Now that the excitement of the holiday season has subsided and your normal routine has resumed, it’s time to start thinking about getting outside and enjoying this winter wonderland with a visit to some of the best ski resorts in New York. And StorQuest is here to help you make it happen. We are the champions of a more awesome life, so we’ve put together a list of some of the best ski and snowboard resorts in NY. These destinations offer enough diverse terrain to appease everyone from the tiniest novice to the most seasoned skier. We’ll show where to go and help you plan ahead so you can make the most of your family ski trip. 

What to Know Before You Go

Whether packing for one or gearing up the whole family, knowing how to prepare for a day on the mountain can set you up for a great day of sick runs and sweet turns. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your New York skiing adventure.

• Do Your Homework | Always check the road reports and weather conditions so you can plan for time and dress accordingly. Remember, little ones probably won’t enjoy a sub-zero day as much as a die-hard rider— no matter how deep the freshies.
• Attire Can Make or Break Your Day | Nothing ruins a fun day on the mountain faster than a poorly-dressed rider. Make sure everyone on your roster has appropriate clothing, starting with a warm first layer, thick socks, a hat, gloves, and waterproof outerwear, ideally something outfitted with a search-and-rescue device, like these ones from Recco, which can help responders locate you in the event of an emergency. If the day turns out to be warmer than you planned, you can always take it down a layer, but it’s better to be a little sweaty than a miserable popsicle person.
• Don’t Skimp on Safety | Clothing is your first line of defense against the elements, but you’ll also want make sure you have a well-fitting helmet and goggles, this guide from Helmet Check will help you make sure that you have the right fit. Flat light on the mountain can hide the terrain and lead to painful spills. Certain goggles offer tints designed to help prevent this, but you’ll still want to make sure that even the most skilled rider in your family is rocking a helmet.
• Wear a Just-in-Case Bag | If your outerwear doesn’t have a honing system, you can purchase a device and carry it in your backpack, waist pack, or something smaller, like this leg bag from Airblaster. Ideally, you’ll want to pack a bag that can hold: a full water bottle, protein bar, equipment repair kit, and a flashlight. If you don’t mind packing a little more, it’s not a bad idea to get collapsible shovel. You know, just in case. 

Family-Friendly New York Area Ski Resorts

Now that the family is all geared up and ready to hit the slopes, it’s time to make your way to the mountain. Here are the stats on some of the top destinations for the best skiing and snowboarding in New York. Please keep in mind that terrain accessibility and some services are subject to weather and seasonal changes. We recommend checking your chosen resort’s website for forecast and up-to-date details on closures and available services.

Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY

Terrain: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, Park, Cross Country, Snowshoeing

Tubing or Sledding: Yes

Lessons & Rentals Available: Yes, both

Day Care: Yes, ages 2-6

Dining: Casual, Fine

Overnight Lodging: Yes

Pool or Hot Tub: Yes, both

Additional Features: Spa, Valet Parking, Bell Service, Health Club, Arcade

Windham Mountain in Windham, NY

Terrain: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, Park

Tubing or Sledding: Yes

Lessons & Rentals Available: Yes, both

Day Care: Yes, ages 2-7

Dining: Casual, Pub, Deli, Sushi, Café, BBQ, Ski-Up Waffle Bar

Overnight Lodging: Yes

Pool or Hot Tub: Yes, both

Additional Features: Spa, Yoga, Adventure Park

Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY

Terrain: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, Park, Cross Country, Snowshoeing

Tubing or Sledding: Yes

Lessons & Rentals Available: Yes, both

Day Care: Yes, 6 months and older on weekends, 2 years and older weekdays

Dining: Family-Friendly, Casual, Fine

Overnight Lodging: Yes

Pool or Hot Tub: Yes, both. Access dependent on choice of lodging.

Additional Features: Spa, Mountain Adventures Children’s Program, Adult Learning Center

Whiteface in Mountain in Lake Placid, NY

Terrain: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, Park, Cross Country, Snowshoeing

Tubing or Sledding: Yes

Lessons & Rentals Available:  Yes, both

Day Care: Yes, for non-skiing kids ages 1-6

Dining: Grab n’ Go, Casual, Fine

Overnight Lodging: Yes

Pool or Hot Tub: Yes, both

Additional Features: Spa, Ice Skating, Lake Placid Olympic Museum, Bobsledding, Gondola, Discover Biathalon

StorQuest Helps You Make Room for Awesome

If you’re worried about where you’ll store a whole family’s worth of gear, StorQuest has a convenient solution for you. We offer traditional and climate-controlled storage units for rent near you, in locations all over NY, like Port Chester and Westbury. Storage units are perfect for seasonal-sport enthusiasts because we have the space you need to store everything from skis and snowboards to surfboards, kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, motorcycles, and more. Select facilities even offer RV and boat parking so even your biggest toys have a home at StorQuest.

Contact the StorQuest location nearest you, like this location in Port Chester, to reserve your unit today.