This article is a continuation of a snowboard series in New York, read the prequel here – A Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding at Belleayre Mountain. Belleayre, in my opinion, is arguably the best slope for beginners in New York while Gore Mountain is amazing to take your beginner’s skills to the next level.
Also, read my planning guide for skiing and snowboarding, ‘A Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding and Skiing – the Prep Phase.’ Once fully prepared for a fantastic experience, delve into my black girl’s guide to snowboarding at Gore. Hopefully, my experience as a black woman snowboarding will help guide you through a successful ski trip at Gore Mountain.
Table of Contents
My Experience – Learning How to Snowboard at Gore, New York
Day 4 of a Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding at Gore Mountain – Drive to North Creek, the lower Adirondacks of New York!
My two days of snowboarding at Belleayre and the exhilaration of the improvements I’d made had me in great spirits as I drove out of Phoenicia, taking the scenic route to North Creek in the lower Adirondacks. The snowstorm from the day before had my drive path looking like a winter wonderland movie scene. I even caught my first sight of a couple of doe galloping on the road. My drive was about 2.5 hours and for those driving from New York City, it’s about 3.5 hours drive.
My home for the next 3 nights was The Alpine Lodge, right on the main street of North Creek. My fourth day of travel was all about resting and getting myself ready for the adventures awaiting me in the area. As soon as I checked in, I went hunting for my next spot for dinner. barVino, the restaurant I chose for the night is probably less than 15 strides away from the hotel. After indulging in way too much at barVino, I spent the evening walking the short length of the main street, warmed up in my extra cozy room, did a 15 yoga relaxing session, binged on some Youtube snowboarding tutorials, and called it a night.
Also, read our Travel Tips and Safety for Women
My Snowboarding Outfit at Gore Mountain
Table could not be displayed.Table could not be displayed.Don’t forget to also have a lip balm handy while on the slopes, see our faves here.
Day 5 of a Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding at Gore Mountain – I shall link turns today!
The moment I drove into Gore Mountain’s parking lot, it was evident that this experience would be on a different scale compared to Belleayre. The vastness of the mountain, coupled with the already bustling activity on a Thursday morning, set the tone for an adventurous day.
The seamless check-in process for rental gear, thanks to the shared ownership with Belleayre, initially made me feel at ease. However, my comfort was short-lived as I faced an unexpected challenge. My familiar board and boots from Belleayre turned against me as my right foot started protesting with cramps. It was a perplexing situation that led to an impromptu session of removing my boot on the mountain for some much-needed relief.
The culprit was soon identified – overtightened laces and the discovery of the subtle size difference between my right and left ankle. This realization prompted a quick dive into solutions, and J-Bars emerged as the potential saviors for ankle support during snowboarding. Fortunately, a simple adjustment to the boot’s tightness provided immediate relief for my foot.
With the boot issue addressed, I was ready to face the challenges Gore Mountain had in store for me. Little did I know, this day would be a test of my snowboarding skills and a lesson in conquering both mental and physical hurdles.
Tip: Always pay attention to your gear’s fit and comfort. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in your overall snowboarding experience.
Random: I did a fun reel during my Gore Mountain adventure
I had hoped that my first lesson at Gore Mountain would be focused on linking turns from heel to toe, a crucial skill in advancing my snowboarding journey. However, fate had other plans. After showcasing my current abilities to my instructor, it became apparent that I had been avoiding using my heel edge.
Setting out to address this challenge, I discovered a surprising aspect of my snowboarding style. While identifying the dominant leg is a common step for beginners, I found that both my legs exhibited ambidextrous tendencies when it came to leading. This led to a complex situation where my left leg wanted to take charge when my right leg was leading and vice versa. It was like a battle between my legs, each vying for control and resulting in a struggle to achieve seamless turns.
Navigating this internal conflict became the focus of the day. Trusting my left leg to lead while preventing the right leg from taking over required a mental and physical adjustment. The bunny slope became my training ground as I worked on building trust in my chosen leading leg. The process was frustrating, marked by moments of regression and a struggle to break through the barriers preventing smooth transitions from heel to toe.
Despite the challenges, I persisted, spending most of the day on the bunny slope, trying to align my body and build the necessary trust. The goal of linking turns felt elusive as I grappled with the mental and physical aspects of the learning process.
Tip: Snowboarding is not just a physical activity; it’s a mental challenge too. Be patient with yourself, embrace the learning curve, and trust the process.
It wasn’t a completely successful day. I did go up on the ski lift and focused on snowboarding using my heel edge only to control myself by mostly traversing down the slope. I accomplished that but at the cost of making my knees sore from using only my heels for the entire trip. Attempting to link from my heels to my toes felt like a wall I couldn’t break through.
With bruised pride and sore knees, I dusted off and went to have dinner at Basil and Wick’s. They were having a karaoke night, which happens on Thursdays, and that helped boost my spirits a little.
I also made the terrible mistake of going to bed without doing yoga that night.
Day 6 of a Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding at Gore Mountain – I forgot my first rule of snowboarding
The following morning greeted me with discomfort and stiffness around my knees, a stark reminder of a crucial practice I had overlooked – my nightly yoga routine. In my eagerness to conquer Gore Mountain, I had neglected the pre-sleep yoga session that had been instrumental in keeping my joints limber and preventing soreness.
Reflecting on my earlier experiences with knee injuries from competitive flag football, I recognized the importance of maintaining joint health. The oversight served as a valuable lesson, emphasizing the need to adhere to my established routines for physical well-being.
The morning was dedicated to traversing smaller slopes, attempting to build a rapport with my left leg leading the turns. The experience alternated between successful descents and frustrating setbacks, a cycle that defined much of the day. Returning to the bunny slope, I focused on perfecting heel-edge turns, albeit at the cost of sore knees from prolonged use of a single technique.
The video below, I felt, was great at breaking down the right position of the knee and body to make the turns.
Tip: Prioritize your body’s strength and flexibility in the weeks leading up to your snowboarding trip. Consistent physical preparation can enhance your overall experience on the slopes.
As the day progressed, I confronted the reality of Gore Mountain’s scale and the challenge of linking turns on more substantial slopes. The initial attempts felt like hitting a metaphorical wall, with the desire to transition from heels to toes proving elusive.
Undeterred by bruised pride and sore knees, I persevered, determined to break through the barriers hindering my progress. The Alpine Lodge beckoned for an evening of recovery, and I found solace in the prospect of a restful night.
The day’s experiences served as a stark reminder of the importance of listening to my body, a lesson I had learned through trial and error. As I retired for the night, the promise to resume my nightly yoga routine echoed in my thoughts, a commitment to holistic well-being on and off the slopes.
Dinner tonight was an outstanding one at Garnet Hill Lodge. My dinner was a standout of my entire trip.
Read suggestion: Essential Travel Safety Guide for Women
Snowboarding in Gore, As a Black Woman
Unlike Belleayre, which is much closer to the city, I didn’t encounter any other black ladies during my time on and off the slopes at Gore Mountain. However, everyone I met was friendly, and I never felt out of place.
I also wrote an article on the myth that “Black Girls Don’t Snowboard”, give it a read and let me know your thoughts.
Day 7 of a Black Girl’s Guide to Snowboarding at Gore Mountain – Rest and Drive up to Lake Placid
Gore Mountain Ski Center
Why Go to Gore Mountain
Gore Mountain is the largest ski resort in New York State boasting 14 lifts and 108 alpine trails with a 2,537-foot vertical drop. Despite needing a shuttle from the parking lot to the base lodge and the large number of cars I saw in the lots, the lines at the lifts were short and I felt comfortable traversing across the slopes thanks to the light crowd.
13% green trails for beginners, 45% blue trails for intermediate, 37% black diamond trails for advanced, and 5% double black diamond for experts.
For beginners seeking a bit more challenge, Gore is an amazing mountain to take your skills to the next level if you feel like you have conquered Belleayre Mountain.
For longer days of skiing, you can also experience skiing at twilight on specific days:
Closed Monday-Wednesday; Open Thursdays – Fridays from 3-8 pm; Saturdays from 11 am-8 pm; Sundays from 11 am-6 pm.
Holidays and weather may affect these hours and operations.
Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders that love glades, visit Gore’s vast mountain to explore the 28 glades it has to offer.
Glade openings at Gore Mountain are dependent on sufficient natural snowfall, check their snow report online to confirm openings.
What are Glades on a Ski Mountain?
Glades are terrains with trees, and in the case of Gore Mountain, they have marked trails for advanced skiers and snowboarders to navigate through.
For beginners who are curious about glades, here’s a video of Gore Mountain’s easiest glade trail, Otter Slide. Skiing or snowboarding through glades is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted once you are at an advanced level.
How to Get to and Around Gore Mountain
Gore Mountain is about 3.5 hours from New York City and getting to and around the mountain requires driving a car. For those without cars planning to spend multiple days in the area, renting a car is the most convenient and currently the only way to get around. I typically use either Discover Cars or Rental Cars to compare the best deals. I’ve found that Rental Cars offers more options, especially in rural parts of New York.
Transportation options to reach Gore Mountain are very limited—if you are coming into New York by air or by rail, you will need to rent a car from the airport or train station to get you to North Creek.
For day trips from NYC to Gore Mountain, companies like Ovr Ride and NYC Snow Bus used to offer day trips from the city before Covid, while Ovr Ride still runs day trips to other ski resorts, NYC Snow Bus, and similar companies no longer seem to be in operation.
If you’re flying into New York for your Gore Mountain trip, Albany International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away, there are Rental Car options to get you to Gore Mountain right from the airport.
You can also get there using a combination of a train and a car with the following options:
Hop on an Amtrak train and pick up a rental car at Saratoga Springs Station by getting on the train from NY Penn Station to Saratoga Springs Station – 3 hours 43 minutes travel time. There’s an ongoing New York by Rail partnership with Enterprise where you will get picked up for free from the train stations, so when you book using the link, it will ensure you book from the right Enterprise location – 2202 Route 50 S Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The drive from Saratoga Station to Gore Mountain is about 1.5 hours of driving.
The Enterprise office is about 4 miles away from the train station, make sure to call them at +1 518-587-0687 at least 30 minutes ahead of train arrival time to schedule a free pick-up service from the train station.
Or hop on either Via Rail or Amtrak train from NY Penn Station to Albany-Rensselaer Train Station and get a rental car from the Enterprise conveniently at the station for 2.5 hours to 3 hours. Click on this link to book from Enterprise to ensure you’re booking from the right location offering the pick-up service. Their address is 525 East St Rensselaer, NY 12144
The Enterprise office is located at the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station, their number is +1 518-427-3893.
Tip – other rental car companies in the area may offer free pick-up service, so if you find better deals with them, call to find out if they will pick you up from the station before renting a ride.
Pro Tip: Before hitting the road, ensure that you download an offline map of the region on your preferred GPS app. Access to data services can be a bit unreliable in the area.
What You Need to Know Before Heading to Gore Mountain
Purchase your lift tickets online for discounted deals, same-day purchases at the ski resort are not guaranteed. If you plan to rent their equipment and take lessons, it is required to make reservations in advance, 3 days ahead, minimum, is my suggestion.
For beginners, Gore offers package deals that, according to their website, “a 90-minute beginner class lesson, a lower mountain lift ticket, and a ski or snowboard rental package” While I prefer 2-hour lessons, the price for this is a steal compared to the surrounding mountains at $120.
Gore Mountain’s Lifts Opening Hours – Sunday – Saturday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Where to Stay Around Gore Mountain
Gore does not have its lodging but there are so many options of places to stay within 15 minutes driving distance from the mountain. Apres-ski in the area is livelier than what I experienced around Belleayre Mountain; live bands, karaoke nights, open mic nights, etc. Most people I met were either locals, drove in from a few towns over, or drove in from the city to spend a few nights in North Creek for snow sports. The locals in the area were the most friendly and welcoming throughout my 11 days of driving through New York State. After just one night in North Creek, I was already running into locals I’d met at my first dinner spot and catching up with them while on errands the next day.
Where I Stayed Near Gore Mountain – The Alpine Lodge
I spent 3 nights at The Alpine Lodge, a modern rustic hotel located less than 5 minutes away from Gore Mountain. Situated right on the main street of North Creek, everything you need beyond the ski slopes is within a short walking distance. From a supermarket to a bar/restaurant about 10 strides from the hotel, to a few breakfast spots within less than a 3-minute walk from the hotel. I love that the hotel provided bins to place snow-sodden shoes to dry off without worry of messing up the room’s carpet in my room.
My room was so cozy and felt immediately like home. The massive, comfy king-sized bed was honestly difficult to roll out of every morning; I just wanted to stay bundled up in bed and watch Peacock shows all day! The only drawback for me was the noise from the fire alarm that went off a couple of times during my stay at the hotel, but besides that, The Alpine Lodge was perfection.
The staff was also welcoming and friendly; they helped guide me to figure out the restaurants to check out while in town. The hotel’s reception area also serves as a 24-hour hang-out space with coffee, snacks, and some breakfast treats to munch on. There’s also a cutesy popcorn machine for guests to snack on throughout the day. I made liberal use of their espresso machine in the morning and made sure to pack fresh bananas and a muffin in my backpack every day for the slopes.
If you want to stay here, I’ll advise booking ahead of time, as the hotel seemed fully booked in the middle of the week.
Other Accommodations near Gore Mountain
Garnet Hill Lodge – Located a 20-minute drive from Gore Mountain, Garnet Hill Lodge is a unique Adirondack resort centered around its historic Log House. Featuring rustic charm and comfortable accommodations, the Log House is situated on a hillside, offering scenic views of pristine Thirteenth Lake. For cross-country skiers, guests enjoy complimentary access to their 50km groomed ski resort, with the option to rent skis and snowshoes if needed. The lodge serves a complimentary breakfast and has a restaurant on-site.
Birch Hill-Just 10 minutes from Gore Mountain, Birch Hill is a 4-season cabin that sleeps 7, providing the full Adirondack experience. Built for families, skiers, and small groups looking to get away, relax, and keep it simple in this peaceful retreat.
North Creek Lodge – A mere 8-minute drive from Gore Mountain, North Creek Lodge boasts 25 newly renovated rooms, combining modern comfort with rustic Adirondack charm. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, creating the perfect place to relax after your day’s adventure. The lodge offers complimentary breakfast and features a restaurant on-site.
Apres-Ski in the Adirondacks – Gore Mountain
Capping off a day on the mountain with a drink and a bite to eat is the perfect way to unwind, and there are a few options for apres-ski spots serving mouthwatering food, cold drinks, and live entertainment around Gore Mountain. Here are some recommendations for your next visit:
Restaurants to Visit around Gore Mountain
The Restaurants I Visited around Gore Mountain
The Log House Restaurant at Garnet Hill Lodge – The Log House was an unplanned dinner spot, recommended by locals while I was grabbing dinner at barVino. Despite its slightly out-of-the-way location, it proved to be a popular restaurant, a testament to the phrase, “if it’s good, they will come.”
On Fridays, The Log House offers happy hours from 5 pm to 7 pm, attracting a crowd of locals for the $4 beer and house wine with complimentary appetizers. Arriving early is advisable as the appetizers, such as the Philly Cheese Fried Dumplings with Chipotle Aioli Dip, go quickly. The dumplings were a standout, authentically tasting like a Philly Cheesesteak wrapped in a crispy outer layer.
For Friday visitors, peel-and-eat shrimp are served every 2nd Friday, and freshly shucked oysters every last Friday of the month. Other Fridays showcase the kitchen’s creative freestyles.
Moving beyond the happy hour, my main star was the elk burger. The balanced gameness of the elk was complimented by surprises of cranberries smattered with goat cheese, creating a well-rounded taste. The serving sizes were generous, and despite being full from the elk burger, I couldn’t resist the apple bread pudding with ice cream. The ice cream’s lightness balanced the sweetness of the brown sugar crust.
According to the server, the most popular dishes are the elk steak, elk burger, and bison bolognese.
LOCATION
39 Garnet Hill Road North River, NY 12856
Call: 518-251-2444
barVino – located conveniently on North Creek’s main street and close to The Alpine Lodge, was another local favorite during my stay. The main courses are not the typical American-sized portions, so it is advisable to pair a bowl of soup with a main dish for a satisfying meal, especially if you have a hearty appetite.
Starting with the soups, you can’t go wrong with either the smokey mushroom soup or the spicy sausage soup. The spicy sausage soup was a revelation, offering a perfect balance of teasing heat without overwhelming the palate. On the other hand, I loved the smokey mushroom soup for its light acidic kick from the dill cream, and depending on my mood either one makes for a delicious start to a feast.
For the mains, if you are a fan of seafood, get a bowl of their Cioppino, which features a classic Italian tomato broth cradling delicately cooked shrimp, mussels, breaded calamari, and slices of bread to soak up the flavors. I also loved the burrata-stuffed ravioli, adorned with Parmesan shavings, which took me back to eating my way through Italy.
For those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate fondue is worth a try, though its generous portion might be better suited for sharing. Accompanied by strawberries, bananas, and vanilla pound cake, it is a decadent experience.
LOCATION
272 Main St. North Creek
Call: 518-251-8055 – They do not take reservations, arrive early
Basil and Wick’s – nestled in a casual and unpretentious setting, Basil and Wick’s pleasantly surprised me with its unexpected menu, a true embodiment of a gastropub. The relaxed ambiance, coupled with a healthy number of local regulars, created a welcoming space for dinner and drinks.
Among the culinary standouts were the succulent grilled portobello mushrooms adorned with herby feta cheese and wild berry compote, along with the impeccably seared diver scallops. However, the chicken wings and poutine erred slightly on the greasier side. For my main course, I opted for Chef Billy Trudsoe’s special, a dish he crafted during his time on Hell’s Kitchen – black forest chicken on a bed of crimini mushroom risotto. The basil and parmesan battered chicken emerged as the star, also a favorite among patrons.
Adding to the charm of Basil and Wick’s are their themed nights, featuring karaoke on Thursdays, open mic sessions on Mondays, and live music on most weekends. The diverse entertainment offerings contribute to the lively and dynamic atmosphere of this gastropub.
LOCATION
Route 28 • North Creek, NY
Call: 518-251-3100
Beck’s Tavern – if you are in the mood for a fun night of trying out local beer, dancing, and playing games with other travelers and locals, Beck’s Tavern is the best place in town for that. They also host live music performances on weekends, and I was lucky enough to watch a band called Eclectic Soul perform. As a black solo female traveler in the area, I found the locals friendly and welcoming.
Breakfast and Lunch Options Around Gore Mountain
Izzy’s Market & Deli – Renowned for their freshly made bagels and delectable breakfast sandwiches, Izzy’s presents a convenient option for a hearty breakfast before embarking on a day of skiing. Situated just a short walk from The Alpine Lodge, it caters to those seeking a proper morning meal.
Cafe Sarah Bakery Restaurant – A haven for those craving locally sourced and handmade delights, Cafe Sarah offers an extensive menu featuring baked cookies, muffins, breads, sandwiches, homemade soups, pies, tarts, cakes, and more. Ideal for a satisfying break during your Gore Mountain escapade.
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