Two quick announcements from the Olympic Regional Development Authority – the New York State body that oversees operations and planning for Whiteface Mountain host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, as well as Belleyre and Gore Mountain.
First, all three ORDA resorts have joined the Mountain Collective Pass for this season.
The obvious question is “Was Indy ever approached?” Personally, I’m an enormous advocate of the Indy Pass, especially in the northeast, where its coverage is second to none by an order of magnitude. From the press release:
“The Mountain Collective Pass provides skiers and snowboarders with two days at each participating resort, plus 50% off all additional days, with no blackout dates. Whiteface’s inclusion expands the pass’s reach in the Northeast and adds a destination known for its Olympic legacy and the greatest vertical drop in the East.
“We are excited to be included in the Mountain Collective Pass, which will bring new visitors to Whiteface Mountain through this global community of skiers and riders,” said Tait Wardlaw, the Olympic Authority’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “At the same time, the Mountain Collective partnership gives our SKI3 passholders an incredible opportunity to travel the continent and the world in pursuit of more unforgettable skiing and snowboarding experiences at any of their destinations around the world.”
This new partnership allows all skiers and riders with a 2025/26 SKI3 Full Season Pass, which provides unlimited access to Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre, access to unlimited 50% off lift tickets at all Mountain Collective destinations with no blackout days. SKI3 passes are currently on sale, with prices increasing after August 6.”
Additionally, Whiteface will host the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup December 12-14. Driving into town, the twin jump, standing sentinel side by side are downright iconic, a sure sign you’ve from wherever in the World you came. This promises to be the party of the year in the Adirondacks. From the press release:
‘Lake Placid is the only North American stop of the 2025-2026 World Cup season that will take a break during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games from February 6-22 (ski jumping, Feb. 9-16) in Italy. This marks the fourth consecutive season that Lake Placid has hosted an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. The men’s tour returned to the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid in 2023 after a 33-year hiatus and again in 2024, before the historic World Cup in February 2025 that included women.”
Book the trip, but bring extra cash. A bagel sandwich and coffee can run as much as $27, and that’s before tax and tip.. For the best coffees and cakes go to Saranac Lake’s Blue Moon Cafe.
