From Oregon’s mighty Cascades to Vermont’s rolling Green Mountains, Americans have plenty of options when it comes to planning a no-passport-required ski trip.
The U.S. has hundreds of ski resorts spread across 37 states. According to the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) most recently released statistics, Michigan has the second most ski resorts in the country with 33 properties, while Colorado and Wisconsin are close behind with 32 resorts each. But the state that claims the No. 1 spot with a whopping 52 ski resorts may come as a surprise.
Although the tally may be a bit of a head-scratcher at first, if you take a look at New York’s history, culture, and geography, it makes total sense that it takes the top honor.
Densely populated with cold, snowy winters, the Empire State has one of the oldest and most accessible networks of ski resorts in the country. It’s home to three major mountain ranges—the Adirondacks, Catskills, and parts of the Appalachians—along with a thick sprinkling of steep, glacier-carved hills. Enthusiasm for the sport swelled when Lake Placid hosted the 1932 Olympic Games, and under the New Deal, the Civilian Conservation Core helped supercharge the development of New York’s trails and infrastructure. With viable ski hills seemingly everywhere, widespread community enthusiasm, and the state itself supporting the winter sport, small resorts opened in abundance as the 20th century marched on.
Today, many New Yorkers still live near these small to midsize resorts, which makes skiing a viable weekend hobby. Rather than investing in extended getaways to big resorts out West, New Yorkers load up their minivans for casual, cost-effective day trips to the slopes.
Along with the 11th state’s soaring number of ski resorts comes a wealth of variety. From cozy hills in the Catskills to the most challenging terrain in the Adirondacks, New York has a mountain for every skier.
As a lifelong New Yorker and skier, my favorite of all is Whiteface Mountain. The state-owned Adirondack peak has the highest vertical in the Northeast, plus a chance to test your turns on the same trails champions raced in the 1980 Olympics. It’s a skier’s mountain with thrilling terrain, but its extensive learning program, can’t-miss mountainside barbecue, and proximity to historic Lake Placid make it a great family destination, too. Whiteface is new to the Mountain Collective this year, and you can grab a Ski3 season’s pass for access to it along with the two other New York-owned mountains, sprawling Gore and conveniently located Belleayre.
Another benefit of having dozens of ski resorts in your state? There’s a mountain for every budget. Score lift tickets as low as $30 at some of the state’s best bargain mountains, including town-owned McCauley Mountain and family-run Titus Mountain in the Adirondacks. Lift tickets come in under $100 at plenty of spots in Western New York, including Swain Resort, Peek N’ Peak, and Holiday Valley, which is known for having a lively aprés scene. If you’re just looking for the most snow you can find, you’ll be pleased to know Snow Ridge gets epic powder dumps thanks to Lake Ontario and offers $55 adult weekday lift tickets. To explore 16 of New York’s diverse resorts at a bargain, consider getting the competitively priced Indy Pass.
Even New York City’s urbanites have convenient options for hitting the slopes. Those trying out the sport for the first time can take advantage of Mount Peter’s free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays, less than a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Times Square. You can also get to similarly affordable Thunder Ridge in under two hours by car or via a Metro-North train.
If you’re an intermediate or advanced skier, the longer journey to the Catskills is well worth the effort. High quality glades without too far of a hike can be found on Plattekill Mountain, which has expert trails and a laidback, community atmosphere just three hours from the city. If an upscale experience is more to your tastes, the Windham Mountain Club offers ski-in, ski-out accommodations, pristine grooming, and an elevated food program.
In Central New York, Labrador Mountain has under-$100 lift tickets and free access to beginner slopes. Bristol Mountain has the highest vertical drop in the region, two-digit lift tickets, and views of the Finger Lakes. For a full-on resort feel, head to Greek Peak Mountain Resort, where you can splash around at the indoor waterpark in between ski days.
