Winter Sports Enthusiasts, Take Heart: New York’s Ski Resorts Will Open for the 2024–25 Season (WNY News Now)
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) ski resorts opened daily to mark the formal beginning of the 2024–25 winter season, which Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated. The three largest of New York State’s 52 active ski areas—the Gore, Whiteface, and Belleayre Mountains—offer a diverse range of options for those who enjoy snow activities. Top-notch winter leisure is accessible within 90 minutes from almost every major New York metro area thanks to the state’s numerous ski facilities. Because of the distribution, skiing and riding play a significant role in the employment and general well-being of people across the state.
Governor Hochuls stated, “We are thrilled to welcome New Yorkers and tourists from our wonderful State to our world-class ski resorts this winter.”By generating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and improving the standard of living for locals, our investments in these facilities have bolstered the state’s winter tourism sector. These resorts provide unmatched leisure opportunities, guaranteeing that New York will continue to be a popular winter sports destination.
The Ski Areas of New York Economic Impact Analysis estimates that more than 13,000 full- and part-time jobs and $432 million in labor income are supported by the $1.322 billion in total economic output derived from winter and summer expenditures at ski resorts in New York State. The $137 billion winter tourism business in New York is bolstered by the ski industry, which also stimulates local economies.
In addition to a season passholder appreciation day event on Friday, November 11, the alpine ski resorts at Gore, Belleayre, and Whiteface Mountains have already opened for skiing and snowboarding for the past two weekends. Over 6,000 people attended the early opening visits, which included tickets and passes for all three ski resorts.
The Nordic ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is anticipated to open in early December, while all three Olympic Authority mountains are scheduled to open daily for the season today. New lifts, increased snowmaking capacity, lodge renovations, and sophisticated snowmaking systems are examples of off-season improvements that enable terrain to open sooner and prolong operations further into the winter, providing more recreational opportunities and more consistency.
Ashley Walden, President and CEO of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, stated, “We are thrilled to continue our early start to this season and start daily operations.” We encourage everyone to take advantage of all the amazing winter activity that New York State has to offer, and the Olympic Authority staff is eager to welcome skiers back to our mountains.
“The beginning of the ski season always brings good news to the communities surrounding New York’s diverse ski areas,” said Hope Knight, Commissioner, President, and CEO of Empire State Development. The jobs and small businesses that are essential to the local and state economies are supported when visitors travel to enjoy the slopes, and New York continues to invest in its Olympic Authority facilities under the direction of Governor Hochul.
There are programs for all ages and skill levels at Gore, Whiteface, and Belleayre, as well as at several of the ski mountains in New York State. Programs for adaptive snowsports give people with physical and cognitive impairments the chance to learn from qualified teachers. From novices to experts, each mountain offers a plethora of chances. These include the College Club Program at Gore, Whiteface, and Belleayre, which is open to all full-time students currently enrolled in college or university, and the 2024–25 SKI NY Free for Kids Passport Program, which gives third, fourth, and fifth grade students a free one-day lift ticket at participating New York State ski resorts.
With more than 50 ski resorts spread across New York State with programs for all ages and skill levels, there is a ski experience for everyone, according to Scott Brandi, President of Ski Areas of New York. New York State’s ski resorts will soon offer a range of opportunities to venture outside and enjoy the slopes thanks to the recent snowfall and a forecast that permits additional snowmaking.
The New York snow sports industry is the focus of Ski Areas of New York, Inc. A map of the New York State mountains to explore is available on ISKINY’s website, www.iskiny.com, which serves as a central location for snow reports, openings, news, and program information for ski resorts around the state.
“New York is fortunate to have more ski areas than any state in the nation, so residents and visitors are never more than a couple hours away from great skiing,” said Ross D. Levi, executive director of tourism and vice president of Empire State Development. Whether plunging down Olympic Authority-run world-class mountains in the Catskills and Adirondacks or any of the state’s private ski slopes, visitors may easily take advantage of some of the best skiing in the nation in a mystical winter paradise. Visitors can discover for themselves how simple it is to appreciate New York in the winter when combined with other enjoyable activities like family ice skating, rejuvenating snow shoeing, soothing spas, welcoming main streets, and comfortable inns.
Concerning the Olympic Authority’s Slopes
- Gore Mountain: Gore Mountain s improvements align with its vision of becoming a premier year-round destination. Construction is underway on a new 18,300-square-foot lodge at the North Creek Ski Bowl, featuring a restaurant and two levels of outdoor patios upon completion in 2025. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the old Hudson chairlift was replaced with a new detachable quad, providing access to trails for all skill levels. Additionally, the Northwoods Gondola cabins are being upgraded to accommodate modern skis and snowboards, ensuring greater comfort for guests. These upgrades position Gore as a hub for all-season recreation and strengthen the local economy.
- Whiteface Mountain: Whiteface continues to build on its legacy of excellence with several key enhancements. A new heated patio at the Bear Den Learning Center provides expanded space for dining, gathering and watching ski lessons. Snowmaking infrastructure has been upgraded with new pipes and high-efficiency snow guns on popular trails, along with a Snowmax injection system to ensure high-quality snow, even during warm conditions. The Cloudsplitter Gondola received a new haul rope to ensure reliable operations, while the addition of a winch-ready PistonBully 600 Snow Cat will help maintain optimal trail conditions. These improvements reinforce Whiteface s status as a top destination for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
- Belleayre Mountain: Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Belleayre continues to enhance its facilities with several key improvements. Early season will have limited lodge and services in anticipation of a grand re-opening of Discovery Lodge to include a new rental center and tuning services. Snowmaking capabilities were upgraded with the installation of 20 new PoleCat fan guns and 30,000 feet of new piping, increasing efficiency even in warmer temperatures. A new learning area at the summit, complete with a carpet lift and easy-graded trail, offers beginners better snow conditions and inspiring views. Guests can also access the summit via the Catskill Thunder Gondola for a seamless learning experience.
- Mt. Van Hoevenberg: Building on the momentum of hosting the successful WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event in September, the Nordic ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is gearing up for another full season of events taking place alongside daily recreational opportunities for cross-country skiers. This season s event schedule includes local, regional, and national Nordic races, culminating with the SuperTour races March 29-30. Drawing on a 7.5 million gallon reservoir, the ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the home of the world s largest snowmaking system dedicated to Nordic skiing.
Although the Olympic Authority has always had a significant impact on regional economy and tourism during the winter, recent developments in these venues have significantly increased that impact to be year-round. Olympic Authority venues are providing a wealth of adventure all year long for people of all ages and abilities, from picturesque gondola rides at all three mountains to the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway, the longest mountain coaster in North America at Mount Van Hoevenberg, a new rail and zipline attraction being installed at Gore Mountain’s North Creek Ski Bowl, and many other non-winter activities and attractions.