If you like to ski New York is probably not the first place you think about visiting in the winter, but beyond the bustle and action of New York City is a large state full of natural beauty and sprinkled with some top-class winter sports resorts. A New York ski vacation or a day trip to a New York ski resort provides a chance to enjoy some of best recreation opportunities the state has to offer.

The largest and most well renowned ski resort in New York is Whiteface Mountain. Located near Lake Placid in the north of the state near Vermont and Canada, this New York ski resort hosted the alpine events in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Today, skiers and snowboarders have a chance to enjoy New York skiing at its finest, retracing the trails taken by Olympic athletes. Nestled in the heart of the scenic Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a perfect place for a New York ski vacation: there is a great ski resort just minutes away and plenty other winter sports facilities and nightlife to entertain you after a day of New York skiing.

Whiteface Mountain has the largest vertical drop east of the Rocky Mountains — 3,430 feet — and some of the most challenging terrain anywhere on the East Coast. Intermediate and beginner skiers will also enjoy this New York ski resort. A proposed expansion of Whiteface Mountain should bring new prominence to this New York skiing Mecca.

New York Map

The second largest ski resort in New York is Hunter Mountain. Located just two and one half hours from New York City, Hunter is the place to ski New York if you are living in or visiting the Big Apple. Hunter’s West face has some extremely challenging double blacks and the main face has plenty to entice beginners and intermediates. There is also a large terrain park for snowboarders, some snowshoeing trails, and a snowtubing area. Although Hunter can get crowded on weekends and holidays when New York skiing enthusiasts visit in droves, a midweek stay in a nearby Catskills village can make a great New York ski vacation.

Ski Windham, another good ski resort in New York, is just 10 miles away from Hunter. Windham is a smaller and more family oriented New York ski resort. Windham’s weekend night skiing has proved particularly popular with working families who still want to ski New York. There is plenty of intermediate and beginner terrain, but expert runs are limited to some short steep trails near the summit. Snowboarders of all ages will be happy with Windham’s half dozen terrain parks and challenging obstacles.

Whether in the Catskills or at Lake Placid, a New York ski vacation can make a nice break for anyone in an East Coast city, or groups who want to combine urban sightseeing with some winter recreation.