An Ambitious Plan with Ample Support

A plan to connect Gore Mountain with the historic North Creek Ski bowl is projected to have a far reaching regional economic impact.

For the 2,450 residents that live in Johnsburg and its hamlet of North Creek, there is reason to get excited.

The Connecticut-based Front Street Mountain Development thinks North Creek is a prime spot for a large-scale development project. The estimated $250 million dollar "Ski Bowl Village" project would include the construction of 200 townhouses, 20 single-family homes, two inns, a member-exclusive Hudson Lodge, a 200-room hotel, an equestrian center, and an 18-hole golf course all located in North Creek. The plan has many locals and town leaders excited and optimistic for the future of North Creek and Johnsburg.

On March 9, the Adirondack Park Agency approved the Gore Mountain-Ski Bowl connection plan, giving Front Street the proverbial green light to move ahead with plans.

Front Street has already purchased 400 acres next to the Ski Bowl for 2 million dollars and is lobbying with city and state officials to move ahead with the ambitious plan. According to project manager Mac Crikelair of Front Street Development, "We want to begin construction as soon as possible...We will be submitting an application to the Adirondack Park Agency in one month and expect a streamlined approval of the project."

The plan is part of a larger effort to connect Gore Mountain trails with existing trails at the North Creek Ski Bowl and turn North Creek into a resort destination which will rival those in the western United States. The historic Ski Bowl has been used as a community ski center since the 1930s. Currently owned by Gore Mountain and run in part by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, it was one of the first ski areas in the Northeast.  Today, the hill is accessed by a single T-bar lift and novice skiers and snowboarders can ski free of charge and learn to ski while avoiding crowds.  A snow-tubing park run by Gore Mountain is also located on the property.

Local and state funding is being sought out to build a high-speed triple chair lift and gondola, connecting existing Ski Bowl trails to Gore Mountain trails. The town of Johnsburg has received $800,000 in state and federal funding that is being used to renovate the ski hut on Ski Bowl property; a positive sign that steps are being made to open the door for future development.

“This plan could have a tremendous regional economic impact. If it was built today, at full build, it would contribute to the equivalent of one-third of Johnsburgh's annual budget,” said Mark Bergman of Bergman Real Estate in North Creek.

"This plan could have a tremendous regional impact."

According to the state comptroller's office, the plan could funnel up to 45 million dollars into the region economy. The logic behind it being that skiers with buying power, who usually visit Gore Mountain to ski and go home, would be lured into town by trails that would lead from Gore directly into the hamlet of North Creek where in-ski out lodging would be built. Local businessman like Bergman hope that this interaction would lead to some eventually purchasing homes or second homes in the area. In addition, Bergman noted that since weekend visitors usually come and go, the plan could generate a great deal of revenue with little wear and tear on the town's infrastructure.

According to Bergman, town officials have been engaging locals and building consensus at town meetings.“There has been a lot of interaction between town leaders and locals,” said Bergman.“You'll find a majority of residents supporting the project.”

While New York ski resorts such as Whiteface and Gore Mountain have earned a good reputation over the years, New York doesn't have Vermont's prowess as a winter destination.  As a result, many New Yorkers and other skiers travel hours to Vermont to ski at such resorts as: Killington, Pico, Stratton, Stowe, Mount Snow, and Jay Peak.  A project of this size could give New York credibility as a winter destination, boost the economy, and help people realize the unrivaled beauty of the Adirondacks.

"I am a fourth-generation Adirondacker and grew up skiing at Gore Mountain and I have always loved the area," Crikelair said. "I often thought about the prospect of making Gore into a resort destination and thought if it was to be done, it should be done right—Eventually, I said, heck, why don't we [Front Street] do it."

"I often thought about the prospect of making Gore into a resort destination and thought it should be done the right way."

Since the area of proposed development is located within the Adirondack Park, Front Street Development must gain approval from authorities including: the Adirondack Park Agency, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, and the Department of Environmental Conservation, before moving ahead with plans. Therefore, no timetable has been determined as to when construction is slated to begin or where funding will come from and how much is needed.

Do you think the plan is a good idea?

All Rails Lead to North Creek

In addition to the Gore Mountain expansion and Front Street development plans, Saratoga and Warren counties also have an ambitious plan.

Plans are underway to connect the Upper Hudson Scenic Railroad, which runs from North Creek south 8.5 miles to Raparius, NY, to track in Lake Luzurne, and Saratoga Springs, ultimately connecting to New York City via Amtrak. 

This expansion, already approved by the Adirondack Park Agency, would be a great addition to an already promising plan.