I Ski New York Because I♥NY

Are you as surprised as I am to learn that there are fifty ski resorts in New York State with at least 20% of them within a couple of hours drive of New York City?  From beginner slopes to double black diamonds, there are trails for all levels of skiers and each has off-season activities to offer as well, so you can visit your favorite(s) ski New York resorts all year round.  Continue reading for a rundown of the opportunities to SKI New York state including FREE skiing for 3rd and 4th graders, learn to ski and snowboard month, and $12 lift ticket days.

Whiteface Summit at Dawn

Whiteface Summit at Dawn © ORDA/Dave Schmidt

The Olympic Regional Development Authority, Ski Areas of New York, and I♥New York invited Adventures by Daddy to an expo, of sorts, to promote skiing in New York State.   This season there are a number of special offers to help people get out on the slopes and with the snow falling already, it looks like it’s going to be a nice, long season.

I Ski NY is offering a Free for Kids Passport Program for children in 3rd and 4th grades.  The passport allows 3rd and 4th grade students to ski or ride free up to 3 times at participating ski areas or to participate in the “Learn to Ski or Ride” package.  For just $22, students can participate in both programs.

January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and I Ski NY is offering a discount voucher that can be used at 28 New York State ski resorts.  New skiers and snowboarders will get lift tickets, equipment rentals, and lessons for just $35.

Family Ski Lessons at Whiteface Mountain

Family Ski Lessons at Whiteface Mountain © ORDA/Dave Schmidt

 

Heading to the slopes December 19th or January 9th?  Discover NY Skiing is offering 10,000 vouchers for  $12 lift tickets!  Click here to buy a voucher from the list of the 26 participating ski resorts.  Ten ski resorts were represented from Mt. Peter, just over an hour outside of New York City, to Whiteface in Lake Placid, about 4 hours away.

Keep reading for an overview of the ten resorts, each of which is participating in the Discover NY Skiing offer.

Belleayre, located in Pine Hill, New York, in the Catskills, has 50 trails and 8 lifts.  The vertical drop is just over 1400 feet and the longest trail is over 12,000 feet.  There are also 9km of cross country trails.  You can learn all about skiing in private clinics, Kidscamps and Learn to Ski 1-2-3 sessions.  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.belleayre.com.

Catamount, located in Hillsdale, New York, in the Berkshires, has 34 trails and 6 lifts.  The vertical drop is 1000 feet and the longest trail is about 2 miles.  You can learn all about skiing in private lessons, group lessons, Mountain Cats (for children aged 4-12) and Tiny Tot Lessons.  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.catamountski.com.

Gore, located in North Creek, New York, in the Adirondacks, has 132 trails (including 4 new trails opening this season) on 9 sides of 4 unique peaks and 15 lifts.  The vertical drops are:  3600 feet on Gore Mountain; 3200 feet on Bear Mountain; 2735 feet on Burnt Ridge Mountain and 1900 feet on Little Gore Mountain.   The longest trail is about 4.4 miles.  You can learn all about skiing in private lessons, group lessons, and Mountain Adventure programs (for children aged 4-12).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.goremountain.com.

Greek Peak, located in Cortland, New York, in the Finger Lakes region, has 38 trails and 6 lifts.  The vertical drop is over 950 feet and the longest trail is over 1.5 miles.  You can learn all about skiing in private lessons, group lessons, Black and Blue Trail Smashers (for intermediate and advanced skiers), Junior Ski & Ride School (for ages 5-14) and Pee Wee JSRS (for ages 3-4).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.greekpeakmtnresort.com.

Hunter, located in Hunter, New York, in the Catskills, has 58 trails and 11 lifts on 3 mountains.  The vertical drop is 1600 feet and the longest trail is over 10,500 feet.  You can learn all about skiing in Learning Curves (private lessons and group lessons for almost all age groups).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.huntermtn.com.

Mt. Peter, located in Warwick, New York, in the Hudson Valley, has 14 trails and 4 lifts.  The vertical drop is 450 feet and the longest trail is just under 4000 feet.  You can learn all about skiing in the Mountain School, offering lessons for most ages and all ability levels, including free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays.  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.mtpeter.com.

Platekill, located in Roxbury, New York, in the Catskills, has 38 trails and 4 lifts.  The vertical drop is 1100 ffeet and the longest trail is about 2 miles.  You can learn all about skiing in private, semi-private and group lessons, SnowKidding, Snow Cubs, and Snow Tigers (for children aged 4-7) and Mountain Meisters (for children aged 8 and up).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.plattekill.com.

Thunder Ridge, located in Patterson, New York, in the Hudson Valley, has 32 trails and 5 lifts.  The vertical drop is 600 feet and the longest trail is just under 5300 feet.  You can learn all about skiing in the Snowsports School offering private and group lessons for most ages and ability levels.  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and special offers at www.thunderridgeski.com.

Whiteface, located in Lake Placid, New York, in the Adirondacks, has 87 trails and 11 lifts.  The vertical drop is 3430 feet and the longest trail is over 2 miles.  You can learn all about skiing in Snowsports School, offering private lessons, class lessons, Teen Experience (for children of any ability level, aged 13-16), Junior Adventure (for children aged 7-12), Play-n-Ski (for children of any ability level, aged 4-6), Burton Riglet Park (for beginner-level children aged 3-6).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and offers at www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

Windham, located in Windham, New York, in the Catskills, has 52 trails and 12 lifts.  The vertical drop is 1600 feet and the longest trail is 12,500 feet.  You can learn all about skiing in private lessons and/or group lessons for ages 5+, Mountain Masters (for children aged 8-12), Mini Mogul Skiers (for children aged 4-7).  Equipment rentals are available for all levels.  You can find rates and offers at www.windhammountain.com.

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About George Gensler

George Gensler is a copyrights specialist during the week and a runner on the weekends. She lives in New York City now, but has lived in five countries on three continents. She grew up traveling the world, but her official residence was in Southern California and every visit home included a trip to Disneyland. She has also visited every Disney Park around the world and sailed on board two Disney cruises. She threw in a visit to the Disney Family museum in San Francisco for good measure, and has had the Premier Disney Park Pass since its inception.