ORDA Updates On North Creek Ski Bowl Development At Gore Mountain

At a recent New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) Board of Directors meeting, two resolutions related to the North Creek Ski Bowl were approved.  With these approvals, the projects will resume, and the Olympic Authority with Gore Mountain will break ground in the spring of 2024 for the North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge, a new Hudson chairlift, and a zip coaster. The lift is projected to be available for the ’24-25 ski season and the completion of the lodge is slated for 2025.

“The Ski Bowl project will provide a year-round boost to the business community of North Creek,” stated Mark Smith, Supervisor, Town of Johnsburg. “The Ski Bowl redevelopment is a significant project that strengthens the position of North Creek as a year-round destination.”

The North Creek Ski Bowl was established in 1934, is owned by the Town of Johnsburg, and is a year-round facility offering a variety of outdoor recreation. In December 2002, the Town of Johnsburg board members approved a contract with the Olympic Authority. The Olympic Authority has since operated and maintained several winter activities at the Ski Bowl. Gore Mountain has installed chairlifts there, improved trails and snowmaking, modernized and expanded the Joe Minder Lodge, and developed a professional Nordic Center with certified race courses.

The new lodge, which replaces the historic lodge that was destroyed by fire in 1999, will be an 18,300-square-foot facility with a restaurant and two levels of patios with slopeside views. The lodge is positioned to become a popular destination for additional summer activities. The innovative zip coaster will be a unique attraction that combines the features of a zipline with a rail system.

In January 2022, the Olympic Authority unveiled the pending projects to the Town of Johnsburg board, but the lack of a wastewater infrastructure delayed the permitting process. The Olympic Authority has worked closely with the Town of Johnsburg on a solution, and as a result, the new lodge will connect to the Town of Johnsburg’s new wastewater treatment facility, which is presently under construction. The Town of Johnsburg has been awarded several grants to construct the facility, which is expected to be completed prior to the completion of the lodge.

“After many years of working through the process, we are excited to get this project underway,” stated James Bayse, General Manager, Gore Mountain. “The new lodge will be a full-service hub for year-round activities, and the zip coaster will be a one-of-a-kind draw to our area.”

Additional projects underway at Gore Mountain include the replacement of the Bear Cub Poma Lift with a conveyor-load quad, providing those who are learning ideal access to the easier-rated Sunway trail.  The mountain is making several snowmaking improvements, which include adding new guns and infrastructure on Little Gore Mountain.

As recently reported in the 2022-2023 “Economic Impact Analysis for the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority,” the local operational spending and revenues, as well as the State’s investment, yielded a direct economic impact of $341.8 million, of which Gore Mountain generated $31.3 million in direct spending in FY 2022-2023.

“As we approach the 90th anniversary of the first snow train arriving in North Creek, we are excited to build upon the incredible history,” stated Michael Pratt, President and CEO. “The Ski Bowl is home to one of the first commercial ski areas and ski patrols in the United States.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Town of Johnsburg as we work together in enhancing the regional economy.”

For more information about the Ski Bowl and Gore Mountain, visit the website here