February 2024 / ALPINE SKIING & SNOWBOARDING
The North Creek snow train in 1935. Schenectady Wintersports Club
Hardy skiers used rope tows in the 1930s at what is now Gore Mountain ski resort. SWC
North Creek Snow Train
Gore Celebrates 90th Anniversary
This season marks the 90th anniversary of the Snow Train that brought skiers to North Creek, kickstarting generations of winter tourism in the area. Business owners, historians, and ski enthusiasts are commemorating this historic event.
The North Creek Snow Train’s inaugural voyage in 1934 transported 378 skiers from Schenectady to North Creek, launching the region’s winter sports tourism attractions. Today, in a broad collaboration, the town of Johnsburg, Gore Mountain, Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek Depot Museum, Johnsburg Historical Society, Revolution Rail Co., Cunningham’s Ski Barn, ski enthusiasts, esteemed historians, artists, devoted residents, and local business owners all unite to honor the rich legacy of this remarkable train.
Throughout the snow season, an array of curated events will illuminate the vibrant history and cultural significance of the North Creek Snow Train. These events include walking history tours of the train station and North Creek Ski Bowl, screenings of vintage films, presentations, concerts, artwork exhibitions, fun races, and commemorative giveaways, among other activities. Barkeater Chocolates is making a Snow Train chocolate bar, and Upper Hudson Coffee is labeling the Roosevelt Roast with the Snow Train logo.
In addition to the schedule of events listed below, additional details are in development, and more information will be forthcoming.
All history enthusiasts and aficionados of winter sports and recreation are encouraged to explore the schedule of events to find a path to immersing themselves in this remarkable journey through time. Discover the story of how the North Creek Snow Train became an indelible part of the “Ride Up, Slide Down” era of Adirondack history and the catalyst for generations of winter enjoyment at Gore Mountain.
Some skiers in the old days would go straight from the ski train to trucks that would carry them up the mountain. SWC
The North Creek snow train in 1936.
History – The origins of skiing in the Adirondacks trace back to as early as 1903. As this new adventure-filled sport gained popularity through the 1920s and early 1930s, the 1932 Winter Olympics held in nearby Lake Placid ignited a fervor for winter sports throughout the region. One that prompted Vincent Schaefer of Schenectady to organize efforts to bring Snow Trains to North Creek.
His group lobbied various railroad companies to establish trips to potential ski areas, including North Creek and the burgeoning Ski Bowl. The Olympics also inspired leaders of the American Legion in North Creek who built several ski trails on Gore for skiers who arrived via the Snow Train.
On March 4, 1934, the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company sent the inaugural Snow Train northward, carrying nearly 400 skiers from Schenectady to North Creek. This affordable round-trip adventure, priced at $1.50 (equivalent to $34.70 today), was met with tremendous enthusiasm, transforming North Creek into a cherished skiing destination. By 1936, snow trains were departing from Albany and New York City as well, ushering in an era of increased tourism that significantly bolstered the local economy during the Great Depression.
Though the Snow Train era eventually concluded during World War II, its impact on the history of skiing remains indelible. Today, we commemorate this storied past and the enduring legacy of winter sports in North Creek and at Gore Mountain.
Schedule of Events – February 10 at 7pm at Tannery Pond Center – Old Ski Movie Night from the 1930s to the 1950s presented by the Depot Museum. February 17 at 7pm at Tannery Pond Center – Jim Schaefer presentation on Schenectady’s Women of Winter: Frederica “Freddie” Anderson, Pioneer Ski Instructor and Lois Perret (Schaefer), RN, The First Aid Committee (Ski Patrol) 1933. February 22 at 7pm at Tannery Pond Center – Johnsburg Historical Society presentation on the WWII 10th Mountain Ski Division.
March 2-4 – Gore Mountain will be celebrating the first Snow Train to arrive in North Creek. March 2 at a time to be determined – Ski Bowl Snowshoe presented by the North Creek Depot Museum. March 3 at 1pm at Tannery Pond Center – Johnsburg Community Story Recording Session and launch of Audio Walking Tour of North Creek.
For more information about these events and to stay updated on the schedule of activities, please visit Tannery Pond Center’s Schedule of Events: tannerypond.org.
We encourage you to join in celebrating this historic milestone, reliving the era of the North Creek Snow Train, and embracing the enduring spirit of winter sports in North Creek and at Gore Mountain. Details are subject to change, so check the Gore website for up-to-date information: goremountain.com.