The Adirondacks are known for downhill skiing and snowboarding, and major ski resorts like Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain draw large crowds every winter, but those aren’t the only options for downhill fun. In fact, the Adirondacks are home to several smaller ski centers, all of which offer a welcoming, community-oriented experience.
If you’re looking wide-open slopes with shorter lift lines, more affordable rates, and family-friendly skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels, check out these lesser-known mountains, and get ready to ski the hidden gems of the Adirondacks.
Titus Mountain Family Ski Center – Malone, NY
Spread over three interconnected mountains, Titus Mountain Family Ski Center offers 1,350 feet of vertical, 10 lifts, 36 trails, 11 glades and 3 terrain parks, as well as night skiing, suitable for all skill levels from beginner to double-black diamond. Titus also offers equipment rentals and lessons, and features a newly expanded snowtubing hill with a conveyor lift, three restaurants, six ski-in, ski-out chalets available for overnight rentals, and heated slopeside skibanas that you can rent for the day.
McCauley Mountain Ski Area – Old Forge, NY
Offering a big mountain experience on an intimate scale, McCauley Mountain Ski Area features a mere 633-foot vertical drop, but offers as much fun as ski areas three times its size. It gets an abundance of natural snow every year, and offers family-friendly skiing and snowboarding at affordable rates. From long cruisers to steep bumps and glades, to double-black diamond challengers, McCauley has it all. Enjoy 21 trails, a double chairlift, two T-Bar lifts, and rope tows, as well as equipment rentals and lessons.
Oak Mountain – Speculator, NY
Known for its outstanding ski and snowboard school, Oak Mountain is an affordable, family-friendly ski center offering 650 feet of vertical and 22 trails with a quad chairlift, a T-bar and two surface lifts, plus four lanes of snow tubing and miles of snowshoeing trails. The mountain is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and has two dining options on site – the Oak Mountain Café winter concession counter and the Acorn Pub & Eatery.
Mount Pisgah Ski Center – Saranac Lake, NY
Operated by the Village of Saranac Lake, Mount Pisgah Ski Center is perfect for young families and beginners. The Mountain features 15 skiable alpine acres, 329 feet of vertical with gentle slopes, a T-bar lift and 7 trails, 4 of which are blue and green. Enjoy hot beverages and snacks in the lodge, as well as a tubing hill with rope tow. Mount Pisgah is open for night skiing Tuesday through Friday and open during the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Interested in Owning Adirondack Land Near the Slopes?
If you enjoy winter recreation, the Adirondacks are the place to be, and Adirondack Mountain Land has several plots of land for sale near the area’s ski centers, including Titus Mountain.
For the first time, ready-to-build home sites are available in a pristine parcel of wilderness known as Twin Ponds Preserve, located just 10 miles from Titus Mountain and an hour from Whiteface Mountain. If you’re looking for land near the ski slopes, this is a great opportunity. View available lots, or contact us for more information.