Gore Mountain Ski Getaways

Long considered the forgotten child of its Olympic sister (Whiteface) to the north, Gore nevertheless built a loyal following

In recent years, however, New York's Olympic Region Development Authority (ORDA) has increasingly recognized Gore's importance and consequently has provided the resources for a whole host of improvements.

To begin with, new terrain was added and the snowmaking and grooming capabilities significantly upgraded. Then the old base to summit gondola was replaced with a new one which, while it no longer runs to the summit, provides more efficient service on about two-thirds of Gore's vertical. Other lifts were replaced (one with a high speed quad), the base infrastructure was renovated, and a new triple with new terrain to serve opened up a whole section of Bear Mountain, between Saddle Lodge and Gore's true summit. Along with all this, a whole series of glades and backcountry-type trails were established. With ten lifts and 2100 feet of vertical and modern facilities now in place, Gore has essentially fulfilled the potential inherent in its natural topography.

Most of the lower two-thirds of Gore are devoted to intermediate skiers and riders. Sunway, Twister, and Sleighride are three of the longest; Showcase and Main Street are nearly as long. All five can be accessed via the Adirondack Express Quad or the gondola. If you want to stay up a little higher on the mountain, the North Quad serves no fewer than nine blue square cruisers. Still higher, intermediates have fewer choices, but the more advanced will love Chatiemac (and Chatiemac Glades) and Hawkeye, or the even tougher The Rumor, Lies, and Upper Darby. Straightbrook Glades also may be found off the summit, but most of Gore's backcountry-style trails and glades are lower down. They include Burnt Ridge North and South, Tahawus and Twister Glades, and several long and narrow runs through the trees - the "backcountry" stuff and telemarkers' haunt.

Although the majority of the terrain is intermediate Gore is by no means an easy mountain - witness the number of green circle trails on the map: Four. The nursery hill, teaching hill, Bear Cub Run, and Gore-E Gully are all near the base area, so the intimidation factor for never-evers and novices is low, and Gore's professional instructor staff will make sure you're ready for the upper mountain before recommending it, but confirmed wedge turners of any age will find much of Gore a challenge. On the other hand, if someone in your family or party has reached a wedge-turn or stem-turn plateau, Gore may well be the place to go for a breakthrough.

Gore's commitment to the snowboard and freestyle crowd is evident in a number of ways, not the least of which is a season-long schedule of competitive events.