Best New York Ski Resorts List: Top NY Vacation Areas

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Ski Resorts in New York

New York may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of skiing, but the state actually boasts a surprisingly large number of ski resorts. From the rolling hills of the Catskills to the peaks of the Adirondacks, there’s a ski resort in New York to suit every level of skier or snowboarder. This New York Ski Resorts list will help you choose where you and your family should hit the slopes this winter! 

When choosing which ski resort you’d like to visit, the following criteria should be taken into consideration. Location, price, terrain, and amenities will greatly influence your decision. In our list of the best ski resorts in New York we highlight each of these four factors to help make your trip planning easier. 

List of Ski Resorts in New York:

New York State is home to 52 ski areas! That’s the most of any other state in the United States. With 10 of these locations considered destination resorts, it can be hard to choose where to visit. Let us help you choose by highlighting each New York ski area in each region of the state! 

Central New York

The Central New York Region is home to a variety of incredible ski resorts. Many of these resorts offer more than just downhill skiing and snowboarding; adventure centers and water park amenities provide fun for every adventurer in your family! 

Belleayre Mountain 

Located in the Northern Catskills, Belleayre is a family-friendly resort with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. They offer private, group, and family lessons to beginners and those looking to improve their skills and knowledge! 

With a vertical drop of 1,404 feet, the resort includes 61 trails including glades and parks. 22% of their trails are considered easy and beginner-friendly. A total of 171 skiable acres can be accessed by eight aerial and surface lifts. 

Belleayre Mountain does not offer on-site accommodations. It does have a cute downtown scene with scenic restaurants and a variety of bed and breakfast, lodge and cabin, and resort stay options. 

Greek Peak Mountain Resort

Located between the cities of Binghamton and Syracuse, Greek Peak is a family-friendly resort offering a mix of terrain, a year-round adventure center, and an indoor water park. As for our New York Ski Resorts list, it’s one of my favorites! There’s truly just so much fun to be had during your stay.

Greek Peak Mountain resort offers 56 trails ranging from beginner to expert. Eight lifts provide access to 300 skiable acres with a 952-foot vertical drop. This should keep beginner and intermediate skiers occupied for a long weekend and beyond!

Greek Peak offers a beautiful on-site lodge and townhouse options. Learn more about their incredible accommodations and winter amenities. Adults and children alike will enjoy the heated outdoor pool attached to the indoor waterpark, incredible rubbing hill and alpine coaster, and spa services.

Hunter Mountain 

As the closest major ski resort to New York City, Hunter Mountain is a popular spot for day trippers and weekend warriors. Located in the Eastern Catskills, and just off I-87 Hunter Mountain is known as the snowmaking capital of the world as its snowguns cover 100% of its trails. 

Hit 67 trails and 4 terrain parks at Huner Mountain. Thirteen lifts provide access to 320 skiable acres over 1600 feet of vertical drop. Hunter is also home to a state-of-the-art learning center making it a great place for beginners. 

Hosting a variety of events all winter long, Hunter is a great place to visit for the entire family. Hunter Mountain does not offer on-site lodging, however, you can utilize their lodge-finding tool to find the best accommodations for your trip. 

Windham Mountain Club

Another great option for families, Windham Mountain has a variety of terrain, as well as a nearby water park and an amusement park (in summer).

1,600 feet of vertical skiing and riding among 54 trails and 6 terrain parks. Windham Mountain Club offers 285 trail acres that can be accessed by 11 lists, including one high-speed six-passenger and three high-speed quad chairs. 

Windham does offer on-mountain, ski in ski out accommodations at Whisper Creek. These luxury slope-side rooms include mountain views and access to the hot tub and heated pool. Those looking for some rejuvenation on their trip can schedule a spa service or Snowga, a spiritual snowshoe/yoga journey through the forest at Windham. 

Northern New York

The Northernmost region of New York is home to the tallest mountains in the state. This makes it a prime location for ski areas. From Lake Champlain, across the Adirondack Mountains to Lake Ontario, there are 15 ski areas to choose from. Here are some of our favorites! 

Gore Mountain

It is a great option for families who love skiing and snowboarding. Gore Mountain has a wide variety of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. As the largest ski and ride area in New York State, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for more.

Gore Mountain spans four mountains, providing over 400 accessible acres and a vertical drop of 2,537 feet. Fourteen lifts service 108 trails with the longest run being over 4 miles long. 

Gore has lights in the ski bowl area for twilight riding, a Nordic center for cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and on-mountain dining options. Relax apres-ski in the Tannery, and enjoy delicious eats every day with live music on Saturdays. 

Hickory Ski Center

Hickory Ski Center is a great location for skiers and snowboarders looking for difficult terrain. It’s only open when conditions allow and grooms only its beginner and intermediate slopes. 

The Ski area is home to 17 trails serviced by two vintage Poma Lifts and a Tbare. The Poma Lifts provide access to only black diamond trails. You’ll need to master the T-bar for access to green and blue runs. 

The base lodge is full of history and a cozy, circular fire pit for warming up between runs. A variety of dining and lodging options can be found five minutes down the road in town or fifteen minutes away in nearby Lake George. 

Oak Mountain

Oak Mountain is an affordable place for families to learn and love to ski. Its small-town mountain vibes are sure to make anyone feel right at home! This is one of the most affordable options on our New York ski resorts list.

The mountain is home to 22 trails accessed by a quad lift. The 650-foot vertical drop provides terrain for all ability levels! Snowboarders be warned, Nova gets pretty flat towards the bottom; you’ll need to carry quite a bit of speed and/or be prepared to skate or walk to the lift. 

Oak Mountain Ski Area is also home to four lanes of tubing and miles of snowshoeing trails. We highly recommend eating at the Acorn as the food is incredible! This is the mountain my husband and I got married at and the views, staff, food, and drink are pure perfection. 

Titus Mountain

Titus Mountain has been voted the number one family-friendly ski area in North America. With slopeside lodging options, day lodges at each mountain area, night skiing in Moon Valley, and a tubing hill, Titus truly has it all. 

Split into a Learning Center, Legend, Lower, Middle, and Upper mountain, Titus is home to 52 trails and glades and 2 terrain parks. Ten lifts provide access to over 200 acres of skiing and snowboarding with a vertical drop of 1200 feet. 

Titus is known for its slopeside skibanas which add to the overall skiing and snowboarding experience. This is the ultimate hangout area for a day on the mountain! Fully furnished, private restrooms, a parking spot, and space for your cooler or crockpot, skibanas enhance any day on the mountain. 

Whiteface Mountain

Boasting the largest vertical drop on the East Coast, Whiteface is home to some of the toughest terrain in New York. Although there is a beginner’s area and plenty of beginner-friendly terrain, Whiteface is an incredible mountain for those seeking a challenge. 

Whiteface Mountain offers over 260 acres of skiable terrain, including some of the most challenging runs in the East. With the greatest vertical drop in the East, at 3430 feet, you’ll be able to enjoy 94 total runs with the longest being 2.1 miles in length. 

Whiteface was the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics. This makes the mountain and the nearby town of Lake Placid a great place to learn and try something new. Additional winter activities include bobsledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, luge rides, and visiting the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. 

Western New York

Western New York and the Finger Lakes Area are home to quite a few well-known ski areas as well. If you’re west of I-81 and looking to ski and snowboard, here’s where you should go. 

Bristol Mountain

Claiming to have the highest vertical of any ski resort between the Rocky Mountains & the Adirondacks, Bristol Mountain is the Premier Ski area in the Finger Lakes are Western New York.

Enjoy Bristol’s 1,200 foot vertical drop via 39 trails. The resort’s 138 acres of ridable terrain is accessed via two high-speed detachable quad lifts and four additional lifts. You can spend all day and night at Bristol because 96& of the terrain is open for night skiing! 

Stay in Bristol Mountain’s ski in ski out accommodations. North Star Village condominiums not only provide incredible access to the resort, but exclusive all day/night lift ticket available only to those renting!

Holiday Valley Resort

This family-oriented resort in Western New York is known for being the perfect cozy, winter wonderland getaway. From day and night skiing and riding to snow tubing and alpine coaster rides, Holiday Valley Resort has the whole family covered. 

Holiday Valley has a unique slope setup. The ridgeline can be accessed via 14 different lifts. 290 accessible acres chute off the ridgeline into 60 different trails. Explore the many trails by day or night (39 open trails).

Stay at Holiday Valley and play longer! Stay at the cozy Inn at Holiday Valley at the base of the slopes or enjoy endless amenities at the Tamarack Club, Holiday Valley’s newest condominium hotel. Enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing, the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, and Snow Tubing when you’re taking some time off from the slopes. 

Kissing Bridge Snow Sports

A smaller resort with a relaxed atmosphere, Kissing Bridge is a great option for skiers and snowboarders looking for a less crowded experience. The small mountain vibes and less crowds make this a very family-friendly ski resort. 

Enjoy a modest vertical drop of 550 feet via 39 trails, accessible by 9 lifts. With an uphill capacity of 11,200 per hours, you’ll experience more riding and less waiting at Kissing Bridge! 

Its lake effect snow, friendly terrain, and incredible ski and snowboard instructors make Kissing Bridge a great location for beginners! With private and group lessons for adults and children, an adaptive ski program, and next step lessons and camps, it’s safe to say Kissing Bridge is a great place to bring the family. 

Swain Ski Resort

Known as the first Ski Resort to allow snowboarder in New York, this independently owned, family-run ski resort is a great place to hit the slopes! Swain Resort is a family-friendly ski area located in Swain, New York.

It boasts over 100 acres of skiable terrain with 35 trails suitable for various skill levels, from beginner to advanced. The resort offers a variety of winter activities, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and night skiing.

With a focus on providing a welcoming and affordable experience, Swain Resort is known for its friendly atmosphere and commitment to guest satisfaction. The resort features a terrain park, snowmaking capabilities, and a cozy lodge with dining options. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-timer, Swain Resort offers a fun and memorable winter experience for the whole family.

Tips for Planning Your New York Ski Trip

Once you’ve chosen your location from the New York Ski Resorts List, utilize these tips to plan your Ski trip. Knowning when the best time to go and what to pack will help make your ski trip a memorable one for all the right reasons!

When to Go Skiing in New York 

The ski season in New York typically runs from December to March. However, some resorts may be open as early as November or as late as April.

The best time to go skiing in New York is generally January and February as this is coldest part of the year which helps the snow stick around 

If at all possible, avoid traveling over school holidays. During this time, New York Public School children are home and lift ticket prices increase. The major break that this applies to is mid-winter recess which is the week of Presidents Day in February. 

Where to Stay on your New York Ski Trip 

We reccommend staying on site when possible! It’s nice to be close to the mountain and the amenities of the resort you’re riding at. There are usually a few added benefits to this such as a free shuttle, all-day easy acces, and first tracks! 

There are also a variety of lodging options near New York ski resorts, from hotels and motels to condos, air bnbs, and vacation rentals. Choose the accommodation that works best for your party so you can enjoy an incredible time at New York Ski Resorts. 

What to Pack for a New York Ski Trip 

What you wear on the mountain should be waterproof, or at least resistant, comfortable, and warm. I like to supplement my warm outer layers with wool baselayers, a down vest, and battery powered heated socks. This help me to stay warm on the lift! 

Your ski or snowboarding clothes along with your gear should be at the top of your packing list. Do not forget the important stuff!New York can be bright and sunny or incredibly wet and dreary in the winter months. If you don’t already have a pair, snag some goggles with interchangeable lenses, one for cloudy days/night riding and a tinted lens for sunny days. 

For your time off mountain, be sure to pack warm casual clothes, boots, and winter accessories such as mittens and beanies. Most ski resorts and areas are fairly casual. I find that presentable loungewear is also nice to have when heading to the lobby for a coffee or lounging around by the fire pit after dinner. 

Getting Around Town

Most ski resorts in New York are located within a few hours’ drive of major cities. Resorts like Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain Ski Resort have a variety of buses, train, and tour operators that drop off on-site. 

However, some resorts may be more difficult to get to by public transportation. We definitely recommend renting a vehicle if you’re headed to any of the Western New York or Adirondack Ski Resort Areas. The convenience is simply unmatched! 

What Airport is Best for Skiing and Snowboarding in New York

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is the best airport to fly into when planning a ski trip to New York. The airport is 3 hours or less from every location on the New York Ski Resorts List except for Whiteface. 

Whiteface Mountain is a four hour drive from Syracuse; Albany International is closer at 2.5 hours. Albany International Airport is going to be the closest airport to your Adirondack and Central New York Locations (minus Greek Peak).

If you need ot fly into a major New York City airport, such as Laguardia or JFK, the Central New York Mountain Locations will be your best options! The New York Ski Resorts located in the Catskill Mountains can be accessed via publich transportation from New York City. 

How Can I Save Money on my New York Ski Trip?

If you’re just starting out, take a day trip to a small mountain such as Oak Mountain or Kissing Bridge. They have beginner terrain and short lift lines which insures you’ll be able to make the most of your lift ticket while learning! Lift tickets here are also generally inexpensive. 

Expert skiers and snowboarders are looking for enough terrain that will challenge them while keeping it interesting. New York Resorts near the highest peak in the state will do the trick; Gore, the largest ski resort in the state, and Whiteface, home to the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies meet the criteria but are notoriously expensive. Skiing or snowboarding midweek might save you money at these resorts. Additionally, you can look to buy discounted passes ahead of time on websites like Skier Deals and Liftopia. 

If you’re close enough to a New York resort that you plan on skiing or snowboarding there multiple days in the year, look into a season pass. Do the math and see if it’s worth it! At Greek Peak a lift ticket comes with so many other incredible benefits as well. Receive a discount on stays at the lodge, lessons, the outdoor adventure center, and spa services with the purchase of a season pass. 

Conclusion

Skiing and snowboarding in New York is an incredible experience. Where you’re a city dweller looking for a little fresh mountain air or a local looking to enjoy a long weekend on the slopes, there’s a lot of top ski resorts to choose from. We hope that our New York Ski Resorts list has helped you narrow down your search so you can start planning your trip!

If you’re really fixated on exploring the ski and snowboarding areas of Northern New York, check out all the different resorts of the Adirondacks and plan a road trip to hit them all!