Ski Season Is Here! Governor Hochul Celebrates Opening of Olympic Regional Development Authority Ski Resorts

Ski Season Is Here! Governor Hochul Celebrates Opening of Olympic Regional Development Authority Ski Resorts

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the official start of the 2024-25 winter season with the daily opening of New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) ski mountains. Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre Mountains are the three largest of the 52 operating ski areas in New York State, providing a wide variety of opportunities for snowsports enthusiasts. With ski areas located across the state, nearly every major New York metro area is within 90 minutes of top-tier winter recreation. The distribution makes skiing and riding an important contributor to employment and quality of life for residents throughout the state.

"We are proud to welcome New Yorkers and visitors of our great State to our world-class ski resorts this winter season," Governor Hochul said. "Our investments in these facilities have strengthened the state's winter tourism industry, creating jobs, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents. These resorts offer unparalleled opportunities for recreation, ensuring that New York remains a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts."

According to the Ski Areas of New York Economic Impact Analysis, total economic output based on winter and summer spending at ski mountains in New York State is $1.322 billion, supporting more than 13,000 full- and part-time jobs, and generating $432 million in labor income. The ski industry helps to strengthen New York's $137 billion winter tourism industry and drives economic growth in their respective communities.

The alpine ski resorts at Gore, Belleayre and Whiteface Mountains already opened for skiing and snowboarding the past two weekends, including a season passholder appreciation day event held on Friday, Nov. 11. Early opening visits - tickets and passes across the three ski mountains - amounted to more than 6,000 guests.

All three Olympic Authority mountains are set to open daily for the season today, with the Nordic ski area at Mt. Van Hoevenberg expected to begin operations in early December. Off-season upgrades, including new lifts, expanded snowmaking capabilities, lodge renovations and advanced snowmaking systems allows terrain to open earlier and extends operations deeper into the winter, offering greater consistency and more recreational opportunities.

Olympic Regional Development Authority President & CEO Ashley Walden said, "We are excited to continue our early start to this season and begin daily operations. The Olympic Authority staff is ready to welcome skiers back to our mountains, and we encourage everyone to enjoy all of the incredible winter recreation available in New York State."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The start of the ski season always brings good news to the communities surrounding New York's diverse ski areas. When people travel to enjoy the slopes, they support the jobs and small businesses that are vital to the local and state economies, and, under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to invest in its Olympic Authority facilities."

At Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre, as well as many of the ski mountains in New York State, are programs for all ages and abilities. Adaptive snowsports programs offer individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to learn with certified instructors. There are also numerous opportunities at respective mountains for beginners to masters. These include the 2024-25 SKI NY Free for Kids Passport Program granting third, fourth and fifth grade students to obtain a complimentary one-day lift ticket at participating New York State ski resorts and the College Club Program at Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre, allowing any full-time student currently enrolled in college or university to apply for the program.

Scott Brandi, President, Ski Areas of New York said, "With 50+ ski resorts throughout New York State and programs for all ages and abilities, there is a ski experience for everyone. With the recent snow, and a forecast that allows for further snowmaking, the ski mountains in New York State will soon have a variety of options to get outside and enjoy the slopes."

Ski Areas of New York, Inc. is dedicated to the New York snow sports industry. ISKINY online at www.iskiny.com is a hub for snow reports, openings, news and program information for ski mountains throughout New York State, including a map of the State mountains to explore.

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York is blessed with having more ski areas than any state in the nation, so residents and visitors are never more than a couple hours away from great skiing. Whether swooshing down world class mountains in the Catskills and Adirondacks operated by Olympic Authority or any of the private ski slopes across the state, guests can conveniently enjoy some of the country's best skiing in a magical winter wonderland. When paired with other fun experiences from invigorating snow shoeing to family ice skating, relaxing spas, friendly main streets and cozy inns, visitors can come see for themselves how easy it is to love New York in Winter."

About the Slopes at Olympic Authority

• 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 PoleCatfan 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.

Though the Olympic Authority's impact as a major driver of tourism and regional economies has traditionally occurred in winter, the investments made in these venues in recent years have greatly expanded that impact to one that's year-round. From scenic gondola rides at all three mountains to the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway to the longest mountain coaster in North America at Mt. Van Hoevenberg to a new rail and zipline attraction being installed at Gore Mountain's North Creek Ski Bowl, and many other non-winter activities and attractions, Olympic Authority venues are offering a wellspring of adventure throughout the year for all ages and all abilities.