Plattekill: Family, Skiing and Community

Posted on by Harvey

I’m skiing my way through all of the lift served ski areas in New York over the next three seasons. That’s my goal. I believe it should be requirement for the editor-in-chief of the New York Ski Blog. Now, newly retired, I’m going to level up and make it happen.

Esopus Creek bridge

Since I began skiing, I’ve found joy at every family-owned mountain I’ve visited. That may be corny, but it’s real for me. It’s why I continue to ski and support the independents.

My NY family ski area resume includes: Titus, Dry Hill, Snow Ridge, Woods Valley, Royal Mountain, Hickory, Greek Peak, Holiday Mountain, Mount Peter, and of course Plattekill. I want to ski all the rest, by the end of 2028.

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Tagged: Catskills, Plattekill12 Comments

Lake Placid Loppet: The Forecast Called for Pain

Posted on by Peter Minde

I haven’t blogged much for NYSB this year. Skiing at Mt van Hoevenberg on 1 December, I crashed hard when Pumphouse Road turned from groomed powder into a rock garden. A torn acromioclavicular ligament put me outta commission. When I returned to skiing, it was decent early season conditions. No one wants to hear “It’s thin, but really good” when downhill writers are contributing stories with epic powder shots.

Lake Placid Loppet

Early on, the big storms were missing us in Saranac Lake. Gradually, conditions improved in the Tri-Lakes. Three inches here, three inches there, and pretty soon you’re skiing in good conditions. By the time the Lake Placid Loppet rolled around, we had serious midwinter conditions.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Mount van Hoevenberg, Nordic Skiing1 Comment

A Great Season at Whiteface

Posted on by D.B. Cooper

Now that spring seems to have arrived, it is safe to say that this will be one of the best of my dozen years skiing Whiteface.

Going into the season it seemed like management had planned to open the summit as early as possible. As in recent years, the peak of the mountain was in play right away with Paron’s Run open from the top. This was several years in the making with snowmaking upgrades that were promised and now delivered.

Cloudspin opened early with good coverage
Cloudspin opened early with good coverage

Sure, there will always be mechanical issues at a ski area, but this year seemed different.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Whiteface6 Comments