Mountains Less Traveled – Smaller Gems Offer Variety and Savings

By Darryl Caron

While larger resorts offer great size, terrain and amenities, lift tickets at New York’s smaller resorts can be half the price, as can be the cost of their ski schools and more. Other advantages are lesser crowds and smaller mountain sizes, but they do offer lots of variety and challenges. If building memories skiing with your family or friends is a top goal, they’ll happen just as fast here.

CAPITAL-SARATOGA

Willard Mountain in Greenwich – “New York’s Coolest Little Ski Area” is a magical place in the hills of southern Washington County. Located 30 minutes from most of the Capital Region, it’s a place where parents and their kids are treated like part of the family. Willard is a place where everyone can learn to ski or snowboard in a relaxed family environment, simply enjoy cruising down the trails on their varied terrain, or go snow tubing. Willard has a 500-foot vertical drop, with 12 trails, a terrain park, and 85 acres of terrain. The services and activities surround the same base area so you can visit for a few hours on lighted trails during a weeknight to get that big mountain feel with their advanced terrain, at a price that’s affordable. Since the 1950s, it’s a fun, safe place that for the cost of an away weekend of skiing can get you a Willard season pass for your family. Visit: willardmountain.com.

West Mountain in Queensbury – Located between Lake George and Saratoga Springs, West offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, lessons and alpine club racing. True to their roots since 1961, it’s a family-friendly atmosphere nestled at the foot of the Adirondacks and conveniently located off the Northway. West continues to evolve to help skiers improve their skills, have fun, and live an active lifestyle. The ski area covers 125 acres, with 31 trails, a tubing park, and 1,000 feet of vertical drop. West has all mounted snowmaking and lighted trails to make day and night skiing equally enjoyable. Go to: westmountain.com.

Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady – A perfect place for families to learn to ski and ride, it’s designed for all ages and abilities, offering after-school and weekend programs for kids. Since 1963, Maple Ski Ridge experience and passion for providing quality, affordable winter fun. They also have the official Burton learn to ride center. For the day, the weekend or the season, the snow sports school’s professional instructors are top notch and can’t wait to share the thrill of skiing and riding with you and your family. Check out: mapleskiridge.com.

ADIRONDACKS

McCauley Mountain in Old Forge – Big mountain skiing fun, small mountain attitude, without the long lift lines and high prices, in the snowy central Adirondacks! Opened in 1958, the 633-foot vertical drop contains all the skiing and riding boasted by ski areas three times its size. From long cruisers to steep bumps and glades, to double-black diamond challengers, McCauley has it all. With 21 slopes and trails up to a mile long. Skiers moving out of the beginner ranks get a big bonus as it offers accommodating trails from the summit. Everyone gets up in skier country to enjoy the views that extend all the way to Whiteface and Mt. Marcy. Snowmaking and grooming ensure the best possible conditions for over 100 days of skiing annually. Visit: mccauleyny.com.

Oak Mountain in Speculator – In the southern Adirondacks, an easy drive from Albany, Glens Falls or Utica, Oak has terrain to suit everyone’s needs at an affordable rate. They have an outstanding ski and snowboard school, 22 trails with a 650-foot vertical drop, 22 park features, snow tubing, and miles of snowshoeing trails – and the mountain is snowmobile accessible. Whether it’s a breathtaking view from the top of the chairlift with the surrounding lakes, you’re sure to create long-lasting memories and have a great time. Go to: oakmountainski.com.

Royal Mountain in Caroga Lake – Royal opened in 1957 and has been owned/operated by Jim Blaise since 1971, until October 2020 – when it was sold to Jake and Brooke Tennis, a young couple with 20 years of ties to the mountain. Located 10 miles northwest of Johnstown, Royal has 100 acres of trails with a 575-foot vertical drop for skiing and riding, plus five glade trails, a terrain park, and a new advanced beginner area. It’s a friendly, small town experience, for large-scale outdoor fun. Check out: royalmountain.com.

Titus Mountain in Malone – Family-friendly skiing in the northern Adirondacks, and only an hour from Plattsburgh or Lake Placid. A best kept secret to those outside the North Country, Titus has three mountains with 1,200-foot vertical drop, 50 trails, glades, night skiing, tubing hill and ungroomed terrain. All this, plus short lift lines, uncrowded slopes, and affordable ski/stay packages to beat the winter doldrums. For those interested in earning your turns, a “skin & ski” ticket is available daily. Visit: titusmountain.com.

TACONICS & CATSKILLS

Catamount Mountain in Hillsdale – Straddling the New York/Massachusetts border, Catamount is a fun mountain with some of the best steeps and beginner and intermediate terrain. Since 2018, they’ve added many upgrades to make it one of the best small ski areas on the East Coast, offering 40 trails with a vertical descent of 1,000 feet, night skiing on 15 trails, terrain parks, and longest run of 1.75 miles. Go to: catamountski.com.

Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury – Located in the northwestern Catskills, you’ll find a laidback, authentic vibe with 38 trails, from two-mile long beginner cruisers to steep double-black diamonds with 1,100 feet of vertical. They have big mountain terrain, small mountain charm with a community atmosphere. There’s something for everyone, including a terrain park and snowtubing. In December 2018, Powder magazine described Plattekill as “the Alta of the Catskills.” Check out: plattekill.com.

CENTRAL & TUG HILL

Greek Peak in Cortland – Central New York’s largest ski resort was founded in 1958, just minutes from Interstate 81. The mountain has a vertical drop of 952 feet, 220 skiable acres, 56 trails, four terrain parks, 1.5-mile-long trail, and night skiing. The mountain has received many additions including a “green” hotel with 106 suites at the base area and they have a ten-lane snow tubing center. Visit: greekpeak.net.

Snow Ridge in Turin – The ski resort is on the Tug Hill plateau, known for its 230 inches of consistent snowfall. With 26 trails including six glade skiing trails, 500-foot vertical and 130 acres across five distinct areas along the ridge, is one of the best places to ski and snowboard for untracked powder. They also offer two terrain parks and night skiing. Go to: snowridge.com.

Woods Valley in Westernville – Located just north of Utica/Rome, Woods Valley has 500 feet of vertical, 14 trails, night skiing, ski and snowboard lessons and snow tubing. Opened in 1964, the trails also offer a great view of Delta Lake. The friendly staff, well-groomed trails, and comfortable lodge are a constant at Woods Valley. Go to: woodsvalleyskiarea.com.

As Warren Miller would say, “The best place in the world to ski is where you’re skiing that day.”