Gore Mountain’s Original Base Camp- Where everyone is a local
The Ski Bowl is a year-round recreation and community complex, serving as a unique adventure hub for alpine skiing and snowboarding, uphill adventures, Nordic Skiing and snowshoeing, mountain biking, hiking, and more! The Ski Bowl is located at the foot of Little Gore Mountain, one of Gore’s four developed peaks. It is the resort’s second base camp and keeps a cherished history close, while steadily unfolding a variety of new adventures for you to discover.
1. There’s A Cherished History:
The North Creek Ski Bowl is home to one of the first commercial ski areas and ski patrols in the United States. In March of 1934, the first snow train arrived in North Creek with 378 skiers on board, and the Gore Region became a birthplace of winter recreation. When you visit the Ski Bowl, you are throwing yourself into a piece of that heritage. Did you know that this year is the 90th anniversary of the snow train?
2. The Ski Bowl Links Gore Mountain to North Creek Village:
If you’re exploring Gore’s primary trails, get off the beaten path and head into Gore’s new trail, Backwoods, which makes getting to the Ski Bowl so much easier, the trail ends right at the Roaring Brook Bridge. You’ll be on your way to the terrain on Little Gore Mountain, and will quickly recognize that you’re headed into lesser-traveled territory! On weekends and holidays, you can also opt to start and end your day at the Ski Bowl. To get from there to Gore’s primary Base Area, take the Hudson Chair to the base of Burnt Ridge Mountain, and on from there.
3. There’s Beautiful Twilight Skiing:
Extend your ski day or join us after school/work for fun under the lights of Village Slopes or at the Nordic Center- the terrain can be as easy or as challenging as you want to make it. All lift tickets and season passes include night access at the Ski Bowl.
4. There’s a Cool Throwback Vibe:
The Ski Bowl trails include reclaimed terrain first traveled by North Creek’s ski pioneers of the 1930s. Redeveloped as closely as possible from their original state, these runs have an old-school character that feels quite different from the rest of Gore, with narrow chutes, extensive glades, and rugged terrain reminiscent of times past. Don’t let the lower elevations fool you- 46er and Ski Bowl Glades includes some of the gnarliest terrain Gore offers. Peaceful Valley provides a nicely groomed beginner option, however!
5. A Sense of Community:
Nothing manifests camaraderie like gathering around the yurt or enjoying a bonfire. When you visit the Ski Bowl you’re sure to meet some new friends- all that love winter as much as you do.
6. Professionally Maintained Nordic Trails:
When snowmaking, lights, grooming, and a pocket of well-designed trails unite, you get a one-of-a-kind Nordic facility. All levels of cross-country skiers can customize their outing with lighted tracks for evening fitness, varying inclines, and natural wooded routes.
7. NEW UPHILL PROGRAM
New this season, Gore Mountain is opening up a route for Uphill (skinning) skiing. Earn your turns at Gore Mountain by skinning up the mountain. Uphill travel will be permitted at the Ski Bowl during regular operational hours. The travel route will be uphill on the left along the designated route: Nordic Climb A, Traverse to Moxham, Moxham, Uphill Left, Oak Ridge, Uphill left to the top of Hudson Triple.
8. YOU CAN SNOWSHOE!
You Can Snowshoe: On the Nordic trails, snowshoers are welcome to travel alongside the trails. We host an annual Snowshoe Race in December and a 6-week community XC/snowshoe racing series in January-February!
9. There are Warm-Weather Excursions:
During the summer months, the Ski Bowl offers 20km of picturesque hiking and mountain bike trails. With both single-track and open ski trails available, there’s something here for everyone. Be sure to visit the well-maintained Adirondack perennial gardens while you’re there.
Ski Bowl Bike & Hike Map
10. Exciting Things Are Coming To The Ski Bowl!
Do you know about the Ski Bowl Project, we plan to start construction on this spring, 2024? There will be a new Lodge, New Lift, and Zipline Roller Coaster! In partnership with the Town of Johnsburg and the State of New York, Gore Mountain will break ground for the North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge, a new Hudson Chair Quad, and Zip Coaster in 2024. The new lodge will be a full-service hub for year-round activities, and the innovative zip coaster will be a unique attraction to the Northeast that combines the features of a zipline with a rail system. The lodge will be an 18,300-square-foot facility with a restaurant and two levels of patios with slopeside views. The new lift is planned to be available for the 2024-25 ski season, and completion of the lodge is slated for 2025.
