Gore vs Whiteface?

[Wavewheeler]

Greetings! I've been lurking for awhile now and love the forum. I'm trying to decide where to go skiing for a few days next week. I will be leaving Wednesday evening after work and have Thurs and Friday to hit the slopes before coming home (to New Jersey) on Saturday.

I go to the Lake George area quite often and am familiar with how long it will take to get to Gore. I went up to the North Creek area to do some whitewater rafting last year.

What I like about Gore is that it'll take under 5 hours for me to get to and it seems well priced for both tickets and lodging and within my time period for travel. The mountain looks varied and interesting too but I'm wondering about how they've been doing with the crazy weather this year and how the trail conditions are.

They got snow today but the long range forecast for Gore (North Creek, NY) is dicey (warm and cold, snow and rain, etc). That might change because it was supposed to rain today too but it snowed instead!

Still, I'm thinking I might get better conditions a bit further north at Whiteface, where the long range forecast is calling for all snow (no rain mixed in) and they seem to have gotten more snow up there compared to Gore. Their website says they got 15" of snow? Is that true? Compared to 2" at Gore? :-? So there wasn't "more" at Gore?

I don't mind driving the extra hour north to Whiteface if it's worth it in terms of better skiing/snow conditions. I'd love to see some some natural snow this season even though I've done suprisingly well with the manmade conditions.

I'm an advanced intermediate and enjoy single blacks too. I don't like moguls. I guess I'm into steep groomers. I've was at Killington a few weeks ago and was comfortable doing the blacks (those that were open) there so I'm wondering how Gore compares. I hear Whiteface is more difficult so I'd probably be sticking to the Blues there.

How do the two mountains compare as far as conditions, cost and lodging options go? I'm going alone and just want to drive up, check in at a reasonably priced motel. I won't be spending much time in my room. Basically I'm just looking to ski and sleep and eat in between. I don't require anything fancy so I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any help! I'd really appreciate it.

 

[riverc0il]

I'm an advanced intermediate and enjoy single blacks too. I don't like moguls. I guess I'm into steep groomers.

Whiteface will better meet your needs here. Go to whichever area you want. A few extra inches here or there isn't going to make much difference, especially if you are just skiing groomers.

 

[gladerider]

i was there for the pres weekend. came back on wednesday. some of my friends just came back last nite. they got 15". gore is a fun mt. i am from jersey as well. for me, whiteface is worth driving 1 more hour, which is the reason why i've been to gore only 2x as opposed to gazillion time at whiteface over the last 10 years. good econo lodging at whiteface? checkout ledgerock. it's at the entrance of whiteface. it's no 4 seasons, but clean and affordable.

 

[andyzee]

Both good mountains, both in pretty good shape now from reports I've seen, Whiteface has gotten a bit more snow this week. I think you'll do good with which ever one you choose.Whiteface does have more advanced terrain, where Gore you'll find more variety, but if you were comfortable with Killingtion black diamonds you'll do fine with Whiteface. Whiteface, more vertical (that is very sweet), Gore more spread out (giving you more variety). More tree skiing at Gore.

For hotels, I don't have names but there are some reasonably price and clean hotels to be found in Wilmington near the intersection of RT86 and Whiteface Memorial Highway.

 

[skiersleft]

I like Gore more than Whiteface. It's much bigger in terms of skiable terrain, so I find it more interesting. Like AndyZee said, more variety. Now, a big difference is te town. Lake Placid is the best ski town in the East, IMO. I like it better than Stowe. There's nothing interesting going on this time of year at Lake George or North Creek. Less crowds at Gore. I would go to Gore unless you are really going to take advantage of the dining, shopping and nightlife at Lake Placid.

 

[andyzee]

Agreed, Lake Placid is a cool town, shopping not so much IMHO, but for eating/drinking great variety of restaurants.

 

[Wavewheeler]

Great feedback! I really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

I've heard good things about the town of Lake Placid but I don't think it'll matter this trip but it's something I am keeping in mind. I would love to stay up there and do some snowshoeing and skiing and check things out. Maybe do a hiking/kayaking trip come warmer weather. Sounds like a great place to take my daughter (who also skis) to in the future.

This time it's a solo ski trip so going out for more than a bite to eat is probably all I'll do (not into going to bars alone). Seems to be some really nice hotels up in the Lake Placid/Wilmington are that priced ok ($75/night) and right near the ski resort.

The main reason I'd make the extra hour drive up would be that the long term weather (wed-thurs) has Whiteface with all snow/colder temps as opposed to Gore which has a rain/snow mix (yuck) and it seems Whiteface got about 2x the amount of snow Gore did the past few days and this winter that a rare event. I do like a bit of powder on my groomers.

The weather forecast is talking about something coming through Wednesday night into Thursday. Too early to tell now and I'd love to see it snow a bit. Fortunately I have 4WD.

But there is that extra hour's drive with Whiteface and I'll be getting in late Wednesday and lodging seems better priced at Gore (I can go to a Best Western down the road for $52), as do lift tickets. I was thinking of looking at Liftopia for a deal on tickets. Never used them before. Are they reliable?

I like the idea of more variety. That's why I have skied Killington in the past. It's a great place to get a bunch of stuff in with my daughter plus my kids love the hotel we stay in and restaurants we go to there. But I've been wanting to try something different. I guess I'm a pretty boring skier just liking groomers.

I guess it comes down to weather and what types of mountains they are in comparison to one another. That's why I went from lurk mode and posted here and am happy to be getting the feedback. I'll have to make a decision one way or another by at least Tuesday so I can book a hotel and pack my car.

Sure wish I could take a week off and do both. I was hoping we'd have a season like last year and I could've gotten up here more than once. Things seem to have gotten better because 3 weeks ago I couldn't find any natural snow until I got to the top of Killington. Maybe next year.

 

[andyzee]

I've used Liftopia a number of times, never had a problem.

 

[abc]

Fan of liftopia here. Buy ticket the night before. Good discount.

 

[Wavewheeler]

Fan of liftopia here. Buy ticket the night before. Good discount.

Thanks. That's my plan. They do seem to save a lot!

 

[andyzee]

Here's a deal for you, Whiteface and Gore have what they call Why Not Wednesdays. You bring a Coca-Cola product and get your ticket for $38. Went to Gore last year, just purchased a six pack of Dansani Water (Coke product) since we go through a lot of water anyway and got our tix cheaper. http://www.lakeplacid.com/blog/2011/12/family-fun-whiteface-and-gore-mountain-ski-specials

 

[Wavewheeler]

That's a nice blog! Thanks for the link.

Sure wish I could take Wednesday off but it's pretty much impossible. Once my work schedule is set I'm committed. And I'm the boss so I can't call in sick.

But I will be keeping that in mind for next time! (or next year at this rate).

Still trying to decide. I'll make the call Tuesday at the latest.

 

[andyzee]

Try this place for more Whiteface/Gore reports: http://www.nyskiblog.com/p/harvey-road-forum.html

 

[Wavewheeler]

Thanks! That's a great website for seeing what's what! It helps a lot.

 

[ScottySkis]

Liftopia always good discount ann I have use them over 20 times always work for me.

 

[Cornhead]

Well, I guess I got hosed by trying to take advantage of my $35 lift tickets to WF, windholds. I could go down to Gore and use my WF pass. I wish I had headed to VT, I'm headed there anyway. It's pretty crowded here, probably be a shitshow. Titus? Hickory Ridge? West? I think I'll check into a raincheck and try to hit one of these little places.

 

[ScottySkis]

K

Well, I guess I got hosed by trying to take advantage of my $35 lift tickets to WF, windholds. I could go down to Gore and use my WF pass. I wish I had headed to VT, I'm headed there anyway. It's pretty crowded here, probably be a shitshow. Titus? Hickory Ridge? West? I think I'll check into a raincheck and try to hit one of these little places.

That stinks, bit enjoy your day were ever you end up.

 

[goldsbar]

Whiteface skis like a big mountain. It's your typical high peaks region mountain - big and steep. Gore skis like a few small-medium mountains put together. For intermediates or those likeing moderate cruisers, Gore > Whiteface. For sustained steep pitches, Whiteface > Gore. For trees, Gore > Whiteface. The marked glades at Gore are pretty easy for glades but still a lot of fun for experts. IMO, N VT >>>>> either.

 

[JPBINVT13]

I have used liftopia a few times without any problems. Sved a bunch of money too.

 

[Wavewheeler]

Whiteface skis like a big mountain. It's your typical high peaks region mountain - big and steep. Gore skis like a few small-medium mountains put together. For intermediates or those likeing moderate cruisers, Gore > Whiteface. For sustained steep pitches, Whiteface > Gore. For trees, Gore > Whiteface. The marked glades at Gore are pretty easy for glades but still a lot of fun for experts. IMO, N VT >>>>> either.

I'm going to take advantage of Liftopia for sure since i'ts getting all these thumbs up.

I like some steeps thrown in with the cruisers. Both would probably work for me. Tree skiing is something I have yet to try and would like to.

Going to Vermont was in my mind. I usually go to Kilington but I'd like to try something different and was considering Sugarbush but to be honest, I'm not into the longer drive. I'm leaving late Wednesday afternoon/evening and have to be somewhere Sunday morning so I'd rather not spend all day on the road Saturday so I'm trying to keep it within to 4-5 hour range. I'm very familiar with the I-87 Northway so I was aiming to keep it in the Daks.

I'm leaning towards Gore. The weather is looking great! If the current forecast holds then I'll be driving up in snow and skiing in snow right until I leave! Woot!

If the snow keeps up as it is up there I can always go up to Whiteface or Vermont later in March. One can only hope.

Dry as a bone here in Jersey but what a great day for skiing. All I need is snow so now I'm going to find some!