On a calm winter morning with the sun shining brightly, a cheerful group of officials from the town of Johnsburg, Olympic Authority leaders, and others assembled around the newly installed Hudson Chairlift at the historic North Creek Ski Bowl.
Many of them already had their skis on in anticipation of getting in a few good runs on a Friday morning. Others had their skis at the ready in their vehicles. All of them were there to celebrate something special.
While a new chairlift is special on its own, this new high-speed quad lift is part of something far greater. It is not only the first phase of a larger project envisioned for many years but also a key element in the continued improvement of the Ski Bowl over its more than 90-year history since the first Snow Trains initiated generations of winter tourism.
Like other highly successful ski areas, ongoing development is crucial. Skiing changes as does the expectations of visitors. New lifts, new or expanded lodges, more trails, upgraded snowmaking systems, and in more recent years, the addition of summer activities, have all played major roles in the development of the most well-known and popular ski areas and their local communities.
“We have been planning for and working on this Ski Bowl project for a good number of years now, and it is finally, well underway,” said Gore General Manager, James Bayse, to the audience assembled. “This lift is the first phase of a larger project. If you look behind us, you see the lodge is also coming along nicely. None of this could have been done without many of the people standing here with us today.”
Indeed, the concept, design, and planning of the current Ski Bowl development project has been years in the making. The enhanced new lift that will operate in summer and winter, taking skiers and hikers up the mountain, is the first of three phases. It is anticipated the new lodge now under construction will open to visitors in the fall of 2025, and a unique new summer zipline attraction to be opened in 2026 will be the final phase, all of it serving to elevate the historic Ski Bowl to the Adirondack’s newest four season travel destination.
Olympic Authority President & CEO Ashley Walden was also there to celebrate. “Gore Mountain has been welcoming skiers and visitors, thousands of them each year, to this area, and it’s long been the goal of the region, the town, and the Olympic Authority to make the most of that,” she said. “Economic development that further increases traffic to North Creek will further benefit the area, especially Main Street. These projects in such close proximity to downtown businesses will help visitors see all the opportunities available right here in North Creek.”
A third speaker, President of the Warren County Economic Development Council, Jim Siplon, relayed a story about his own deeply personal connections to the North Creek Ski Bowl. His late father arrived on those early Snow Trains, making him among the first visitors to the North Creek Ski Bowl.
“This day represents a new chapter for the State of New York, the Olympic Authority, and the Town,” said Jim. “We all came together to envision what this place can become. It’s a spectacular asset we’re standing inside, and finding ways for this to be productive economically but still aligned with the values of the Adirondack Park and the region is the kind of leadership and the kind of partnership that will help us forge our way into a future that projects the place we love while allowing us to make an honest living at the same time. This is a spectacular milestone.”
Along with the Town of Johnsburg, the State of New York, and the people of North Creek, the Olympic Authority is a full partner in bringing vital economic benefits to the region. Visitors to Glens Falls, Lake George, and all destinations in the area will soon have a welcoming new set of attractions to visit and experience at the North Creek Ski Bowl. Ultimately, this will allow the same prosperity those other popular destinations enjoy, enhancing the countless personal investments of so many individuals and businesses in the region.