Adaptive snowsport programs at ski areas throughout New York State make winter sports accessible to people of all abilities. Programs offer adaptive skiing instruction, equipment rental, and enthusiastic support. | Photo: Whiteface Mountain

New York State shines as a leader in accessible winter travel with ski areas and resorts across the state offering adaptive programs, inclusive lodging, and scenic trails that showcase the best of the season. From adaptive ski and snowboard programs in the Catskills and inclusive winter adventures in the Finger Lakes to barrier-free trails in Chautauqua-Allegheny and Olympic experiences in the Adirondacks, the Empire State makes it possible for travelers of all abilities to experience the joy of winter.

More than one in four U.S. adults 18-64 years of age has a disability, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These disabilities can range from having difficulty walking or climbing stairs, hearing, seeing, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than adults without disabilities. Aerobic physical activity can help reduce the impact of these chronic diseases, yet nearly half of all adults with disabilities get no leisure-time aerobic physical activity. The goal of the adaptive programs is to provide life-changing experiences for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support, and community.

Gore Mountain (Adirondacks):
Kelsey O’Driscoll has been a ski patroller at Gore for over ten years, and relearned how to ski after a spinal cord injury in 2021. | Photo: Kelsey O’Driscoll

Surrounded by sweeping mountain views, Gore Mountain welcomes skiers of all abilities through its renowned Adaptive Snowsports Program. One-on-one lessons are customized for every ability level, with instructors skilled in supporting guests with physical, developmental, hearing, or visual disabilities. The adaptive lessons are for ages 4 and up, and Gore Mountain’s trained staff can work with those who are hearing or visually impaired, those with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and/or those with physical disabilities. All lessons are private with one or two instructors to better meet specific needs. Reservations are required so the program can coordinate the best lesson opportunity to fit a person’s needs. Adaptive equipment is included and can be requested when the reservation is made.

Visitors can also access friendly-accessible activities at the nearby Wild Center in Tupper Lake, where snow-dusted trails and the accessible Wild Walk treetop experience offer a peaceful connection to nature. Sensory snowshoeing with Adirondack River Walking and Forest Bathing offers guided sensory activities to immerse in nature. High Falls Gorge offers a wheelchair-accessible path to one of the Adirondacks’ most scenic winter waterfalls. Local accessible stays include the Alpine Lodge in North Creek, featuring a spacious ADA-accessible Superior King suite.

Gore Mountain Quick Stats

Number of Trails: 115
Skiable Acres: 453 (biggest in New York)
Vertical Drop: 2,537 feet
Base Elevation: 1,063 feet
Summit Elevation: 3,600 feet

Whiteface Mountain (Adirondacks):
The Empire State Winter Games are held at Lake Placid and include Alpine Skiing, Adaptive Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Moguls, and Ski and Snowboard Cross events. | Photo: Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid elevates accessibility to new heights with its Adaptive Snowsports Program, a nationally recognized PSIA-AASI Member School offering lessons for children and adults of all abilities. Instructors provide one-on-one coaching with adaptive equipment tailored to each skier or snowboarder, creating a safe and empowering mountain experience. As one of the tallest peaks in the East and host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Whiteface pairs world-class skiing with a rich sporting legacy.

The Lake Placid Olympic and Paralympic Training Center continues to attract para-athletes from around the world. The Empire State Winter Games (February 5 to 8) bring athletes of all abilities, including adaptive events in bobsled, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and sled hockey. The Olympic Regional Development Authority’s Sport for All initiative unites these efforts, ensuring inclusion remains at the heart of every Olympic venue. Nearby stays include Mirror Lake Inn, with roll-in showers and lake views, and Crowne Plaza Lake Placid, offering accessible rooms steps from Main Street’s shops and restaurants.

Whiteface Mountain Quick Stats

Number of Trails: 94
Skiable Acres: 334
Vertical Drop: 3,166 feet (lift-served), 3,430 feet (hiking) – most on the East Coast

Windham Mountain Club (Catskills):
Windham Mountain’s adaptive sports program is helping veterans get out on the slopes. | Photo: Windham Mountain Resort

In the heart of the Catskills, the Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham Mountain Club offers one of the most established adaptive ski and snowboard programs in the Northeast. The Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center serves as a state-of-the-art base where trained instructors and volunteers work one-on-one with guests of all abilities, using customized equipment such as bi-skis and sit skis to match each skier’s needs. Lessons for adults and children alike create a welcoming space where independence and confidence thrive on the slopes.

The Hurleyville Rail Trail offers a smooth, barrier-free path for a peaceful winter stroll. Travelers can stay minutes from the slopes at Wylder Windham, a stylish mountain retreat with mobility-accessible rooms including bathroom rails, ramp access, and convenient parking. Or, they can stay at Albergo Allegria, a charming Catskills inn offering a thoughtfully designed accessible stay with spacious rooms, shower chairs, and non-skid mats upon request.

Windham Mountain Club Quick Stats

1,600 Vertical Feet Of Skiing And Riding
Top Elevation: 3,100 feet
Trails: 54

Holiday Valley Resort (Chautauqua-Allegheny):
The annual Penguin Paddle at Holiday Valley is one of the most anticipated events of the ski season and the major source of funding for the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program. | Photo: Holiday Valley Resort

Framed by Western New York’s forested slopes, Holiday Valley Resort opens its slopes to skiers of all abilities through the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program. It is an initiative offering personalized instruction for adults and children with physical or cognitive disabilities, pairing each guest with trained instructors and adaptive gear suited to their needs. Scholarships are also available to ensure the experience remains accessible to all.

Travelers visiting Holiday Valley can explore Allegany State Park’s winter trails or unwind in Ellicottville, a lively village known for its breweries and small-town après-ski charm. For an accessible stay, The Inn at Holiday Valley offers accessible parking, step-free entry, an accessible pool, and rooms with roll-in showers close to the slopes. Holiday Valley is one of Western N.Y.’s beloved destination resorts, renowned for its perfect snowmaking and grooming capabilities, and offering excellent slopes complemented by a charming ski town that truly pleases all comers.

Holiday Valley Resort Quick Stats

Skiable Acres: 290 acres
Vertical Drop: 750 feet
Summit Elevation: 2,250 feet
Base Elevation: 1,500 feet
Trails: 60 (39 for night skiing)

Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Finger Lakes):
Programs like Greek Peak’s Adaptive Snowsports are successful because of the amazing and dedicated group of volunteers. | Photo: Greek Peak Mountain Resort

In the Finger Lakes, Greek Peak Mountain Resort’s Adaptive Snowsports program and Dr. Robert M. Lovejoy Adaptive Training Center make the slopes accessible to all. The program includes downhill skiing, snowboarding, and mono-skiing, with adaptive equipment such as bi-skis, sliders, and outriggers. The program began in 1974 with three participants and 5 coaches and now supports 80 participants with 120 coaches in its 51st season.

Off the mountain, travelers can explore winter trails with all-terrain TrackChairs at Lime Hollow Nature Preserve or take in a snowy view of Taughannock Falls from an accessible path. Slope-side stays at Hope Lake Lodge feature accessible rooms and a spa equipped for easy transfers, creating a relaxing end to an active day outdoors. Greek Peak is the largest ski resort in Central New York and is on the Indy Pass.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort Quick Stats

Skiable Acres: 220
Trails: 55
Base: 1,148 feet
Summit: 2,100 feet
Vertical: 952 feet

New York State’s diverse ski areas and resorts prove that winter adventure knows no boundaries for anyone. From the Olympic legacy of the Adirondacks to the charming slopes of the Catskills, Finger Lakes, and Chautauqua-Allegheny, adaptive programs empower travelers of all abilities to carve turns, glide through snow-dusted forests, and create lasting memories on the mountain. New York makes it possible for everyone to answer the call of the mountains.