Snow Ridge: Afternoon Deep

While visiting my parents in the Finger Lakes over the weekend I watched the weather reports. I was surprised to see a late season surge, a large amount of snow headed towards Tug Hill. Farah and I headed to Snow Ridge Sunday afternoon.

Snow Pocket

It was one of my deepest days, and possibly the best three hours of skiing I’ve ever had. I’m sure the following words or pictures won’t really do it justice.

Driving the Thruway it was clear skies and dry roads, but after getting off the interstate and driving north of Rome, conditions changed drastically. Deteriorated or improved, depending on your point of view.

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Snow Ridge: The Snow Pocket Opens

A lot can be said about the tenacity of east coast riders. Ski The East is an idea that resonates. We ski in the rain, we lay edges in ice and last week some of us braved negative temperatures to make a few good turns. Some saw the temperatures and canceled plans. Others saw the upside: ski on lifts and quality snow.

Snow Ridge lodge

It was 8 below when I left Utica and negative 14 as I pulled into the parking lot at Snow Ridge. I was already wearing most of my gear for the drive, so I slipped into my boots and headed into the lodge for the ticket.

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Interview: Nick Mir of Snow Ridge

Snow Ridge logoCyndy Sisto and Nick Mir have worked in the ski business in Central NY for decades.

In 2015, the mother and son team bought Snow Ridge on the eastern edge of the Tug Hill Plateau and have been working to take the ski area to the next level. This summer the resort has been especially busy hosting annual events like the Lovely Time Music and Arts Festival and the TugMudDare Run. A new disc golf course and skate bowl has been built, and recently the resort announced new mountain bike trails.

We tracked down Nick to learn more about him, work done this off season and plans for the ski area.

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