Whether it's a downhill competition or some family fun when it comes to hitting the slopes, New York leads the way.
"New York state actually has over 50 ski resorts in the state," Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Communications Coordinator Sydney Aveson said.
What You Need To Know
- When most people think of skiing in the Adirondacks, Whiteface and Gore Mountains are the typical go-to spots
- However, there are a bunch of smaller ski areas in the Adirondacks and people of all ages and skill levels have been enjoying for years
- The smaller ski areas often tend to be a bit easier, less expensive and have operating hours diffenent that that of Whiteface or Gore. Some of the slopes are even free
For so many in-state skiers and those from far beyond, a trip to the Adirondacks is a must. Gore Mountain and Whiteface are among the options.
"They're just awesome places," Aveson said.
However, for as great as those two mountains are, when you consider ability, convenience and finances, not every mountain is for everyone. So for every Whiteface and every Gore, there's also a place like Mount Pisgah.
"Mount Pisgah is a community ski hill with night skiing and tubing," Aveson added.
Working with ROOST, Aveson spends a lot of her time promoting the Adirondacks. But when she's not working, you can probably find her at Mount Pisgah.
"I’m a Saranac Lake resident myself, and I personally use this this hill after work for skiing, but also to bring my family and my friends," she added.
Andy Testo has been the manager at Mount Pisgah for four years. Whether it is those downhill competitions or those kids getting off the bus for a night ski, he sees the benefit of places like it.
"It gives folks a chance to interact with folks living up here, getting to see the ways that we enjoy winter sports and winter recreation. It gives everybody a chance to enjoy the sport as as it's intended," Testo said.
In fact, there are a number of under-the-radar, hidden gems scattered throughout the Adirondacks. Some are aimed at the beginning skier, some aimed at families with different hours, even night skiing, and some that are completely free of charge.
"They serve all those other needs to the local community, the ski teams, [and] everything in between," Testo added.
And as skiers work their way up that skill level, Testo says he sees a lot of them come back to places like his.
"As the kids grow up, they end up being the ones who teach the next younger generation of kids the same thing that they learned on the hill," Testo said.
For more information on these different ski areas in the Adirondacks, visit ROOST’S website.