great local mountain

Ski resort reviews can be helpful only if you know the skill level and skiing perspective of the person authoring the review. My perspective is focused on the actual skiing experience (terrain, crowd, and snow factors), and not so much on the ancillary aspects surrounding skiing. I am a middle-age advanced skier with no interest in jumping off cornices or cliffs. I will often at high speeds hit a small lip in the terrain and get a little air, but that is about the extent of it. I venture in and out of moderate mogul fields in an attempt to become a better all-around skier, but I tend not to spend a majority of my ski day dealing with the bumps. I love moderately spaced glades, but shy away from the dangers of extremely tight glades. If I had to describe the type of skier with which I most closely identify, it would be a high speed cruiser who enjoys medium to giant slalom turns. Presidents’ Day week is the traditional time that me and my granddaughter take off and try to do at least four consecutive days of serious skiing. This year, like the singer Bill Joel, we had a New York state of mind and decided to spend a day in New York’s Catskills and ski Plattekill; then take a two hour drive north to New York’s Adirondack Mountains, and ski Gore Mountain for the remaining three days. Here are my impressions of Gore Mountain, using the 1 to 5 rating scale:

Terrain: Rated 4.0:
The last time I visited Gore was during President’s Day week in 2007. I was impressed three years ago, and I am more impressed now. Gore continues to add terrain and expand each year. For 2010 they have added an additional peak called “Burnt Ridge Mountain.” As it stands right now, it is primarily an expert area with a glade run and a single diamonded trail called “Sagamore.” Next year they will be opening “Little Gore Mountain,” which will connect directly to the “North Creek Ski Bowl.” For you beginners, Gore is a little lean on providing novice territory, which is unfortunate for you guys, but absolutely heaven for me. Gore is a cruisers delight. Its premier cruisers, “Showcase” and “Twister” are long (probably extending more than half of Gore’s 2,300 feet vertical). “Showcase is directly under the “Adirondack Express Lift,” where you can really strut your stuff. Twister does exactly how it is named. Gore’s terrain is extremely varied. There is a little something for everybody. The only type of terrain Gore lacks is above the tree line skiing, and in the northeast, this is true for every ski hill with the exception being Sugarloaf, Maine. If you wish to kill yourself, Gore can be very obliging with steeps, tight glades, as well as outcropping rocks, whalebacks, and humongous moguls. One trail called the “Darkside Glades” mixes every single one of the aforementioned trail characteristics into one experience. You don’t have to worry about me selecting that option. For years I have been purposely avoiding Gore’s two signature double-diamonds called “Rumors” and “Lies.” There is a sign posted at the beginning of these trails that reads as follows: "Experts only!! Falls will result in uncontrollable slides!” But this year, I had to really “Man-up.” My granddaughter had hooked up with one of her classmates and a buddy, both of whom are on the Gore Mountain racing team. To keep a watchful eye on my granddaughter, I had to follow those crazy kids onto “Lies”. The headwall is humongous. I made it down in one piece, and to my surprise, so did my granddaughter (See what a little peer pressure will do?). I had to admit that it was quite exhilarating.

Service: Rated 4.0:
With the growth of Gore Mountain, it has become a little more difficult to experience individual incidences of exemplary customer service. The one thing that has remained from my visit three years ago, is the desire for Gore’s working staff to please their customers and to be courteous. When I needed directions from the parking lot to the photo counter in the main lodge, the parking lot attendant gave me specific directions with a smile. Since my granddaughter and I had multiple day tickets and we needed a staff member to cut the ticket off after all the offices were closed (because we would be wearing something different the following day). We found a staff member leaving for the day, but took the time to accommodate us. When I ordered my chili for lunch (which was pretty good and was a mixture of ground beef as well as a spicy sausage), I was presented with a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and onions so that I could help myself. They didn’t believe in rationing the cheese in accord to what they thought I should have. All these little things present a picture of an organization that cares about good customer service.

Crowds: Rated 4.0:
A holiday week and no lift lines. This held true even for the Gondola lift line. Lunchtime (high noon) on the mountain at the Saddle Lodge, we readily found seats for a party of five. There were only five people on line ordering food. It must be the economy, but I will certainly take this at anytime.

Activities: Rated 2.0:
Gore will soon as direct lift access from the town of North Creek, at the North Creek Ski Bowl. This is where you will find the tubing. Other than that, Gore does not appear to be to big on terrain parks. North Creek is a quaint and nice town, but it is extremely small. It has one Grand Union supermarket, a great breakfast/luncheonette restaurant called Marcia’s, a couple of other restaurants, inns and motels; but not much more than that. Once you leave town, you are surrounded by lakes, rivers, and wilderness. We rented a cottage in Blue Mountain (30 minutes northwest of Gore). The property manager left a note telling us not to leave any garbage outside. It could enhance the chances of being visited by black bears. Folks, I’m from New York City, so we are really talking boondocks here.

Value: Rated 4.0:
If you simply walk up to the window and purchase a lift ticket , you are going to pay in the 70’s, which currently is just a tad less than most major mountains (and take my word for it, Gore is a major player). But if you hook up with many of the areas lodging facilities, you can reduce your daily lift ticket prices to just a shade over $50 for an adult, and $30 for a junior. In this day and age, that’s pretty good for big mountain skiing.

In summary, Gore is fast becoming one of my favorite places to ski. It’s big, and there is terrain to satisfy all levels of skiers and riders. Give it a try and I know you will return, just like I did.