WILMINGTON, N.Y. – Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., officially opened its 87 trail for skiing and riding when the ribbon was cut today, Tuesday, March 25, for Rand’s Last Stand.

Whiteface Mountain enthusiasts James Hunter, Jeff Tompkins, Brian Winfield and Jack Yanchitis each helped to name the glade when the mountain held a Facebook trail naming contest in August 2013. The 4.7 acre and 1,500 foot long expert glade, named for former Whiteface Mountain general manager and 1968 Olympic ski jumper Jay Rand Jr., is located half-way down Hoyt’s High and connects skiers and riders to both the Summit Chair lift and Lookout Mountain chair lift.

There is still time to purchase the 2014-’15 SKI3 pass for Whiteface Mountain, Gore Mountain, in North Creek, N.Y., and Belleayre Ski Resort, in Highmount, N.Y.

The SKI3 pass is available through April 25 for just $759 for adults and seniors, $399 for young adults and college students and only $299 for juniors. Plus skiers and riders, who are 70 and older, can purchase the pass for only $210.

For those looking to ski just Whiteface next season, there’s still the very popular Whiteface Only Non-Holiday pass for just $459, when purchased by April 25. Get your pass now and ski the rest of this season free.

Photo: Former Whiteface Mountain general manager Jay Rand Jr. officially opens the Rand’s Last Stand glade, at Whiteface Mountain. Rand is now the director of the N.Y. Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) (Photo courtesy 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.