Whiteface Mid-season Update ’25/26

Could 2024/25 be repeated at Whiteface? After what was a consensus “best season in over a decade,” there was little talk of a repeat. That kind of thing just doesn’t happen. Or does it?

Whiteface

First, though, there was some excitement in the off season about the new Little Whiteface Chair. The new double chair re-used the towers north of its mid-station unloading, with new towers below.

The realignment of towers was needed because its previous “double double” configuration (two double chairlifts sharing the same towers) were not in alignment with the upper towers. The new towers make it appear that skier’s right of Mountain Run was widened.

 new Little Whiteface Chair
The new Little Whiteface Chair has a more open feel

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Val Bialas Opens in 2026

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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Titus Powder Wednesday

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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