Adirondack Ski Season Kicks Off
What’s open and what’s next for the 2024–25 Adirondack ski season.
Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid. Photo courtesy: LakePlacid.com (ROOST)
As of December 4, 2024.
Thanks to an early blast of cold weather and a Thanksgiving snowstorm, the Adirondack ski season is off to an exhilarating start, sparking excitement among ski enthusiasts.
While conditions continue to evolve, two of the Adirondack Park’s largest ski resorts are already open for business, and several others are following close behind.
Current conditions at the Adirondack’s top ski resorts.
Whiteface Mountain - Lake Placid
Known for its Olympic history and diverse terrain, Whiteface is open for the season with a 17- to 32-inch base depth and 15 trails open.
The summit boasts packed powder conditions while snowmaking efforts continue to expand the terrain.
Although only 4% of the total skiable acreage is open, recent snowfalls and cold temperatures signal promising improvements.
Gore Mountain near North Creek, NY.
Gore Mountain has seven of 110 trails open with natural and machine-made snow.
A 6- to 12-inch base provides firm and groomed surfaces.
This resort capitalizes on sustained cold temperatures to accelerate snowmaking and open additional trails.
West Mountain – Queensbury/Glens Falls
West Mountain in the Adirondacks' southern woodlands has long been a favorite with skiers and boarders because of its proximity to New York’s Capital District.
Many Albany, Schenectady, and Saratoga area residents drive up to West Mountain for a few night runs to relax after a day of work.
The mountain projects a December 7 opening.
The region’s cold temperatures are allowing them to make snow.
Ready to carve fresh powder tracks at Titus Mountain in Malone, NY.
Titus, home of the skibana, has embraced its reputation as a family-friendly destination.
While they are not publicizing an opening date, snowmaking teams are active, preparing the slopes for holiday visitors.
The Central Adirondacks family-friendly resort expects to open on December 14.
They are now making snow on top of an 8” base of natural snowfall.
Tubing enthusiasts can expect the tubing hill to open on December 26. How’s that for a sweet Christmas present?
Early snowfall and freezing temperatures set the stage for the potential for an exciting ski season.
Oak Mountain, Speculator, NY.
The early snowfall and freezing temperatures encourage us, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a bountiful ski season in the Adirondacks. We eagerly await news from other ADK ski areas on the dates they expect to open.
Snow Ridge – Turin, in the famously snowy Tug Hill Plateau
While this resort didn’t get as much snow as had hoped during western New York’s most recent snowpocalypse (did you watch the 49ers take on the Bills last week in Buffalo?), it is still off to a great start.
Boasting a base of 10” of natural snow, more is expected on top of blasting snowmaking guns.
We hope to hear an opening date soon.
Hickory Ski Center – Warrensburgh
We are long-time fans of this old-school ski destination near Lake George and just outside of Warrensburgh, NY.
Their website shows they have a few more hurdles beyond snowfall that they need to leap over.
We are rooting for them and look forward to hearing about an expected opening date soon.
Weather and snowmaking: Setting the stage for the season.
The Adirondacks are currently benefiting from colder-than-average early winter temperatures, which provide ideal conditions for snowmaking. Recent storms have deposited up to 10 inches of natural snow in some areas, bolstering the early-season base.
Hickory Ski Center in Warrensbugh.
Snowmaking is a crucial part of the ski season, allowing resorts to open earlier and maintain good conditions. Looking ahead, periodic snow showers will continue through mid-December, accompanied by cold nights perfect for artificial snow production.
With the ski industry experts and resort operators expressing optimism and NOAA's winter forecast predicting above-average snowfall for the Northeast, the future of the Adirondack ski season looks bright and promising.
Tips for planning your Adirondack Ski Trip.
Stay on top of current conditions.
Back in the day, I had the Gore Mountain 800# snow report on speed dial and would call it daily from my Manhattan office (how quaint!).
Thanks to the Internet, many resorts update their snow and trail reports hourly.
Whiteface and Gore, for example, provide real-time updates on their websites and social media.
Book tickets now.
Gore and Whiteface limit the number of tickets they sell daily to manage crowd congestion on the slopes, maintain a quality skiing experience for all guests, and protect the natural environment by preventing overuse of the terrain, especially during peak periods.
Visit their website for more information about cancellations, ticket changes and their snow guarantee voucher.
West Mountain near Glens Falls, NY
Secure accommodations early.
With holiday season crowds and improved skiing conditions, nearby lodges and hotels may fill up quickly.
Let ADK Taste help you find the best places to stay at your chosen destination.
Embrace variety
Consider exploring smaller resorts like Oak Mountain or McCauley Mountain for quieter slopes and cost-effective lift tickets.
As the Adirondack ski season unfolds, there's much to celebrate for winter sports enthusiasts. With improving conditions and a favorable long-term forecast, now is the time to wax your skis, pack your gear, and embrace the magic of the mountains in upstate New York.
Shop for unique Adirondack apparel, gifts and merchandise.
Let ADK Taste help you find what you’re looking for in the Adirondacks.
Upcoming events in the Adirondacks.
ADK Talks Podcast
Our podcast takes listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best things in the ADK.
