The 27 Best Ski Resorts in New York

Home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games,Lake Placidis the place for passion and challenge, and Whiteface Mountain certainly embodies that. Greatest vertical in the Northeast is a very big statement with all that New York has to offer. Often touted for providing one of the best ski experiences in the East, Whiteface boasts 98 percent snowmaking coverage and expert terrain well maintained by long rolling groomers. Whiteface’s terrain caters to all levels of skier. Meanwhile, the Cloudsplitter Gondola is not just a way to get from the lodge to the top of the mountain; you can take in spectacular views of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Lake Champlain and so much more.

This Adirondack resort has four peaks and offers a great experience regardless of the skill level. From beginners to experts there’s something for everyone. Gore is best known for its long, rolling blue cruisers and is a popular location for glade skiing, but there is a wide terrain variety. It’s also one of the only places that makes snow for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. If freestyle skiing is more your thing, there are eight park areas just for that. This resort offers evening skiing activities, as well, in the historic North Creek Ski Bowl.

Just two hours north of New York City, this resort is known as the “snowmaking capital of the world” with 100 percent coverage on the mountain’s 240 skiable acres. Hunter Mountain features three peaks that offer a variety of options for skiers of all skill levels. There’s even an entire mountain dedicated to beginners and families, not to mention off-slope activities like snow tubing on nine chutes and annual festivities. And in warmer months, enjoy the longest and highest zipline in North America, canopy rides and the Adventure Tower obstacle course.

This is a family-oriented vacation resort located in Ellicottville, just one hour south of Buffalo. Holiday Valley is a choice destination for Southern Ontario residents. There’s plenty to do at the resort, with 60 marked runs, thirteen lifts, four terrain parks, a half pipe, several glades and snow tubing. With all there is to do, you never have to worry about there not being enough fresh powder. The resort has a large variety of terrain, not to mention impressive snowmaking and grooming technology consisting of 611 snow guns. After a day on the slopes, you’ll find plenty to do in Ellicottville.

Windham Mountain, only two and a half hours north of New York City, is known to all as a family-friendly resort. There are two peaks that feature 54 trails, 12 lifts and 285 skiable acres. The resort offers beginner to expert terrain, so it’s fun for everyone, and the resort’s snow school offers instruction options for students of all ages. There are also six terrain parks where skiers and riders can practice tricks and freestyle. Meanwhile, Windham Mountain has an adventure park that includes tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling and more.

This resort, located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, boasts terrain that is sure to appeal to all types of powder hounds. Spread across 174 skiable acres are long cruising trails, bumps, five glades, terrain and progression parks, steeps, and a vertical drop of 1,404 feet. The bottom half of the mountain is mostly for beginners, but from the top of Belleayre, you can choose between several challenging trails. The resort has eight lifts and four lodges, not to mention five miles of cross-country trails and four lodges. Belleayre offers lessons for all ages, and you can choose to have it in a group or private lessons.

Located in Western New York, HoliMont is the largest private ski resort in the United States, but it welcomes non-members on weekdays (with the exception of holidays). This resort offers a warm, community atmosphere for its members, and is always welcoming newcomers. There are 135 skiable acres (with a 700-foot vertical drop) of wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom snow created from the resort’s patented snowmaking system. HoliMont features eight lifts and more than 50 trails, not to mention terrain parks.

Snow Ridge sits on the edge of the Tug Hill Plateau, right in the heart of New York’s snow belt, where lake effect snow drifts east off of Lake Ontario. Thanks to its prime location, Snow Ridge has an average of 230 inches per season. Visitors can enjoy 22 trails, six lifts and a vertical drop of 500 feet across 130 acres, as well as backcountry ski acreage. Snow Ridge comprises 40 percent advanced trails and 40 percent intermediate runs, while 20 percent of terrain is dedicated to beginners.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort is located in the Finger Lakes region and is central New York’s largest ski resort. The resort has 56 trails reachable by six lifts, as well as a beginner’s slope, a 10-lane snow tubing center and several terrain parks. The resort sits on 7,000 acres with a 952-foot vertical drop, and visitors can go snowboarding, skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Night skiing is also available. Meanwhile, operating all year long is an Adventure Center with a mountain coaster and zip-lines. The resort also offers an indoor waterpark.

Plattekill is the last family-owned ski mountain in the Catskills. Just under three hours from New York City, Plattekill offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. The resort has two peaks, 38 marked trails, three lifts and 75 acres of terrain for skiers of all skill levels. Twenty percent of the mountain is dedicated to experts, 40 percent for intermediate and 20 percent is for beginners. There is a vertical drop of 1,100 feet. There is a natural terrain park for freestyling, and a separate area just for tubing.

Kissing Bridge is located in Glenwood, in Western New York, just 30 miles south of Buffalo. Kissing Bridge benefits from its snow belt location, which grants it an average annual snowfall of 180 inches. It also has a snowmaking capability of 90 percent. There are 36 slopes spread across 700 acres of terrain with a 600-foot vertical drop, not to mention nine lifts and three terrain parks. Kissing Bridge offers night skiing, with nearly all marked trails lit. While Kissing Bridge caters primarily to intermediate-level skiers, ski and snowboarding lessons are available in group or private settings.

Titus Mountain, located in Malone, and is super close to many great destinations, such as Lake Placid andBurlington, Vermont. Titus has three peaks that together offer 36 marked trails and 11 glades serviced by 10 lifts, as well as a tubing hill and three terrain parks. This resort is particularly well known for their short lift lines. Titus has a 1,350-foot vertical drop and more than 200 acres open for skiing and snowboarding. The terrain offers space for all skill levels, and night-skiing is available. Titus also provides lessons for all ages.

McCauley Mountain is just outside of Old Forge in the heart of the Adirondacks. It encompasses 90 skiable acres that feature a vertical drop of 633 feet, 21 trails and five lifts. McCauley’s chairlift is well known for its breathtaking views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the Adirondacks’ summits.  Annual snowfall on the mountain is about 281 inches and has been known to reach 400 inches. In addition to the ample natural snowfall, McCauley has its own snowmaking capabilities to ensure the best conditions for their visitors.

Buffalo Ski Center is located in Colden, just a short drive from the Buffalo metro area. The ski club comprises three ski areas that cover 300 acres, with a vertical drop of 500 feet. The ski center has 43 trails designed for all skill levels, which are serviced by six lifts. Group and private ski and snowboard lessons are available for all ages. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the club offers snow tubing, night skiing and snowshoeing. Something special that the club has is a snow zone, which is a 25-foot-tall pile of snow just for the kids to play on.

Labrador Mountain is located in Truxton, about 30 minutes from Syracuse. It encompasses two mountains with three peaks, and sees an average annual snowfall of 130 inches. Labrador has 250 skiable acres that contain 20 trails (17 of which are lighted) and six lifts. The vertical drop is 700 feet. Fifteen of the lit trails are kept open for night skiing and snowboarding. The terrain is evenly split between beginner, intermediate and expert, meaning skiers and boarders of all skill levels will enjoy tackling Labrador’s runs. Off the slopes, visitors can explore Labrador Hollow Wilderness Ares and the Green Lakes State Park.