Credit: @fingerlakestourism on Instagram

Skiing is a great outdoor family activity that provides winter fun and excitement for every age group and skill level. In New York State, it’s easy to find plenty of ski areas that make winter getaways easy, fun, and carefree for the whole family. Whether you’re trying skiing for the first time or have been hitting the slopes for years, you’ll discover many ski resorts in New York State perfect for you and your family. Here’s a guide to some great family-friendly ski resorts across the state for your next winter getaway. 

Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.

JUMP TO: Adirondacks | Capital-Saratoga | Catskills | Chautauqua-Allegheny | Finger Lakes | Greater Niagara | Hudson Valley

ADIRONDACKS

Titus Mountain (Adirondacks)

Titus Mountain-ski

Looking for a place in the Adirondacks to take the family skiing? Titus Mountain, on the region’s northern foothills in Malone, is one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in New York, offering good skiing, affordable prices, slope-side accommodations, and dining. Once voted the top family friendly ski resort in North America, Titus delights with slopes ranging from double black diamond to green beginner courses, ski lessons for both kids and adults, and a variety of events held every year.

Keep the family fun going on Titus’ tubing hill, where you can even throw a pizza party at the warming hut, or add a special meal to your day on the slopes at Mo’s Moon Valley Grill. “Skibanas” help you spend the day in comfort or if you prefer an overnight stay, slopeside rentals include cabins and chalets. Holiday Inn Express also offers ski and stay packages.

Oak Mountain Ski Center (Adirondacks)

Skiers gathered around at the bottom of a lift at Oak Mountain Ski Center

In the heart of the southern Adirondacks, Oak Mountain Ski Center is an affordable, three season family resort for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers. With four lifts, 22 trails, four snow tubing lanes, and miles of snowshoeing trails, Oak Mountain offers fun for everyone. You’ll also find expert ski instruction for children and adults.

Oak Mountain has something delicious on-site to please everyone, whether it is from the Common Grounds Cafe or their Acorn Pub & Eatery. Nearby you’ll also find great dining and lodging options, and plenty of shopping.

Gore Mountain (Adirondacks)

Five people skiing down Gore Mountain

With stunning views of the southern Adirondacks, a ski area featuring four mountain peaks, 108 alpine ski trails, 14 lifts, a gondola, 7 cross-country and snowshoe loops, a vertical drop of 2,537 feet, plus enough skiable terrain to satisfy the most demanding skiers, Gore Mountain is New York State's largest ski resort. It’s also one of the state’s best family-friendly resorts. You’ll find ski classes for kids, teens, adults, and private lessons to help you master the sport.

After a day on Gore’s slopes, enjoy twilight skiing at North Creek Ski Bowl and explore the pub menu at The Tannery Restaurant, where you can even get a taste of the famed Carnegie Deli sandwiches. With lodging options ranging from hotels to cozy cabins, you’ll find the perfect place to make this family trip one to remember.

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CAPITAL-SARATOGA

Maple Ski Ridge (Capital-Saratoga)

A man, woman and child are sitting on a ski lift traveling along Maple Ridge with a view of the town and snowy hills in the distance

Maple Ski Ridge is all about family. Family-owned and operated since 1963, the ski area, just 25 miles outside of Albany, is the perfect place for people of all ages and abilities to learn to ski and snowboard. Visitors enjoy night skiing, cross-country skiing, and a cozy base lodge with concessions, including a rental shop with technicians who are happy to help you find well-fitting and reliable equipment, as well as services to help keep your personal equipment slope-ready.

Off the slopes, spark your family’s sense of curiosity and adventure with the hands-on science and technology exhibits at the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) in Schenectady. The Via Aquarium in Rotterdam Mall is another family favorite. Staying overnight? Lodging options include Comfort Inn & SuitesHampton Inn SchenectadyHomewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Schenectady. Nearby dining options include The River RoadhouseThe Nest, and Wagon Train BBQ.

Willard Mountain (Capital-Saratoga)

Barren trees sit atop a slope at Willard Mountain
Credit: @skiace15 on Instagram

 

Known as "New York's Coolest Little Ski Area,” at Willard Mountain, it’s all about the people, and everyone is treated like part of the family. You and yours can learn to ski or snowboard in a relaxed family environment, or simply enjoy cruising down the trails. With beautiful views, excellent pricing, and lights for night skiing, this off-the-beaten-path ski area is low on crowds, making it ideal for beginners and families. There’s even a tubing park that caters to special events and parties. After a day of skiing, warm up in the lodge with dining and drinks in the lounge.

There’s great places for the family to stay not too far away, including Comfort Inn & Suites in Saratoga Springs, The Nest on Saratoga Lake, and Residence Inn by Marriott Saratoga Springs. Grab a bite to eat at the Greenwich Village Cafe and Bakery, Burger Den Restaurant in Cambridge, and The Basin Grill in Schuylerville. Save some room for dessert and head to The Ice Cream Man in Greenwich for delicious homemade premium ice cream! 

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CATSKILLS

Belleayre Mountain (Catskills)

Belleayre Mountain

For an economical and fun ski trip for the entire family, head to Belleayre Mountain, which features frequent skier discounts and online sales. Located in the Catskill Forest Preserve, Belleayre boasts 62 trails with beginner-friendly slopes, tricky double-black runs, and intermediate trails. It’s the perfect size to give your tweens freedom to hit the slopes on their own. Belleayre's Kidscamp also teaches young ones the basics like equipment, walking and sliding on skis, balance in motion, how to get up after falling, control, and more from expert instructors.

For a truly unique stay, the Roxbury Motel, featured on HGTV as “one of the most amazing hotels in the entire country,” has 28 whimsically-themed rooms with amenities galore, plus cottages for a fairy tale family getaway. At the Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Tremper enjoy spacious rooms and be sure to check out the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope and see the show that wows audiences of all ages with brilliant images and sound.

Windham Mountain Club (Catskills)

A smiling child slides down a hill in a blue tube at Windham Mountain
Credit: @windhammountain on Instagram

Just over two hours from New York City and less than an hour from Albany, Windham Mountain Club caters to every skier with lessons for all age groups and 54 trails, from leisurely greens to heart-pounding double black diamonds. Windham Mountain Kids offers full-day lesson programs for children ages 3-12 and Base Camp, their dedicated kids' facility, features state-of-the-art resources to make your child’s day on the slopes a fun and successful one. At Windham Mountain Tubing Park you and your kids can enjoy snow tubing, kids' snowmobiles, and the comforts of a cozy lodge.

The budget-friendly Cave Mountain Motel, located just one-and-a-half miles from the mountain, has true country-cabin appeal, and visitors enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast served up right by the kitchen's wood-burning stove. Skiers will also love the comfortable one- or two-bedroom condos at the Winwood Inn, perfect for families, and with access to the free mountain shuttle and a classic rec room stocked with throwback arcade games and a foosball table.

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CHAUTAUQUA-ALLEGHENY

Holiday Valley Resort (Chautauqua-Allegheny)

Holiday Valley - Ellicottville

With 60 slopes spread over four different mountain faces with a 750-foot vertical drop and 13 lifts, Holiday Valley has something for skiers of every skill level and age. From their terrific children's ski and snowboard programs to the family-friendly Inn at Holiday Valley to the fun-loving Village of Ellicottville, this is a resort that loves kids! In fact, it was rated #2 in the East for "Kid Friendly" by SKI Magazine readers in 2015. There are plenty of fun and exciting trails for kids to explore, 11 family-friendly quad chairs to ride, 4 terrain parks and an introductory Riglet Park at Penguin Hill. There are easier ways down at the top of almost every lift, so families can ski together.

The Inn at Holiday Valley offers discount packages, so you’ll want to stay over, and the après-ski scene is alive and well at the resort and in nearby Ellicottville with shoppingrestaurants, and pubs. Check out the Ellicottville Brewing Co., or any of the art galleries, boutiques, and eateries lining downtown.

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FINGER LAKES

Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Finger Lakes)

A child in a pink helmet is taught to ski at Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Credit: @fingerlakestourism on Instagram

For a mountain of memories to bring home, head to Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Founded in 1958, the ski area has remained at the leading edge of the ski industry with 44 ski trails and 11 glades, six chair lifts, two surface lifts, a tubing conveyor lift, a beginners’ slope, and three new and improved terrain parks. The resort also operates a full-service Nordic Center with groomed cross country and snowshoe trails that see an average annual snowfall of 122 inches. The four-season family resort is located north of James Kennedy State Forest and south of Tuller Hill State Forest, conveniently just minutes from Interstate I-81.

Staying over? Hope Lake Lodge, across the street from the mountain, features 105 luxury suites with fully equipped kitchens, spa quality mattresses, and a fireplace. The kids can get creative at the lodge’s Bearfoot Den, where they can make their own souvenirs, games and toys! No matter what the temperature outside, the water’s always 84 degrees at the resort’s Cascades Indoor Waterpark. Experience the force of the Whitewater Wave Pool, tackle the Rapids Waterslides, let the little ones safely frolic in Little Bear Falls (designed specifically for small children), and much more.

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GREATER NIAGARA

Kissing Bridge (Greater Niagara)

A snow machine is spreading snow across the slopes at Kissing Bridge with snow-covered trees in the background

Located in Western New York's famous Colden Snowbelt – with an average annual snowfall of 180 inches – Kissing Bridge in Glenwood offers 38 slopes spread out over 700 acres. Visitors will find a variety of courses and terrain perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders, as well as courses designed to test the skills of advanced skiers. Unlimited weekday lift tickets are just $65, with Junior, Day, Night, and Beginning Trail skiing priced lower. Kissing Bride also offers lessons for both children and adults, as well as an Adaptive Snowsports Program for children and adults with disabilities who want to learn how to ski and snowboard.

Kissing Bridge has four on-site dining options; however it doesn’t have a lodge or on-site accommodations. The nearby Marienthal Country Inn in Eden is a unique family-friendly bed and breakfast located in a former church building. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hamburg is kid-friendly, and has a pool and fitness center. The city of Buffalo, just a little over a half hour away from the ski area, makes for an excellent family day-excursion with an incredible zoo, fascinating science and children’s museum, and much more!

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HUDSON VALLEY

Rocking Horse Ranch  (Hudson Valley)

Families skate on the ice rink at Rocking Horse Ranch under a canopy of string lights
Credit: @rockinghorseranchresort on Instagram

 

A delightful four-season family resort in the Hudson Valley just 90 minutes from New York City, Rocking Horse Ranch is designed for families. Don’t worry if you’ve never skied before — the resort’s friendly ski instructors will get you and your family off to a great start, and their full stock of K2 Skis lets everyone, big or small, experience the sport. There’s much more to experience. During this magical time of year Rocking Horse Ranch is a Winter Fun Park with snow tubing, ice skating, and scenic winter trail rides on horseback. 

Warm up by heading indoors and making a splash at the resort’s year-round 85-degree Big Splash Indoor Water Park, try climbing the rock wall, or become a space hero with some laser tag. An all-inclusive resort, lodging, meals, activities, and entertainment are all covered in the price, and families can take advantage of exclusive discount deals.

Mount Peter Ski Area (Hudson Valley)

A woman in a purple jacket and black pants and a man in a gray jacket and black pants are skiing down the hillside at Mount Peter

For the past 87 years, Mount Peter, the oldest operating ski area in New York State and one of only a few remaining family-operated ski areas in America, has been a cherished place to fall in love with winter. Mount Peter offers slopes for all skill levels along with snow tubing and is known for their Free Beginner Ski & Snowboard School (with purchase of a lift ticket). Customizable parent-child or family lessons are also available. They have a reputation for great snowmaking, expert grooming, an awesome terrain park, night skiing, and top-notch racing.

Although it’s not a resort, there are plenty of lodging and dining options available nearby. Combined with a drive of just over an hour from New York City, it makes for a great day or weekend ski getaway. Nearby places to stay include the Hampton Inn Harriman-WoodburySleep Inn & Suites Monroe – Woodbury, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Middletown. Nearby dining options include the Iron Forge InnThe Village Buzz Café, and Grappa Ristorante.

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