Oak Mountain: Head East for Pow

For the second weekend in a row, Evan and I made a last-minute call to chase fresh lake-effect snow. We planned to explore two new New York ski areas on Saturday before the storm rolled in, keeping our eyes set on the prize, Sunday, at Oak Mountain. With home base in the Finger Lakes, it’s a haul to the Adirondacks, but when conditions look promising we don’t hesitate.

With a weekend of new mountain exploration ahead, we met up with Robert kicked things off Saturday morning at Cazenovia Ski Club before squeezing in some afternoon laps at Woods Valley.

That night, the storm arrived earlier and heavier than we expected — by the time we left dinner with a group of friends, 4-5 inches had already fallen and it was still dumping.

We shoveled out Robert’s driveway in anticipation of a big morning and went to bed giddy, joking about inside-out pajamas and spoons under pillows, hoping for a snow day like a bunch of children on a school night.

We woke up at 6 am to additional snowfall and headed East for Oak Mountain in Speculator, NY. I’d never been to Oak but I had high hopes. The drive through the snow-covered Adirondacks was stunning.

By the time we arrived, it was clear the 4 a.m. report of 7 inches was outdated — much more had fallen. We guessed 10 inches as walked up to the chair, maybe more. With 18-degree temps, no wind, and powder turns ahead, we were ready.

Our first two runs down Ryan’s Run were perfection — light, fluffy snow, untouched outside of the runs taken by ski patrol, and the feeling was like skiing on a cloud. Oak impressed us with grooming and a nice balance of groomers and deep powder stashes.

All trails lead to the base of the mountain making it easy to spread out as a group without worry of linking back up. Best of all, no lift lines, on a weekend powder day. Families surrounded us, a few Eagles fans hyped for the Super Bowl, and two mountain dogs were enjoying the snow which gave the resort a comforting, old-school vibe.

Midday, the clouds broke into unexpected bluebird skies, and the view from Oak Mountain Run over Lake Pleasant was breathtaking. With the sun sparkling on the fresh snow that covered the lake, it was an Adirondack postcard moment.

We spent the afternoon chasing fresh lines — Evan and Robert ripped through the blanketed glades, while Farah and I stuck to the trails. We rotated between Kunjamuk, Ryan’s, Nova, and Upper Devils, each run somehow better than the last.

After a quick break in Oak’s cozy lodge, where hot chocolate and the smell of fresh waffles hit the spot, we headed back out and skied until 3:00, soaking in every last soft, dreamy turn.

Before leaving, we chatted with a few staff members and Matt, one of the owners, whose passion for the mountain matched what we felt all day — welcoming, laid-back, and all about good skiing with great people. When he asked if we’d be back this season, we didn’t hesitate. Yes!

Oak Mountain exceed my expectations. No crowds, incredible snow, stunning views, and a great vibe — this old school Adirondack gem is now one of my favorite New York ski spots.

As we packed up, we said goodbye to the mountain dogs who came to us with a wagging tails for a few last pets. We hit the road with tired legs, big smiles, and another unforgettable weekend.