The 6 Best New York Ski Resorts

1. Whiteface Mountain - Lace Placid, New York

Closest Airport: Plattsburgh International Airport (59 mins by car)

• Vertical: 3,166 ft. (Lift served, largest on the East Coast)
• Skiable Terrain: 299 ac. + 35 ac of in-bounds double black terrain on 'The Slides'
• Average Snowfall: 181 in.
• Lifts: 12
• Trails: 94

Who Is Whiteface Mountain For?

It's hard for any resort in the state of New York to compare with the size and history of Whiteface Mountain.

In a region notorious for small vertical drops, Whiteface competes with many Western resorts with more than 3,000 vertical feet of lift-served terrain. Combine that with downhill trails that were suitable to host the 1980 Winter Olympics, and multiple big-mountain, avalanche controlled chutes (The Slides), Whiteface feels out of place.

If you're looking for a big mountain experience to test your mettle before your first trip out west, Whiteface is a great place to start.

2. Gore Mountain - North Creek, New York

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport (1 hour, 26 mins by car)

• Vertical: 2,537 ft.
• Skiable Terrain: 453 ac.
• Average Snowfall: 125 in.
• Lifts: 14
• Trails: 115

Who Is Gore Mountain For?

The size of Gore Mountain is often downplayed considering its proximity to Whiteface, but don't be mistaken, this is a big ski resort with a large variety of terrain for skiers of every ability. With seven distinct areas spread out across an impressive 2,500 feet of vertical, skiers from any locale would be hard-pressed to not have a good time at Gore.

Bring the stiff skis if you're looking to hit the glades (New York's snowpack has a reputation for being on the firmer side), or sharpen the edges of your old GS skis if you want to rail edge-to-edge turns down Gore's fast and fun groomed trails. Or, if you're a beginner/intermediate, find solace in the fact that you'll always have new terrain to explore across Gore's impressive 115 trails.

3. Greek Peak Mountain Resort - Cortland, New York

Closest Airport: Ithaca Thompkins International Airport (27 mins by car)

• Vertical: 952 ft.
• Skiable Terrain: 220 ac.
• Average Snowfall: 120 in.
• Lifts: 8
• Trails: 55

Who Is Greek Peak Mountain Resort For?

Greek Peak isn't large, even by East Coast standards, but that's not the allure. The resort serves as the perfect mountain escape for the Mid-Atlantic's skiing population with snow tubing, night skiing, and other off-mountain activities including an indoor waterpark, to keep folks of all ages entertained. With that said, don't sleep on the resort's terrain. Greek Peak has an impressive network of gladed and un-groomed terrain to tickle your extreme skiing fancy when the snow falls.

Consider visiting Greek Peak if you're looking for something different but charming nonetheless.

4. Catamount Mountain Resort - Hillsdale, New York/Egremont, Massachusetts

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport (1 hour, 7 mins by car)

• Vertical: 1,000 ft.
• Skiable Terrain: N/A
• Average Snowfall: N/A
• Lifts: 8
• Trails: 44

Who Is Catamount Mountain Resort For?

As one of only four ski resorts in the entire country to straddle a state border, Catamount is featured on the bucket lists of passionate skiers looking for unique experiences. Start the morning by skiing in Massachusetts, and then hop over to New York for a few laps. This is how our forefathers would envisioned skiing— free travel and free trade in between states to foster a healthy economy. Magnificent.

5. Plattekill Mountain - Roxbury, New York

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport (1 hour, 30 mins by car)

• Vertical: 1,100 ft.
• Skiable Terrain: N/A
• Average Snowfall: 175 in.
• Lifts: 4
• Trails: 40

Who Is Plattekill Mountain For?

Once described as the "Alta of the Catskills" by former POWDER editor Porter Fox, Plattekill serves up steep and challenging terrain with a palpable vibe. As the last bastion of independent and family-run ski areas in the region, Plattekill carries the burden of preserving the skiing experience sans corporate interest.

If you're looking to ski all day without lift lines at an affordable price and then grab a beer with an eclectic cast of real skiers and snowboarders, look no further than Plattekill Mountain.

6. Hickory Ski Center - Warrensburg, New York

Closest Airport: Albany International Airport (1 hour, 5 mins by car)

• Vertical: 1,200 ft.
• Skiable Terrain: 225 ac.
• Average Snowfall: 80 in.
• Lifts: 4
• Trails: 18

Who Is Hickory Ski Center For?

Hickory Ski Center was nearly lost due to financial woes until the folks at Unofficial Networks, The Indy Pass, and Mountain Gazette rallied to its defense. The three companies raised enough funds to save the ski area and preserve its undeniable charm for seasons to come.

If you're looking to revel in the homegrown and down-to-earth New York skiing experience without sacrificing vertical or fun terrain, Hickory Ski Center could be the perfect match. Just make sure to bring a jacket you don't mind sticking an old-fashioned wicket to for your lift ticket. RFID cards might as well be contraband here.

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