Season Guide to Skiing in the Finger Lakes
The opening of the ski season is right around the corner. Here in the Finger Lakes, there are a variety of mountains and resorts to suit all levels, from brand-new students to experienced shredders. Here’s where to go, where to stay, and where to spend your aprés time, too.
Where to Find the Best Skiing in the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes is home to a number of ski resorts. Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland (about two hours away from The Lake House), Song Mountain Resort in Tully (about 1.5 hours away from The Lake House), and Labrador Mountain in Truxton, New York (just 20 minutes away from Song Mountain Resort and about an hour and 45 minutes away from The Lake House), all offer a variety of trails and lift tickets for beginners to advanced skiers.
That said, Bristol Mountain Resort Just a 20-minute drive from The Lake House, Bristol Mountain’s impressive 1,200-foot vertical rise — the highest between the Adirondack Mountains and Rocky Mountains — boasts 138 acres of skiable terrain, 38 slopes and trails, and two high-speed quads. If that weren’t enough to make you come ski the slopes, the Finger Lakes’ premier ski resort is also known for its perfect snow conditions, thanks to a comprehensive snowmaking system that covers the entire terrain, and illuminated trails, meaning you can ski morning, noon, and night.
New at Bristol Mountain This Year
Bristol Mountain has long welcomed skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, making it an excellent option for both avid skiers and families with kids just starting out. The resort’s new Experience Center will open this winter, designed to offer beginner skiers and snowboarders an interactive experience before even getting outside in the snow. Conveniently located right next to Bristol’s Launching Pad and Ski School Meeting Place, the new center also makes it easier for all renters to get out on the mountain.
The mountain has seven major downhill trails divided into upper and lower sections: Morning Star, Comet, Rocket, Galaxy, Universe, and North Star. The Upper North Star track saw extensive work leading up to the season, being widened to 120 feet (matching the width of Polaris and Lower North Star), and installed with low-energy air-water snowmaking guns and new LED lights.
Where to Stay While Skiing in the Finger Lakes
Situated right on the edge of Canandaigua Lake, The Lake House provides the perfect place to rest your tired feet after a full day on the slopes. Here, you can après ski in style, whether that’s opting for an Après Stretch treatment or sauna ritual at Willowbrook Spa or spending the rest of the evening in Sand Bar, slinging back hot toddies and mulled wine to warm up. (Or, ideally, do it all!)