The Adirondacks' Hidden Gem for Skiing - Gore Mountain
Written: Feb 03 '04 (Updated Feb 03 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Large amount of available terrain, natural snow, 95% snowmaking coverage, something for everyone
Cons: Not much immediately around the mountain
The Bottom Line: Gore Mountain offers small mountain benefits like friendly staff and fellow skiers at what is a big mountain
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| jps246's Full Review: Gore Mountain |
New York’s “other” Olympic Mountain, Gore Mountain is managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority and is located about an hour and a half or so south of the Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain Olympic Area.
A big mountain in it’s own right, its more famous cousin, Whiteface to the north, often overshadows Gore. However with 2,100 vertical feet of downhill, 72 trails, more than 300 skiable acres, over 150 inches of natural snow a year and 95% snowmaking coverage, Gore Mountain is a ski area where you can enjoy the benefits of small mountain service at a big mountain ski area.
Details
With a base elevation of 1,500 feet and a summit topping out at 3,600 feet, Gore Mountain offers 2,100 vertical feet for you to ski down. There are 72 skiable trails and these include 58 alpine trails, 7 glades, and 13 cross-country ski trails. The longest trail runs a staggering 2.9 miles and provides some of the best cruising around.
There are 11 lifts servicing Gore Mountain and these include an 8-person gondola, 2 quad lifts, 1 high-speed triple lift, 1 triple lift, 3 double lifts and 3 surface lifts (tows).
Gore is mostly an intermediate skier’s mountain, only 10% of the terrain is rated for beginners and there is only about 30% rated for experts. The remaining 60% of the terrain on the mountain is rated intermediate. There are a few tough trails, but in general, any skier of an average ability should be able to ski a majority of Gore’s trails.
Gore is blessed to be in a region of the Adirondacks that received frequent and copious lake effect snows from the Great Lakes. The mountain averages about 150 inches of snow a year, but most years easily surpass that amount. With almost any visit you are likely to run into some fresh new natural snow on the mountain. A nice change from some areas where it is nothing but manmade snow everywhere you look.
There are two lodges at Gore. The main lodge is located at the base of the mountain and includes dining facilities (a cafeteria), the mountain patrol, a children’s nursery, a rental equipment shop, a ski shop, a lounge, ticket sales, restrooms, lockers, changing areas and the administration offices. The Saddle Lodge, located halfway up the mountain includes a cafeteria and restrooms.
Adult all-day lift tickets will cost you $47 during the week and $56 on weekends and holidays. Multi-day passes are also available and are a better deal cost-wise if you are planning on skiing at the mountain for more than one day. Early in the season (prior to 12/12) and late in the season (after 3/19) an all-day ticket anytime is reduced to $45. It’s not much savings on a weekday ticket, but a significant amount of savings for the weekend rates. A frequent skier card is available (Empire Card) for $79. Your first day skiing will be free and subsequently you will save $12 on a mid-week ticket and $16 on a weekend/holiday ticket. A full season pass will cost you $770.
Gore Mountain has a website with information on the moutain including current conditions, ticket rates, rental rates, lodging information and more. The website is available at: http://www.goremountain.com/
Getting There
Gore is located on Route 28 in North Creek, New York. It is about 20 or so miles off of Interstate 87 (The Northway). Depending on your direction of travel, there are several different exits on the Northway you can use. The drive is about 3 ½ hours or so from New York City and about the same from Boston. Located near the highway, Gore makes for an easy drive from most locations.
What’s in North Creek?
Not much really. North Creek is a small Adirondack town that offers a few amenities for skiers at Gore. There are a few bed and breakfasts, small hotels and several restaurants in town, but for most services, skiers and visitors to Gore will need to travel outside of the immediate area to find more extensive services. Generally, this means traveling to the Lake George area, about 30 minutes south of Gore Mountain. You’ll find an almost limitless amount of hotels and restaurants year round in Lake George.
Where do I stay?
Gore offers ski and stay packages with local hotels. Generally these hotels are in the Lake George area and about a 20 to 30 minute ride to Gore Mountain. These ski and stay packages are also available in Bed and Breakfasts and townhouses and home rentals that are closer to the mountain.
The nearest major hotels are located in the Lake George region, about a 20 to 30 minute drive south of Gore Mountain. Little lodging, except for smaller bed and breakfasts and mountainside townhouse rentals are available mountainside or near the mountain.
And So?
I like Gore Mountain. It’s one of those mountains that everyone else seems to forget about, or not even know exists. You can go skiing midweek and there are maybe only a few hundred people skiing. Even on weekends, crowds are manageable and you’re never likely to be waiting on line to catch a lift, or be crushed in a lodge trying to change your shoes. The employees are friendly, locals are everywhere, and even though Gore is a large mountain with extensive terrain, when you ski there, you feel like you’re part of a small mountain experience.
Final Thoughts
While not as technically challenging as some mountains or as famous as its sister mountain to the north, Gore Mountain is an excellent mid-size ski area offering a little something for everyone and a whole bunch for intermediate skiers.
Removed from the hustle and bustle that exists at many other comparably sized ski areas, Gore Mountain offers small mountain benefits like friendly staff and fellow skiers at what is a big mountain.
Go ski Gore once and I am willing to bet you’ll be wanting to go back sooner or later because the mountain is that enjoyable.
Other Outdoor/Hiking/Camping Reviews
Magazines and Books
Backpacker Magazine / Outside Magazine / National Geographic Adventure / Hiker's Guide to the Mountains of Vermont / Hiking Guide to Mount Washington and Presidential Range / GPS Made Easy / AMC White Mountain Guide / Wilderness First Aid / Rescue from the Backcountry / Maine Mountain Guide / Day Hikes in Yosemite NP / Southern NH Trail Guide
Destinations
White Mountain National Forest (NH) / Catskill Mountains (NY) / Acadia National Park (ME) / Bellayre Mountain (NY) / Hunter Mountain (NY) / Ski Windham (NY) / Burke Mountain (VT) / Catamount (MA) / Jiminy Peak (MA) / Whiteface Mountain/Lake Placid (NY) / Tuckerman Ravine (NH)
Retailers and Products
REI.com - Outdoor Gear / Dermatone Lip Pomade / Carmex Lip Balm / Kestrel 100 Wind Meter / Magellan GPS 315 / MSR WhisperLite Backpacking Stove / CamelBak StoAway Hydration Bladder / Petzl Tikka Headlamp / Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight Tent
Recommended:
Yes
Level of Experience Needed: All
Best Time to Visit: February
Best Suited For: Friends
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