Ski the Adirondacks: Great Big Kid-Friendly Values

They've already had a foot of snow and lots of cold. They're already geared up for the Christmas-New Years break with lots of family events.

And now, we're here to say that there's good skiing, especially for beginners, at several local ski mountains in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York.

Sure you've heard of Lake Placid and know it as a charming Olympic Village with beautiful resorts like the Mirror Lake Inn.  And yes, you may have heard of Whiteface Mountain or its Olympic cousin, Gore, near Lake George about an hour south. 

Now, meet the mountains' smaller mountains, where learning to ski is a bargain and great fun.

Travelers looking to get away without spending a lot of money or time researching the best deal should consider the smaller ski resorts throughout the Adirondack Region. They offer shorter lift lines, cheaper passes, ski packages and varied terrain. For the price of one plane ticket out west, an entire family can book an Adirondack ski vacation.

One example is Big Tupper Resort in Tupper Lake, which reopened in 2009 as a not-for-profit, no-frills, re-invigorated Adirondack ski resort run entirely by volunteers. With a 1,200’ vertical drop and 17 trails of beginner-to-expert terrain – Big Tupper is the biggest bargain in the Adirondacks. And a lift ticket costs just $15. 

Since the 1940s, Titus Mountain in Malone has been a hub for Adirondack skiing. Originally called “Moon Valley,” Titus has undergone some major changes in the past 70 years. Eight chairlifts, 27 trails, a ski school and 1,200’ of vertical drop make Titus a great option for Canadians, as well as skiers and boarders from nearby Vermont. It’s also the third highest ski area in the entire Adirondacks, yet an all-day ski pass costs less than $40.

In Warrensburg, just north of Lake George, is Hickory Ski Center, a re-invigorated small-town mountain with a lot going on. Day passes range from $30 to $45, and half-day tickets range from $20-$30. Participants in New York State’s “Learn a Snow Sport Month” this January, can get 20% discount off a lift, lesson and rental package at Hickory.

For more information and to research these bargain packages, check out the Skiing Info page of Visit Adirondacks Tourism.