Exploring the North Country: Whiteface Mt.
The attraction St. Lawrence University students have to Whiteface Mountain has been consistent over time. SLU students have even been skiing at Whiteface before the 1980 Winter Olympics were held there in Lake Placid. So what is the attraction to Whiteface that has kept SLU students on the slopes for so long?
Whiteface Mountain originally opened up in 1935 and has consistently increased revenue over time. They now encompass 88 trails and over two miles of skiing spread between three mountain peaks. SLU students have many options around the area to go skiing such as Titus Mountain which has 50 trails, but have always been the most loyal to Whiteface.
One of the reasons why SLU students choose Whiteface over the competition could be the size of the mountain. Surrounding mountains such as Gore have lesser quality trails than Whiteface. “We have the closest to west coast skiing than the rest of the east,” said Brandy Reiley, Events and Media Manager at Whiteface Mountain. The quality of the trails is one of the biggest keys for skiers and snowboarders. SLU skiers and snowboarders want a challenging experience on the slopes, and that is what Whiteface offers.
As demand for good snow stays consistent overtime, advancement in snow care technology has changed at Whiteface to improve efficiency. “The snow making technologies has changed dramatically,” said Reiley. “We use low flow guns for our snow making so we save a lot of electricity and use less water to make more snow than before.” The quality of snow is very important for skiers because east-coast skiing usually consist of ice, and any mountain that can eliminate the amount of ice and keep their trails well groomed will gain a lot of business.
“Whiteface is so fun because everyone from SLU goes and skis there,” said Lillian Silverstein ’21, alpine skier for St. Lawrence. “It means so much to SLU because we have such a big skiing/boarding community that we find solidarity in going to the mountain and shredding the gnar with our homies,” said Placido Ramallo ’21. Whiteface mountain gives SLU students the opportunity to bond with fellow classmates.
“Whiteface is a large mountain but still has that small mountain atmosphere,” said SLU alumn Mac Stratford, Lodging Coordinator for Whiteface Mountain. Even though Whiteface is one of the largest ski resorts on the east-coast, it still has that small mountain feel where everyone is friendly to each other. Students enjoy Whiteface so much because SLU also has a small school atmosphere where everyone is friendly to each other, and we see that at Whiteface too.
With finals and the start to a new semester occuring during the winter season, skiing and snowboarding is a efficient way to relieve stress. “Whiteface gives students the opportunity to get outside and get a true break from school throughout the winter,” said Reiley. Whiteface gives SLU students an option to do something active during the winter which can be hard to find in the North Country. SLU students appreciate the effort that Whiteface Mountain puts into their trails in order to make skiing a fun but challenging experience for any type of rider.