Oak Mountain is a family oriented ski center that has been part of Adirondack winter enjoyment for generations. It first opened in 1947.

Now, owners Matt and Laura O’Brien, coming from careers in various ski enterprises, have crafted their dream to bring this classic Adirondack ski resort into the 20th century. Fun and friendly, with a gourmet twist in the dining, its appeal as a destination comes from the hometown feeling they've kept. Whatever form that ski getaway might take, Oak Mountain could be just the right size to help it come true.

Fun-sized

Fans cite the ease of use. Shorter lift lines mean there is more time spent enjoying the 22 trails and 650-foot vertical drop. Most trails are rated beginner to intermediate, though there are some for expert skiers and riders. There's also snowmaking on 40% of the mountain.

New to skiing? Oak Mountain is a great place to learn, at any age. They offer packages that bundle a one-and-a-half hour lesson for ski or snowboard, needed rentals, and a Beginner Hill lift ticket. These learn-to packages are designed to teach equipment use, balance tips, how to get up from a fall, turn, and stop, plus, as they say, "how to have FUN!"

This relaxed approach is just right for beginners, small children, and anyone who seeks a low-pressure pace for their skiing trip.

Another facet of the Oak Mountain experience is how affordable it can be. Their lift tickets are more reasonable than those of higher profile resorts. Children under 5 and seniors 70 and over ski free. There are military, fire/ EMS/ police, and group discounts.

The Oak Runner Pass lets a skier buy five random days with no blackout dates, a great deal for people who aren't sure yet when they will get away, but know they want to.

Fun-filled

The variety might be more than expected. There's night skiing, a racing hill, and a snowboard park. For anyone who wants to sit down and have a thrilling time, Oak Mountain has a four lane tubing hill with lift.

Love snowshoeing? Trek free at Oak Mountain. Sign in at the base lodge no later than 2 p.m. and choose from three different trails, from the easy walk in the woods that is Hidden Pond Loop, then onward to the Spec View Loop to the top of Lift 2, which has lovely views of Speculator Mountain and Sacandaga Lake.  

The Summit Trail adds a climb to the top of Oak Mountain for more views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Bigger is not always better when it comes to ski resorts.

Fun-tastic

Oak Mountain offers two great food venues during the winter. At the ski lodge there's Oak Mountain Cafe for hungry people on the go. It features classic winter fuel like pizza, burgers, and chili, with tasty sides like fries, hot cocoa, and homemade cookies. Items are served cafeteria style and there's free wifi, making it a great place to take a break.

At the Acorn Pub & Eatery, executive Chef Lou Petrozza has embraced Adirondack cuisine. He was from Charlotte, North Carolina, when he tried out for the television show “Hell’s Kitchen” just for fun. He wound up being praised as a strong finalist by Chef Gordon Ramsay and was the runner-up in Season Four.

He molded what he calls the "casually creative" menu which features items like an Adirondacker Pizza, which combines grilled chicken, smoked gouda, and red onions with his own Adirondack BBQ Sauce. Entrees like the flank steak come with fresh bread. The burgers offer a choice of beef, chicken, or black bean, and five different topping combinations.

Find out more about Chef Lou and his passion for food with the blog, Meet Chef Louis Petrozza.

With Oak Mountain celebrating its 70th anniversary this season, there will be new and exciting lunch and dinner menus for the Acorn Pub & Eatery. They have expanded their snowmaking, and there's an exciting calendar of events lined up to kick off the season. On November 23, there will be Black Friday Specials. December 1 is the SHCRA Snowmobile Hill Climb, December 7 is their Holiday Craft Fair, and as always there will be New Year's Eve Fireworks, the Torchlight Parade, and the Grand Buffet dinner.

Winter is coming. For snow sports fans, that's a great thing.

Plan now! Choose lodging, explore dining, and check out shopping.