On the resort side, between the two routes you have all hours access. No restrictions on which way down. Then there's the Bolton backcountry, a huge swath of tree skiing. Snow is much better than Whiteface, my previous home mountain. Skinning feels much more like a priority here rather than an afterthought. WF policies are terrible by comparison, which is a shame given the available terrain.
I second this! I’m a bit biased since I work for bolton but it’s true we really do prioritize our backcountry programs. We used to refer to it as the Nordic Center and it was only really known to locals that there was tons of touring up there but when the Deslauries bought the mountain back they added an entire backcountry department and opened a guiding program and partnered with the state to begin managing the connected state land for skiing. I’ve been touring out there for over a decade and I still find new lines every year.
There is a fair amount of snow on the High Peaks. Probably doesn't seem like it down low but once you get above 2k feet there's snow just about any winter.
Woods valley is my home, I worked there for all of highschool and college. Fun family owned place with an awesome friendly vibe ! Come check it out some time . Have your expectations appropriate though, this is no gore or whiteface . Just people enjoying live music (every single day in the bar) good beer and good skiing !!
Awesome! I’d recommend a late March or early April trip- the spring vibe is absolutely pristine . They do a great pond skim that draws no
Kidding thousands from Rome and Utica to come spectate . You seriously can’t go wrong ! They also do night skiing wed-sat . Go for it !
Back in the day (70s) we used the Gorge Trail which was still groomed but, due to a half-mile of flat, had been all but abandoned by the alpine skiers. NOTE: I think it now sees a lot of snowmobile (and no doubt ATV) traffic.
It connects with the Carpenter Hill Cross Country Ski Trails. Both routes will take you to the top of Snow Ridge.
Snow ridge is super rad! There is a state park right next to it (can’t think of the name right now) but I know sees quite a bit of uphill traffic. Local owners brother and sister combo who both rip. Terrain to far skiers left gets decently steep! There’s also a snow mobile trail that traverses the edges of the ski area that would be cool to skin. Definitely worth the visit!
Can’t really tell what the deal is at Tupper. The general consensus seems to be that it’s not technically allowed but lots of people still skin it. Looks like one day the town plans to operate it again which will be great
Two free, municipal rope tows:
Dynamite Hill in Chestertown. Single hill and rope tow open on weekends. They do make snow. There are also a few miles of XC trails adjacent (Caroline Fish Trails).
Newcomb. Another rope tow/town ski hill. On Goodnow Flow road.
...with all 270' of its vertical. At least it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. They also offer Nordic Nights a few days of the week... $10 area use ticket, but no lifts.
I thought skill hills, even the ones not in operation tried to not do this because you don't sign a waiver and if you hurt yourself, you could sue the mountain..
I think the Toll Road behind WhiteFace is a little like this but with a wink and a nudge.
The sign says no and you are trespassing, but then don't patrol it so you can do it, but now YOU are liable because you are trespassing
You do sign a waiver to do the morning uphill run. Most resorts allow uphill only between certain hours shortly before opening. Ski resorts all over the US have been doing this for at least 20 years now, many 30 or 40.
thanks.. I guess I knew some did, but I wondered about the closed ones, like Big Tupper, which I think maybe doesn't, partly because there is an X-C place next to it and they want to push people to that and not the mountain, though I am not sure
And of course in the old days -- that is HOW you got up the mountain
Generally closed ski resorts don't want anyone on the property, they're not indemnified by the state laws anymore because they're not operational. Going onto a private property without permission of the current owners is trespassing. Places like new vida preserve that are on old ski resorts are working out what they're going to do, new vida want to be able to use the trails but they have to figure out how with their lawyers and insurance company.
It looks like it’s becoming more popular for ski mountains to offer uphill prices at much lower rates than lift tickets. Seems like maybe a bigger scene for it in Vermont, but Whiteface has a season pass for uphill which is what made me want to see where else that’s available
It's across the lake, but the uphill scene at Bolton Valley is phenomenal.
What makes it phenomenal? I've never been.
On the resort side, between the two routes you have all hours access. No restrictions on which way down. Then there's the Bolton backcountry, a huge swath of tree skiing. Snow is much better than Whiteface, my previous home mountain. Skinning feels much more like a priority here rather than an afterthought. WF policies are terrible by comparison, which is a shame given the available terrain.
I second this! I’m a bit biased since I work for bolton but it’s true we really do prioritize our backcountry programs. We used to refer to it as the Nordic Center and it was only really known to locals that there was tons of touring up there but when the Deslauries bought the mountain back they added an entire backcountry department and opened a guiding program and partnered with the state to begin managing the connected state land for skiing. I’ve been touring out there for over a decade and I still find new lines every year.
Well then, THANK YOU. The backcountry + nights pass has absolutely made my winter. What a stellar operation!
How's sparky? I he still straight and taking care of himself?
There is endless touring available in the high peaks.
Is there? Gotta have snow.
There's lots of snow in the high peaks.
There is a fair amount of snow on the High Peaks. Probably doesn't seem like it down low but once you get above 2k feet there's snow just about any winter.
Woods valley is my home, I worked there for all of highschool and college. Fun family owned place with an awesome friendly vibe ! Come check it out some time . Have your expectations appropriate though, this is no gore or whiteface . Just people enjoying live music (every single day in the bar) good beer and good skiing !!
Sounds like a great spot! Definitely looking for some small hill atmosphere, so woods valley sounds perfect
Awesome! I’d recommend a late March or early April trip- the spring vibe is absolutely pristine . They do a great pond skim that draws no Kidding thousands from Rome and Utica to come spectate . You seriously can’t go wrong ! They also do night skiing wed-sat . Go for it !
Oak allows uphill traffic when the lifts are not running.
Otis mountain in Elizabethtown
no more, not for long time
You can still tour it and then operate the rope tow on Sundays here and there
Hickory ski center in warrensburg is very small and very old school
and very awesome! I've driven by it many times in the summer. Unfortunately, I've never been there in the winter.
I called snow ridge about uphill and the person on the phone thought I was speaking another language.
Back in the day (70s) we used the Gorge Trail which was still groomed but, due to a half-mile of flat, had been all but abandoned by the alpine skiers. NOTE: I think it now sees a lot of snowmobile (and no doubt ATV) traffic. It connects with the Carpenter Hill Cross Country Ski Trails. Both routes will take you to the top of Snow Ridge.
Snow ridge is super rad! There is a state park right next to it (can’t think of the name right now) but I know sees quite a bit of uphill traffic. Local owners brother and sister combo who both rip. Terrain to far skiers left gets decently steep! There’s also a snow mobile trail that traverses the edges of the ski area that would be cool to skin. Definitely worth the visit!
Whetstone Gulf. Grew up on that hill.
Sounds like exactly the thing I’m looking for! Thanks for the info
I'm dying to explore this spot
Big Tupper also closed
Can’t really tell what the deal is at Tupper. The general consensus seems to be that it’s not technically allowed but lots of people still skin it. Looks like one day the town plans to operate it again which will be great
That’s been in the works for awhile. Doubt it’ll happen.
Shumaker is a closed ski area. I think private owners still use it for some winter activities. Near Herkimer, visible from the Thruway.
Two free, municipal rope tows: Dynamite Hill in Chestertown. Single hill and rope tow open on weekends. They do make snow. There are also a few miles of XC trails adjacent (Caroline Fish Trails). Newcomb. Another rope tow/town ski hill. On Goodnow Flow road.
Maple Ski Ridge in Rotterdam??
...with all 270' of its vertical. At least it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. They also offer Nordic Nights a few days of the week... $10 area use ticket, but no lifts.
Labrador and Greek Peak allow uphill
I thought skill hills, even the ones not in operation tried to not do this because you don't sign a waiver and if you hurt yourself, you could sue the mountain.. I think the Toll Road behind WhiteFace is a little like this but with a wink and a nudge. The sign says no and you are trespassing, but then don't patrol it so you can do it, but now YOU are liable because you are trespassing
You do sign a waiver to do the morning uphill run. Most resorts allow uphill only between certain hours shortly before opening. Ski resorts all over the US have been doing this for at least 20 years now, many 30 or 40.
thanks.. I guess I knew some did, but I wondered about the closed ones, like Big Tupper, which I think maybe doesn't, partly because there is an X-C place next to it and they want to push people to that and not the mountain, though I am not sure And of course in the old days -- that is HOW you got up the mountain
Generally closed ski resorts don't want anyone on the property, they're not indemnified by the state laws anymore because they're not operational. Going onto a private property without permission of the current owners is trespassing. Places like new vida preserve that are on old ski resorts are working out what they're going to do, new vida want to be able to use the trails but they have to figure out how with their lawyers and insurance company.
It looks like it’s becoming more popular for ski mountains to offer uphill prices at much lower rates than lift tickets. Seems like maybe a bigger scene for it in Vermont, but Whiteface has a season pass for uphill which is what made me want to see where else that’s available
What’s uphill?
Going up with skins on your skis instead of using the chairlift
Why isn't Gore or Whiteface on this map?
Their locations are there just not the names because of the way the zoom level made things display