The Winter Ahead

Alpine and XC Skiing Preview

By Alex Kochon

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you probably remember last winter all too well. For starters, non-passholders had to plan in advance and buy tickets online or risk driving all the way to a ski center to find that they were sold out. Rental equipment was also incredibly hard to come by. It was a good idea to get completely dressed (and use the bathroom) before you arrived, since indoor amenities were limited. There were boot-up tents, port-o-potties, mask-wearing enforcers, tables without chairs, and limits on time spent inside. It was a lot, and most of the rules were a result of state mandates.

While the Covid situation remains high on ski resorts’ radars, New York lawmakers have so far left them to make their own operational plans for the upcoming winter. “The ski areas had incredibly detailed guidance for last winter,” said Paul Zahray, co-owner of the Lapland Lake XC Ski & Vacation Center in Northville. “Now it seems to be more of the opposite, that it’s just, ‘Hey everyone, try and do the right thing.’”

What’s best for guests and employees alike is difficult for private owners like Paul to determine at this point, and while everything is subject to change depending on Covid infection rates, most local ski areas have an idea what this winter will look like.

What can we expect as we head into the snow season? Face coverings are still generally required or at least recommended indoors, if indoor facilities are open. Purchasing lift tickets, trail passes, and reserving rental equipment online is still highly encouraged as it helps ski areas prepare for crowds and plan accordingly.

Generally speaking, the further in advance a day pass is purchased, the greater the savings. The state-owned Gore and Whiteface ski areas have deeply discounted online lift ticket prices, with day passes available as early as Nov. 26 (projected opening day). For last-minute tickets, skiers and riders can purchase online or in-person at the ticket window as long as they don’t sell out. (Last year, many ski areas sold out of day passes during busy weekends and holidays.) Rentals are anticipated to sell out before day passes, which is why ski areas are urging guests to book online or call ahead to check for ticket and rental availability.

Gore Mountain – Covid aside, the crew at Gore Mountain in North Creek has been busy with trail improvements, including widening the Arena trail near the base area, regrading Lower Sunway, and installing snowmaking upgrades on those trails and Echo, where FIS-certified races are held. There are a three new short-but-sweet expert trails off Sagamore on Burnt Ridge, named Moe, Larry and Curley, and a new entry with snowmaking on Lower Steilhang, another black-diamond trail.

According to Gore’s marketing manager, Stephanie Backes, the lodges will be at 75 percent capacity for starters, which could increase or decrease depending on the Covid situation. Guests are required to wear masks inside, regardless of vaccination status, as well as in the gondola. While face coverings are not required outside, they’re recommended, along with social distancing, especially in the lift lines. This year, lifts will be loaded with multiple parties unless an individual or group requests to ride alone. For children under 12 in snowsports lessons, masks are required.

A tent for visitors to put on their ski or snowboard boots will once again be set up near the parking lot drop-off area for those who don’t want to go inside. Ticket prices at the window remain the same as last year, but purchasing online in advance is strongly recommended. “We have a really great discounts available the further out that you purchase,” Stephanie said.

Season passes are still available (full-season passes are valid at Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre), along with Frequent Skier Cards, while supplies last. More info: goremountain.com. 

Whiteface Mountain – At Whiteface in Wilmington, almost 30,000 feet of snowmaking pipe (dating back to the 1980 Olympics) was replaced in the offseason, along with new motors and drives in the pump houses, to double the amount of water pumped up the mountain. Whiteface also revamped its snowmaking system with energy efficient snow guns.

Following a fire in 2019, the brand-new, 10,000-square-foot, mid-station Legacy Lodge will be open to guests with food and beverage options, a large dining area, multiple seating spaces, full restrooms, and a heated stone deck with a fire pit.

At the base, a new SkyTrac quad will more easily bring skiers to the beginner-rated Bear, Wolf and Fox trails, as well as the Skytrax alpine finish area and Freeway lift. The Cloudsplitter gondola was completely renovated with new gondola cabins, drive motors, lines, and a low-voltage power system, and the Face Lift saw similar motor and software upgrades.

Face coverings are required for everyone indoors and while riding the gondola, and can only be removed when eating or drinking in the lodge. More info: whiteface.com.

Big Fun, Small Attitude! In Easton, Willard Mountain is New York’s coolest little ski area with terrific lesson programs for skiers of all ages, plus snowmaking, night skiing, retail shop and tubing park: willardmountain.com. In Old Forge, McCauley is New York’s best family mountain, offering long cruisers, challenging bumps and glades, plenty of snow, summit trails for all, and Adirondack views: mccauleyny.com.

Mt. Van Hoevenberg – While the 55,000-square-foot Mountain Pass Lodge stole the spotlight last winter, plus new biathlon range and even a paved roller ski loop. The state-run Nordic center in Lake Placid has new, top-of-the-line snowmaking system to show off this year. This will allow for earlier snowmaking and the ability to cover the world-class five-kilometer loop in three to four days. These facilities will benefit recreational skiers and racers. Face coverings are required indoors. More info: mtvanhoevenberg.com.

Garnet Hill – At the Outdoor Center in North River, some of the final details concerning Covid procedures are being ironed out. Last year, indoor seating and dining at the outdoor center wasn’t available, but bathrooms remained open and indoor dining was offered just up the hill at the Garnet Hill Lodge. In the offseason, the Outdoor Center redesigned its rental space so that those transactions can now be done inside. Day-of ticket sales will be available at a window, but online purchases of day or season passes is highly recommended.

Last winter, Garnet offered either private or semi-private lessons, which will continue based on popularity. This year, they’re planning to bring back mixed group lessons for beginners, according to Outdoor Center manager Michele Pearsall. They’re also aiming to bring back their bus pickup for skiers who want to ski one way, mostly downhill, to Rodgers Road. More info: garnet-hill.com.

Lapland Lake – This destination Nordic center near Northville has a new online ticketing system and is pushing for patrons to purchase passes, as well as reserve rentals and lessons, in advance. Private and shared-private lessons are available, and according to Paul, they’re hoping to bring back kids’ lessons and programs this winter.

While Lapland doesn’t have a firm face-mask policy just yet, it will likely be recommended for vaccinated visitors and required for those who aren’t vaccinated. Transactions and rentals can be done without having to come inside, and a food truck will be on-site during the weekends.

Lapland Lake offers day rentals that can be used on site and season-long rentals that can be used anywhere, as long as conditions are good. They also sell cross-country ski equipment. “This year the advice I would give would be try to buy early and it’s good to call and check ahead to make sure the inventory is there,” Paul said. More info: laplandlake.com.

XC Ski the Adirondacks! In Saranac Lake, Dewey Mountain has lower trails groomed for skate and track set for classic, plus ungroomed upper trails – most lower trails are lighted for night skiing. The recreation center offers plenty of happenings: deweymountain.com. In North Creek, Gore Mountain at the North Creek Ski Bowl, is a groomed, challenging 5K trail network with snowmaking and lighting to extend your on-snow time – and enjoy a scenic view: goremountain.com. In Old Forge, McCauley Mountain has 15K of cross-country ski trails: mccauleyny.com.

Need Equipment? – At the Alpine Sport Shop in Saratoga Springs, co-owner Jack Hay said they’ve already sold out of seasonal rentals for alpine skis, and they’re not offering cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals this year. While they have a solid supply of hard goods, Jack is finding that re-orders, specific requests and soft goods like clothing are harder to come by. 

“People are shopping early because they know supply chains are disrupted so if you can get it now, buy it,” he said. “Last year, we were out of cross-country skis and snowshoes by Christmas. We still have some, but they’re going fast.” Sales are once again up over even last year, which was a record season, Jack said. For more info: alpinesportshop.com.

Brian Delaney, co-owner of High Peaks Cyclery in Lake Placid, is seeing similar promising trends. “As far as ski inventory, it’s going very well,” Brian said. “We’re busy, and we have good supply. Boots are little behind, but we’re getting shipped everything. Race skis have arrived and backcountry stuff is coming in.” 

For the winter, High Peaks offers rentals for alpine and Nordic skiing, alpine touring, telemark, fat bike, and mountain gear (snowshoes, trekking poles, ice climbing gear), typically for one day or up to a week. “I think there’s more people getting into these sports,” Brian said. “As long as they take a lesson, they’re going to stick with it.” For more info: highpeakscyclery.com.

In Queensbury, Inside Edge Ski & Bike offers sales, service and XC ski rentals. They are a direct importer of Sporten alpine and XC skis from the Czech Republic, and Fizan alpine, XC and trekking poles, direct from Italy. The Cole’s Woods trails are right behind the shop with free parking for skiers: insideedge.biz. For online orders: reliableracing.com.

In Latham, Play It Again Sports, is your winter sports headquarters for 25 years with new alpine ski, snowboard and cross-country gear in-stock and arriving daily, and drastically reduced prices on last year’s and used gear: playitagainsportslatham.com. Also in Latham, High Adventure, is a 28-year-old family business specializing in all your skiing needs, whether you’re experienced or just starting out. Their expert staff will help you choose the correct gear and service it at fair prices: highadventuresbp.com. Think snow!

Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) of Gansevoort is a freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two who enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks.