Official Press Release:
New Project will Create New State-of-the-Art Skiing, Lodging, Dining and Retail Facilities and Year-Round Activities at Gore and Whiteface Mountains
Expand Economic Growth and Investment Opportunities in the Surrounding Communities, Leveraging Up to $80 Million in Private Investment
Attract More Visitors and Make Upstate New York’s Winter Resorts Competitive with Other World Resorts
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state will invest up to $20 million for major upgrades at Whiteface and Gore Mountains to attract more visitors and build on the North Country’s bourgeoning winter tourism industry. The investments will enhance the current facilities at Gore and Whiteface Mountains and create state-of-the art skiing, lodging, dining and retail opportunities and year-round activities. The project will be the first major upgrade at both Whiteface and Gore in 30 years and will develop opportunities to increase off-season revenue, while making these facilities more competitive with other resorts around the world.
“Winter tourism is a key driver of the North Country economy and we have made it a top priority to leverage natural assets in the region to increase visitors, create jobs and spur economic growth,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York State has Olympic-caliber assets and world-class skiing, but the facilities at Gore and Whiteface are outdated and sub-par. This investment will transform these resorts into year-round, world-class skiing destinations, and attract new skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.”
The investment will build on the current facilities at the mountains and create an unparalleled tourism destination for visitors in the North Country. In addition, it will help expand opportunities for local small businesses in the surrounding areas and help promote the state’s vast winter recreational opportunities. This investment will leverage up to $80 million in private funding to add additional amenities and retail options for guests. The $20 million for the upgrades at Whiteface and Gore is in addition to $10 million the state is providing to the Olympic Regional Development Authority as part of the 2017-18 FY budget.
Modern day ski resorts are shifting their primary functions from just purely ski and snowboarding based facilities to ones that provide upscale amenities, conveniences and year round attractions. Substantial improvements to the day lodge facilities at both Gore and Whiteface Mountains will make them competitive with other world resorts and able to meet ever-changing resort needs.
This investment will transform these resorts into year-round, world-class skiing destinations, and attract new skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.
Improvements to the Whiteface Mountain Ski facility would encourage growth and investment in nearby Wilmington and other surrounding areas thereby increasing year-round visitation.
The upgrades at Whiteface include:
- Expanding the Bear Den Lodge and adding a state-of-the-art learning center, bar and restaurant;
- Expanding and renovating the Adirondack Base Lodge and parking lot;
- Installing a line connecting the Bear Den Learning Center area to the Mid Station;
- Building one of the longest zip lines in North America; and
- Building the longest mountain coaster in the United States.
Improvements to Gore facilities would significantly increase revenue opportunities and growth internally and for private investors. Enhancing this market reach will make Gore to a more competitive experience.
The upgrades at Gore include:
- Expanding seating capacity and modernizing the Saddle Lodge’s facilities and infrastructure;
- Adding a third story to the Base Lodge – building corporate meeting room space, additional seating and customer amenities, and expanding the rental shop in the Northwoods Lodge; and
- Restoring the original 1967 gondola unloading station into a Gore summit warming facility and overlook.
When comparing Whiteface and Gore to other competitive North American ski resorts including Killington, both facilities fall short in providing world-class amenities and year-round activities. Making improvements at these mountains will drive increased revenue for the facilities and the surrounding communities and will ultimately expand economic growth and investment opportunities. It will also make unparalleled skiing and winter recreation opportunities more accessible to visitors from New York City and downstate regions closer than other skiing locations throughout the northeast.
Economic Impact of Tourism in New York
Tourism is an economic driver for New York State, and especially important in Upstate. In 2015, the tourism industry generated a total economic impact of $102 billion – an all-time high for the state. Winter tourism at Whiteface and Gore Mountains accounts for more than $100 million in economic impact each year in the North Country.
Last week, the Governor also unveiled a new marketing campaign designed to increase visitors and generate interest in New York State’s top winter tourism attractions and destinations. New York will host its annual Free Snowmobiling Weekend for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers from Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 5, 2017. The state’s snowmobiling community generates a total economic impact of approximately $868 million, according to a 2011 study by the State University at Potsdam.