McCauley Mountain Ski Area

McCauley Mountain Ski Area is located in central New York near Old Forge on SR-28. With only 70 acres of skiable terrain, this is one of the smaller resorts in the state. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that McCauley is a one-trick pony. This area has 22 runs with a difficulty spread of 36 percent beginner, 45 percent intermediate, and 18 percent advanced. McCauley also has a mid-sized vertical drop of 632 feet; the base is at 1562 feet and the summit towers over surrounding peaks at 2250 feet above sea level.

The Trails

While there is only one double chair at McCauley and four rope pulls to service the park, you’ll hardly even notice. That’s because McCauley has a bit of something for everyone. If you’re in the market for a bit of bowl skiing, head on over to the right side of the mountain to Mac’s Back. The primary lift will take you to the peak where you have your choices of black diamond steeps, intermediate cruisers or an easier loping cruiser along the perimeter of the mountain. There are also two terrain parks, one at the open bowl near Mac’s and the other near the peak.

Bottom Line

McCauley is a great area for families to venture to. While it may seem a little off the beaten path, the value that McCauley offers for the price point really can’t be beat. There’s something to entertain skiers of almost all experience levels. Annual snowfall is about 281-inches per year, and for lean years, there is snowmaking on 65 percent of the trails. McCauley doesn’t have much to offer in the way of après-ski, a simple base lodge offers simple cafeteria food and free Wi-Fi. The nearby town of Old Forge has numerous eateries, however; the choices range from cozy full-service dining to just grabbing a quick bite to go.

If you’re looking for a place to ski with your friends and family and want to avoid the long lines and crowds of the larger New York resorts, McCauley Mountain remains a viable choice for a fun weekend.