Author: Harvey

Skier, Blogger, Ski Blogger. Editor-in-chief NYSkiBlog.

Newcomb Ski Slope: Community Spirit

Posted on by Harvey

I’ve gotten my ski days this year but I haven’t done much to advance my goal to ski all the lift-served hills in New York. Life has required me to stay close to home this season, and it shows in the list of areas I’ve skied.

Newcomb Ski Slope

Early this year, I realized that skiing Central NY and Western NY wasn’t realistic. I made a separate list of ski areas ranked by their distance from our base in the Southern Adirondacks. I thought “what if I try to tick them off in order of distance?” It would be something at least, some progress towards my goal.

This brought two pieces of ripe, low hanging fruit to my attention: Dynamite Hill and Newcomb Ski Slope.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Time to Ski NY6 Comments

Val Bialas Opens in 2026

Posted on by Harvey

Talk to any seasoned skier from the Utica area and they will likely have fond memories of Val Bialas. The ski center — named after Valentine Bialas, a local Olympic speed skater — opened in the 1954. It is one of the few municipality-owned ski areas in America.

Val Bialas Ski Center

Val Bialas was a staple in the community for years. Over the last two decades unreliable winters and other economic factors have impacted the ski center’s operations. Over that time, Val has opened only sporadically, with different operators.

Its last official opening was in 2017.

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Tagged: Central NY, Time to Ski NY20 Comments

Titus Powder Wednesday

Posted on by Harvey

For my wife and I, life is better in the mountains. There are so many things we love about it. Fresh air, clean water, enticing exercise options and views. Another big one, now that we live where we want to be, we drive much less. Less than half as much. Gas costs more in NY, but we are using much less.

Still I’ve got goals. Over the next several years, I want to ski every ski area in New York. Trips to my perennial favorites are added on top. Plattekill, McCauley, Snow Ridge and Titus to name a few. So yes, there will be driving.

What inspires a guy who lives ten miles from Gore to drive 100 miles to Titus?

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Indy Pass, Powder, Titus6 Comments