafen, Zurich, Memmingen and Munich (www.stantonamarlberg.com)

Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley is a land of legend full of history and sporting feats, a natural environment and a mecca for skiers, snowboarders and free riders. The astronomical 1000 km of slopes, which rise from1,035-4,809 meters, are served by 44 lifts including the Mont-Blanc tramway and the cable car of the Brévent. “The lift system in the Chamonix Valley enables anyone to reach a unique alpine environment of shaded forests, scintillating glaciers, alpine meadows and dramatic peaks.” The Aiguille du Midi cable gives unforgettable view of the Mont-Blanc range. The Montenvers and mer de glace is an exceptional sightseeing excursion on the nostalgic red cog railway to the “sea of ice “glacier. The resort of 20,000 guest beds, 120 restaurants and 400 shops, also offers 53 km of cross-country skiing. In summer among the 46 activities include 350 km of hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, golfing. It is reached by train to Chamonix-Mont Black; nearest airport is Geneva. (www.chamonix.com)

Courmayeur, on the other side of Chamonix-Mount Blanc, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is described as “a pure, authentic, elegant, traditional, cosmopolitan, lively and regenerating mountain experience both in summer and in winter. The smallest of the “Best of the Alps” group, it is a “hidden gem.” These are the many facets of the soul of Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a unique location offering visitors a chance to reconnect with their inner self and engage in life at the right pace.” The 33 km of ski slopes go from an altitude of 1224 to a summit at 4810 meters. This is an intimate resort, with just 2798 inhabits and 6715 guest beds, 96 restaurants and 170 shops. The nearest airport is Geneva, nearest train is Pre-Saint Didier or Chamonix-MontBlanc. (www.courmayeurmontblanc.it)

Between Courmayeur and Chamonix is a glacier which can be skied with a guide (you need to be upper intermediate or expert – it is a long trail).

*Megeve was a purpose-built ski resort by the Rothschilds (photo: Megeve-Saint Gervais)*

Megeve is a small alpine village nested at the foot of Mont Blanc that dates from the 12^th century. In the 1920s, a Rothschild who was insulted by the unwelcoming attitude in St. Moritz, decided to create a new resort in France. It is one of the first ski resorts in France, had the first cable car, France’s first ski champion, the first fondue restaurant, and it was here that the French song made famous by Frank Sinatra (“My Way”) was written. It boasts the highest altitude 18-hole golf course. Megeve set the standard as a “place to be” for the jet set. (The Rothschilds still own the resort). It’s still high-end, with 32 hotels of which 10 are five-star; three Michelin star chefs (one three-star chef is rated among the top 10 in the world). It offers 400 km of ski trails (longest is 3.6 km), accessed by 107 lifts, plus 40 km of cross-country, 50 km of winter hiking (150 km in summer). Visitor amenities include 43,000 guest beds, 82 restaurants, 200 shops and galleries, 17 well-being and spa centers, a balneoform and aquatic area, indoor/outdoor skating rink. You can arrange an overnight stay in an igloo. Megeve has its own airport, 15 minutes away, or Geneva Airport, one hour away; or by train to Sallanches. (www.megeve.com)

Crans-Montana, set on a sunny plateau above the Rhone valley, offers views of the Plaine Morte glacier and summits from Breithorn to Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. It offers 140 km of skiing (longest trail is 12 km), accessed by 25 lifts, plus 25 km of cross-country; 65 km of hiking (320 km in summer) and 180 km of mountainbike trails. Convenient airports are Sion (30 minutes), Geneva, Zurich and Milan; the train station is Siders. (www.crans-montana.ch)

Ski passes like Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass and Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass have given Americans an incentive to explore these legendary international ski destinations, from Europe to Asia to South America.

Ikon Pass, Alterra Mountain Company’s pass program, provides access to 58 destinations including three of the Best of the Alps resorts: Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France, Cortina in Italy and Kitzbühel in Austria. (Passholders have access to Ikon Pass Travel, a ski specialist travel planning agency where passholders can have exclusive access to special pricing, promotions and deals.)

Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass includes Arlberg (Lech Zurs, St. Anton) in Austria and Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Those seeking to venture afar can also take advantage of Ski.com, a ski travel specialist that can help you put together all the elements of your trip.

More information at www.bestofthealps.com.

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© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Beyond the Biggies, New York State Has an Embarrassment of Riches When it Comes to Ski Areas

December 27, 2024 krubin723

*A bluebird day to ski Windham Mountain, Catskills, NY © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Laini Miranda and Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

New York State has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to skiing. Besides the world-class Olympic Regional Development Authority ski areas of Whiteface (and all the Olympic sports facilities in Lake Placid), Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks and Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills, there are some 50 other areas throughout the state – more ski areas, in fact, than any other state.

“New York is blessed with having more ski areas than any state in the nation, so residents and visitors are never more than a couple hours away from great skiing,” Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said. “Whether swooshing down world class mountains in the Catskills and Adirondacks operated by Olympic Authority or any of the private ski slopes across the state, guests can conveniently enjoy some of the country’s best skiing in a magical winter wonderland. When paired with other fun experiences from invigorating snow shoeing to family ice skating, relaxing spas, friendly main streets and cozy inns, visitors can come see for themselves how easy it is to love New York in Winter.”

There are ski destinations that are big, incredibly popular and iconic like Hunter Mountain (now part of Vail Resorts and the Epic Pass) and Windham Mountain Club (which offers a membership-style experience), to areas that provide a very intimate, classic experience with great affordability, ideal for families and beginners.

Hunter Mountain Adds Two Lifts

Hunter Mountain, an iconic Catskills ski resort which opened 65 years ago and is now part of Vail Resorts (so one of the Epic Pass resorts), celebrated a major milestone with two new lifts: Broadway Express: a new high-speed, 6-person chair replaced the existing 4-person fixed-grip Broadway Lift and reduces wait times at one of the mountain’s most popular lifts while increasing uphill capacity by 55%; Otis Quad: the existing 4-person fixed-grip Broadway Lift replaced the 2-person fixed-grip E lift, increasing uphill capacity giving more time to learn new skills and explore terrain.

Vail Resorts’ investment also added new state-of-the-art automated snowmaking systems on three classic and beloved trails, Belt Parkway, Clair’s Way, and Way Out, accelerating the resort’s ability to open terrain earlier in the season, disperse skier traffic, provide greater efficiency to rebuild snow bases later in the season and allow for better connection of Hunter North and Hunter West more directly and earlier in the season.

Since opening 65 years ago on January 9, 1960 with the original “B” Lift in operation, Hunter Mountain proved to be an innovator and leader in the ski industry, from being the first ski resort in New York to install snowmaking, to being the first in the world to feature both top-to-bottom, 100 percent snowmaking coverage; and to being the first in the nation to install an automated snowmaking system. As the resort has grown from a family-owned area and evolved over the decades with new lifts and new peaks, and on-mountain lodging, it has emerged as a major ski destination.

Hunter’s has a vertical of 1,600 feet, from a base at 1,600 ft to its summit at 3,200 ft. It offers 320 skiable acres and four terrain parks – 67 trails of which 25% are beginner, 30% are intermediate and 45% are advanced – accessed by 13 lifts. There is also tubing.

Hunter has a commitment to zero net operating footprint by 2030. From snowmaking upgrades to new waste sorting, Hunter is further reducing emissions with energy-efficiency projects. In 2023, the resort reached 100% renewable electricity and decreased waste to landfill by nearly 6.1 million and this season is continuing to better manage waste streams.

Save up to 15% when you bundle lift tickets & lodging.Lodging spans the old-age charm of the Kaatskill Mountain Club & Spa to family-friendly slopeside condos (huntermtn.com, 518-263-4223)

Windham Mountain Club

Windham Mountain Club has reorganized as a membership club (actually returning to its roots) but is still open to the public – all skiers benefiting from minimal lift lines and uncrowded slopes because of the capacity limits on daily lift tickets and season passes. (The reorganized Windham Mountain Club is also continuing its longstanding partnership with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.)

*Ski Windham Mountain, Catskills, NY © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Set amid 1,200 pristine alpine acres (so plenty of room to roam), Windham Mountain Club has continued to add improvements for the 24/25 season following last year’s transformative rebranding and investments, continuing to reimagine the mountain as a world-class, year-round destination and New York’s premier public-private mountain resort and membership club.

This season there are more enhancements to snowmaking including automating two of their trails, “Why Not?” and “What’s Next?” with 47 new snow guns on the “Why Not?” trail and 18 rebuilt and refurbished fan guns on “Warmup”. The resort also upgraded their groomers with SNOWsat LiDAR technology.

Windham has a vertical rise of 1,600 to its summit at 3,100 ft. Its 54 trails and six terrain parks on 285 skiable acres range from 300 to 12,500 feet long, accessed by 11 lifts including a high-speed six-passenger, 3 high-speed quads, 1 triple, 1 double, 5 surface (97% snowmaking). But the best thing about Windham is that you really feel like it is a private club (which is how Windham began).

Windham Mountain Club members-only benefits include: use of a state-of-the-art fitness center and a Spa and Wellness facility; a dedicated adventure concierge for personalized outdoor experiences, including year-round guided hikes and memorable summer activities such as guided horseback riding, fly fishing, and a clay shooting range are available for members; and members-only dining options such as “Cin Cin!” which is an Italian Alps-inspired mid-mountain restaurant, and the Windham Grill.

Book a two-night stay at the Winwood Inn and receive a complimentary third night. Accommodations at the Winwood Inn and Condos also include access to reduced ticket rates, every day of the season (www.windhammountainclub.com/ski-and-stay-package, windhammountainclub.com)

More Catskills Gems

Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Patterson, is really geared for families – from the ease of access, ease of reserving lift tickets, rentals, lessons (book online, since walk-ins are only accommodated if the mountain has not reached capacity), serious snowmaking and night skiing. ThunderRidge offers private lessons from age 4, family private lessons, group lessons, Mommy/Daddy & Me, and race teams. Open Monday-Friday, 10 am -9 pm, Saturday, 9-9 pm, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. just 60 minutes from NYC, you can even take Metro North (so hop on after work) and take advantage of free shuttle service to and from the Patterson train station, (137 Birch Hill Rd & Rte 22, Patterson, 845-878-4100, ThunderRidgeski.com)

*Riding the lift at West Mountain © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

West Mountain, Queensbury: An ski and outdoor activities year-round community with a family-friendly atmosphere (“True to our roots since 1961!”), West Mountain offers an authentic upstate experience on the mountain. Nestled at the foot of the Adirondack , it is conveniently located off I-87. Family-owned and operated, West Mountain continues to evolve to meet the needs of families as well as skiing and riding loyalists and year-round outdoor enthusiasts. (westmountain.com)

*Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland, celebrating its 65^th anniversary in 2024, has invested $1 million in ski area improvements (photo: Greek Peak)*

Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland, celebrating its 65^th anniversary in 2024, has invested $1 million in ski area improvements including new snowmaking equipment that enables the resort to cover the equivalent of 16.5 football fields with a foot of snow in a 24-hour period. They also upgraded the Chair 1 lift, trail lighting, and purchased new rental equipment. This season, Greek Peak made lift improvements and widened the Castor Connection trail for safer merging. The ski area installed new hand ticket scanners to complement its online purchasing portal (it is now cashless resort), so you can just head straight to the lift when arriving (greekpeak.net)

Holiday Mountain, Monticello. New owners have invested millions of dollars in renovations and upgrades including expanding snowmaking to trails that had not had snowmaking before, re-opening dormant trails, renovating and upgrading their chairlifts as well as updating the base lodge. This year, Holiday Mountain is benefitting from $5MM in improvements and upgrades: 3 new trails (one, Hackledam, is now the steepest in the Catskills) and a new race trail with Giant Slalom races and timing; updated learning center for “terrain-based learning;” and a newly rebuilt quad chair 2,700 feet long. They installed lights on the three new trails and replaced other lights to expand night skiing. They have also greatly enhanced the snow experience with improved snowmaking and grooming. They also installed thrree miles of fiberoptic cable, electrical upgrades and improved parking areas. (skiholidaymtn.com)

Plattekill Mountain opened a new intermediate new trail, “Whiskeys Way,” for a total of 41 ski trails. Snowmaking and grooming are improved with 13 new snowguns, 3,500 feet of new snowmaking pipe and a new winch cat for snow grooming. Plattekill has partnered with 37 mountains for free and discounted tickets with the purchase of Plattekill Mountain season pass which also includes “Platty Perks” for discounts at local businesses. Their season pass includes new “Buddy Passes” for passholders to bring a friend on non-holiday Friday and Sunday for 50% off the friend’s ticket. Plattekill also installed new electric vehicle charging stations. (plattekill.com)

Adirondacks’ Uncrowded, Affordable Hidden Gems

One of the best-kept secrets in upstate New York is that the Adirondack Mountains have a handful of hidden gem ski resorts ideal for novice to expert skiers, including two ski areas that offer free skiing.

*Oak Mountain ski area in New York State’s Adirondacks has been delighting skiers since 1948 © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Oak Mountain, Speculator: This quaint ski area – popular with families since 1948 though a new discovery for us – offers 22 trails (snowmaking on 40%; longest run is 7,920 ft.), a 650-foot vertical from base (1,750 feet) to summit (2,400 feet), and four lifts (quad, two T-bars and a surface lift). Lift tickets to Oak Mountain are very reasonable. Full-day tickets are $44, four-hour tickets are $37, and two-hour tickets are only $30. (Capacity is limited, and lift tickets, rentals and lessons must be booked in advance online.) In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Oak features four lanes of snow tubing and miles of snowshoeing trails that take you through a majestic forest. Oak Mountain is a three-season resort (518-548-3606, www.oakmountainski.com)

Among the nearby lodges is Lorca ADK, recently renovated from a historic motel to accommodate stays year-round. Lorca ADK is a classic drive-in lodge, reimagined as a self-check property for the contemporary traveler. It’s surrounded by forests, across the road from Indian Lake (a marina is right there) with gorgeous islands. The eight units provide coffee, tea, mini-fridges, s’mores and firewood. The property offers grills, fire pits, lawn games, and nature walk. Lorca ADK is about 20 minutes from Oak Mountain, and about 30 minutes from Gore Mountain Resort. (Lorca ADK, Sabael, NY, 518-300-3916, [email protected], thelorca.com/adk)

McCauley Mountain, Old Forge: A charming resort near the Adirondack wilderness. Get a great night’s sleep at the Adirondack Lodge Old Forge, stop by Keyes’ Pancake House for breakfast and Tony Harper’s Pizza and Clam Shack for lunch/dinner. (mccauleyny.com)

Mt. Pisgah Recreation Center. Saranac Lake: A welcoming community ski hill with night skiing and tubing, with half-day weekend ski passes available for $15. Kick off your boots at Traverse Lodge or Hotel Saranac, and enjoy dinner at nearby Bitters & Bones. (https://www.saranaclakeny.gov/)

Titus Mountain (Malone): A family-friendly ski gem a short drive from Plattsburgh, Lake Placid, Watertown and Northern Vermont, with terrain for all levels. Check out the rustic cabins at Deer Valley Trails (and stay for dinner) and stop by The Pines Tap & Table for evening revelry. (www.titusmountain.com)

McCauley Mountain, Oak Mountain and Titus Mountain participate in the “SKI NY Passport Program”, which offers free skiing for third and fourth graders (from any state or country) with an adult purchase.

*The enchanting Lapland Lake Cross-Country Ski Area has just installed snowmaking © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

And for Nordic skiing, there is the incomparable Lapland Lake Cross Country and Vacation Center, which has installed snowmaking on its magnificent cross-country trails through a forest of tall pine trees to a lake. It offers a cozy lodge and cabins for four-season outdoors adventure. (139 Lapland Lake Road Northville, NY 12134-3962, 518- 863.4974, www.laplandlake.com)

Ski Free at Two Bonus Ski Areas

In addition to the large and medium-sized ski resorts in the Adirondacks, there are two additional ski areas that offer free skiing – a rare treat for newbie and experienced skiers, alike.

Newcomb Ski Slope is an ultra-local and community-owned ski hill that offers free skiing. For the last 50 years, the Town of Newcomb has owned and operated this two-run ski slope, where generations have learned to ski. The hill also boasts a trail through the adjacent woods along its 200 vertical feet. At this low-elevation summit, skiers are treated to a view of the snowy High Peaks. (www.newcomb7.bar-z.com)

*The Lorca Adirondacks on Indian Lake © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Indian Lake Ski Hill (https://indianlakeadk.com/) also offers free skiing, with the local feel and charm of a community-owned establishment. The recreation area comprises a small hill, two ski trails, a t-bar lift and even ice skating. It is just down the road from Lorca Adirondacks at Indian Lake (Lorca ADK, Sabael, NY, 518-300-3916, [email protected], thelorca.com/adk).

The SKI NY Free for Kids Passport Program for 3,^,4, and 5th graders enables kids to ski free up to 2 times at each of the 25 participating ski areas when an adult purchases a lift ticket. ($45 application fee.) Details and application at iskiny.com.

New York State’s mountain destinations generate $1.3 billion and support 13,000 full and part-time jobs, generating $432 million in labor income, according to the Ski Areas of New York Economic Impact Analysis. The ski industry is a significant part of New York’s $137 billion winter tourism industry, driving economic growth in their communities.

Ski Areas of New York, Inc. is dedicated to the New York snow sports industry. ISKINY online at www.iskiny.com is a hub for snow reports, openings, news and program information for ski mountains throughout New York State, including a map.

Best thing about skiing in New York State: you can decide on the spur and be on the slopes within three hours.

WHAT A DISCOVERY! SKIING OAK MOUNTAIN IN NEW YORK’S ADIRONDACKS

LAKE PLACID, WHERE YOU CAN BE IMMERSED IN OLYMPIC SPORT, SPIRIT YEAR-ROUND

NEW YORK STATE’S OLYMPIC AUTHORITY SKI MOUNTAINS OPEN FOR SEASON

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© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

New York State’s Olympic Authority Ski Mountains Open for Season

December 23, 2024 krubin723

*Skiing Gore Mountain, one of three New York State Olympic Authority ski destinations, with Whiteface and Belleayre, that have opened for the season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Laini Miranda and Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the official start of the 2024-25 winter season with the daily opening of New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) ski mountains, Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre Mountains.

These are the three largest of New York State’s 52 operating ski areas (the most of any state!). With ski areas located across the state, nearly every major New York metro area is within 90 minutes of top-tier winter recreation and makes skiing and riding an important contributor to employment and quality of life for residents throughout the state.

Our three-generation family rides the new Skyride Gondola to begin our visit at the top of the highest ski jump tower at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, one of four venues included in the Olympics Legacy Site Passport © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“We are proud to welcome New Yorkers and visitors of our great State to our world-class ski resorts this winter season,” Governor Hochul said. “Our investments in these facilities have strengthened the state’s winter tourism industry, creating jobs, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents. These resorts offer unparalleled opportunities for recreation, ensuring that New York remains a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts.”

Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre, as well as many of the ski mountains in New York State, offer programs for all ages and abilities. Adaptive snowsports programs offer individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to learn with certified instructors. There are also numerous opportunities for beginners up to masters. These include the 2024-25 SKI NY Free for Kids Passport Program granting third, fourth and fifth grade students to obtain a complimentary one-day lift ticket at participating New York State ski resorts and the College Club Program at Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre, open to any full-time college or university student to apply.

Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface continues to build on its legacy of excellence with several key enhancements. A new heated patio at the Bear Den Learning Center provides expanded space for dining, gathering and watching ski lessons. Snowmaking infrastructure has been upgraded with new pipes and high-efficiency snow guns on popular trails, along with a Snowmax injection system to ensure high-quality snow, even during warm conditions. The Cloudsplitter Gondola received a new haul rope to ensure reliable operations, while the addition of a winch-ready PistonBully 600 Snow Cat will help maintain optimal trail conditions. These improvements reinforce Whiteface’s status as a top destination for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities (whiteface.com).

What makes Whiteface Mountain so absolutely special (and worldclass) is that it is part of a Olympics complex where you not only can see training facilities and historic sites, but you can participate in many of them, including ice skating, bobsled, Nordic skiing and biathalon. And with the multi-million dollar investments in facilities, you may well see World Cup competition or training going on.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg: Building on the momentum of hosting the successful WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event in September, the Nordic ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is gearing up for another full season of events taking place alongside daily recreational opportunities for cross-country skiers. This season’s event schedule includes local, regional, and national Nordic races, culminating with the SuperTour races March 29-30. Drawing on a 7.5 million gallon reservoir, the ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the home of the world’s largest snowmaking system dedicated to Nordic skiing.

*Olympic Jumping Complex is visited with a new Skyride Gondola, then an elevator to the top of the highest ski jump © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The best way to experience Lake Placid, we discover, is with the Olympics Legacy Sites Passport, which provides access to the four Olympic venues and experiences – so even if you don’t ski, you can take the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to the summit of Little Whiteface to enjoy the spectacular view of the Adirondacks high peaks; go to the top of the highest ski jumping tower at the Olympic Jumping Complex to see what the ski jumpers see (terrifying); tour Mt. Van Hoevenberg where the sliding sports (bobsled, skeleton and luge), Nordic skiing, and Biathalon are held; and tour the Olympic Center, where you visit the museum that houses one of the best collections of Olympics memorabilia in the world, as well as the skating arenas. (The passport includes one admission to the four venues plus 10% off shopping and dining at all the Legacy Sites. (The Olympic Legacy Passport can be purchased at any of the venues (https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/legacysitespassport/) Lake Placid Legacy Sites, 518-523-1655, https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/

*During our visit to Mt. Van Hoevenberg, we get to watch practice runs for the two-person bobsled World Cup competition © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

When the Mt. Van Hoevenberg track isn’t being used for practice or competition, you can take the Bobsled Experience, where you are driven down the track with real bobsledders. You get to go through that famous Turn 10 but from Start 4, so it comes soon into the ride before you get going too fast, but you still reach speeds up to 50 mph on the lower half-mile of the track. (Be sure to reserve in advance; in summer, the bobsled uses wheels on concrete; $125/9+; $100/military, https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/bobsled-experience/).

Also at Mt Van Hoevenberg you not only get to see the Olympic bobsled track but you can ride alongside on the Cliffside Coaster, the longest coaster in North America, which opened in 2020. As you ride up to the top, you hear the Olympic history of the track but once at the peak, you are in the driver’s seat and control the speed, navigating sharp corners, cliffside banks and long winding stretches (open daily in season but weather dependent; make reservations in advance; 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946, https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/cliffside-coaster/).

At the Olympic Jumping Complex, you can also ride the new Sky Flyer Zipline adjacent to the ski jumps – and if the ski jumpers are practicing, you can seemingly fly alongside. ($20 off ticket price with the Legacy Passport).

Whiteface Mountain has no lodging of its own, but the Lake Placid/Adirondacks region has scores of truly fabulous accommodations, special in their own right:

High Peaks Resort is offering a Ski Adirondacks Package that includes a welcome beverage upon arrival, a $25 nightly property credit to use at Dancing Bears Restaurant, complimentary snowshoe rentals, complimentary admission to Whiteface Club & Resort Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, 10% off rentals at Cunningham’s Ski Barn, and a guaranteed 2:00 pm checkout. Après ski, visit the newly reimagined Lake House at High Peaks Resort for drinks, snacks and entertainment. Rates start at $249 per night, excluding taxes and fees.

Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid offers guests three unique opportunities this winter to learn from some of the ski world’s most successful athletes: Ski with Olympic Medalist Andrew Weibrecht, Nordic Ski with Olympic Medalist Andrea Henkel Burke, and the Your Turn Women’s Ski Clinic with Andrew and Lisa Densmore Ballard.

*Settling in to my lushna at East Wind Lake Placid Hotel © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

On our last visit, we really enjoyed our stay at Eastwind Lake Placid, which offers a variety of lodging options including cabins and lushnas (6048 Sentinel Road, Lake Placid, 518-837-1882, https://www.eastwindhotels.com/lake-placid-overview). Also, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, right on Mirror Lake, walking distance to attractions, shopping, dining, 2559 Main Street, Lake Placid www.golden-arrow.com, 844-209-8080.

Gore Mountain

Gore Mountain’s improvements align with its vision of becoming a premier year-round destination. Construction is underway on a new 18,300-square-foot lodge at the North Creek Ski Bowl, featuring a restaurant and two levels of outdoor patios due for completion in 2025. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the old Hudson chairlift was replaced with a new detachable quad, providing access to trails for all skill levels. Additionally, the Northwoods Gondola cabins are being upgraded to accommodate modern skis and snowboards, ensuring greater comfort for guests. These upgrades position Gore as a hub for all-season recreation, strengthening the local economy.

Gore Mountain is New York State’s largest ski and ride resort with 439 skiable acres spanning four mountains (Gore, Bear Mountain, Burnt Ridge Mountain and Little Gore Mountain), a vertical drop of 2,537 feet from the summit at 3,600 ft, 108 trails (longest is 4.4 miles), accessed by 14 lifts. As a perennial blue-trail/intermediate skier, Gore Mountain is one of my favorite places to ski. Nestled in the Adirondacks, it offers expansive views of a real wilderness. You actually feel as if you were in the Rockies.

Gore Mountain has no on-mountain lodging but there are plenty of charming places throughout the Adirondacks, and marvelous dining in North Creek. Among them, Lorca Adirondacks at Indian Lake, about 40 minutes away, a historic motel that has been refurbished to year-round rustic luxury (Lorca ADK, Sabael, NY, 518-300-3916, [email protected], thelorca.com/adk). For a luxurious stay, choose The Sagamore, a historic, grand resort in Bolton Landing on Lake George, 45 minutes away (www.thesagamore.com).

Gore Mountain, 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853, Snow Phone: 518-251-5026, info 518-251-2411, [email protected], goremountain.com.

Belleayre Mountain

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Belleayre continues to enhance its facilities with several key improvements. Early season will have limited lodge and services in anticipation of a grand re-opening of Discovery Lodge to include a new rental center and tuning services. Snowmaking capabilities were upgraded with the installation of 20 new PoleCat fan guns and 30,000 feet of new piping, increasing efficiency even in warmer temperatures. A new learning area at the summit, complete with a carpet lift and easy-graded trail, offers beginners better snow conditions and inspiring views. Guests can also access the summit via the Catskill Thunder Gondola for a seamless learning experience.

Belleayre Mountain is especially popular with families because of its proximity (just about 2 ½ hours drive) and perfect size, with marvelous beginner trails and learn to ski programs, and a natural separation between beginner and advanced skiers.

There is no on-mountain lodging, but quaint inns and lodges nearby in Fleischmann’s, Pine Hill, Big Indian, Phoenicia, Margaretville and Shandaken – among them, the Lorca Catskills offering several cabin/cottage-style accommodations (Gooding Rd & Rt 42, Shandaken, NY 12480 [email protected], thelorca.com, 518-300-3916).

See more at www.belleayre.com/plan-your-visit/lodging/)

(Belleayre, Highmount, NY 12441, 800-942-6904, 845-254-5600, www.belleayre.com).

World Championship and World Cup Events at Olympic Venues

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) 2024-2025 events calendar is highlighted by World Cup events in three different sports and the International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships set for March 2025.

“With recent state investments to renovate the sports infrastructure in Lake Placid, we’re building on our commitment to the enduring legacy of athletic prestige in the North Country,” Governor Hochul said.“By welcoming a host of exciting events over the coming months, we are tapping into the region’s history and invigorating the infrastructure and possibility it carries.”

Among the highlights: the return of International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Aerials World Cup on January 18-19, and the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, which will now include both men’s and women’s competitions, on February 7-9. The IBSF World Championships will take place over two weeks, from March 6 through March 16.

Other notable major events on the upcoming schedule are the FIS World Junior Championships for ski jumping and Nordic combined on February 11-16, the SuperTour Nordic Finals from March 27-30, and two major collegiate hockey tournaments – the Adirondack Invitational (November 29-30) and the ECAC Hockey men’s championships (March 21-22) – at the Olympic Center.

The FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup competition returns to the Olympic Jumping Complex, Lake Placid, on January 18-19, 2025 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup, January 18-19 – Olympic Jumping Complex: Men’s and women’s FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup competition returns to the Olympic Jumping Complex for the first time since 2019 on January 18-19, 2025. An Olympic sport since the 1994 Lillehammer Games, aerials is a spectator-friendly discipline that showcases athletes performing acrobatic flips, spins and twists in the air for scores based on total air, form, and landing success.

Lake Placid is one of eight FIS Aerials World Cups on the 2024-25 calendar and will feature men’s and women’s individual events and a mixed team event. The season begins November 24, 2024, in Ruka, Finland, and concludes with the World Championships starting March 30, 2025. Lake Placid, a regular stop on the FIS Aerials World Cup tour between 1985 and 2019, is the second Aerials World Cup of the 2024-2025 season.

FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, February 7-9 – Olympic Jumping Complex: After successfully hosting FIS Ski Jumping World Cups for men over the last two years, the Olympic Authority announced the addition of individual women’s ski jumping events and a mixed team competition from February 7-9 on the large hill at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Practicing for the 2024 Bobsled World Championships at Van Hoevenberg. This year’s event is taking place Mar. 6-16, 2025 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships, March 6-16 – Mt Van Hoevenberg: The IBSF World Championships is the season’s premier bobsled and skeleton event, providing the best sliding athletes in the world an opportunity to achieve career-defining moments. Mt Van Hoevenberg has hosted the Bobsled World Championships nine times since 1949, including the combined IBSF Bobsled & Skeleton World Championships in 2009 and 2012. The 2025 IBSF World Championships was originally scheduled to take place in 2021 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

World Champions will be crowned in Lake Placid across seven different disciplines: 4-Man Bobsleigh, 2-Woman Bobsleigh, 2-Man Bobsleigh, Women’s Monobob, Men’s Skeleton, Women’s Skeleton, and Skeleton Mixed Team. Winners will be determined by cumulative times over four heats, providing athletes a momentum boost as they continue preparation for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

The IBSF World Championships were last held at Mt Van Hoevenberg in 2012 when Steven Holcomb piloted the USA sleds to victories in 2-man, 4-man, and the team competition. Holcomb, who famously ended a 62-year Olympic gold medal 4-man drought for Americans at the 2010 Vancouver Games, went on to win two silver medals in the 2014 Sochi Games.

State Support for Tourism Industry

Governor Hochul has maintained a strong commitment to supporting New York’s tourism industry – one of the State’s key economic drivers. New York State welcomed 291.5 million visitors in 2022, the largest number of visitors in its history, generating more than $78.6 billion in direct spending and $123 billion in total economic impact, which followed historic investments in tourism, economic development, outdoor recreation, transportation and other key sectors.

As part of that commitment, the Governor has supported significant investments of more than $600 million in the Olympic Authority facilities to help reposition the State of New York as a global winter sport destination. These investments have supported major sporting events like the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games held in Lake Placid last year. The major transformations and modernizations were executed with a focus on sustainability and financial responsibility. In tandem, event promoter and organizer WBD Sports recently achieved the ISO20121 certification for its commitment to sustainable event management. This certification approves the structured framework that integrates sustainability into their event management practices.

While in Lake Placid, be sure to visit the Olympic Museum, where you can see medals going back decades. New York State’s investment in year-round tourism has resulted in record numbers of visits and expenditures © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Since the Olympic Authority venue modernization projects began, overall visits to Olympic Authority facilities have been increasing markedly. Guest visits at all venues combined broke the one million mark for the first time in 2022-2023, hitting 1,014,292 total visits.

Though the Olympic Authority’s impact as a major driver of tourism and regional economies has traditionally occurred in winter, the investments made in these venues in recent years have greatly expanded that impact to one that’s year-round. From scenic gondola rides at all three mountains to the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway to the longest mountain coaster in North America at Mt. Van Hoevenberg to a new rail and zipline attraction being installed at Gore Mountain’s North Creek Ski Bowl, and many other non-winter activities and attractions, Olympic Authority venues are offering a wellspring of adventure throughout the year for all ages and all abilities.

More information at the Olympic Regional Development Authority, orda.org.

TOPNOTCH SKIING AT NEW YORK’S GORE MOUNTAIN IN THE ADIRONDACKS

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Resorts & Hotels, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Ikon Passholders Get New Benefits, Discounts, Expanded Access for Skiing and Riding at 58 Destinations Around Globe

November 5, 2024 krubin723

Recognized as both family and beginner friendly, Winter Park, Colorado, one of 58 resorts on the Ikon Pass, is offering Kids Ski Free and Rent Free deals this season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Ikon Pass skiers and riders have 58 global destinations across 5 continents, 11 countries 17 states, 4 Canadian provides across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, totaling 179,197 skiable acres and 7,263 trails to explore for the 2024/25 season. This is the seventh season that the Ikon Pass has been available and passholders have a slew of added benefits as Peak Perks, which and access to travel consultants to help plan and arrange that trip to discover some new, exotic, far away destination. Among the new features:

More Friends & Family Discounts: Ikon Pass holders now get two additional Friends & Family discounts, for a total of 12 for the 24/25 winter season. Each Friends & Family discount provides a minimum of 25% off the single day lift ticket price posted for the day the discount is used to ski or ride at an eligible Ikon Pass destination.

Unlock $200 CAD/Day on a Heli-Skiing Adventure: Ikon Pass elevates your powder pursuit with a credit of up to $1,400 CAD to spend on a CMH Heli-Skiing experience. Go day heli-skiing at CMH Purcell any time during the 24/25 winter season or stay at any other CMH destination during December 2024 or April 2025 and get $200 CAD each day of your trip. Choose from multiple ways to spend your credit. Ikon Pass holders also get early booking privileges on winter heli-skiing trips, which often sell out ahead of time. In the summer, Ikon Pass holders get exclusive benefits on heli-hiking trips, (terms & conditions apply).

Exclusive Access to Travel Service: The Ikon Pass is designed so that it pays for itself after as few as five days of skiing, plus incentivizes passholders to take one long ski vacation and explore some further afield resort – across the country or on another continent. Many of the Ikon Pass resort participants report new skiers coming from long distance and abroad, while Americans can actually take advantage of resorts in the southern hemisphere – in Chile, New Zealand, Australia – to ski year-round.

Discount on Travel with Ikon Pass Travel: Ikon Pass Travel is an online travel planning service exclusively for members of the Ikon Pass community that offers the ability to seamlessly explore and book all aspects of adventure across Ikon Pass destinations. Browse and compare airfare, hotels, and activities across Ikon Pass destinations to create a vacation package or be matched with an Ikon Pass Travel specialist. (Terms and conditions apply.)

24/25 IKON PASS PRICING: There are different levels of pass which offer different benefits, from unlimited access to a list of resorts, to a number of days. Ikon Pass starting at $1,249; Ikon Base Pass starting at $869; Ikon Session Pass starting at $259.

For all Ikon Pass products and pricing, visit https://www.ikonpass.com/en/shop-passes.

For more information visit www.ikonpass.com.

Here’s a sampling of some of the improvements this season:

*Pico Resort, part of Killington,* is its own self-contained ski in/out resort that is particularly great for families and intermediate skiers© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in eastern North America, is making a $7 million investment in new energy efficient snow guns totaling 1,000 new pieces of equipment over the next two seasons. Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Killington Resort has earned its moniker “The Beast of the East” with four seasons of adventure spread across six peaks, plus Pico Mountain, which is its own self-contained ski in/out resort that is particularly great for families and intermediate skiers. With the most expansive snowmaking and lift system in eastern North America, Killington offers more than 200 trails and 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain, including a world-class terrain park network and the longest season in the East. During the summer, Killington features a destination bike park with 30 miles of mountain biking trails, an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. Killington is locally and independently owned (www.killington.com).  

*Killington, Vermont, is the “Beast of the East”, the largest ski resort in eastern North America © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Stratton Mountain, Vermont, one of the New England favorites, is in the midst of a multi-year project to enhance snowmaking, in order to take advantage of shorter windows to make snow. The improvement will be most noticeable for intermediate skiers – the trails will open sooner and stay open later in the season. Being part of Alterra Mountain Co. and the Ikon Pass program has been a boon to skiers who were already Stratton devotees: they get their warm-ups in Stratton, then go for a big ski vacation to Steamboat, while Stratton is getting lots of passholders from further-afield. In addition, Alterra has invested in capital projects including modernizing the Ursa Lift to improve operational efficiency and maximize uphill capacity.

*Stratton Mountain, Vermont is enhancing its snowmaking to extend the season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Tremblant, located 1 ½ hour drive from Montreal, a 50-minute flight from New York City, means that a New Yorker can actually be skiing on the mountain in less time than it takes to drive up to Vermont. This season, Tremblant has a new shuttle connecting Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Tremblant, facilitating access and significantly reducing vehicular traffic. Tremblant offers the highest peak in the East and 305 hectares of skiing, 102 trails on four sides of the mountain. The Canadian resort has been part of Ikon since 2017 – and is just the sort of discovery that Ikon Pass holders can take advantage of – to enjoy its French Canadian ambiance and international feel. Everything walking distance. You take the gondola from the pedestrian village to the summit. The four-season resort village offers 13 hotels (1500 beds),25 restaurants, 4 bars. You can even ski in summer, on synthetic surface (new) aimed at introducing beginners. There is also hiking, and a Sound & Light show in the woods accessed by the chairlift.

Winter Park Resort, Colorado, is completing a $37 million snowmaking upgrade, doubling capacity and creating broader early-season snow coverage which will enable Winter Park to have one of the longest winter seasons in Colorado.

*Winter Park, Colorado is offering Kids Ski Free and Rent Free program © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Recognized as both family and beginner friendly, Winter Park is offering Kids Ski Free and Rent Free – every kid 14 and younger signed up for a Winter Park Ski and Ride School lesson receives a complementary lift ticket for the day (must book by Nov. 29, 2024), plus a free ski or snowboard rental with a three-day adult gear rental package. Beginners take advantage of a new learn-to-ski guarantee where if by the end of your third lesson, you can’t ski the 10 green trails your fourth lesson is free. Back this season, 60-Minute Pro Tip lessons. Upgraded Eagle Wind trail signs – as part of “Heniiniini: There is Snow on the Ground” public art installation, with the help of an Arapaho linguist, more Eagle Wind trail signs have been translated into native Arapaho language.

Less than 70 miles from Denver, Winter Park is accessible by the Winter Park Express Amtrak train from Denver Union Station direct to the ski resort on weekends during ski season. Flanked by the dramatic Continental Divide, Winter Park Resort receives some of the state’s most consistent snowfall across its 3000+ acres of world-class terrain and has been voted USA Today’s #1 Ski Resort in North America multiple years. During summer, the resort is home to renowned Trestle bike park, and has been nominated as Colorado’s Top Adventure Town. For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com.

Steamboat, Colorado, which celebrated its 60^th anniversary two years ago, boasts a rich Western heritage in vibe, culture and ambiance. Located in the northwest corner of Colorado, its nearby Hayden Airport has direct service from 16 airports on six carriers (during ski season, less frequent service other times). Steamboat is Colorado’s second largest ski resort after Vail – the resort had a “serious” expansion in 2023, adding 650 acres of expert terrain in the popular “side country” accessed by a new Mahagony Ridge lift. Steamboat is paradise for intermediate skiers’ and its Sunshine Bowl is particularly popular with families. Last year, Steamboat opened a gondola from its base to the summit of the mountain with the most blue terrain and a dedicated learning area.

This season Taos Ski Valley skiers will benefit from nearly$1 Million in upgraded snowmaking, grooming, and lift maintenance, as well as a new ski and snowboard rental fleet. Also the Eis Haus ice skating rink will have evening ice skating for $25, including rentals.

Also, there are new Snowsports packages:

The Blake Experience Ski Week Package for two: includes 5 half days of instruction (Sunday-Friday), 2 5-day lift tickets, 5 nights of accommodations at The Blake, 5-day demo rentals from Taos Sports, and a $30 credit for breakfast at 192 at The Blake each morning per person (from $2600);
- New Teen Ski Weeks, designed for teens and college students, providing 6-day lessons, during peak holidaysChristmas, MLK week, President’s Day, and Spring Break.
- Children’s value three-day lesson packages that provide discounts over two-day packages, including
- Children’s First Timer package and Children’s Intermediate and Advanced package.
- Full-day, private lesson/mountain guide for up to four people, for a truly specialized and personalized Taos ski experience, $950, $50 for each additional person.

The famous Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley, Utah. The legendary ski resort will be doubling in size to 5,700 skiable acres with the acquisition of neighboring terrain but will preserve its European charm © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, is set for a massive expansion, nearly doubling existing terrain to 5,700 skiable acres when it is done (3,700 more skiable acres than the original). This is because the resort acquired neighboring wilderness that was set to be developed. The first part of the expansion will open this season: 300 new skiable acres and three lifts will open this season including the Keetley Express – a six-person chairlift with a bubble, connecting the new Deer Valley East Village to the existing Deer Valley terrain, dropping skiers off near the bottom terminal of the Sultan Express chairlift on Bald Mountain. The additional two chairlifts, Hoodoo Express and Aurora, will service new beginner-level ski trails and provide return access to the new Deer Valley East Village. The 500 additional day-skier parking spots this winter season will create an alternative arrival option via U.S. Route 40, helping to reduce traffic throughout Park City. Next year, the plan is to open six more lifts including a 10-person gondola, and 700 more parking spots. But even with the expansion, we are assured, Deer Valley’s quaint, intimate, luxurious, European charm (and its ski-only policy) the so-called “Deer Valley Difference” that skiers have enjoyed since the resort opened in 1981, will be maintained.

Sun Valley Resort, Idaho is a year-round exclusive four-star resort tucked away in the wilderness affording 3400 vertical feet, 2500 skiable acres in winter. This season, it has a new six-person Seattle lift enhancing the experience on Bald Mountain. Sun Valley is hosting the World Cup Final in March – its first in decades. The nearby airport, 11 miles drive in Paley Idaho, gets direct flights from Seattle, SF, LA, Salt Lake, Denver, Chicago.

*Arapahoe Basin has entered into agreement to be acquired by Alterra (Photo by Dave Camara)*

Arapahoe Basin, in Colorado, is proud that this will be its first season operating as a net-zero carbon footprint. The ski area, which has no on-mountain lodging (people stay in Keystone, Dillon and Silverthorne) is instituting parking reservation system holidays and weekends to preserve the on-site experience. A-Basin joined Ikon in 2019, and its owner, a large commercial real estate company in Canada, has entered into agreement to be acquired by Alterra. “Now we will be owned by a company that does what we do best.”

Mt. Batchelor, Oregon, is famous for having one of the longest ski seasons in the country – in May, you can ski until 1 pm and then go for a round of golf. The mountain – once a volcano – is great for intermediate skiers, who can ski 360 degrees around on undulating trails. The mountain area (it does not have on-mountain lodging) is 30 minutes from Bend, Oregon, with a marvelously family-friendly town of 100,000. The ski area offers child care year-round. There is direct air service from Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Big Sky Resort, Montana, is now more accessible with expanded air service to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) this winter including new JetBlue Mint service from New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS), Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, provides fully lie-flat beds, artisanal dining, priority boarding, and two complimentary checked bags. There is service from 19 cities including from Los Angeles, Boston, New York (EWR), Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, and Washington DC that touch down before noon, so skiers can be on the slopes the same afternoon.

The recently expanded airport is located 50 miles from Big Sky Resort, with 5,850 acres of terrain, 38 chairlifts, and 300 degrees of skiing off the iconic Lone Peak. Skiers this year will benefit from the new Madison eight-person chairlift – the longest eight-seat chairlift in the world – with heated seats and bubble, that replaces a six-pack on the North Side, doubles uphill capacity and reduces ride time from 12 minutes to 8 minutes.

More Highlights:

Ikon Passholders also will benefit from new lifts at Sugarbush, Copper Mountain, Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, The Highlands, Bear Mountain, Mammoth Mountain, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Niseko United, and Dolomiti Superski (celebrating its 50th anniversary with the replacement of 9 chairlifts and gondolas across Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi, Val di Fassa-Carezza, Arabba-Marmolada, 3 Cime and San Martino di Castrozza-Passo Rolle).

*The Ikon Pass incentivizes exploring new destinations such as Alta, Utah © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Ikon Pass resorts that will have new and expanded terrain include Snowbasin, Mt. Norquay, Boyne Mountain Resort and Arai Snow Resort which is expanding its avalanche-controlled freeriding zones, checked daily for avalanche risks to ensure an off-piste experience all within the margins of safety.

In addition to Winter Park other notable upgrade efforts are underway at Stratton, Sugarbush, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Loon, Dolomiti Superski, Boyne Mountain, Alyeska Resort, and Copper Mountain.

*Skiing Copper Mountain, Colorado, one of the Ikon Pass resorts © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Ikon Pass holders will also have access to new lodges this winter as well as new luxury amenities, redesigned on-mountain facilities, and delicious new culinary offerings – all designed to enhance the on-site experience. Among them: Loon Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Mammoth Mountain, Eldora. Also:

Alyeska Resort is opening the Black Diamond Club, a hotel-within-a-hotel concept designed and curated for discerning guests searching for the utmost in luxury, service, and amenities.

CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures’ luxurious Valemount Lodge has a new dedicated spa building, featuring a hot tub, cold plunge pool, sauna, massage room, sitting lounge, and fitness/stretch studio. Celebrating 60 years of heli-adventures, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures is the world’s first and largest heli-skiing and heli-accessed hiking operator. At more than 3 million acres, the total CMH tenure is one-third the size of Switzerland. From its head office in Banff, Alberta, CMH operates from 11 destinations located in the Bugaboo, Purcell, Selkirk, Monashee and Cariboo ranges of British Columbia, Canada. Heli-skiing takes place each year from December through April, and CMH Summer Adventures take place from July to early-September (cmhheli.com and cmhsummer.com)

Presented by Alterra Mountain Company, the list of participating Ikon Pass resorts includes: Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley in California; Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming; Big Sky Resort in Montana; Alyeska Resort in Alaska, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, and Killington in Vermont; Windham Mountain Club in New York; Snowshoe in West Virginia; The Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Michigan; Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington; Mt. Bachelor in Oregon; Sun Valley and Schweitzer in Idaho; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada; SkiBig3 in Alberta, Canada; Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort and Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, Canada; Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine; Loon Mountain in New Hampshire; Camelback Resort and Blue Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania, Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico; Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird and Snowbasin in Utah.

Also, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France, Dolomiti Superski in Italy, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra in Andorra, Kitzbühel in Austria, Zermatt in Switzerland; Thredbo and Mt Buller in Australia; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt in New Zealand; Niseko United and Arai Snow Resort in Japan, and Valle Nevado in Chile. Special offers are available at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, the world’s largest heli-skiing and heli-accessed hiking operation. For more information, visit www.ikonpass.com.

Alterra Mountain Company is a family of iconic year-round mountain destinations, the world’s largest heli-skiing operation, and Ikon Pass, including Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley in California; Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbiaand Ski Butlers, a global leader in ski and snowboard rental delivery. For more information, visit www.alterramtn.co.

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© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Driveable destinations, Family Travel, Museums and Exhibits, Places of History, See America, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Lake Placid, Where You Can Be Immersed in Olympic Sport, Spirit Year-Round

August 6, 2024 krubin723

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Olympic spirit is everywhere in Lake Placid. You can almost hear the fanfare playing. It is infectious, and fun – and what is even better, you get to participate, to see and experience it for yourself.

While so many other Olympic venues shut down after the event, Lake Placid, which hosted one of the first winter Olympics, in 1932, and then again in 1980, the facilities have not just been upgraded, enhanced and once again entice World Cup and international sports events. Lake Placid is very much a four-season destination, an outdoors paradise where you can actually experience the same Olympic venues, attractions and activities year-round, along with the athletes who live and train here, and the world-class athletes who compete here.

It offers an ideal mix of activities to appeal to the most athletic and active, to those who prefer to spectate rather than participate – perfect for our three-generation family – skiers and nonskiers and infant.

*The venues of Lake Placid’s Olympics Legacy sites © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The best way to experience Lake Placid, we discover, is with the Olympics Legacy Sites Passport, which provides access to the four Olympic venues and experiences – so even if you don’t ski, you can take the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to the summit of Little Whiteface to enjoy the spectacular view of the Adirondacks high peaks; go to the top of the highest ski jumping tower at the Olympic Jumping Complex to see what the ski jumpers see (terrifying); tour Mt. Van Hoevenberg where the sliding sports (bobsled, skeleton and luge), Nordic skiing, and Biathalon are held; and tour the Olympic Center, where you visit the museum that houses one of the best collections of Olympics memorabilia in the world, as well as the skating arenas. (The passport includes one admission to the four venues plus 10% off shopping and dining at all the Legacy Sites, https://olympicjumpingcomplex.com/legacysitespassport/)

But if you haven’t visited Lake Placid in the last few years, you wouldn’t know about any of these experiences. So much has changed. So much is new. So much is so special.

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA, now more familiarly known as the Olympic Authority), which owns and manages the facilities here in Lake Placid (as well as Gore Mountain and Belleayre ski areas), since 2018 has not only upgraded and massively improved the facilities in order to continue to host major international competitions (providing opportunities to watch the competition, training and even meet athletes), but has added attractions and activities so that we can experience much the same thrill and excitement as the athletes, year round. We even get to see their sport through their eyes.

New SkyRide, Zipline at Olympic Jumping Complex

*The Olympic Jumping Complex is visited with a new Skyride Gondola, then an elevator to the top of the highest ski jump © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

At the Olympic Jumping Complex, we ride a new, scenic Skyride Gondola to the base of the towers (athletes used to have to take a chairlift), then walk a short distance to the glass-windowed elevator that takes us up to the top of the highest ski jump tower for the view that the jumpers get (terrifying), and the setting amid the High Peaks Region (open daily but subject to weather conditions).

*New attractions and experiences put you in the Lake Placid Olympics © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Today, this facility is the only sanctioned ski jumping facility in North America for winter and summer competition and training. For warm-weather practices, there is a kind of plastic grass that is sprayed with water, that apparently athletes like even better because it is more consistent than snow.

That is a really good thing because climate change will make Lake Placid one of only four premier winter facilities that will be able to host a winter Olympics by 2050, my ORDA guide, Jaime Collins, tells us.

The World Cup will be held here again in February 2025.

*It’s awesome to get to see and be in the places of the Olympic athletes, like riding up the elevator to the highest ski jump © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Here at the Olympic Jumping Complex, you can also ride the new Sky Flyer Zipline adjacent to the ski jumps – and if the ski jumpers are practicing, you can seemingly fly alongside. ($20 off ticket price with the Legacy Passport).

New Coaster Ride, Bobsled Experience at Mt Van Hoevenberg

At Mt Van Hoevenberg, home to the three sliding sports – bobsled, skeleton and luge – the Legacy Passport provides a tour that starts in the newly built Mountain Pass Lodge and the push track where you learn about elite athlete development, then taken by bus up the track for a guided walk inside the sliding track.

*A view of just a portion of Mt. Van Hoevenberg famous track © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Be sure to take in the view from the start area which offers the only place where you can get a view of all the Olympic venues at once: the Ski Jump complex, Whiteface Mountain, the track and Nordic center, and the Olympic Center in downtown Lake Placid. (Open daily; check daily updates page for current conditions and trail offerings.The pass also provides 10% off at Mt Van Hoevenberg’s 81-18 Café, Mountain Pass Mercantile and Swix Store.)

As it happens, our visit coincides with preparations for the final International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup competition of the 2023-2024 season and we get to watch some of the two-man bobsled practice and meet some of the athletes.

We learn that this track – with 17 curves and a vertical drop of 365 feet – is considered one of the most difficult and has one of the most famous and challenging turns in the world. Turn 10 winds 180 degrees into a 20 foot-high wall that, if hit right, can slingshot the sled for a gain 6 mph. “The G forces are so severe, that they can only practice 4-5 times a day,” our ORDA guide, Jaime Collins tells us.

When the track isn’t being used for practice or competition, you can take the Bobsled Experience, where you are driven down the track with real bobsledders. You get to go through that famous Turn 10 but from Start 4, so it comes soon into the ride before you get going too fast, but you still reach speeds up to 50 mph on the lower half-mile of the track. (Be sure to reserve in advance; in summer, the bobsled uses wheels on concrete; $125/9+; $100/military, https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/bobsled-experience/).

The track is set up so spectators get a real close-up view (pro tip: the best place is where the track is shaped as a heart).

Mt. Van Hoevenberg is also the Olympic Nordic ski area and we just miss watching practices for the Junior National Nordic races at the Nordic stadium on the side of the lodge.

But non-Olympians can do cross-country skiing here, as well as actually experience the Biathlon, an Olympic event which combines shooting and cross-country skiing.

In summer, Mt. Van Hoevenberg becomes a mountain biking center – you can rent bikes and take lessons.

In fact, Lake Placid was selected as the only U.S. venue to host the World Cup mountain bike competition, which will be held September 27 – 29.

*A portion of the Cliffside Coaster track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the longest in North America © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Here at Mt Van Hoevenberg you not only get to see the Olympic bobsled track but you can ride alongside on the Cliffside Coaster, the longest coaster in North America, which opened in 2020. As you ride up to the top, you hear the Olympic history of the track but once at the peak, you are in the driver’s seat and control the speed, navigating sharp corners, cliffside banks and long winding stretches (open daily in season but weather dependent; make reservations in advance; 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946, https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/cliffside-coaster/).

Skiers, NonSkiers Treated to View at Whiteface Mountain

At Whiteface Mountain, the Legacy Passport enables even nonskiers to experience the 15 minute ride on the scenic, eight-passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola from the Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface to enjoy the gorgeous view of the Adirondacks that the skiers get. (Open daily. The Legacy Passport gets you 10% off at these locations: 10% off at Whiteface: 4610’ Grille, Castle Gift Shop, Legends Café, and Brookside Apparel.)

You don’t have to be a skier to ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the summit of Little Whiteface for the view, included on the Olympic Legacy Sites Passport competition © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Another activity included on the Legacy Sites Passport is to drive (or bike) the Veterans’ Memorial Highway that rises over 2,300 feet in five miles, with scenic stops along the way. An elevator or 15-minute hike takes you to the summit of New York’s fifth highest peak. (Open daily, but subject to daily weather conditions, visit Whiteface Conditions).

Immersive New Museum at Olympic Center

The Olympic Center, in downtown Lake Placid, is really special. The Legacy Passport gives you admission to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which has one of the world’s largest collections of Winter Olympic memorabilia, and brilliantly tells the story of Lake Placid’s role in the development of winter sports and the Olympics.

*Lake Placid’s museum immerses you in its Olympics history and legacy © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The state-of-the-art museum, which only has been opened two years, features interactive and engaging displays, 3D visualizations, experiential learning exhibits, marvelous videos, and interesting and intriguing artifacts. It is especially inspiring to see the names of local Olympians, some who are multi-generational.

*Speed down the Mt. Van Hoevenberg track in a bobsled in this virtual ride in Lake Placid’s Olympics Museum © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The 3D and interactive displays are really superb. In one, you sit in a real bobsled and virtually speed down the actual bobsled track (thrilling); you can see exactly what the ski jumper sees flying off the jump.

The climax is sitting in a screening room to watch a 12-minute video of the highlights of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” when the USA hockey team beat the Soviet Union. (Each year, there is a1980 Miracle on Ice fantasy camp – where participants get to play with the actual members of the team.)

In the museum, you get to really immerse into the personal stories of the Olympians, especially those with connections to Lake Placid.

*Lake Placid’s Olympics Museum has one of the largest collections of memorabilia, including medals, uniforms, torches, buttons © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You learn that it wasn’t just good fortune why Lake Placid hosted one of the first winter Olympics, in 1932. Lake Placid really began America’s love affair with winter sports.

The first “modern” Olympics was held in 1896, and by the early 1900s, a Norwegian man known as “Jack Rabbit” introduced alpine and Nordic skiing to the Lake Placid area. The Lake Placid Club was formed by the strongest advocates of winter sports.

The high jumping venue, originally known as Intervales, hosted the first international ski jump competition here in 1921, drawing 3000 spectators – more than the local population.

The first winter Olympics was held in 1924, and the first gold medal was actually awarded to Charles Jewtraw, a speed skater, from Lake Placid .

The first gold medal won at the Lake Placid games was won by Lake Placid local, Jack Shea for speed skating (he won two gold in 1932,and was instrumental in the games returning to Lake Placid in 1980). His son, Jim Shea was a 1964 Olympian cross country skier, and his grandson, Jim Shea, Jr., was the men’s skeleton champion aat Salt lake City in 2002 (Jack Shea was killed by a drunk driver just two weeks before).

*The Herb Brooks arena is where the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” wowed the nation and the world, as the USA defeated the Soviet Union © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You get to tour the famous ice arena, named for Herb Brooks, and the 1932 skating rink (really tiny seating area), and even go down to the locker room.

These historic skating rinks are open to the public for skating year-round, and we see some adorable kids starting their long journey to gold (open Tuesday – Saturday).

*Little ones start their journey to gold on the skating arena built for the 1932 Olympics Union © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

(The Olympic Center is open daily. The pass also provides 10% off at Olympic Center Roamers Café and Miracle Moments Store.)

Just across from the center is the Olympic speed skating oval, where Eric Heyden made history in 1980 for winning all five speed skating events. (He only agreed to one commercial endorsement, for Crest Toothpaste, to finance medical school and became an orthopedic surgeon.). In season, you, too, can skate on the Olympic oval well into the night (weather permitting.)

The Olympic Legacy Passport is $69/adult, $59 ages 19+, military and seniors and can be purchased at any of the venues (, https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/legacysitespassport/). Lake Placid Legacy Sites, 518-523-1655, https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/

Ski Whiteface

It’s March – spring skiing – and David, Laini and Karen get the ultimate Olympic experience of skiing Whiteface Mountain – even if you are stuck on the green and blue trails. David and Laini, though, were able to tour much of the mountain, tackling the advanced trails, and loved the long runs and sweeping mountain views. With the spring melt already underway, the alpine creek rushed beneath our chairlift rides and the Ausable River at the base had a Galway-esque feel. The lookout atop the Cloudsplitter Gondola was a gorgeous rest stop for us skiers as well as Laini’s non-skiing parents, who were able to enjoy the view and then easily take the gondola down. We discovered the beautiful mid-mountain lodge on our last run – a great lunch spot with high vaulted ceilings and huge pictures windows.

*Even skiing the intermediate trails, you feel the Olympic spirit on Whiteface Mountain© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

March, when we visit, is often one of snowiest and most spectacular months for outdoor winter recreation, but this year, snow was lacking and it also was the warmest since 1905, so we aren’t able to do several of the winter activities, like riding the toboggan chute onto Mirror Lake, cross-country skiing, skating on the Olympic oval, and snowshoeing the Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail (a hiking trail in summer).

In summer, Whiteface Mountain offers disk golf, hiking, the scenic gondola, and plans to resume mountain biking.

Food & Lodging

After our visit to the Olympic Center, we stroll Lake Placid’s charming main street and enjoy the shops, cafes, bistros.

*Lunching in a gondola at the Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We stop for lunch at The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn, (17 Mirror Lake Dr.) enjoying the meal in one of the actual ski gondolas overlooking Mirror Lake with spectacular views out to the Great Range of the Adirondack High Peaks (17 Mirror Lake Dr., 518-302-3045, mirrorlakeinn.com/dining/the-cottage)

Each night of our stay in Lake Placid, we had a marvelous cocktail/dining experience (so many to choose from and return to Lake Placid for):

Big Slide Brewery, where you eat beside the giant barrels of the brewery in a comfortable dining room and semi-open kitchen. Not your typical pub grub, its menu has pizaazz – snacks like marcona almonds in hop oil and thyme, Cake Placid pretzel nuggets with beer cheese, and tater tot poutine; sandwiches like a shaved steak sandwich with thinly-sliced ribeye, Sugarhouse Creamery Dutch Knuckle cheese, sautéed onions and Mushrooms and Horseradish Aioli; Tomahawk Pork Chop or chicken fried chicken over smoked ham grits; and pizzas cooked in a 700 degree brick oven. Tomahawk Pork Chop or chicken fried chicken over smoked ham grits (5686 Cascade Road, just over a mile from downtown, bigslidebrewery.com, 518) 523-7844.

*The view over Mirror Lake to the Great Range of the Adirondack High Peaks from The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn at sundown © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Smoke Signals, also overlooking Mirror Lake (a gorgeous dining room and there is a patio overlooking the lake for outside dining), offering classic BBQ with some innovative twists, (2489 Main St., 518-523-2271, www.smokesignalsq.com).

We loved our culinary experience at Cafe Rustica, a quaint, old-fashioned (traditional) Italian restaurant (even the music was a throw-back) serving fabulous Northern Italian cuisine, like the Ravioli Carbonara (fresh wild mushroom ravioli, black pepper, organic egg, pancetta, baby peas, parmesan); Cavatelli Bolognese (rustica Bolognese sauce, cavatelli pasta, parmesan, rosemary oil); chicken Mediterraneo (kalamata olive, heart of plan, tomato, lemon, whitewine, capers, pepperoncini, linguini) (1936 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-7511, www.rusticalp.com)

East Wind Lake Placid Hotel

The East Wind Lake Placid Hotel, just a short distance off of Main Street, Lake Placid, proved perfect for our multi-generational getaway – like a small community of lodges and lushnas for a total of 29 units, each homey with dashes of luxury and high-style. My lushna (like a tiny house) was just the width of the (extremely comfortable) queen bed, and had all the comforts of home – refrigerator, coffee maker, bathroom, remote-controlled A/C. David and Laini and baby were comfortable in a spacious room in the house; grandparents Diane and Barry in the lodge.

*East Wind Lake Placid Hotel offers a variety of accommodations and lovely gathering places © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are gathering areas – fire pits ringed with Adirondack chairs, a gorgeous reception room (open 24 hours, where coffee, tea and fruit are laid out, you can order breakfast, and there are cocktails and drinks at the bar); a lovely library/salon in one of the buildings (great for taking a conference call).

*East Wind Lake Placid Hotel offers a variety of accommodations and lovely gathering places © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Eastwind Lake Placid, 6048 Sentinel Road, Lake Placid,518-837-1882, https://www.eastwindhotels.com/lake-placid-overview.

For a luxury, resort-style experience: the historic Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (77 Mirror Lake Dr, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-2544, mirrorlakeinn.com; and High Peaks Resort (2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 800-755-5598, highpeaksresort.com).

*Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa, Lake Placid © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

High Falls Gorge

Definitely make time to visit High Falls Gorge, a 22-acre nature park, just a short drive beyond the entrance to Whiteface ski area. It is a 30-minute walk – about a mile – hugging the rockface, where you can go out onto overlooks and bridges and be very close to the series of cascading waterfalls formed by the Ausable River as it drops 115 feet. There is also a trail accessible for strollers or wheelchairs.

Some of the oldest rocks in the world are here – you can touch an Anorthosite boulder 1.5 billion years old (Anorthosite, the base rock for the Adirondacks, is the same rock found on the moon). In season, High Falls Gorge also offers rock climbing, tubing and white water rafting, as well as trails through the forest. (4761 NYS Route 86, Wilmington, NY 12997 518-946-2278, https://highfallsgorge.com/)

More travel planning information:

Lake Placid 800-44PLACID, www.lakeplacid.com

Whiteface Mountain Region Visitors Bureau, 518-523-1655, whitefaceregion.com

Visit Adirondacks.com, https://visitadirondacks.com/regions/lake-placid

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© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

New York State Ski Areas Welcome Beginners to Olympians to Slopes

January 8, 2024 krubin723

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, www.goingplacesfarandnear.com

It always is a surprise to realize New York State has more ski areas (50+) than any other state, and they range from the world-class Whiteface and Olympic venues at Lake Placid, to a small, family-friendly, learn-to-ski area, ThunderRidge, reachable on Metro North, where families can ski into the night.

New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) actually owns and operates three of our favorite ski destinations: Whiteface and Gore Mountain in the magnificent Adirondacks, and Belleayre, so easy to reach in the Catskills (orda.org).

Whiteface Mountain, Wilmington

*Feel like an Olympian! Ski Whiteface Mountain, site for the 1932 and 1980 Olympics © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com.*

Top of the list for ski areas with a world-class reputation is Whiteface, site of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, where in addition to skiing, you can visit Olympic venues and even participate (biathalon, anyone? skate on the Olympic Oval, drive a coaster down the bobsled track).

Whiteface offers the greatest vertical (3430 ft. from the summit at 4867 ft.) of any lift-serviced mountain in the Northeast. This is a serious mountain – actually three mountains, Whiteface summit is a 4,867 ft.; Lookout Mountain tops at 4,000 ft.; Little Whiteface at 3,676 ft. – with more expert terrain, more long, rolling groomers (including one of the longest single intermediate runs in the Northeast, the 2.1 mile-long Wilmington Trail) in the East.

This season, Whiteface has a new detachable quad lift, “The Notch,” from the Bear Den learning center to just beyond the Legacy Lodge (the only one of its kind in the East that is two lifts in one operating seamlessly) which will significantly improve the experience for beginners.

Whiteface Mountain also has made snowmaking upgrades including adding150 high efficiency snow guns, and two snow cats, as well as improvements to the Cloudsplitter Gondola.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the cross-country and biathlon venue, has upgrades to snowmaking system as well as grooming and trail improvements (mtvanhoevenberg.com).

At Mt. Van Hoevenberg, experience the thrill of what it was like to be an Olympic Bobsledder during the 1980 Winter Games on the Cliffside Mountain Coaster, which boasts one of the longest year-round mountain coasters in the USA.

Other attractions include the Sky Flyer Zipline at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex, the SkyRide Experience, an 8-person gondola that brings you from the Olympic Jumping Complex’s base lodge to the 90-meter and 120-meter ski jump towers, a glass-enclosed elevator ride to the top of the ski jumps for a panoramic vista of the Adirondack High Peaks (and to experience what the jumpers see as they start to accelerate towards the end of the ramp!), Nordic trails at Mt. Van Hovenberg (where you can try your hand at the biathalon).

The Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport includes a one-time admission to the Whiteface Cloudsplitter Gondola, The Olympic Jumping Complex Skyride, Skating on the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, entry to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum at the Olympic Center, 20% off a cross country trail pass, and admission to both the FIL World Cup Luge and the IBSF World Cup Bobsled & Skeleton at Mt Van Hoevenberg. The pass comes with Legacy Sites branded lanyard, sticker set at each venue, 10% discount on retail and food and beverage purchases at the venues (https://whiteface.com/legacysitespassport/).

There is no lodging on the mountain (it’s a wilderness area, after all), but many lovely inns, bnbs, hotels and resorts nearby, including the Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa and Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa; The Lake Placid Inn and the Saranac Waterfront Lodge, an eco-luxe independent boutique hotel; and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort (www.golden-arrow.com).

Also, High Peaks Resort overlooking Mirror Lake and the Adirondacks offers a traditional hotel with 105 guest rooms and suites; Lake House with 44 guest rooms; and the private and serene Waterfront Collection, with 28 guest rooms including 10 suites on the Lake. (High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-4411, 800-755-5598, www.highpeaksresort.com)

Whiteface Mountain, 5021 Rte 86, Wilmington, NY 12997, 800-462-6236, 518-946-2223, 877) SKI-FACE (snow report). Olympic Center, 518-523-1655; vacation planning assistance at whitefacenewyork.com, lakeplacid.com, whiteface.com.

Gore Mountain, North Creek

*Enjoy long, gorgeous blue trails at Gore Mountain with stunning views of New York’s Adirondack Mountains © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

As a perennial blue-trail/intermediate skier, Gore Mountain is one of my favorite places to ski. Nestled in the Adirondacks, it offers expansive views of a real wilderness. You actually feel as if you were in the Rockies.

Gore Mountain is New York State’s largest ski and ride resort with 439 skiable acres spanning four mountains, including Gore, Bear Mountain, Burnt Ridge Mountain and Little Gore Mountain, a vertical drop of 2,537 feet from the summit at 3,600 ft, 108 trails (longest is 4.4 miles), accessed by 14 lifts.

The big news this year is that Gore opened The Bear Cub Quad, replacing its beginner skier lift. This lift is double the length and unloads at an easiest trail for beginners, significantly enhancing the learning experience at Gore. At their beginner run they added two new conveyor surface lifts to make it easier for newer skiers to learn.

Gore Mountain they have expanded snowmaking at the North Creek Ski Bowl, added snowmaking to the Moxham trail and upgraded to more energy efficient snowguns on 46er as well.

Gore’s North Creek Ski Bowl has a marvelous cross-country ski center, and offers Twilight Nordic Wednesday through Friday (2 pm-6 pm and Day & Twilight Nordic on weekends (9 am -6 pm) where you can do cross-country skiing or snowshoeing after dark. (A valid lift ticket or season pass gives you free access to the Nordic Center.) Check online for the most up-to-date information on Nordic hours and the snow report. (Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY 12853, 518-251-0899.)

Exciting news: for 2024-25 Gore plans to construct a new ski bowl lodge, chairlift, zipline and mountain coaster.

Gore Mountain has no on-mountain lodging but there are plenty of charming places throughout the Adirondacks, and marvelous dining in North Creek. Among them, Lorca Adirondacks at Indian Lake, about 40 minutes away, which is owned by a Great Neck native (thelorca.com, 518-300-3916). For a luxurious stay, choose The Sagamore, a historic, grand resort in Bolton Landing on Lake George, 45 minutes away (www.thesagamore.com).

Gore Mountain, 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853, Snow Phone: 518-251-5026, info 518-251-2411, [email protected], goremountain.com.

Belleayre Mountain, Highmount

*Belleayre has natural separation of beginners (from the mid-mountain to the base, with long beginner trails) and more advanced skiers © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Belleayre has made improvements this season including replacing an older triple chair ski lift from the Overlook Lodge to the summit, changing a few trails to expand intermediate terrain high on the mountain, modified the Upper Cathedral Brook trail so it returns to forest, added a hybrid groomer with a winch for better grooming on steeper terrain.

What I love best about Belleayre is its natural separation of beginners (from the mid-mountain to the base, with long beginner trails) and more advanced skiers. It affords a 1404 ft vertical drop from a 3429 ft summit, 63 trails, terrain parks, glades and an X-course. Intermediates will enjoy Deer Run, which meanders through a beautiful part of the mountain. Cross-country skiers can enjoy 9.2 kilometers of ungroomed, unpatrolled trails.

See more at www.belleayre.com/plan-your-visit/lodging/)

(Belleayre, Highmount, NY 12441, 800-942-6904, 845-254-5600, www.belleayre.com).

More information at the Olympic Regional Development authority, orda.org.

Windham Mountain Club

Windham Mountain, popular for decades, has been reborn (actually going back to its roots) as the Windham Mountain Club, with a plan for $70 million in enhancements over the next several years to the mountain’s amenities and services.

Though reorganizing as a membership club, the ski resort is still open to the public; daily lift tickets and season passes are available up to capacity limits to ensure minimal lift lines and uncrowded slopes. Also, Windham Mountain Club is continuing its longstanding partnership with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.

Enhancements this season include improved snowmaking and upgraded lifts, a reimagined culinary program, including new food court, Mediterranean restaurant in the base lodge, Italian Alps-style restaurant with wine program at mid-mountain, and The Windham, a private members’ club dining experience.

Windham Mountain Club is a premier multi-generational, four-season resort located in the Great Northern Catskills, 2 1/2 hours north of New York City. Boasting 285 skiable acres across 54 trails and serviced by 11 lifts (four high speed), the mountain offers an award-winning Ski and Ride School, lodging, a tubing park and world-class alpine and freestyle competition teams. Future enhancements to Windham Mountain Club include a new Windham Country Club, an 18-hole golf course designed by award-winning golf course architect Tom Fazio, a luxury spa and fitness center, and expanded lodging (www.windhammountainclub.com).

Hunter Mountain

Hunter Mountain, only a 2 ½-hour drive from New York City through the breathtaking northern Catskill Mountains, has been a winter sports mecca for generations.

And now, Hunter is poised to benefit from Vail Resorts’ Epic Lift Upgrades initiative: Hunter Mountain plans to replace the 4-person fixed-grip Broadway lift with a state-of-the-art 6-person, high-speed lift and relocate the existing Broadway lift to replace the 2-person fixed-grip E lift, to substantially improve uphill capacity and access to key terrain. Both projects, targeted for the 2024/25 season, are subject to approvals. As a Vail Resort, it is included on the Epic Pass, plus offers variations of regional and local seasonal passes. Slope-side accommodation is available at The Kaatskill Mountain Club (huntermtn.com).

More New York Ski Areas

*Greek Peak’s night skiing. The resort has a 6,000 sq. ft. deck off its Trax Pub & Grill for outdoor dining (photo by Drew Broderick, Greek Peak)*

Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland is celebrating its 65^th anniversary in 2024, has invested nearly $1 million in ski area improvements. Now in year three of a five-year plan to upgrade snowmaking, new snowmaking equipment this year means they can put out the equivalent of 16.5 football fields with a foot of snow in a 24-hour period. They also upgraded the Chair 1 lift, trail lighting, and purchased new rental equipment (greekpeak.net).

Holiday Mountain, Monticello: New owners have invested millions of dollars in renovations and upgrades including expanding snowmaking to trails that had not had snowmaking before, re-opening dormant trails, renovating and upgrading their chairlifts as well as updating the base lodge. Tubing operations are also being expanded for 12 lanes of capacity with a conveyor and 100% snowmaking coverage with lighting (skiholidaymountain.com).

Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, NY (50 miles south of Buffalo) is Western New York’s largest year ‘round resort featuring 60 slopes and trails and features a mountain coaster (photo provided by Holiday Valley).

Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville has invested nearly $9 million into the resort for the 23-24 season, including the installation of the new High Speed 6-Pack Chairlift that replaced their Mardi Gras Quad, a new PistenBully 600 groomer, and upgraded snowmaking. Also, the Inn at Holiday Valley has refurbished rooms, resurfaced the pool and renovated John Harvard’s restaurant in the Tamarack Club (holidayvalley.com).

Plattekill Mountain, Roxbury widened its “I Think I Can” trail, to expand beginner terrain, added new snowmaking and improved the base lodge. New ski and snowboard demo equipment can be rented for up to two hours per day. Plattekill has partnered with 25 mountains to offer free and discounted tickets for anyone who purchases a Plattekill Seaon Pass. They have also added “Platty Perks” to their season passes too that will get holders discounts to local area businesses and restaurants when the pass is shown (plattekill.com)

West Mountain, Queensbury has made improvements in the base lodge added more lighting for night skiing, two new snow groomers, and made improvements to the base lodge. (westmountain.com).

Thunder Ridge Ski Area, reachable by Metro North, is really geared for families – from the ease of access, ease of reserving lift tickets, rentals, lessons (book online, since walk-ins are only accommodated if the mountain has not reached capacity), serious snowmaking. ThunderRidge offers private lessons from age 4, family private lessons, group lessons, Mommy/Daddy & Me, and race teams. Open Mon-Fri, 10 am -9 pm, Saturday, 9-9 pm, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Located 60 minutes from NYC. You can ride Metro-North ski train from NYC and metro areas, and take advantage of free shuttle service to and from the Patterson train station,(137 Birch Hill Rd & Rte 22, Patterson, 845-878-4100, ThunderRidgeski.com.)

Hidden Gems in Adirondacks: Uncrowded, Affordable, even Free Skiing

One of the best-kept ski secrets in upstate New York is that The Adirondack Mountains have a handful of hidden gem ski areas ideal for novice to expert skiers, including two ski areas that offer skiing free of charge. Nestled into historic mountain towns with a distinct Adirondack feel, all of these under-the-radar ski areas offer visitors the opportunity to ski, snowboard or snow tube on uncrowded slopes with the spectacular scenery for which the Adirondacks are renowned. Many of these fun, smaller hills also offer ski schools, snowmobile trails, snowshoeing or Nordic skiing.

Adding to the appeal of these charming community ski areas, many offer extremely affordable ski experiences that make snow sports more approachable for all. Ski passes start as low as $15; a couple even offer free skiing!

Some of the less-explored ski areas, with tips on accommodations and local eats include:

Oak Mountain, a quaint ski area popular with families since 1948, offers 22 trails (snowmaking on 40%), a 650-foot vertical from base at 1,750 feet to the summit at 2,400 feet, and four lifts (quad, two T-bars and a surface lift). The longest run is 7,920 feet. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Oak features four lanes of snow tubing and miles of snowshoeing trails that take you through a majestic forest. Oak Mountain is a three-season resort in the Southern Adirondacks, an easy drive from Albany and Lake George. Oak Mountain’s website lists nearby accommodations and “Play and Stay” packages. Check out Lake Pleasant Lodge or Cedarhurst Motor Lodge for accommodations. The Lorca Adirondacks is just down the road (thelorca.com, 518-300-3916). Oak Mountain, 141 Novosel Way Speculator, NY 12164 518-548-3606, www.oakmountainski.com

McCauley Mountain (Old Forge): A charming resort near the Adirondack wilderness. Get a great night’s sleep at the Adirondack Lodge Old Forge, stop by Keyes’ Pancake House for breakfast and Tony Harper’s Pizza and Clam Shack for lunch/dinner.

Mt. Pisgah Recreation Center (Saranac Lake): A welcoming community ski hill with night skiing and tubing, with half-day weekend ski passes available for $15. Kick off your boots at Traverse Lodge or Hotel Saranac and enjoy dinner at nearby Bitters & Bones.

Titus Mountain (Malone): A family-friendly ski gem a short drive from Plattsburgh, Lake Placid, Watertown and Northern Vermont, with terrain for all levels. Check out the rustic cabins at Deer Valley Trails (and stay for dinner) and stop by The Pines Tap & Table for evening revelry.

Two community ski areas actually offer free skiing:

Newcomb Ski Slope is an ultra-local and community-owned ski hill which offers free skiing. For the last 50 years, the town of Newcomb has owned and operated this two-run ski slope, where generations of residents have learned to ski. The hill also boasts a trail through the adjacent woods along its 200 vertical feet. At this low-elevation summit, skiers are treated to a view of the snowy High Peaks.

Indian Lake Ski Hill also offers skiing free of charge with the local feel and charm of a community-owned establishment. The recreation area comprises a small hill, two ski trails, a t-bar lift and even ice skating.

SKI NY Passport Program-Kids Ski Free

The SKI NY Passport Program-Kids Ski Free returns this season with more ski areas accepting it during holiday periods. The Passport is valid seven days a week except for holiday periods at certain ski areas.

The program is open to 3rd and 4th graders from any State or country and no reservations at ski areas are required.

The program offers free skiing for your third and fourth graders with an adult purchase, it can be used up to two times per participating ski area. A valid adult ticket purchase is one on the ski area website or at the ticket window and includes season passes as well. ($41 processing fee per application; rentals and lessons arenot included).

For info, email [email protected]; to apply, https://www.e4stores.online/GoPassSANY_UI.

Connect with SKI NY online at www.iskiny.com, www.facebook.com/ISKINY, and www.instagram.com/i_ski_ny/.

A BLUEBIRD DAY OF SPRING SKIING AT WINDHAM MOUNTAIN

WHAT A DISCOVERY! SKIING OAK MOUNTAIN IN NEW YORK’S ADIRONDACKS

NEW YORK’S ADIRONDACKS: DRIVEABLE WINTER OLYMPIC PLAYGROUND

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Driveable destinations, Getaways, New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

What a Discovery! Skiing Oak Mountain in New York’s Adirondacks

January 22, 2022 krubin723

By Dave E. Leiberman and Laini Miranda

Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

It’s 2:30 pm when we leave The Lorca, our lodge just up the road from Oak Mountain. By 3 pm we’re on Einstein’s Express, the quad chairlift that takes us up this delightful ski area, likely overshadowed by nearby major Adirondacks ski destinations, Gore Mountain and Whiteface. Looking behind us, the snowy Adirondack lake vista of Speculator bears a beauty that reminds us of the scene when you ski down Heavenly Mountain and come upon that sweeping view of Lake Tahoe.

Our first run down is Sacandaga, a lovely green cruiser with gorgeous views, some nice bends, and exquisitely groomed snow. Our Weather app says it’s 9 degrees, but in the sun we don’t notice it. Perfect warm-up run.

We check out Upper Ryan’s Run (a black) and Lower Ryan’s Run (a blue). For a small, very family-friendly mountain that is so close to Lake Pleasant, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and other popular Adirondack lake towns, Oak Mountain surprises us with its variety of trails to explore. Nova, Alternate, Skidway, and the other trails on that side of Einstein’s Express aren’t open, but we enjoy an hour of runs down Oak Mt. Run, Fifth Ave, and the trails surrounding Sacandaga.

It’s fun (and educational!) to see the local high school ski team practice as we ride the chairlift. It inspires us to work on our weight-shifting and carving for the remainder of our spontaneous Friday afternoon ski outing.

We hear great things about Acorn Pub and Eatery down at the base where there is often live music. We’ll need to check it out next time for après ski.

This quaint ski area – popular with families since 1948 though a new discovery for us – offers 22 trails (snowmaking on 40%), a 650-foot vertical from base (1,750 feet) to summit (2,400 feet), and four lifts (quad, two T-bars and a surface lift). The longest run is 7,920 feet.

In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Oak features four lanes of snow tubing and miles of snowshoeing trails that take you through a majestic forest.

Lift tickets to Oak Mountain are very reasonable. Full-day tickets are $44, four-hour tickets are $37, and two-hour tickets are only $30. We highly recommend starting or ending the day with even just an hour of skiing at Oak Mountain.

(Capacity is limited, and lift tickets, rentals and lessons must be booked in advance online.)

Oak Mountain is a three-season resort in the Southern Adirondacks, an easy drive from Albany, Utica or Lake George.

Oak Mountain, 141 Novosel Way Speculator, NY 12164 518-548-3606, www.oakmountainski.com

Oak Mountain’s website lists nearby accommodations and “Play and Stay” packages.

Among them is Lorca ADK, our lodge which we recently renovated from a historic motel, to accommodate stays year-round.

*Lorca ADK is a classic drive-in lodge, reimagined as a self-check property for the contemporary traveler (c) Dave E Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Lorca ADK is a classic drive-in lodge, reimagined as a self-check property for the contemporary traveler. It’s surrounded by forests, across the road from Indian Lake with gorgeous islands. The eight units provide coffee, tea, mini-fridges, s’mores and firewood. The property offers grills, fire pits, lawn games, a seasonal pool with weekend hours, and a nature walk. Lorca ADK is about 20 minutes from Oak Mountain, and about 30 minutes from Gore Mountain Resort.

Lorca ADK, Sabael, NY, 518-300-3916, [email protected], thelorca.com/adk

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© 2022 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations

Topnotch Skiing at New York’s Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks

February 28, 2021 krubin723

By Karen Rubin, Dave E. Leiberman & Laini Miranda,

Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

On what must have been one of the busiest ski days of the season at Gore Mountain – the last day of Presidents’ Week, bluebird sky, no wind, crisp and comfortable temperature in the 20s and gorgeous powder after a couple of snowstorms – we were among the delighted downhillers, having snagged capacity-controlled lift tickets, easing into the COVID-19 routine to enjoy a sensational day on the slopes.

Winter resorts provide refuge, revitalization and renewal, especially in this time of COVID, and understandably, the three New York State-owned Olympic Regional Development Authority ski areas – Gore Mountain and Whiteface in the Adirondacks, Belleayre in the Catskills – sold out their Ski3 season passes early on. Lift tickets, capacity controlled, should be booked online to make sure there is still space. So the day we visited was one of the busiest of the season because the tickets were sold out. Even so, the mountain was gloriously uncrowded, even on the busiest day. And it was heavenly.

The modifications for COVID safety in facilities and services are pretty seamless, even ordinary, by now. In fact, they have led to improvements, like the ability to order food online from the lift and pick up at the Base Lodge, and RFID direct-to-the-gate ticketing.

I went through the rental process – the large room kept as open and as uncrowded as possible, with minimal transactions and the attendants behind a plexiglass protective screen.

A sign of the COVID-times: wearing masks on the lift at Gore © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The base lodge had no tables or chairs inside to minimize the amount of time people stay inside, but you could still purchase grab-and-go items at the food court (we brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and water to have on the mountain). You are urged to use your car as your personal base lodge but that wasn’t necessary. Other concessions to COVID this season: there isn’t day care for non-skiing kids or ski school, but private lessons are available (families and pods okay).

There was a line to get on the lifts from the base – the Northwoods Gondola and the Adirondack Express quad – with people generally keeping a social distance (skis helps provide natural distancing), wearing masks as required. Even though the lines were a bit longer because of the policy to keep non-affiliated individuals on separate chairs, it moved quickly enough under the watchful eye of a couple of ski ambassadors, who pleasantly supplied a trail map upon request and answered any questions.

There are new RFID readers so no person needs to click or read the lift ticket – the gate opens automatically as it reads the lift ticket in your jacket pocket.

The ride up the 7109-foot long Adirondack Express was so delightful, depositing us right at the Saddle Lodge at mid-mountain, where, peeking in, there did seem to be a lot of people standing around, but in their own groups, socially distanced from other groups. The restrooms were extremely clean, with a sign posted that only two people should be inside at any one time.

To warm up, I started down Sunway, a 2.2-mile long green, back down to the base, and back up.

From there, we hopped on Upper Wood-In, a blue-trail, to get to the High Peaks chair – new this season! – which brings you all the way up to the summit. The High Peaks chair replaced a double chair which deposited you lower down, and you would ski to the Streetbrook Quad to get up to the summit. Now, I was able to take the High Peaks chair to the top of one of my favorite blues on the mountain, Cloud, where you have the spectacular view from the Gore’s summit at 3,600 feet altitude.

Riding the new High Peaks chair to Gore’s summit © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

As a perennial blue-trail/intermediate skier, Gore Mountain is one of my favorite places – while Dave and Laini love the black diamond trails and the glades (Gore was one of the first Eastern ski areas to develop gladed terrain!). Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, it offers expansive views of a real wilderness. And with a vertical of 2,537 feet, you actually feel as if you were in the Rockies.

It is surprising to realize that Gore is the biggest ski destination in New York State (and New York, with 50 ski areas and resorts, has the most in the nation!), with the most skiable acres (439 acres), 121 trails (10% beginner, 50% intermediate and 40% advanced), including 110 alpine trails, 28 glades, 8 freestyle areas and 11 cross-country and snowshoe trails, serviced by 14 lifts including a gondola (a year-round attraction, they cleverly post fun historical notes in each car). Besides the stunning views, the wilderness, what I love best is the long cruisers – the longest run is 4.4 miles and six of the trails are longer than 1 ½ miles. In all, Gore offers 42 miles of skiing. There is even night skiing (at North Creek Ski Bowl).

Cloud, a blue trail from Gore’s summit, accessed by the new High Peaks quad © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

With a vertical drop of 2537 ft. from the summit at 3600 ft. down to the base at North Creek Ski Bowl (998 ft.), Gore also offers the 6th greatest vertical in the East – a greater vertical drop in fact than such famous mountains as Stowe (2360), Sunday River (2340), Okemo (2200), Jay Peak (2153), Mount Tremblant (2116), Mad River Glen (2037), Stratton Mountain (2003) and Mount Snow (1700) – and comparable to ski resorts in the Colorado Rockies (Copper Mountain’s vertical is 2600 ft.)

Gore Mountain skiing consists of nine faces across four mountains: Gore Mountain is the biggest and highest, at 3600 ft., Bear Mountain rises to 3200 ft., Burnt Ridge Mountain rises to 2735 ft. and Little Gore Mountain goes up to 1900 ft. The areas are so well laid out and contoured, you can easily move among them, and it’s simple to get back to the base lodge and food-court or the mid-mountain Saddle Lodge to grab a bite or warm up.

And besides having outstanding variety, Gore is an ideal a family-friendly ski destination, with a lot of natural separation of skier abilities; even the way the trails merge together – in most cases flowing together instead of having fast skiers fly down a black and crossing over a green or traverse trail– which makes it a lot more pleasant.

Gore Mountain has great contours and flow among the trails. In all, it offers 110 alpine trails – 42 miles! © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Each of Gore’s four mountains have their own features and character, and among them is an astonishing array of terrain, not to mention views and the fact that if conditions are not the best in one area or are too crowded (not likely because of the way skiers are dispersed), you can simply move to another. Gore has seven distinct areas:

Northwoods on Bear Mountain is the biggest area, with 29 trails, 5 glades, on 146 acres, and has the lion’s share of green (easiest) trails, including the delightful Sunway that goes into Lower Sunway, a total of 2.2 miles of absolutely marvelous skiing, down to the base. The concentration of beginner trails are accessed by a new Sunway chair. It has the most gorgeous cruisers, including Twister, a long, wide and forgiving blue, lined with trees and providing gorgeous views of the Adirondacks. There are four black diamond trails including three that have free-style (Lower Sleighride, Wild Air and Pot Luck). The area is served from the base by the Northwoods Gondola, the Adirondack Express high-speed detachable quad, a double and four surface lifts.

Sunway, a 2.2-mile long green trail, gives you lots of time to practice your turns © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The High Peaks Area, known as “The Dark Side” (“where experts like to hide”) offers “Classic Adirondack” skiing with 12 trails (9 blue, two blacks and a double black, Lower Steilhang) and 4 glades on 31 acres. It is accessed by the new High Peaks chairlift which now goes all the way to the summit and the top of Cloud.

It was enjoyable to take Cloud to Headwaters, both blue trails, to the Straight Brook Quad, back up to the summit. Here, though, are a group of some of Gore’s more challenging trails, Chatiemac, Hawkeye, Open Pit and the double-black trails, The Rumor, Lies and Upper Darby.

Straight Brook on Gore Mountain offers a variety of challenging terrain and glades and is where you will find two double-black runs, The Rumor and Lies, rumored (unconfirmed) to be the steepest train in the East. Chatiemac, a black, is one of Dave and Laini’s favorites on the mountain. There are also a couple of intermediate trails – like Cloud – which connects to other blues and greens to ski the whole way down. In all, this area has 10 trails, 4 glades and 55 acres accessed by the Straight Brook quad.

A bluebird ski day at Gore Mountain © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Topridge is where Dave and Laini go for southern exposure diamonds with views of Gore summit, plenty of pitch and sunshine. It offers five trails (3 blue including Tannery and Lower Uncas) and two blacks, on 45 acres, accessed by the Topridge triple chair.

The North Side – called “Natural North” because they keep it natural – is off the beaten path, and offers an array of easy-going cruisers and gorgeous views. It’s great for families, with uncrowded trails you feel you have to yourself (9 trails, 2 glades on 37 acres serviced by the North quad).

Burnt Ridge is noted for its geology and great views of North Creek Village and the Hudson River. Its seven trails, five glades (The Cirque is one of the longest glades in the East) on 76 acres are serviced by “one of the most luxurious rides” on the mountain, the Burnt Ridge high-speed quad. This area has Sagamore, another one of Dave and Laini’s favorite black trails on the mountain.

North Creek Ski Bowl, which is owned by the town of Johnsburg but managed in partnership with Gore, is where two triple chairs access a surprising variety of trails – two greens, four blues, three blacks including a half pipe and skier/boarder X, and a double black, 46er – on 47 acres on Little Gore Mountain. The trails are relatively short, with a vertical of just under 1000 ft. A new Hudson chair lift connects Gore to the Ski Bowl (open for twilight skiing on weekends and holidays). There also is a shuttle bus between the two bases.

North Creek Ski Bowl also has the Nordic ski area, with 5k network of trails (3.7k with snowmaking and night lights) and snowshoeing (also “uphilling,” which is snowshoeing up the ski mountain).

The Ski Bowl has a long and storied history – when it opened in 1934it was one of the first commercial ski areas in the nation; skiers from New York City came up by train to North Creek. (Gore’s lift ticket is valid, and you can use it for twilight skiing; a Nordic trail pass is $20.)

We had focused on the upper part of the mountain for much of the day to avoid lines on the Adirondack Express or the Gondola at the base.

Dave skis Twister © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By the afternoon, the mountain really emptied out (it was Sunday at the end of President’s Week, after all, and people were probably not lingering over lunch), and we hit Twister which proved my absolute favorite – a long, winding blue, not intimidating, but enough of a challenge to make you feel like a real skier and bump up your skill. It turns out it is just about everybody’s favorite trail. It was no problem to come down to the base (there are two relatively steep drops at the end, but the conditions made it okay) and it was so great, we went back up again for a final run before heading out.

State-owned Gore Mountain, along with Whiteface in Lake Placid and Belleayre in the Catskills, has benefited from significant capital investments in improvements– including enhanced snowmaking, new and improved lifts and lodges – but also for year-round appeal.

Saddle Lodge, one of the many improvements that New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority has made at Gore Mountain over the past few years © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

In warm weather, enjoy rides on Gore’s gondola and chairlift, hiking, mountain biking and special events.

There isn’t a set closing date for skiing – so far the season has been exceptional – but typically, skiing is open until after Easter, or mid- to late April.

Gore began as a destination ski area – after all, it wasn’t that easy to reach. But over time, especially as the New York Thruway and Northway made it so easy to reach from Albany, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls and even Montreal, Gore can be a day trip.

But Gore Mountain and the Adirondacks have so much to offer, longer stays are warranted. The landscape is breathtaking, and significantly, still wilderness. You also have some marvelous resorts and lodging – the grand, historic Sagamore Resort on Lake George is 45 minutes away (they offer a shuttle bus to Gore), and in North Creek, the Copperfield Inn is as intimate as an inn (only 31 rooms), but with all the services of a luxury hotel (Copperfield Inn, 307 Main Street, North Creek, NY 12853, 518-251-9808, www.copperfieldinn.com).

North Creek is a charming village with several delightful bistros and shops, and the village offers a free shuttle bus to the mountain, less than 10 minutes away, every 20-30 minutes throughout the day, in season.

Gore Mountain, 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853, Snow Phone: 518-251-5026, info 518-251-2411, goremountain.com.

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© 2021 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Driveable adventures, Driveable destinations, Family Travel, Getaways, New York State travel, Outdoors Adventures, Skiing/Riding/Snow Destinations, Travel in a Time of Pandemic, Winter Holiday Travel

New York’s Adirondacks: Driveable Winter Olympic Playground

December 27, 2020 krubin723

Skiing Whiteface, Lake Placid, NY and feeling like an Olympian © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfandnear.com

by Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Three of the best ski areas in New York are actually owned by New York State and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority – Whiteface and Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks and Belleayre in the Catskills. (Among the improvements ORDA has made is new RFID technology for direct-to-lift access and online purchasing so you can go directly from your car to the slopes; the ticket can be renewed online.)

Whiteface

Whiteface offers the greatest vertical, 3430 ft. from the summit at 4867 ft, of any lift-serviced mountain in the Northeast. This is a serious mountain – actually three mountains, Whiteface summit is a 4,867 ft.; Lookout Mountain tops at 4,000 ft.; Little Whiteface at 3,676 ft. – with more expert terrain, more long, rolling groomers (including the longest single intermediate run in the Northeast, the 2.1 mile-long Wilmington Trail) in the East. It offers 300 skiable acres: 89 runs (24% beginner, 44% intermediate, 33% advanced) and 53 acres of glades and 5 terrain parks, serviced by 13 lifts, including the gorgeous Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride that cuts an aerial path through the Adirondack Mountains on its way to the peak of Little Whiteface.

Skating on the Olympic Oval in Lake Placid © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Whiteface is my favorite ski destination in New York, largely because of Lake Placid, the ambiance and the extraordinary activities.

Experience the thrill of what it was like to be an Olympic Bobsledder during the 1980 Winter Games on the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, which boasts being the longest year-round mountain coaster in the USA. You control the ride – you have the ability to go as slow or as fast as you’d like. Race your family & friends alongside the 1980 bobsled track to the bottom. During the scenic ride to the top of the Cliffside Coaster you learn about the inspiring Olympic history of the Lake Placid Sliding Center.

Other attractions and recent upgrades to the Olympic Sites include the new Sky Flyer Zipline at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex, the new SkyRide Experience, an 8-person gondola that brings guests from the Olympic Jumping Complex’s base lodge to the 90-meter and 120-meter ski jump towers, a new glass-enclosed elevator ride to the top of the ski jumps for a panoramic vista of the Adirondack High Peaks (and to experience what the jumpers see as they start to accelerate towards the end of the ramp!), new Nordic trails at Mt. Van Hovenberg (where you can try your hand at the biathalon).

In Lake Placid village, visit the Olympic Center, skate at the Herb Brooks Arena and on the Olympic oval, and visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.

*Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Lake Placid © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There is no lodging on the mountain (it’s a wilderness area, after all), but many lovely inns, bnbs, hotels and resorts nearby, including the Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa and Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, conveniently located in Lake Placid village, walking distance to everything, and accessible to a convenient shuttle bus to the mountain (www.golden-arrow.com).

Also High Peaks Resort which offers three unique lodging experiences overlooking Mirror Lake and the Adirondacks: The Resort, a traditional hotel featuring 105 guest rooms and suites (newly renovated in March 2020); the modern retro-vibe Lake House with 44 guest rooms; and the private and serene Waterfront Collection, featuring 28 guest rooms including 10 suites on the shores of Mirror Lake. Amenities available to all guests include the Spa & Salon at High Peaks Resort, two indoor and two outdoor heated pools, an indoor Jacuzzi, an on-site fully-equipped fitness center, and a full-service restaurant, Dancing Bears, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests also enjoy private access to Mirror Lake with complimentary use of skates, along with admission to Lake Placid’s full-service Nordic Center, Cascade Ski Center, with more than 12 miles of groomed trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing (complimentary use of showshoes). Dogs are welcome, with special canine-friendly treats and amenities. (High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-4411, 800-755-5598, www.highpeaksresort.com)

The newest additions are The Lake Placid Inn (opened July 2020) and the Saranac Waterfront Lodge, an eco-luxe independent boutique hotel that opened Nov. 1, 2020.

Whiteface, Lake Placid, 800-462-6236, 518-946-2223; Olympic Center, 518-523-1655; vacation planning assistance at whitefacenewyork.com, lakeplacid.com, whiteface.com.

Gore Mountain

Gore Mountain is New York State’s largest ski and ride resort with. 439 skiable acres, it spans four mountains, including Gore, Bear Mountain, Burnt Ridge Mountain and Little Gore Mountain, a vertical drop of 2,537 feet from the summit at 3,600 ft, 121 trails (10% beginner, 50% intermediate and 40% advanced), including 110 alpine trails (longest is 4.4 miles), with 28 glades, 8 freestyle areas and 11 cross-country and snowshoe trails, all serviced by 14 lifts.

This season, Gore is unveiling two new lifts: a new quad replaces the High Peaks chair to deliver skiers toGore’s true summit, opening up fresh access to all four peaks and the entire Straight Brook Valley; and the Sunway Chair has been upgraded to a quad. The Cutoff trail in the Northwoods Area has been lengthened and redesigned to become an easier-rated trail. “Pete’s Paradise” now is an additional beginner option. There is also a significant increase in snowmaking capacity.

There is no on-mountain lodging, but there is the delightful Copperfield Inn (www.copperfieldinn.com/) in nearby North Creek which we enjoyed one Christmas; for a grand, luxurious stay, The Sagamore, in Bolton Landing on Lake George is 45 minutes away (www.thesagamore.com).

Gore Mountain, 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853, Snow Phone: 518-251-5026, info 518-251-2411, [email protected], goremountain.com.

More Winter Adirondack Activities

In addition to skiing and snowboarding at Whiteface in Lake Placid and Gore Mountain in North Creek, there are plenty of other ways to embrace the cold in the Adirondacks: hiking (including five fire tower trails in Hamilton County that travelers can visit and climb even in the winter!), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, pond hockey, ice skating and ice fishing.

*Winter hike through Ausable Chasm, the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Mirror Lake has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy on the ice, including skating, cross country skiing, toboggan rides, dog sledding and skating on the Olympic Oval, just as the Olympians did. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake transforms into a winter playground once the snow hits – Winter Wild Walk, a learn-to ice-fish program, snowshoeing, and some other outdoor winter programming and activities. Oak Mountain (about 2 hours from Lake Placid) is a small family-friendly ski resort ideal for avoiding crowds and offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing along with disc golf and free snowshoeing. Ausable Chasm, the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, offers winter tours of frozen waterfalls and spectacular sights, less than an hour from Lake Placid. And at the end of the day, Main Street Lake Placid has plenty of boutique shops and restaurants to welcome visitors in from the cold.

The Adirondack Wayfinder, a new virtual service that showcases the park through thematic road trip itineraries, takes the guesswork out of planning where to go by allowing users to search through a variety of curated itineraries that appeal to different interests, from outdoor recreation, wide-open spaces and family-friendly itineraries to dining, brewery tours, and more. (www.adirondackwayfinder.com)

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© 2020 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

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