The Backcountry Blog

For many skiers, the season in New York ends sometime in March. For those a bit more passionate about the sport, some may make the pilgrimage to the more elevated resorts such as Whiteface or Gore, which usually spin their lifts until around the second half of April. And, for those who just can’t let the amazing NY season end, we find a way to continue making turns through May and even into June (if you’re crazy enough).

Whiteface’s Skyward, which sits at over 4,300’ in elevation at its top, usually holds a decent snow patch that is hiked and skied for a good couple weeks into May, eventually becoming too sparse and rocky by the time the Veteran’s Memorial Highway opens in the middle of the month.

Continue reading →

Powder skiing in New York came to an abrupt halt in early March. Without a season saving storm in sight, the mountains have been losing snowpack. Even at higher elevations, temperatures above freezing during the day and below freezing overnight, brought on an early spring.

Spring isn’t bad. Longer days, light crowds and of course, t-shirt weather. Corn snow is a blast when time and temperature align. Early in the day, it can be a nightmare of frozen crud, and in the afternoon it can become mashed mush. Combine all of it together, and you have a springtime backcountry tour in the High Peaks.

Continue reading →