With a modest vertical drop of 633 feet, it is amazing how much skiing can be done on McCauley Mountain. There are 21 trails being served by six ski lifts which provide spectacular panoramic views of the Fulton Chain of lakes and of Old Forge. It is located about 50 miles northeast of Utica, New York.
McCauley is often referred to as a small big mountain. It has all the trails, the snow, the chalet, the fun atmosphere of a big ski resort. Even better, on Crazy Fridays, the lift tickets are drastically slashed, which makes it a great day to fit in some runs.
This is a family hill. It is laid back and easy going. And it is also a great find for people who really love to ski and don't want to drive further north to the large ski resorts and battle the crowds on the slopes or in the lift line. It provides tons of skiing for all levels from beginner to advanced, including snowboarding. In fact, it is proud to have produced two famous Olympic skiers, including Hank Kashiwa.
And it gets plenty of snow, from 281 inches to 400 inches a year. It has tons of expert black diamond slopes and enough moguls to keep anyone happy with expert snowmaking and grooming to keep them safe.
There's a large alpine style chalet at the base where you can rent skis and warm up. It serves food and has a small friendly bar. There's also a ski school, ski shop, ski rentals, and services to hot wax and tune skis.
Located in the scenic Adirondack Mountains of New York State, McCauley Mountain is surrounded by lakes and outdoorsy things to do for members of the family that do not ski downhill. There is View, a multi-arts theatrical space in Old Forge, which has rotating shows, art exhibits and a shop. There is also local snowmobiling, snowshoeing and tons of cross country skiing. The entire area around the mountain has miles and miles of packed and groomed cross country trails. On McCauley Mountain itself there are 6 miles of groomed cross country trails to enjoy for $5 a person.
For dining while in Old Forge, the Five Corners Cafe serves a hearty breakfast. Favorites there include their grilled blueberry muffins and a breakfast dish made of smoked salmon, potato pancakes and eggs. Sisters Bistro is popular for its romantic vibe and bar scene at night. And children and families head for Billy's Italian American Restaurant or Slickers Restaurant for a wide variety of fare.
For lodging there are many motels in the area including a couple of good B&Bs. One of the B&Bs, The Haynes White House Inn, is especially cozy with a large fireplace in the living room, a home cooked breakfast in the morning, and is beautifully decorated with antiques and old books.
McCauley's Mountain calls itself “New York's Best Family Mountain” so rest assured your family will be well taken care of there!
