What's the Best Ski Area in NY?

[ChileMass]

Here's the NY poll -

I love Whiteface when it's not -25*F

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

I've only skied Gore, Hunter and West Mountains in New York. Gore is improving it's terrain tremendously, Hunter is ... well NYC crowds on a hill, and has some good trails on the WEST SIDE. West Mountain is a local mountain just north of where my sister lives, so we visit it occasionally. Out of these three, GORE is my choice.

 

[noreaster]

Long Weekend and additional travel time - Whiteface

Day Trip midweek - Hunter

Day Trip Weekend - Belleayre

Day Trip after 12+ inch powder dump - Plattekill

Fun Day Trip back in time when its open - Bobcat

 

[St. Jerry]

Gore. My favorite.

 

[loafer89]

It's a good thing that Hunter has a reputation for being mobbed with unruly
New Yorker's on the weekends, it keeps the less timid away. In fact Hunter
has a large uphill capacity that keeps the crowds manageable. I skied Hunter the day after Christmas last season and never waited more than 5-10
minutes in any liftline, the weather was sunny and around 50F and the snow was perfect.

I agree that the best day trip after a dump has got to be Plattekill, its also a good value for the money with cheap lift tickets and challenging terrain.

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

It's a good thing that Hunter has a reputation for being mobbed with unruly New Yorker's on the weekends, it keeps the less timid away.

I find the crowds of unruly New Yorker's at Hunter easier going than the unruly New Yorker's found at Killington...

I am of course a reformed New Yorker. Just like a reformed smoker...
:wink:

 

[loafer89]

I agree with you 101%, that's why I go out of my way to avoid my own kind by skiing at Sugarloaf. Anyone have thoughts about who would offer a better vacation next year, Sugarloaf or Whiteface? I am considering both for next January. Hopefully there is more snow next January than in 04.

 

[ChileMass]

I agree with you 101%, that's why I go out of my way to avoid my own kind by skiing at Sugarloaf. Anyone have thoughts about who would offer a better vacation next year, Sugarloaf or Whiteface? I am considering both for next January. Hopefully there is more snow next January than in 04.

My humble opinion:
Don't know about specific deals that might be out yet, but Lake Placid gets a big nod for accomodations and nightlife, while Sugarloaf gets a relatively big edge in terrain. Also, it's 6 hours to Lake Placid from LI, and about 8 to Sugarloaf.......

Either way have fun and if you come up with some good deals, let us know about it......you could start your research right here on AZ in the "Lodging" section - http://lodging.alpinezone.com/northeast_ski_and_stay_packages.htm

 

[andyzee]

Nothing like Plattekill on a good snow day. This mountain may be small but it's hard to beat it for fun, especially after a good dump of snow since they don't groom half the mountain.

 

[Greg]

Out of the choices, I've only been to Huntah so I guess I'll have to choose that. I would love to try Whiteface and Gore someday though. I also hear good things about Belleayre and Plattekill.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I missed this poll.

 

[x10003q]

Gore has the best terrain choices in NYS for all skiers including massive amounts of gladed skiing. There are never liftlines even on weekends. The place is never crowded. There are 2 HS chairs and a gondola.They have added a large amount of new terrain in the last few years and are now in the process of upgrading the snowmaking firepower. It is also the easiest major ski area to get to from North Jersey/Rockland/NYC.

Whiteface lacks middle of the road blue terrain. The expert terrain is wonderful. They do a pretty good job with snowmaking and the lifts are rarely crowded. Lake Placid nightlife is well known and there are plenty of other activities in Lake Placid.

I think Hunter has great terrain and the addition of the HSQ on West will help spread out the weekend crowds. Midweek Hunter is a dream. Plattekill is awesome for terrain, snow quality and lack of crowds. Belleayre has wonderful blue and green choices and when it is all open handles crowds pretty well. Windham has a wide choice of terrain and great lifts. I do not ski there as much as I used to because of Hunter's midweek greatness and Plattekill's lack of weekend crowds.

I do not think the Catskill areas compare well with Gore or WF. For me the Catskills are for day trips and Gore/WF are for weekends or longer.

 

[Nick]

I've never actually skied in NY. Whiteface looks good though - never been there tho. The steeper the better.

 

[Nick]

Just looked, 286 miles to Whiteface. Quite a hike.... d'oh. Would have to be a weekend trip.

 

[steamboat1]

What???

Thunder Ridge is not on the list. (Formerly Birch Hill)

How many remember skiing in Van Cortland Park in the Bronx?

How about Fahnstock ski area alongside the Taconic Parkway.

Been there done that. Showing my age...:-D

 

[x10003q]

Just looked, 286 miles to Whiteface. Quite a hike.... d'oh. Would have to be a weekend trip.

Gore is about 224 from Uxbridge. Go to Gore on a Thur night and ski Gore on Friday. Head up to Whiteface/Lake Placid Friday night (about 80 minutes). Ski WF on Saturday. Stay in Lake Placid Sat night. If you really loved WF ski it on Sun and drive home. If you liked Gore hit Gore on the way home and you have a shorter ride after skiing. Gore and WF have interchangable lift tickets available.

Both places are worth the drive. Lake Placid has great nightlife.

 

[mondeo]

Holiday Valley.

 

[jrmagic]

Holiday Valley.

Finally some western NY love. I used to ski there when I went to college in Buffalo. I loved it there:beer:

 

[jrmagic]

What???

Thunder Ridge is not on the list. (Formerly Birch Hill)

How many remember skiing in Van Cortland Park in the Bronx?

How about Fahnstock ski area alongside the Taconic Parkway.

Been there done that. Showing my age...:-D

Steve wasn' t it Big Birch?? I haven't been there in a very long time. I remember taht VC Park had skiing. My aunt wrecked her knee on the tow rope but never skied there.
Fahnstock I head about from you ya old fart:lol:

 

[andrec10]

Gore. My favorite.

I love Gore so i can have my bases welded! Their snowmaking SUCKS!!!