LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- In a survey of more than 6,000 participants, readers of SnowEast Magazine tabbed Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y.; Gore Mountain, in North Creek, N.Y. and Belleayre, in Highmount, N.Y.; as their top ski resorts in the Empire State.  With more than 50 ski resorts throughout the state, Whiteface Mountain led the list of New York State ski resorts, while Gore Mountain came in at number-two.  Belleayre Ski Resort was fourth.

“I think that this is a testament to the entire staff of all three resorts,” said New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) chairman Pat Barrett.  “Our goal at these three resorts, and all of the venues that ORDA manages, is to give our guests and visitors the best experience possible.  The results of this survey certainly go a long way to prove that.”

Whiteface and Belleayre also received additional accolades by the magazine’s readers. Whiteface, home of the greatest vertical in the east, was chosen as the readers’ second overall Favorite Ski Resort in the east and as the readers’ most Scenic Ski Resort. 

The Olympic mountain also earned high marks for its snowmaking and grooming, finishing third in both categories, and terrain park, chosen sixth overall.  The Village of Lake Placid earned top honors as the magazine’s Favorite Destination Village.

Belleayre Ski Resort, which opened in 1949 and is one of the original trailblazers of skiing in the state, earned two more top-10 distinctions in the survey.  It was named the state’s sixth Favorite Ski Resort and the fourth best Classic Resort.

This season, skiers and riders can enjoy all three resorts with one low price, by purchasing the Ski3 Pass.  The Ski3 Pass offers a combined 7,000 vertical feet of skiing and riding on eight peaks, 882 acres, 32 glades and 227 trails.  The Ski3 Pass not only provides access to some of the most extraordinary mountain experiences on the East Coast, but it also offers an unbeatable list of season pass holder perks that are sure to excite any winter enthusiast.  For more information, log onto www.nyski3.com.

For more information about the SnowEast Magazine Readers’ Survey, visit www.snoweastmagazine.com.  For more information about Whiteface, Gore, Belleayre and all of ORDA’s venues, go to www.whitefacelakeplacid.com. 

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.