Good Scene at Gore Mt. & North Creek NY

Phil and I stopped in at Gore Mountain this past weekend. It’s always been an underrated ski hill, but, you know what? It’s

• closer and easier to get to from metro New York City than most of New England
• its got all the terrain you can ask for
• and it’s gotten just a bit better every year.

How?

By

• adding a new lift and trails (last year)
• a new children’s center (the year before)
• and, now, new facilities at North Creek Ski Bowl, the area’s small, close-to-town, family-friendly, original ski hill.

But, there’s long been on major problem with Gore as a destination. No place much to go off the slopes.

The good news: that’s changing.

We spent the night at the Copperfield Inn in North Creek. A beautiful, warm and welcoming hotel. We dined at Lorenzo’s Restaurant in the Copperfield, a truly first-rate experience (the rack of lamb was extraordinary). And, we pre-dined at Bar Vino, a sophisticated but casual wine bar.

Wait a minute. A wine bar in North Creek?

It’s true. The little town is showing signs of life. A modest, actual ski town appears to be forming here—a small variety of places to dine, a small collection of interesting shops, a good pizza joint, and a new, free shuttle service that runs from downtown to the ski hill on peak days.

Folks going up for just a day—or driving in from nearby lodging in Lake George or elsewhere in Warren County—during holidays or weekends, park downtown, ride the shuttle to the hill, and return downtown for an apres-ski drink or meal. It’s a whole new experience for this unsung destination.

–Mitch Kaplan