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, and the cost of their ski schools is affordable. Other advantages are lesser crowds, close to home, but they do offer lots of variety and challenges – plus, easy access, snow tubing, après ski fun, and lighted trails for night skiing. If building memories skiing with your family or friends is a top goal, they’ll happen just as fast here.

CAPITAL-SARATOGA

West Mountain in Queensbury – Between Lake George and Saratoga, West offers the best of all worlds – skiing, snow tubing, lessons, ski tuning, rentals, awesome après, and night skiing. 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 – ideal for birthday tubing parties. West continues to evolve to help skiers improve their skills, have fun, and live an active lifestyle. Their new 518 Card allows holders to save 10% off daily skiing and tubing tickets, rentals, retail, food and beverages. The ski resort covers 125 acres, with 31 varied trails for all ages and abilities, a tubing park, and 1,000 feet of vertical drop – that’s not small! West has all mounted snowmaking and well-lighted trails to make day and night skiing equally enjoyable. Upcoming events include Snowfest with bonfire and food/drinks on Feb. 1, Fire on the Mountain with bonfire, torchlight parade, fireworks, and fiery food/drinks on Feb. 15, and Slush Cup on March 30. Go to: westmountain.com.

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 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 cruise the trails on their varied terrain, or go snow tubing. Willard has a 500-foot vertical, with 12 trails, a terrain park, and 85 acres. The 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. Visit: willardmountain.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 has 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

Oak Mountain in Speculator – In the southern Adirondacks, an easy drive from Albany, Glens Falls or Utica, Oak is a three-season resort that has terrain to suit everyone’s needs at an affordable rate. Owners Matt and Laura O’Brien have an outstanding ski and snowboard school, rental equipment, 22 trails with a 650-foot vertical drop, 22 park features, four lanes of snow tubing, and miles of snowshoeing trails. Home of Acorn Pub & Eatery, their hospitality, fun and delicious Adirondack cuisine is what drives the casually-creative menu. Want a really big party? You can rent Oak Mountain for the day to ski, board, tube, with rentals and lessons available – or maybe it’s a wedding, birthday or corporate retreat! 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.

Hickory in Warrensburg – Nestled in the scenic Adirondacks, just one hour from Albany is the historic ski center. Founded as “Hickory Hill” in 1945 by veterans of the famed ski troops of the 10th Mountain Division, it’s stood for almost 70 years at the confluence of the Schroon and Hudson rivers. In 2024, Hickory achieved their three-year goal of opening for the ski season with upgrades done to ski trails, glades, lifts, and uphill routes. For 2025, their in good shape for another opening day when Mother Nature gifts us with a white blanket. Season passes are available, as are overnight sleeping accommodations at The Hut, and new year-round offerings are being explored. Go to: skihickory.com.

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.

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 getaway with some of the best steeps and beginner and intermediate terrain for all skill levels. Since 2018, they’ve added many upgrades to make it one of the best small ski areas on the East Coast, offering 44 trails with a vertical descent of 1,000 feet, night skiing on 22 trails, terrain parks, and longest run of 1.75 miles. You can also visit their sister mountain, Berkshire East, in Charlemont, Mass., which has steadily grown and evolved for more than 50 years. Go to: catamountski.com.

Jiminy Peak in Hancock, Mass. – With great proximity to Albany, it has top notch snowmaking, family-friendly atmosphere, and night skiing. The area boasts 45 trails over 167 acres, all are funneled back to the base areas, with learning programs and loads of family-friendly activities. Further north, visit their sister mountain, Bromley, in Peru, Vt. – a family-friendly resort, where everyone loves their southern exposure. Visit: jiminypeak.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. The last family-owned and operated ski resort in the northern Catskills offering big mountain terrain, small mountain charm with a community atmosphere. There’s something for everyone, including a terrain park and snow tubing. In December 2018, Powder magazine described Plattekill as “the Alta of the Catskills.” At Plattekill, you can also rent the whole mountain for your very own private group ski and ride day, with all services operational for skiing, riding and tubing – perfect for fundraisers, parties, corporate events, and team building. Check out: plattekill.com.

CENTRAL & TUG HILL

Greek Peak in Cortland – Central New York’s largest mountain resort was founded in 1958, just minutes from Interstate 81, east of the Finger Lakes. The ski area has a vertical drop of 952 feet, 220 skiable acres, 56 trails, four terrain parks, 1.5-mile-long trail, and night skiing with upgraded lighting. The mountain has a “green” hotel and huge indoor waterpark with 106 suites in the heart of the resorts, and they have a ten-lane snow tubing center. Greek Peak is in year four of their five-year infrastructure investment and improvement plan, after operating for 111 ski days in 2024. Greek Peak is alive with activity to ensure another memorable season for their snow enthusiasts: replaced all rental equipment, made snowmaking and lift improvements, new hand scanners for easy lift access and online purchasing. 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.”