Anyone in the Utica, NY area?

[Obie.]

I know Utica is a dead spot as far as skiing goes, as most ski hills are a good hour + away. But I just moved here (temporarily) from Michigan and would like to meet up some local area shredders this winter. Whether it be on some handrails or on the ski hill. Any suggestions of where to go would be appreciated!

 

[louie.mirags]

North of Utica in Turin is a hill called Snow Ridge. It gets pounded with lake effect snow. Last year I went there for opening day and they had 35" of fresh lake effect from the week. No man made needed. It all melted a week later because it was early season but they get dumped on all year. Some years worse than others of course. Small vertical but tons of powder. Also, just follow the people going off trail to the woods. They are not on the map but the locals know what is up.

 

[Obie.]

North of Utica in Turin is a hill called Snow Ridge. It gets pounded with lake effect snow. Last year I went there for opening day and they had 35" of fresh lake effect from the week. No man made needed. It all melted a week later because it was early season but they get dumped on all year. Some years worse than others of course. Small vertical but tons of powder. Also, just follow the people going off trail to the woods. They are not on the map but the locals know what is up.

Awesome. That's some good information, thank you.

Any preference between Woods Valley vs Toggenburg? Those are the closest to me that seem to have a decent park, I'm by no means a "park rat" but if I am to invest in a pass I'd like to have some shit to hit.

 

[broto]

Awesome. That's some good information, thank you.

Any preference between Woods Valley vs Toggenburg? Those are the closest to me that seem to have a decent park, I'm by no means a "park rat" but if I am to invest in a pass I'd like to have some shit to hit.

This will be an uncertain year for toggs park. They used to be by far the best in the area. Since Nick Mir resigned from the position of park manager several years ago, togg has struggled to get funding and cat time for the park. Theyve kept it at a competetive level to all of the surrounding mountains, though. However, this year could be better/worse, since togg was recently bought out by Greek peak. Greek peaks park has always been kind of lackluster, but hopefully it will mean extra funding for toggs park. I guess we'll wait and find out. Also, that could be beneficial if you ever want to drive the extra distance to Greek (maybe extra 30 mins) for much better terrain/bigger mtn.

Source - togg local for ~14 years, worked park crew there 2 winters ago

Woods Valley has never had a park as good as toggs, and is a TINY mountain. However, the scene there has been growing as toggs has been declining. They have gotten nicer rails, more commitment to the park, etc, in these past couple years. But really, the skiing outside the park there is terrible, even for CNY. Did a bunch of comps there and have some good homies up that way so I've spent a good amount of days there, too.

 

[B.Ryan]

I live 15 minutes right outside of Utica, so weird seeing someone on here thats local lol. But i ski at woods valley. Have been for the past few years. Yeah they're park isint the greatest but that have been improving and getting more interesting with theyre setups. Personally i cant even do rails but i enjoy hitting jumps occasionally so if you dont mind just lapping a bit i would be down for sure.

 

[Obie.]

This will be an uncertain year for toggs park. They used to be by far the best in the area. Since Nick Mir resigned from the position of park manager several years ago, togg has struggled to get funding and cat time for the park.

Source - togg local for ~14 years, worked park crew there 2 winters ago.

I live 15 minutes right outside of Utica, so weird seeing someone on here thats local lol. But i ski at woods valley. Have been for the past few years. Yeah they're park isint the greatest but that have been improving and getting more interesting with theyre setups. Personally i cant even do rails but i enjoy hitting jumps occasionally so if you dont mind just lapping a bit i would be down for sure.

Thanks for the information guys, definitely appreciate it. I spend a lot of time on my skis, gotten at least 4 times a week these past couple seasons. Don't want to make any bad decisions on a pass & miss out on some better shred. I mean, skiing is skiing but if I'm spending upwards of $300... going down the particular slope better make me @ least half chub.

@broto.

Right on man, I worked on the park crew @ my home resort for 3 seasons. They put park in the backseat there too so I definitely feel yah on the limited cat time. Speaking of the pictures I've seen the rails they have look real nice, clean set-ups with nice wide lips. I was impressed & stoked to check it out.

@B.ryan

I was just as surprised as you are to see any sort of responses haha. I haven't met anyone here yet that seems to give a damn about skiing or snowboarding...Just the basic "hope you're ready for the winter...it sucks!" bs. Heck yeah I'd be down to cruise, you're opposite to me on the jumps / rails preference but just cookin' down some groomers can be just as fun.

I did speak briefly with the parks director via e-mail...he seemed like the type of dude looking to see some more progression in that realm. Hell, if you don't have the size & vertical why not put more stock into park! You don't need much of a slope for a good rail line

 

[Sky.]

I'm up at greek all winter any homes wanna ride pm me

 

[B.Ryan]

@B.ryan

I was just as surprised as you are to see any sort of responses haha. I haven't met anyone here yet that seems to give a damn about skiing or snowboarding...Just the basic "hope you're ready for the winter...it sucks!" bs. Heck yeah I'd be down to cruise, you're opposite to me on the jumps / rails preference but just cookin' down some groomers can be just as fun.

I did speak briefly with the parks director via e-mail...he seemed like the type of dude looking to see some more progression in that realm. Hell, if you don't have the size & vertical why not put more stock into park! You don't need much of a slope for a good rail line

Yeah sweet man, when the season rolls around ill shoot you a pm and see whats going on. I cant wait for winter either lol. And yes in this area its very hard to find anyone whose actually excited about winter.

 

[theabortionator]

Snow ridge is def a good time. I think it's like 15 or 20 bucks with a season pass(to any mountain) on wed.

Place gets hammered with snow short runs and a long hike in and out but it's a good time. Def has an old school vibe.

Check out Oak Mtn in speculator. It's about an hour 10 from utica going east. I don't work there anymore but I built and bought a bunch of features while I was there. there are a few 8' flat boxes up to a 34' dfd rail. Not much for jumps though. Probably just a small boote or too. And real small at that.

 

[itswillis21]

Make the drive to whiteface a few times. its rad in the spring

 

[Snowcase]

FYI for anyone who remembers how good Togg's park was years ago I have good news. Nick Mir, former terrain park manager at Togg, has purchased Snow Ridge. So not only will the park be improving there you get the added benefit of sick pow days.

Also, from Utica it's 50 minutes to Snow Ridge and 70 minutes to Togg.