6 Best Ski Resorts in Upstate New York

With the most ski resorts in the country – 43! – it’s no wonder that the state of New York State is practically the skiing capital of the US. New York’s options are diverse and plentiful when it comes to snowboarding, skiing, and pretty much every possible fun in the snow. Upstate New York particularly has the best ski regions of the lot. The ski resorts in Upstate New York please a bunch of peeps, whether one is a beginner or a pro or going skiing with the entire family! What’s more, many are so close to metropolitan areas, including New York City, that we were transported from an urban jungle to a winter wonderland in no time at all.

We also loved that the resorts ranged from large mountain resorts with impressive vertical drops to smaller, family-friendly operations perfect for introducing our kids to this wonderful winter sport. The best bit? Almost all of them boast extensive snowmaking capabilities and even offer night skiing! So, we were really able to max out our skiing capabilities on our dream ski trip to Upstate New York – read this comprehensive guide to find out what we did and where!

Catamount Ski Area, Hillsdale/Egremont

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Set right on the New York-Massachusetts state line is the Catamount Ski Area, which is easily accessible from both Boston and the Big Apple. We loved this resort that offered a thrill-seeking yet family-friendly experience in the picturesque Berkshires. That’s because it’s famously home to some of the most challenging and diverse slopes around, including a jaw-dropping 1,000-ft (305 m) vertical drop! That said, part of Catamount’s family-friendly street cred comes from the fact that a third of its trails are beginner trails. What’s more, they’re off to a side where we novices could practice in peace. Plus, it has a bunch of children’s programs, which the kids enjoyed, especially since they were being introduced to the sport.

Even then, Catamount doesn’t forget about advanced and expert skiers, with one of its two double blacks supposedly being the steepest run in all of Berkshires. That, along with the friendly and relaxed vibe, both on the slopes and in the base town of Hillsdale, is what makes Catamount so popular. Wrapping up the features were the two terrain parks and a progression park that provided all the challenges we were looking for. 

The Terrain. With 119 acres of skiable area and 9 mi (15 km) of skiing routes, Catamount is particularly loved by experienced skiers, with 47% of the runs dedicated to them. Even then, beginners like us had a whopping 53% runs that we could conquer. Plus, many trails took us through the woods, making for a lovely change of scenery.

The Town. The lovely little town of Hillsdale is the base town for the Catamount ski region and is a real pleasure to explore. It’s all about a vibrant, artsy community with bookshops, flower shops, bakeries, and small restaurants serving up delicious local fare.

At a glance

• Known for: It has the best beginner terrain in all of Berkshires.
• Opening: Mid-December
• Closing: First week of April
• Elevation: 1,000 ft (305 m)
• Summit: 2,000 ft (610 m)
• Lifts: 8 (3 triple lifts, 2 quad lifts, 3 surface lifts)
• Airport: Albany International Airport, 56 mi (90 km)

Where to Stay: We stayed at the gorgeous Little Cat Lodge, one of the loveliest boutique stays in Hillsdale, just a minute’s drive from the skiing area. We loved relaxing in the outdoor swimming pool after a long day out on the slopes before ordering room service and watching movies in bed. In fact, our room even had a patio from where we could spy lovely views of the mountains around.

Check out the other best boutique hotels in Upstate New York.

Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua

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Best for beginners. For beginners like us, Bristol Mountain in the western Finger Lakes region was a fantastic skiing destination. Equipped with its own state-of-the-art snowmaking technology, the weather didn’t get to play truant or havoc when we were skiing at Bristol. What also makes this one of the best mountain resorts in the region special is that it has the greatest vertical drop in all of Upstate New York – that of 1,200 ft (366 m)! That’s the largest between the Rocky Mountains and the Adirondacks (think Lake Placid). Aside from the large base area with good dining options, the skiing area also has a rather well-regarded ski school that had us up and skiing with confidence quickly.

Besides traditional downhill skiing, Bristol Mountain also offers cross-country skiing, whose trails wind their way around the tree-filled top of the mountain. If that wasn’t enough, the mountain also has beautiful, well-lit night skiing, and that too across all skill levels. Plus, they prioritize maintaining the best conditions for snowboarders too, with two terrain parks. Did you know that they hosted both the 2020 and the 2021 U.S. Aerials Freestyle Competition? Yes!

The Terrain. With 160 acres of skiable area and 12 mi (20 km) of skiing trails, Bristol Mountain’s 39 trails break out into 20% difficult, 50% intermediate, and 30% beginner levels. Moreover, they also have 1.8 mi (3 km) of Nordic trails, and almost all of them boast lights for night skiing. In fact, Bristol Mountain even claims to have the longest run in the region, almost 2 mi (3.2 km) in length.

The Town. The local area, including the base town of Canandaigua, 20 minutes away, maintains an authentic, relaxed vibe. The charming lakeside town is also historic to boot and has hotels, boutique B&Bs, and loads of restaurants as well.

At a glance

• Known for: This is a local western New York mountain with the biggest vertical drop around.
• Opening: November end
• Closing: First week of April
• Elevation: 1,000 feet (300 m)
• Summit: 2,150 feet (660 m)
• Lifts: 6 (5 chairlifts, 1 magic carpet)
• Airport: Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, 42.5 mi (67.6 km)

Where to Stay: Rather than stay in a townhouse rental, we got ourselves a magical stay at the Sutherland House Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Canandaigua. This quaint Victorin-era B&B lay on five-acre grounds and boasted the most beautiful garden views we’d ever seen. Aside from free private parking and free Wi-Fi, what we loved here was the local flavor. The hosts served a delicious breakfast every day, and our days ended by the outdoor fireplace, drinking hot chocolate. The rooms themselves were lavish and came with patios, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and even kitchenettes.

Hunter Mountain, Hunter

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Lying less than three hours north of the Big Apple, Hunter Mountain draws more of a ski-hard-and-party-harder crowd, especially the dedicated weekend warriors! In fact, it claims to be the most challenging skiing in the area, which isn’t unfounded, given that almost half the trails are dedicated to expert/advanced skiers. What we loved about Hunter Mountain was the impressive 100% snow-making and the award-winning ski school.

Hunter Mountain has some truly exceptional alternatives to skiing/snowboarding, like the snow-tubing park that has its very own carpet lift! So we didn’t have to drag our tubes all the way up to the top. Also, they’re open for all ages, and the lanes are an impressive 1,000 ft. (305 m) long. If all that wasn’t enough, there are even guided ice-climbing expeditions to the top of the summit. Do you prefer something more laid back? Pamper yourselves to the hilt at the Mountain Club Spa.

Please note: Since it’s part of the EPIC ski pass program, day lift tickets on Hunter Mountain are limited to ensure there’s no crowding. Check the number of day lift tickets available every day here.

The Terrain. 320 acres of skiable terrain is spread out across 34 mi (55 km) of skiing routes, 67 runs, and 4 faces. So, the beginners’ slopes were separated from the faster traffic, with 85% of the runs split among beginner, intermediate, and advanced fairly evenly. The remaining 15% is dedicated to the expert skier level.

The Town. Although it doesn’t have a traditional base village, Hunter Mountain has a nice selection of slopeside lodging and restaurants. And, of course, the après scene is akin to a mountainous NYC! If you don’t want to stay here, the nearby Windham or Tannersville are also fun options to stay.

At a glance

• Known for: Part crowds at what is one of New York’s most popular skiing resorts.
• Opening: Mid-end of November
• Closing: Second week of April
• Elevation: 1,600 ft (488 m)
• Summit: 3,200 ft (975 m)
• Lifts: 15 (13 chairlifts, 1 pony lift, 1 carpet lift)
• Airport: Albany International Airport, 65 mi (105 km)

Where to Stay: Staying at the ski-in/ski-out Kaatskill Mountain Club and Condos is one of the best decisions we took while on a skiing holiday at Hunter Mountain. This liftside hotel offered a bevy of choices when it came to stays, all of which boasted superb views of the mountain and the slopes. Modern bathrooms, plush beds, coffeemakers, and fridges in the rooms, suites, and apartments – there’s nothing they hadn’t thought of. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a generously hearty complementary breakfast wrapped up the offerings here.

Belleayre Mountain, Highmount

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One of the largest skiing areas in the Catskills, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a family-friendly ski resort that was great for learning about how to hit the slopes. Tucked about three hours from NYC, this ski resort from the 1940s stood out for the fact that it was never overly crowded and its extra wide trails. So, we had plenty of room to simply learn and enjoy the experience without having to worry about bumping into people. Since it has a vertical drop of more than 1,400 ft (427 m), there are even first-class ski instructors who’ll teach you how to ski the mountain at the Snowsports School.

Aside from skiing, Belleayre offers three snowboard parks/courses and even 6 mi (9.6 km) of Nordic, a.k.a. cross-country skiing, for free, which is great for those looking for more flat terrain. Recently, Belleayre upgraded and improved its infrastructure, adding a new high-speed quad, better snowmaking, and even a brand-new day lodge, making the experience all the better. 

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The Terrain. Belleayre boasts 175 skiable acres with 12.5 mi (20 km) of skiing routes spread across a whopping 64 trails. What’s more, more than half (55%) of the trails are geared toward intermediate snowboarders and skiers, making Belleayre perfect for those looking to ski blue square or black diamond runs. With snowmaking covering 96% of the mountain, we never had an off day here.

The Town. The resort had lots of onsite dining to keep us fueled throughout the day, including pub food, deli soups and sandwiches, and grab-and-go food. That said, Fleischmanns, five minutes away, is the base town. It has a great mix of lodging and dining options too. It doesn’t really have an après ski scene, but it’s enough for enjoying an out-and-out skiing holiday.

At a glance

• Known for: Versatile skiing mountain that’s fun for the whole family.
• Opening: Mid-November
• Closing: Mid-April
• Elevation: 2,025 ft (617.2 m)
• Summit: 3,429 ft (1,045.2 m)
• Lifts: 9 (4 magic carpets, 1 gondola, 4 chairlifts)
• Airport: Albany International Airport, 89 mi (143 km)

Where to Stay: We stayed at the Shadowcrest Guesthouse, a Victorian-era home that made our stay in the Catskills truly memorable. The rooms and suites were charming, with modern amenities and plush bathrooms, and the hosts were kind enough to give us tips on how to best enjoy our skiing holiday. We especially loved the mountain views from the rooms and the patios, as well as the excellent coffee we were treated to here. After a long day of skiing, it was the perfect place to come and retire.

Whiteface Mountain, Wilmington

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Largest vertical drop. Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid has the largest vertical drop east of the Rocky Mountains – 3,400 ft (1,036 m)! So, it’s no surprise that it hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, rivaling some of the popular western US ski resorts. Thanks to the 98% snowmaking coverage, we always found fresh powder across the varied terrain and enjoyed some truly fantastic skiing across the well-groomed trails.

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But there’s a lot more to do here than just skiing. For one, there are cross-country ski trails, bobsledding on the Olympic track, and even spins we could take on the actual Olympic Speed Skating Oval! However, one of the best things we did was take the scenic gondola ride over the mountain to the observation deck. From there, we spied stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the forests, Lake Champlain, and Lake Placid. Are you a part of the freestyle and snowboarder tribe? Whiteface has not just three terrain parks but even a half pipe, with rails, bumps, humps, and other crazy structures keep you flying through a thrilling ride.

The Terrain. 314 acres of skiable area are divided into 87 runs across a skiing route of almost 23 mi (37 km). While beginners have 35% of runs dedicated to them, experts have 22%, and intermediates have the greatest – 43%. Do you love long downhill runs? Don’t miss skiing the 2.1-mi-long (3.4 km) Wilmington Trail, which is one of the Northeast’s longest intermediate runs. 

The Town. Whiteface is more than just skiing, especially since the Legacy Lodge at the base has everything from a sunny, heated patio to delicious food offerings. That said, the base town is the nearby Wilmington, 15 minutes away, and has great lodging and dining options. Lake Placid, which is a further 15 minutes away, is all the better, with a delightful main street and a mountain town atmosphere.

At a glance

• Known for: Excellent, varied terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
• Opening: Mid-November
• Closing: Mid-April
• Elevation: 1,220 ft (372 m)
• Summit: 4,386 ft (1,337 m)
• Lifts: 12 (2 conveyor lifts, 9 chairlifts, 1 gondola)
• Airport: Plattsburgh International Airport, 43 mi (69 km)

Where to Stay: While Wilmington has excellent staying options, we highly recommend The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, one of the best spa hotels in Upstate New York. We booked this indulgent hotel as we wanted to relax, which we did to the hilt at the acclaimed 8,000-square-foot huge rustic and tranquil Spa at Whiteface Lodge. In fact, Conde Nast Traveler even hailed it as one of the “Top 100 Spas in North America.” After a relaxing treatment and an equally invigorating dip in the hot tub and the heated indoor-outdoor pool, the digs took it further with outdoor patios overlooking the verdure and jetted tubs in the bathrooms. Is there even a way to not stay here?

Gore Mountain, North Creek

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Most skiable terrain. Largest ski resort. Gore Mountain has the distinction of being not just New York’s most skiable terrain but also its largest ski resort, with 428 acres of skiable area across four peaks. We loved the variety of runs for all sorts of skill and ability levels, which meant that the entire family had fun on the mountain. Hence, we found lots of wide, open overlooks with 360-degree views of the beautifully groomed slopes, challenging glades, steep inclines, and the surrounding mountains.

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Besides traditional downhill skiing, there’s a whole lot more to do at Gore Mountain. These include cross-country skiing, glade skiing (skiing in the trees off-trail), terrain parks, and even snowshoeing. In fact, the fun didn’t stop when the sun went down; it only got better! This was thanks to twilight skiing at the lit-up slopes on the Ski Bowl. Moreover, Gore Mountain also offers lessons, has a relaxed mountain atmosphere, and isn’t too crowded, as it’s quite a distance from all major cities.

The Terrain. With 36 mi (58 km) of skiing routes across 100 trails, Gore Mountain offers a heart-stopping 2,500 ft (762 m) vertical drop – just a little less challenging than Whiteface Mountain. What’s more, the runs are divided into 12% beginner runs and 48% and 40% intermediate and difficult ones. The longest run is 3.7 mi (6 km)!

The Town. The lodge at the base has a food court where we could grab casual meals in between runs. That said, North Creek is the base for Gore Mountain, and there are lots of bars and taverns in the region for having a drink après ski.

At a glance

• Known for: Well-groomed trails over an extremely skiable, large terrain.
• Opening: Mid-November
• Closing: Mid-April
• Elevation: 998 ft (460 m)
• Summit: 3,600 ft (1,100 m)
• Lifts: 15 (3 surface lifts, 2 doubles, 3 triples, 4 quads, 2 high-speed quads, and 1 gondola (8-passenger)
• Airport: Albany International Airport, 81 mi (130 km)

Where to Stay: We loved the mountain-chic guest rooms and suites with amenities ranging from hot tubs to fireplaces and full kitchens at the Alpine Lodge in North Creek. Our days began with delicious complimentary continental breakfasts, after which we’d head off to ski. After we came back, we’d sip on wine in our room on the patio, with wonderful views of the gardens and the mountains. Later on, we’d retire to the outdoor lounge area by the fire pit, enjoying an alfresco BBQ dinner under the stars.

Our Verdict!

Choosing a skiing region in Upstate New York is choosing from a mind-boggling array of options, which is why we’ve made a specialized list below:

• Best for beginners: Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua
• Largest vertical drop: Whiteface Mountain, Wilmington
• Most skiable terrain: Gore Mountain, North Creek
• Largest ski resort: Gore Mountain, North Creek

What is upstate New York best known for?

Upstate New York is famous for its snowy, cold winters, which is why it has a reputation for skiing resorts, some of which are the best in the country.

What is the closest ski mountain to New York City?

Located less than three hours from New York City, Belleayre Mountain in Highmount is the closest skiing mountain to NYC.

What time of year is best to ski in New York?

The snowboarding and skiing season in the Catskills usually runs from December to early April. That said, January and February are the most reliable months for snowfall, where the snow isn’t slushy.