One Mountain to Rule Them All

Photo by Joe Samuelson III

the slopes are bare as an intimidating winter sky looms above.

Whether you like it or not, winter is coming. As we speak, it’s barreling down upon us like a snowplow smashing into a mailbox. And we know all too well, thanks to our prime geographic location, that along with the winter cometh the snow. So for all you powder junkies out there, skiers, snowboarders, and ski-bladers alike, here’s a critique of two mountains in Vermont, and two in New York you very well may be riding this winter: Jay Peak, Killington, Gore, and Whiteface.

Contrary to popular belief, there are many respectable mountains in the eastern United States. Some of the best skiing and riding you’ll find is in northern New York and Vermont.

Jay Peak

Jay Peak, located in Vermont and nestled in the northern Green Mountains, is a powder junky's Mecca. This is considered by many to be the only place in the east comparable to the west in snowfall. In fact, Jay proudly boasts the most natural snow received by any ski resort in the eastern United States, with an annual average of over 300 inches! That’s more than twice the amount of natural snow received by most mountains in the area. Also, if you prefer trail riding in thick trees (for a more backcountry feeling) or steep glades with an abundance of fresh powder, Jay Peak is the place for you. If you’re tired of mountains that continue to use conventional ski lifts, head to Jay Peak. The resort offers a high speed tram that can carry over a few dozen people at a time, and shuttles up the mountain, peak by peak. Surprisingly, with all these benefits, Jay is actually cheaper to ski or ride than most places. An adult full season pass costs $560, and a student can get that same pass for only $249. And for all you snowboarders out there, yes, Jay Peak does have both a terrain park (jumps and rails) and an impressive half pipe. Claustrophobics need not apply: if you ride the tram on a crowded day, expect to be packed shoulder to shoulder like beef cattle.

Killington

A second place to tear up the trails that’s more than worth experiencing is Killington, located in the southern part of Vermont. Getting there is a task, as it is only accessed through a series of snake-like rural roads that can be more than treacherous in the thick of winter. But this mountain is definitely worth the death-defying drive, as it boasts the longest active season in the entire northeast. Thanks to the most extensive snowmaking system in the United States, Killington generally opens from late October to June (yes that’s right)! And amazingly enough, there are usually 80 trails up and running by Thanksgiving. That’s more than most eastern resorts have during the peak of winter! During the regular season this goliath consists of 200 trails set on seven mountains- enough to keep a novice skier or boarder busy for the winter. Killington has also made some improvements for the 2003/2004 season. Some of these include new terrain, new ski lifts (to add to the existing 30), and Merlin’s forest, a terrain park that goes through the woods. The terrain can be as easy or as challenging as you wish. This place has everything you need to get out there and put some miles on your equipment. With 200 trails, five terrain parks, 31 lifts including two high-speed gondolas, and a vertical drop of 3,050 feet, you absolutely can’t go wrong at Killington.

Whiteface Mountain

Continuing our mountain journey, we arrive at Whiteface Mountain, located in Wilmington, New York in the Adirondack Mountains. “Whiteface is certainly a challenging mountain,” says mountain manager Jay Rand. This mammoth slope towers over Jay in height. The highest lift elevation is 4,386 feet, not to mention Whiteface blows the competition away with the greatest vertical drop of any mountain in the east- an astounding 3,430 feet. However, the powder scene at Whiteface doesn’t hold a candle to the snow at Jay Peak, and the glades are much less impressive as well. The average annual snowfall is measly compared to Jay- only 168 inches a year. This enlightens us as to why this giant mountain has earned the name “Iceface” among many winter sports enthusiasts who favor other slopes. Not only

the lack of powder, but the sometimes-windy conditions blow much of the available snow off the trails, creating a virtual skating rink. “I don’t go to Whiteface for ice skating, I go there to snowboard,” says winter sports lover Daniel Casper. Between 95 and 97 percent of the snow at Whiteface is blown using any of 190 different snow guns, fueled by generators, and fed by 33 miles of pipe. The longest run at Whiteface is huge. It just goes on and on at a length of 3.5 miles. Considering that the eight-person Cloudsplitter Gondola takes only 7.5 minutes to zip from the bottom of the mountain to the top of Little Whiteface, any quality skier or boarder could easily cover dozens of trail miles in a day. But what about the terrain park and the half pipe, you ask? Of course Whiteface offers these amenities! Not only is there a 425-foot super pipe (a huge half-pipe), but each year the terrain park is improved with bigger jumps, and more rails. If you plan to ski or ride at Whiteface Mountain, you best bring your checkbook. An adult full-season pass can run you up to $770 U.S. dollars. But glory, glory, if you are a student, it’s only a little more than Jay Peak, at a rate of $270 each season.

Gore Mountain

Which brings us even farther south in New York to Gore Mountain, the sister mountain of Whiteface. The name alone seems like it would attract thousands of people from near and far. Although not as high as Whiteface, Gore has a summit of 3,600 feet and a vertical drop of 2,100 feet, and is nearly as impressive. The longest trail of this Adirondack Mountain in the town of North Creek runs for 2.9 miles, and the Stokes Terrain Park is being improved, for all you snowboarders and high-flying skiers out there. As for fresh, natural powder on the trails, Gore has even less than Whiteface, with an average annual snowfall of only 150 inches, and a snowmaking capability of 95 percent. If you like to rip it up in the glades, Gore offers about a dozen black diamond glades, and a handful of easily accessible backcountry trails. Overall, this mountain parallels Whiteface in trail riding, and is identical in cost, but goes above and beyond for those who enjoy quality riding in the glades. For a speedy trip up the mountain, the Northwoods Gondola will get you to the top before you can wipe your goggles and get the ice off of your eyelashes. Well, almost. And the best thing about Gore is that if you are a season pass holder, you can ski and board Whiteface for free, and vice-versa.

The Big Picture

The advantages and disadvantages these four mountains posses could be debated on endlessly.“Whiteface Mountain’s biggest fault is that there’s no slope-side lodging,” says ski-blader Ben Cella. “If I want to plan a weekend at Whiteface, I have to stay in Lake Placid ten miles away.”Gore offers no slopeside lodging either. “The problem is that we [Whiteface and Gore] are located in the Adirondack Park, says Rand, “and we’re not permitted to build because it’s a forest preserve.” Rand maintains that Lake Placid has plenty of benefits and a lively nightlife that make the stay at Whiteface more than worthwhile.

So if you like fresh powder-and lots of it, head to Jay Peak in Vermont. If you like open trail riding, long trails, and a ton of steep, vertical slopes, Whiteface Mountain will probably suit you best. Maybe you’re looking for really early or late season riding. If you are, Killington has the longest riding season in the east by an avalanche. This year, they opened 16 trails and over five miles of terrain by early November! And last but not least, if you like a combination of powder in the glades, above average trails, and the possibility for some backcountry riding, Gore Mountain will be waiting for you when you get there.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer riding in Vermont or New York. The truth is, the mountains in both states have their attributes along with their downfalls. As long as you get out there and enjoy the snow, it will all be worth it. Who knows, maybe you’ll get to experience all four of these mountains this winter!

Have you experienced exceptional riding at any of these mountains?