Updated June 24, 2021
Known as the “City of Good Neighbors”, Buffalo has easy access to some excellent ski resorts. Whether you want a quick rip after work, or you want to take a few extra days off and escape into the mountains, there are plenty of options for snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo. Read on to find out some of our favourites!
The 11 Best Places to Go Skiing Near Buffalo, NY
Bristol Mountain
- Distance from Buffalo: 104 miles (~1 hour, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options in the Finger Lakes region
- Experience levels: All levels
For incredible skiing in the Finger Lakes region, look no further than Bristol Mountain. With 1200 feet of vertical and 138 skiable acres, Bristol Mountain offers some of the best skiing in between the Adirondacks and the Rockies. The resort has 38 trails with slopes for every level, as well as 97% lighting coverage for night skiing. If adrenaline rushes aren’t your thing, the resort also offers 3 km of nordic trails.
Swain Resort
- Distance from Buffalo: 73 miles (~1 hour, 25 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes
- Experience levels: All levels
Swain Resort is a charming spot for some fun on the slopes. With 35 trails, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. The resort also offers lessons and rentals, so you can level-up before you tackle some of the bigger mountains on our list. It’s close to home but if you want to make a weekend of it, the resort also offers plenty of ski and stay packages.
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
- Distance from Buffalo: 300 miles (~5 hours, 10 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options nearby
- Experience levels: All levels
Located at around five hours from Buffalo, Belleayre Mountain is a mid-size resort that’s got something for everyone. With 80 trails and 4 lodges where you can grab food or relax, it’s a fantastic place to spend a day or a weekend cruising down the slopes. Their interactive ski map is awesome for seeing the layout of the resort by difficulty, and if you’re new to skiing, you can head to their Snowsports School for lessons, gear, and more.
Additionally, if you can manage to get to Belleayre on a Wednesday, they have a great “Why Not Wednesday” ski special at just $36 for a lift ticket. That’s one of the lowest daily lift ticket prices on our list (and is definitely worth taking an extra day off work for, in our opinion).
Buffalo Ski Center
- Distance from Buffalo: 24 miles (~30 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No
- Experience levels: All levels
Just 30 minutes from metropolitan Buffalo, the Buffalo Ski Center is the perfect spot for a few cheeky post-work laps. The centre offers 43 trails across 300 acres, with something for all levels. There are 3 lodges around the property, where you can get your grill on or just enjoy some cozy après next to a roaring fire. Buffalo Ski Center also has a top-notch snowsports school, so it’s a great spot to level up your skills.
Windham Mountain
- Distance from Buffalo: 294 miles (~4 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, many “stay and play” options
- Experience levels: All levels
Windham Mountain is a truly beautiful and family-friendly resort area, perfect for skiers of all levels. There are 54 trails here over 280 ski-able acres of terrain, which means that there are several longer, uninterrupted stretches for skiers wanting to hone their skills and enjoy the slopes.
Holiday Valley
- Distance from Buffalo: 52 miles (~1 hour)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes
- Experience levels: All levels
With terrain parks, snowshoeing, nordic skiing, and 60 trails, Holiday Valley has something for everyone. They also offer lodging packages, rentals, and lessons. For a great (and economical) spot to take the family snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo, look no further than Holiday Valley.
Camelback Mountain
- Distance from Buffalo: 289 miles (4 hours, 50 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes
- Experience Levels: Beginner and intermediate
For beginners to intermediate skiers that want to gain more experience on the slopes, Camelback Mountain is a fantastic option for skiing near Buffalo. Many of slopes at Camelback Mountain are beginner-friendly, even the ones that start at the top of the mountain, so you can try your hand at some of the longer trails even if you’re just getting started on skis or a snowboard.
When you’re not skiing, they’ve also got an indoor water park that makes for some fun and family-friendly apres-ski activities! Since it’s a bit further than some other resorts, it makes a great weekend getaway. Get cozy at the Chateau Resort and enjoy a few days of adventure!
Gore Mountain
- Distance from Buffalo: 288 miles (~4 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options nearby
- Experience levels: Intermediate and expert (90% of trails)
While it’s a bit of a haul from Buffalo, Gore Mountain is well-loved by the more experienced skiers and snowboarders, with 90% of trails rated as intermediate or expert level. As New York’s self-proclaimed biggest mountain, there are 110 trails across four peaks and over 400 ski-able acres, meaning there’s tons of variety for thrill-seeking riders. It’s one of the premier spots for snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo for more advanced skiers, and you certainly won’t be disappointed here!
Gore Mountain Resort also offers snow sports lessons, season passes, and cross-country ski trails in addition to the more traditional slopes. While there isn’t an on-site accommodation option, there are many options nearby.
HoliMont
- Distance from Buffalo: 52 miles (~1 hour)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, at the Wingate Ellicottville
- Experience levels: All levels
As America’s largest private ski resort, HoliMont boasts state-of-the-art snowmaking, world class ski schools and short lift lines, so you can spend more time shredding and less time waiting. The resort has 55 trails – 25% are beginner, 25% are intermediate, and 50% are expert. To ski at HoliMont there are different membership options, but you’ll receive 50% off lessons and gear rentals, among other perks. HoliMont is a great option for snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo, and if you want to make a weekend of it, book a stay at the nearby Wingate Ellicottville.
Whiteface Lake Placid
- Distance from Buffalo: 351 miles (~6 hours)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, many options
- Experience levels: All levels, with LOTS of trails rated intermediate to expert
Most famous for being a host to the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is a dream destination for riders and non-riders alike. With an expansive ski and snowboard area, a cute resort town, and plenty of lodges and relaxation areas, Whiteface Lake Placid is one of the most world-renowned places to go snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo.
With two peaks, there’s a lot of variety in terrain that you can experience as a rider at Whiteface. Most of the beginner-friendly trails are centered toward the bottom of the mountain, while the expert-level slopes begin higher up. On top of skiing and snowboarding, you can also visit the Olympic Museum or give bobsledding a try!
When it’s time to rest your head, there’s no better place to stay in the area than the Whiteface Lodge, situated close to the slopes in the town.
Kissing Bridge
- Distance from Buffalo: 32 miles (~40 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No
- Experience levels: All levels
Under an hour away, Kissing Bridge is an excellent option for snowboarding and skiing near Buffalo. Located in Western New York’s Colden Snowbelt, the hill receives an average of 180 inches of snow per year, with excellent snowmaking capacity to make up for any dry spells. The hill has 39 trails spread across 700 acres. There are plenty of rental/lesson packages to choose from, so it’s a good spot for beginners. The hill also has an omelette station on weekends so you’re guaranteed to have an egg-celent time.
Know Before You Go: Skiing Near Buffalo
What to Bring When You Go Skiing Near Buffalo
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of things to pack, head to our Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List to view our full packing list and gear recommendations for the slopes!
