Ski areas across New York State had a busy summer season in anticipation of the 2019/20 ski season with several ski resorts upgrading snowmaking systems, adding new lifts, and more. Here is a round-up of what’s new for the 2019-20 season:

Bellayre
The sweet sound of snowmaking has returned to the mountains. The guns were fired up late last week and as long as the cold temperatures stick around the Snowmaking crew will keep on cranking out the man made. So far, Bellayre reports making snow on Deer Run and Iroquois trails and we now also moved over to Wanatuska. Anticipated opening is Friday, November 29, the day after Thanksgiving.
Belleayre completed a $14.6 million renovation of the Discovery Lodge, added a new lift and a new beginner teaching area. Alleviating long lines and overcrowded spaces, the improvements will increase seating capacity in the cafeteria and lounge areas, and add new restrooms on the main level of the lodge. Additional upgrades are planned, including modernized and expanded space for kids’ programs, and a new patio area with a new outdoor ticketing area. Belleayre is also introducing RFID for direct-to-lift capability.
See more at belleayre.com

Windham
In the Catskills, Windham Mountain has a new look with a new logo and branding. The resort reports that it took on major snowmaking projects this summer, including automation on the West Peak, a new booster pump on the East Peak, and replacing over 10,000 feet of air and water pipe across the mountain. While an early season opening is not “out of the questions,” there were other projects that had to be completed before the snow guns could be fired up.
Windham focused on guest-focused experiences in their updated resort; including upgrades to their fixed-grip triple chair that serves beginner-intermediate terrain. Their high-speed quad was relocated, new automated snowmaking was added to several trails, a new booster pump house, as well as 10,000 feet of new pipe were also added. Guest facing changes include room renovations at The Winwood Inn, and a newly reinvented restaurant, Tavern 23. A brand-new 33-foot diameter “Umbrella Bar” with room for 125 guests in heated comfort was added to the patio.
See more at windhammountain.com.

Plattekill Mountain

At Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury a new conveyor, lift was added to the Snowtubing Park, as well as snowmaking and electrical upgrades for increased snowmaking capacity. They have also expanded their private mountain rental offerings to include offsite private lodging, catered meals, and full meeting space facility in addition to a private ski day on the mountain. Opening day is tentatively planned for Dec. 7
Check out more at plattekill.com.

Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain officially opened for the season on November 15. As of Monday, they were reporting up to 10 trails open, serviced by two lifts. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9-4pm & weekends 8:30-4pm.
Visit huntermountain.com for information on ski passes and upcoming special events.

Mount Peter
Mount Peter in Warwick added a new learning area along with conveyor lift, the Sun Kid carpet. Mount Peter also added additional low-energy lighting.
The tentative Winter Season is generally from early December through Mid-March.
Check mtpeter.com for more info.

Catamount

Catamount in Hillsdale now accepts The Indy Pass, a nationwide ski good at ski areas around the country. They’ve expanded their snowmaking on five trails including three double-diamond trails. Two new snowmaking ponds and a new Prinoth Leitwolf groomer increase snowmaking capacity and grooming. A new 11,000sq.ft. lodge with more capacity and food service will offer a bar, fireplace, and more.
This fall, the Catamount Zip Tour opened, offering the longest continuous zipline span not only in New York State but also in the entire United States. The CataMonster zipline is5,523 feet long and descends 1,000 feet.
Check catamountski.com for more information.

West Mountain
In the Adirondacks, West Mountain in Queensbury made a number of changes for the ski season, including adding a new cafeteria, a new quad chairlift along with a new triple chair. The NW Lodge was renovated, and two new PistenBully Groomers including a winch cat were added to their fleet. On the snowmaking front, 150 new energy-efficient SMI snow guns along with 20,000 feet of snowmaking pipe were added. An aerial adventure course is new this year as well. Check out westmtn.net for more!

Gore Mountain
At Gore Mountain in North Creek, new RFID technology will offer direct-to-lift access this year. Additionally, a new warming cabin was built on Burnt Ridge Mountain in partnership with the New York Ski Education Foundation and Town of Johnsburg. A new freestyle cross course that meets FIS standards for competitions was added on the lower portion of the mountain.
Gore will host the NorAM Cross Tour on February 3-7 2020.
See goremountain.com for more info.

At SKI/NY there are a number of exciting updates for this season. The SKI/NY Ski & Ride Passport Program will no longer have any blackout dates for participating ski areas. The Learn to Ski & Ride Passport Program will still have blackout dates at select ski areas. Full details at iskiny.com.

SKI/NY will also offer discounted tickets this season at iskiny.com. Look for those in early December. Also, SKI/NY will be featuring ski areas learn to ski and snowboard packages for the season as well and Ski & Stay info too.
Also SKI/NY is once again hosting the annual Discover NY Ski Day on January 16th 2020. This program offers discounted tickets starting at $12 and learn-to-ski or snowboard packages starting at $25. Ticket sales begin in mid-December at iskiny.com.

SKI/NY returns as headline sponsor at the NYC Parks Winter on February 1, 2020 in Central Park. This event introduces alpine sports to tens of thousands of people in the NYC area. Find out more at iskiny.com or nycgovparks.org.
Finally SKI/NY has new look and a new website debuting for the 2019-20 season. This website will be cutting edge with the latest in design and ease of use at iskiny.com. This site will feature video, mountain information, webcam links, ski reports, ticket sales and more. Look for this new look at our website in late November.
Check iskiny.com for updates all season long!