ALBANY, N.Y. --- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today kicked off the 2016-17 skiing and riding season and announced that Whiteface Mountain will open on Thursday, November 24, and Gore and Belleayre Mountains will open on Friday, November 25. Every winter season, skiing and riding at New York's 51 mountains attracts millions of visitors and generates $1 billion for the state's economy.

"From skiing to skating, New York offers a wide array of thrilling seasonal activities, attracting millions of visitors all winter long," Governor Cuomo said. "With over 50 world-class ski resorts across the state, I encourage everyone to come discover all that New York has to offer."

Whiteface Mountain received over 15-inches of snow, and the staff has been preparing Excelsior, Summit Express, Upper Valley, Lower Valley, Fox and the Mixing Bowl for Thursday's opening. Two lifts, as well as the Cloudsplitter Gondola, will service the skiers and riders.

Gore also received plenty of snow over the weekend. Six inches fell in North Creek and the resort resumed its snowmaking on Sunday. Five trails, Foxlair, Sunway, Quicksilver, 3b and Jamboree, are expected to open, serviced by the Northwoods Gondola. Video of snowmaking at Gore is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h264, mp4) format here. Photos of the snowmaking are available here.

Belleayre Ski Resort received more than 10-inches of snow from last weekend’s snowstorm and just like Gore, the mountain has been making snow since Sunday. The resort is expected to open with the Onteora and Running Bear trails and two lifts operating.

Lift tickets this weekend at Belleayre are $42, while at Gore, opening weekend prices are just $38 for adults, $29 for teens and seniors and $23 for juniors when guests donate a non-perishable food item while purchasing their ticket. Whiteface opens with lift ticket prices of $64 for adults, $52 for seniors and teens and just $42 for juniors. As always, children ages six and under can ski for free.

New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Ted Blazer said, "ORDA ski resorts spent the off-season discovering new ways in which they could enhance customer service, from the time guests arrive at the resort, to when they pack up their skis and boards at the end of the day. Through new technology and communication between the staff and guest, we've greatly improved and personalized our customer service, with the overall goal of creating customer loyalty and growing skiing and riding to the millennial market."

Empire State Development Executive Director of Tourism and I Love New York Gavin Landry said, "Winter in New York State is an incredible time of year, with indoor and outdoor destinations for families, travelers and guests of all ages. Visit our world class ski areas, snowmobile some of the nation’s finest trails, and experience our myriad of indoor attractions and we know you'll agree that, ‘It's all here; it’s only here in New York State."

Whiteface General Manager Aaron Kellett said, "Our Whiteface team is excited to kick off another season, we’ve made a lot of new improvements for our guests to enjoy and we can’t wait to have skiers and riders back on the mountain."

Gore General Manager Mike Pratt said, "We’re expect to offer both Alpine and Nordic skiing on Friday. Snowmakers are working around the clock spreading snow on the trails. We are ready to have the skiers back at Gore Mountain and the Adirondack Mountains."

Belleayre Ski Resort General Manager Tim Maxwell said, "Mother Nature has provided us with a great start to another season on the best snow for skiing and riding in New York State right here at Belleayre Mountain."

Trails and lifts are subject to change this weekend. Please visit www.belleayre.com, www.goremountain.com and www.whiteface.com for the latest conditions. Photos from the 2015-16 skiing and riding season at Whiteface are available here, here and here, courtesy of ORDA/Whiteface Lake Placid.

 -- 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.