November 27, 2021
I made my first runs of the season on the 27th at Gore. I renewed my Ski-3 pass for this year (Gore, Whiteface, Belleayre) and also have an Indy Pass for variety. I was very happy with the Ski-3 pass last year and ended up getting my per visit price to $22.
Gore was making snow at every chance, and on Friday the 26th there were able to open, and had a rain changing to snow situation. They ended up with 3-5" of snow.
On my drive up to Gore from near Saratoga Springs, there were areas of accumulation, especially near Queensbury and again north of Warrensburg. The access road was snow covered. I got the mountain early as didn't know what the crowds would be like on an opening window in this crazy Covid world. It turns out it wasn't all that busy and liftlines were only a min max.
It was still snowing lightly upon arrival. Covid procedures are a bit relaxed from last year but still present. They have the boot up tent at the parking lot along with bag storage which is easier than your car. Inside, masks are required, but the 20 min time limit appears to be gone. Seating is still quite reduced and the cafeteria area tables have no chairs so you'd have to stand, wearing ski boots, for lunch (not pleasant) though there are some tables and chairs elsewhere in the lodging.
They had 5 trails open, with one main route with a few options. Upper Sunway>Wild Air (under the gondola). From there, halfway down it split into two routes down Wild Air, which then connected again at Potluck. From there you could choose the Arena or Lower Jamboree.
I messaged Harvey Road of NYskiblog.com and it turns out he was in the liftline just head of me, so was able to meet him and make some runs.
First run was beautiful, cold, not terribly windy and well groomed. I was also trying out my new Salomon Stance 90 skis and I'm loving them so far.
Through the day, the snow showers gradually ended, and then the winds became rather furious, as was the case across the NE. The top of the Adirondack Express II was in full gale, and the winds blew off all surface snow on Upper Sunway down to boilerplate, so you had to grin and bear it for much better conditions lower than that.
They are making snow on the rest of Sunway (which has a new reroute lower down), 3B, Pete's Paradise, and Quicksilver. They'll have these open soon.
Great first day - 13 runs, 19.5 miles, 19,500' of vertical, and my legs are feeling it today!
Some photos:
Looking up the gondola line from the lodge, showing the Wild Air trail.
Lower Wild Air on the first run
Gondola line when the skies cleared
Upper portions of Wild Air
More Wild Air
