Start spreading the news, because it is shaping up to be a season full of new capital improvements at New York ski resorts.

In Ski NY’s 2023-24 capital project announcement, they detailed the major projects that are happening across the Empire State. This includes new chairlifts, snowmaking upgrades, and major renovations.

Here are the biggest improvements coming to New York ski resorts this winter. But first, here are some honorable mentions:

• Bristol Mountain opened up a year-round freestyle training facility. Called the Greater Rochester Amateur Athletic Federation (GRAFF) Summer Aerial Freestyle Training Site, it includes one of the few water ramps in the country. Other improvements include a redesigned skier bridge on the Milky Way trail, along with widening and making snowmaking upgrades to the Upper North Star trail.
• The Hickory Ski Center is getting ready to reopen this season for the first time in years thanks to an investment from the Indy Pass and us here at Unofficial Networks.
• Maple Ridge began a three-year, $3 million snowmaking project. The first phase, which happened this summer, resulted in the installation of a new snowmaking pipe system, which will increase their snowmaking capacity by up to 39%.
• Plattekill widened and added snowmaking to the I Think I Can trail. Other improvements include a new maintenance building, new decking for the base lodge, and new demo gear.
• The Windham Mountain Club went through a luxury-focused rebrand. New restaurants are opening across the ski resort, which includes an Italian Alps-themed dining facility around the mid-mountain area.

5. Gore Mountain: Gore’s major project this offseason was the replacement of their beginner chairlift. In its place is the Bear Cub Quad, which is double the length compared to the old chairlift. The conveyer-load quad chairlift gives beginners more terrain to check out and allows for easier access to the Sunway Chair. The new chairlift is making its debut tomorrow, December 16th. In addition, two magic carpet lifts have been added to the learning area, allowing for a simpler learning progression process.

To prepare for their major improvements to the North Creek Ski Bowl next year, they made significant snowmaking upgrades in this terrain pod.

4. Belleayre: The old Lift 7, which was a fixed-grip triple chairlift, was replaced with a new fixed-grip quad chairlift. The Overlook Quad, which opened earlier this season, has increased rider capacity and reliability. In conjunction with the new chairlift, they added a skier bridge, making access to Lift 7 much easier.

Major snowmaking improvements were also made. These included replacing 27,000 feet of snowmaking pipe, along with adding 250 HKD Impulse R5 tower guns and 5 SMI Super PoleCats.

3. Holiday Mountain: For years, the Catskills ski area appeared to be on the brink of closing. Most of the terrain and lifts across its three peaks were closed, but the ski area has been given new life thanks to new ownership. This offseason, they’ve spent millions of dollars to update the mountain. This includes restoring major snowmaking improvements, creating a new snow tubing slope, restoring neglected ski trails, updating their chairlifts, and renovating their base lodges.

Next winter, they will be installing a new chairlift, which they acquired from a ski resort in Virginia. Click here to learn more about all the projects they’ve worked on this offseason.

2. Holiday Valley: They’re celebrating like they’re in New Orleans this winter at Holiday Valley, as they have opened a new chairlift. The Mardi Gras Express was replaced this offseason with a high-speed six-pack chairlift, providing Holiday Valley with more capacity and further modernizes its lift fleet.

Other improvements included a new PistenBully 600 groomer, upgraded snowmaking equipment, a renovation of John Harvard’s restaurant, and room renovations at the Inn at Holiday Valley.

1. Whiteface: Probably the biggest chairlift project in New York this past offseason was The Notch. This high-speed detachable quad chairlift starts at the Bear Den base area, has a mid-station on the Borren trail, and the top terminal drops riders off next to the Legacy Lodge. The lift allows beginners to make their next steps toward big-mountain skiing. It also gives more tenured skiers and riders a reason to park at the Bear Den base area, as they can now reach the upper mountain much easier from that side. This chairlift made its debut last weekend.

The Bear Den Learning Center also saw some updates. The Cub Carpet lift was reoriented to make it easier for beginners to reach. In addition, the Falcon Flyer triple chairlift received some updates.

Other additions include a haul rope replacement and new grip hardware for the Cloudsplitter Gondola, 150 new high-efficiency snow guns with water/air lines, and two new PistenBully 600W snow cats.

Image/Video Credits: Whiteface Mountain (Featured Image), Holiday Valley (Header Image), Gore Mountain, Belleayre, Holiday Mountain

After a rainy start to the weekend, some mountains in the Northeast saw the white stuff on early Sunday morning.

In New Hampshire, Mt. Washington had its first official powder day of the 2023-24 season. The Mt. Wshingont Observatory reports that they received 0.3 inches of snow, which means it’s time to bring out the rock skis. This made it the first measurable snowfall of Mt. Washington’s 2023-24 winter. While the tallest peak in the Northeast did see snow back in September, that storm was not measurable. It won’t be too long now until the Sherb is in.

Mt. Washington wasn’t the only Northeast mountain to see snow on Sunday morning. Whiteface Mountain saw snow at its summit, with Conor from the Highway Crew capturing the snow stuck to the ground.

Image Credits: Mount Washington Observatory, Whiteface Mountain/Conor

The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which runs Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface, has chosen its new leader.

On Monday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Ashley Walden has been appointed as the new President & CEO of ORDA. Walden was a member of USA Luge’s Olympic and World Cup Teams. After retiring from luge, she went on to work in numerous sports leadership roles, which included the Executive Director of the Adirondack Sports Council.

While working for the Adirondack Sports Council, she organized the 2023 Winter World University Games. The multi-sport event, which was hosted at ORDA facilities, saw athletes from “over 50 countries and approximately 600 universities.”

Ashley is succeeding Mike Pratt, who has spent the last 38 years with the organization. Starting in 2017, he was the President & CEO of ORDA. During his time as the leader, the state spent over $600 million to revitalize its facilities, which included new lifts, lodges, and snowmaking improvements at Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface.

Governor Hochul said the following in the press release about Ashley and the future of ORDA:

“Congratulations to Ashley Walden, who brings dedication, leadership and deep sports knowledge to the Olympic Regional Development Authority. I want to thank Mike Pratt for his 38 years of dedication and leadership of the Olympic Authority, which have been among the best in the Olympic Authority’s history. Building on the State’s recent generational investments in our Olympic facilities and the successful FISU 2023 World University Games, the future of winter sports in New York State is bright.”

For the next couple of seasons, many improvements will be happening at the ski resorts that are a part of ORDA. Next winter will see a new detachable quad at Whiteface, a new beginner Quad at Gore, and a new Lift 7 at Belleayre. The 2024-25 season will see a new high-speed quad and lodge at Gore’s North Creek Ski Bowl.

Click here to read ORDA’s latest annual report.

Image Credits: Olympic Regional Development Authority

The 2023-24 season is shaping up to be the best winter ever for Whiteface Mountain. Last Thursday, the New York ski resort announced that they’ll be installing a new detachable high-speed quad, which will open during the 2023-24 season.

The detachable quad chairlift will start nearby the Bear Den Lodge and will climb to the middle of Whiteface. There will be a mid-unloading station, providing beginners with more terrain to explore without putting them past their comfort zones. Its top terminal will be located next to the Legacy Lodge. Currently, reaching the upper mountain isn’t possible by lift if you’re over at Bear Den. Before this addition, guests needed to take one of the lifts, like Falcon Flyer or Coyote Cruiser.

Ultimately, the new lift provides easier means of accessing the whole mountain and provides more incentive for people to park over at the Bear Den base area.

The addition is one of the many changes that Whiteface has seen over the past couple of years. These improvements have included the new Legacy Lodge, snowmaking upgrades, and adding two new trails in 2021.

In terms of lift improvements, the Face underwent significant renovations in 2021, and the Cloudsplitter Gondola added sixty new cabins in 2020 & 2021. For new lifts, they added the Warhorse chairlift, which makes it easier for athletes and spectators to reach the racing course, and the Falcon Flyer, which helps make the learning experience easier for beginners.

We're excited to announce the addition of "The Notch," a new detachable quad. The Notch will better connect Bear Den Mountain to Legacy Lodge, bringing skiers and riders to more beginner and intermediate terrain, while also providing access to the upper mountain. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/jsnROH1zLk

— Whiteface Mountain (@SkiWhiteface) June 29, 2023

Image Credits: Whiteface Mountain

About Whiteface: Whiteface Mountain is a majestic peak located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. Standing at an impressive elevation of 4,867 feet (1,483 meters), it offers breathtaking views and a thrilling outdoor experience. Known for its iconic ski resort, Whiteface Mountain attracts visitors year-round, catering to both winter sports enthusiasts and summer hikers. The mountain’s challenging trails and pristine wilderness provide endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Its summit, accessible by a scenic drive or a challenging hike, rewards visitors with panoramic vistas of the surrounding Adirondack Park and even glimpses of neighboring states. Whiteface Mountain truly epitomizes the beauty and allure of nature in upstate New York.

If you’re looking for a West Coast bowl skiing experience in the Northeast, one of the most striking examples is The Slides at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York.

Accessed by hiking from the top of the Summit Quad, this double-black diamond terrain is not for the faint of heart. The Slides are 35 acres of narrow chutes, and one area even features a waterfall hidden underneath the snow. If you go, you should shred with a buddy and avalanche gear is usually required.

In March, Lake Placid Legacy Sites released a video showing off The Slides in all its glory. Filmed and edited by Pat Bly, it shows what skiing The Slides is like on a bluebird powder day. The video down below proves that this is a must-do experience for East Coast skiers.

Image/Video Credits: Whiteface Mountain (Featured & Header Image), Lake Placid Legacy Sites/Pat Bly

After a warm start to their season, the Northeast is currently in the midst of a massive powder day. This means that many rope droppings are likely to come in the next couple of days. For many ski resorts in New England, snow is expected to continue well into Saturday.

Here are the latest snow totals for ski resorts that have received six inches or more of fresh powder. If the totals are not updated during the next couple of days, my apologies, as I’ll probably be busy skiing the pow.

New York:

Whiteface: 26″

Gore: 20″

Titus: 20″

Belleayre: 19″

Hunter: 18“

Windham Mountain: 18″

Plattekill: 14-18″

Massachusetts:

Jiminy Peak: 7”

Wachusett: 6″

Vermont:

Bromley: 22-28″

Okemo: 27″

Killington & Pico: 25″

Magic Mountain: 25″

Stratton: 24″

Mad River Glen: 23″

Sugarbush: 22″

Mt. Snow: 20″

Saskandena 6: 16″

Jay Peak: 10-15″

Bolton Valley: 12″

Burke: 12″

Smuggs: 12″

Stowe: 12″

Middlebury: 6″

New Hampshire:

Wildcat: 24″+

Waterville: 21-24″+

Loon: 15-21″

Attitash: 18″

Ragged: 18″

Mount Sunapee: 18″

Gunstock: 14-17″

Cranmore: 16″

Bretton Woods: 15″

King Pine: 14″

Cannon: 8-11″

Pats Peak: 10″

Crotched: 9″

Maine: 

Sugarloaf: 32″

Saddleback: 27″

Sunday River: 24″

Image Credits: Bromley Mountain Resort, Ragged Mountain Resort, Sugarloaf Mountain

Winter came in like a wrecking ball across the northeast over the last week, and ski resorts across the region are deciding to open early as a result.

Whiteface Mountain, NY, the ski area with the east’s largest continuous vertical drop, is opening for the season this Saturday and Sunday.

What’s even more exciting is that the mountain is opening with their full 3,166 feet of vertical for the first time ever.

Here’s more details from Whiteface:

“As of right now, our plan is to open Saturday with The Face Lift loading at 9am and the Summit Quad loading at 10am.

We are currently blowing snow on Paron’s Run, The Follies, Excelsior, Summit Express, Broadway, Boreen and Brookside with hopes of having them all ready to go on opening day.

Check back Saturday morning for the most up-to-date opening day plan.

We ask that you please keep in mind that early-season snow means variable conditions with areas of thin cover and bare spots.

We will be opening with no beginner terrain and no group lessons for any levels.

We anticipate closing down Monday 11/21 through Thursday 11/24 and re-opening for daily operations on Friday, November 25th. 

Don’t forget that tickets and passes are on sale now, whether you plan to purchase a season pass, frequent skier card or lift ticket, make sure you figure out how you’re getting out here this winter. 

THINK SNOW!”

On a personal note, I live about 6 hours from Whiteface and I’m reaaaaaaaally thinking about sending it.

I’m a ski blogger after all. I can justifying leaving my house at 3AM for icy turns on 3,000’+ of vertical the week before Thanksgiving, right?!

Somebody give me a good reason not to go. I know I’m going to regret this decision on Sunday morning, be grateful for it all day Sunday, and then regret it again on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Stay tuned here at Unofficial Networks to find out if I grew the cajones to drive up to Whiteface. I’ll keep you in the loop!

Whiteface Mountain, NY is one of the most recognizable names among all east coast ski areas/resorts.

The ski area was the host of all six alpine ski events in the 1980 Olympics, and it boasts the largest vertical drop in the region.

It might not seem like a big deal when a ski resort rebrands, but when you’re an established name like Whiteface, people tend to pay attention.

Whiteface announced yesterday afternoon that they’re changing their logo after years of using the historic design that featured the Olympic flame.

Check it out below:

Once represented by a shared logo of a single mountain and an Olympic flame, Whiteface has expanded to a three-mountain experience. The triangular shape of our new logo carries forward our Olympic legacy and the three peaks within showcase the vastness of all we have to offer. pic.twitter.com/gUBlKExkbG

— Whiteface Mountain (@SkiWhiteface) November 2, 2022

I dig it, but that original logo with the Olympic flame was pretty dang sweet if you ask me.

Stay tuned here at Unofficial Networks for all news regarding Whiteface and skiing throughout the northeast.

Ron Konowitz might have unofficially scored the first turns on snow on the entire eastern seaboard. That’s gotta be pretty cool to say.

Konowitz’s Facebook post from October 8th shows him making skiing the barely-snow-covered access road to Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid, NY.

Check out the videos below that Konowtiz captured from his early-October outing:

Only an east coast skier would travel up a treacherously icy and partially-snow-covered access road in the beginning of October to make some sketchy and mellow wiggles.

Also, not to beat a dead horse, but I wasn’t surprised that Konowitz is a tele skier. That checks out…

Shout out to Ron Konowitz for scoring the first turns of the season. I’m unofficially granting you 50 G.N.A.R. points for your valiant efforts.

Sound the alarms! It’s snowing in New York!

Whiteface Mountain posted a beautiful video of snowflakes falling this morning marking the first snowfall of the season, and it looks like a decent amount has accumulated for September 23rd!

Check it out below:

First snow of the season! Get your skis and boards ready, ski season will be here before you know it. Buy your lift tickets now for the best deals! pic.twitter.com/41ihPjsCtr

— Whiteface Mountain (@SkiWhiteface) September 23, 2022

The snow will surely melt and we’ll have to wait a couple of months to go skiing in the majority of the Northeast, but snow is snow, and snow gets me excited.

Stay tuned here at Unofficial Networks for all updates regarding the upcoming Winter ’22-’23 season.