Gore Mountain found the silver lining when last year’s light snow conditions didn’t provide enough coverage for Nordic events to the south of the Adirondacks.  Instead of cancelling these longstanding Nordic venues, organizers moved the events to the ski area.  Now, due to the demand, a full-service Nordic facility has been created at the North Creek Ski Bowl.

According to Gore Mountain Marketing Director Emily Stanton, this weekend Gore Mountain will be opening its Village Chair for the season.  This 4.24K network of cross-country ski trails offers a variety of terrain with 3.19K fitted with snowmaking and lights.

“This is our first year having a Nordic system,” says Stanton. “We did get a head start last winter. Many teams needed a place to host their Nordic races and we were able to do so. Now we have daily and night time skiing, snowmaking, warming Yurts as well as an expanded menu.”

This weekend kicks off the snow season with the Nordic Fest and 5K Snowshoe Race. The three-day event, December 16-18, begins with a noncompetitive citizen race under the evening lights. The Friday night Snow Cross is open to all abilities and ski types with a portion of the entry fee being donated to the Upper Hudson Trails Alliance (UHTA).

“Nordic trail passes will be 50% off during the weekend and still valid through evening hours,” says Stanton. “Some of the trails will be limited use due to the ski races so we want to make sure that we addressed that. Though keep in mind these races make for great spectator sport.”

Saturday hosts a NYSSA Series Points Race Classic 10K and the Johnsburg Invitational 5K. Later that day Gore opens the course for a Masters (5K timed) and Recreational (2.5K untimed) snowshoe race. Sunday’s festivities end with a NYSSRA Series Points Freestyle Sprint Race.

Of course throughout the rest of mountain, Gore has prepared for winter conditions with downhill ski trails opening and continued snowmaking. Enjoy!

Photo of Nordic skiing at Gore Mountain used with the permission of Diane Chase, AdirondackFamilyTime.com