The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) has announced they are accepting public comment regarding Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance for proposed amendments to the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has proposed new management actions to increase public accessibility, improve user safety and enhance recreational experiences. The APA will accept public comments until April 11th, 2022.
Highlights of proposed improvements include new connector trails between existing ski trails, widening of some existing trails, installation of a new lift from Bear Den Lodge area to the recently constructed Legacy Lodge mid mountain area, expansion of the existing NYSEF Building and the development of hiking and biking trails.
The ski trail proposed management actions are intended to better distribute skiers and riders across the mountain and safely support ski racing activities.
Development of new mountain biking trails within the Whiteface Mountain Intensive Use Area will establish an interconnection between existing mountain biking trails at Whiteface to existing trails within the Wilmington Wild Forest Flume Trail System. This program will be supported and serviced by mountain infrastructure in the Bear Den area of Whiteface, out of which mountain biking activities will be based.
Trail construction for hiking and biking trails will not occur until after the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a revised tree cutting policy and any other applicable trail construction policies, and each proposed trail is sited, designed, and approved through the DEC Work Plan process.
Whiteface Mountain Ski Center is located in the Town of Wilmington, Essex County and is a New York State – owned facility. It operates under the administrative jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and is managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) through a Memorandum of Understanding with the DEC. The facility is classified as an “Intensive Use Area” under the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP).
An intensive use area is an area where the State provides facilities for intensive forms of outdoor recreation by the public.
ORDA operates a year-round recreational, day-use resort on Whiteface Mountain which provides opportunities for public use such as competitive and recreational downhill skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and scenic gondola rides.
To review the proposed 2021 Unit Management Plan amendment click here.
Address all written comments related to the proposed amendment’s conformance to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan to:
Megan Phillips, Deputy Director Planning
Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Phone: (518) 891-4050
Email: SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov
Submit all written comments to the APA by April 11th, 2022.
Photo of Whiteface Mountain from Lake Placid Airport courtesy Wikimedia user Mwanner.
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