New York's Largest Ski Resort Offers A Stunning, Family-Friendly Winter Getaway

If the first snowflakes of the season make you long for the "swoosh swoosh" of the ski slopes, you may be considering far-flung locales like the Alps for your winter getaway. However, there is a spot right in the Adirondack Mountains that you can't afford to miss. In the village of North Creek in Upstate New York sits Gore Mountain Ski Resort, the largest in the entire state. This family-friendly resort covers seven mountain areas connected by lifts and trails and has an impressive 2,537-foot vertical drop. There are 108 trails, with something to suit every level on all sorts of terrain, plus 14 lifts and multiple eateries in this 453-acre fun zone. One reviewer on Tripadvisor said of Gore Mountain, "Great ski area, good facilities. Varied terrain, usually well groomed. Plenty of lifts, usually short waits midweek for lifts." You can also head into the charming North Creek for some dining and lodging if you want to stay overnight. 

Gore Mountain Ski Resort is around 80 miles from Albany International Airport, which takes part in the heartwarming trend of using therapy animals with its Therapy Dog program in its terminals. If you hail from Long Island, it's worth looking into the Island Snow Bus. You can purchase an Adult All-area lift plus bus ticket for around $300 at the time of this writing. If you're coming by train, you can take Amtrak to Saratoga Springs, but it's an hour-long drive from there.

Gore Mountain Ski Resort is open from mid-November through April, and the lifts are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the season. (No matter where you ski, however, it's a good idea to get to the lifts early so you can dodge crowds during busy times.) You can save money if you purchase your tickets in advance for your trip. If you get them on site on the day you're skiing, it's $124 (as of this writing) for adults for one day, with pricing for teens, juniors, seniors, kids, and those in the military. There is also pricing for two- and three-day passes, and you can rent skis and snowboards so you don't have to lug your gear with you. Gore Mountain offers group lessons for first-timers and intermediates in case your family has people with different ability levels. You can also book private lessons or adaptive ski/snowboard lessons for those with physical, cognitive, and/or developmental disabilities. When you get there, chat with the ski patrol or mountain hosts to help you decide which trails are right for you. You'll find everything from easier hills to double back diamond slopes, freestyle areas, slow zones, and more. 

While you're on the mountain, you can visit the resort's retail shop with everything you need in terms of skiing gear, gifts, and souvenirs to take home. If you need to refuel after a morning spent skiing, hit Tannery Restaurant for some tasty lunch items like burgers, soup, sandwiches, salads, and more.

When you're done skiing, head into the village of North Creek for food, shopping, and lodging. Take a winter stroll down Main Street to check out the North Creek Mosaic Project, an ongoing art project covering a 180-foot concrete wall with lovely mosaic scenes inspired by the area. Make sure to stop by H'ART Studio and Gallery, also on Main Street, for local artwork and classes. If you want to add in some cross-country skiing during your trip, try Ski Bowl Park with all levels of courses.

The North Creek Depot Museum in the restored North Creek Railroad Station from 1872 is another fun location to explore. You can tour the restored freight and engine houses, see a sand table, and check out a 90-foot turntable while learning all about the history of how the railway affected this area. Make sure to drop by Café Sarah in town for tasty desserts as well.

One great place to stay in the area is Garnet Hill Lodge, a hotel and resort just 15 minutes away from Gore Mountain. This place is centered around a log house and is right by cross-country and snowshoe trails, with the on-site Log House Restaurant serving American fare. If you're coming with a large group, you can rent the Inn on Gore Mountain for family reunions and events. Finally, if you're going to be spending a while in the area, it's worth taking the 1.5-hour drive to the beautiful Lake Placid, which has a stunning lake and The Olympic Center, which gives you a history lesson of the two Winter Olympics that were held there.