Big Tupper Ski Area: Your Guide to Adirondack Skiing & Snowboarding

Let's cut to the chase. If you're searching for Big Tupper, you're probably tired of the corporate mega-resorts. You want real snow, real community, and a real mountain experience without the real estate price tag. Big Tupper Ski Area, nestled in Tupper Lake, New York, is that place. It's a story of community revival, a mountain with surprising vertical, and a vibe that feels like skiing looked in the 80s—in the best way possible. I've been skiing here for a decade, through its reopening phases, and I'll give you the straight talk the glossy brochures won't.

What's the Mountain Really Like? Terrain & Stats

Big Tupper isn't the biggest in the East, but it punches way above its weight class. The vertical drop is 1,150 feet. For perspective, that's more than some much more famous New England hills. It feels steep because it is.

Here’s the terrain breakdown that matters:

For Beginners & Families

The learning area near the base is gentle and wide. The double chairlift services long, winding green trails like Sunset and Lumberjack that let new skiers build confidence over a full mountain run, not just a tiny slope. It's perfect for kids getting their legs.

For Intermediates Looking to Grow

This is where Big Tupper shines. The blue squares off the top—Northway, St. Bernard—are legit. They're long, have consistent pitch, and when the snow is good, they're absolute cruisers. You can link turns for what feels like forever. A common mistake intermediates make is assuming "small area" equals "easy mountain." These blues will remind you to pay attention.

For Experts & the Adventure-Seeker

The mountain's character is defined by its advanced terrain. The T-bar is the key. It services the steep, old-school fall line trails like The Face and Bluff. This is ungroomed, natural snow skiing. Think bumps, glades (both marked and the local-knowledge kind), and a raw challenge. After a fresh dump, this section is as good as anything in the Adirondacks. The T-bar itself is an experience—a rite of passage.

Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Hours, and Getting There

Big Tupper operates on a different rhythm. It's primarily a weekend and holiday mountain, run with passion by the Adirondack Ski Touring Council and volunteers. Always, always check their social media or website before you drive.

The drive is part of the adventure. You're deep in the Adirondack Park. Cell service gets spotty. Have your directions saved offline.

Crashing and Grubbing in Tupper Lake

You're not coming for five-star spas. You're coming for character and proximity to the hill.

Where to Stay: The Shortlist

The Swiss Kitchen Motel: Don't let the "motel" fool you. It's clean, the owners are skiers, it's 5 minutes from the hill, and the on-site restaurant is a major plus. Rooms run $100-$150/night. This is my go-to for a no-fuss ski weekend.

Shaheen's Motel & Efficiency Units: Even more basic, but fantastic for families or groups who want a kitchenette. It's affordable (often under $100) and right in town. You'll meet other Big Tupper regulars here.

Airbnbs & Cabins: The area is full of them. Search around Tupper Lake or nearby Piercefield. For a group of 4-6, this can be the most economical and fun option. You get a fireplace and can cook your own meals.

Avoid expecting a big resort hotel. It doesn't exist, and that's the point.

Where to Eat & Drink (Après-Ski is Low-Key)

Breakfast/Lunch: Well Dressed Food in town has amazing sandwiches—grab one for the lodge. Little Italy does a solid pizza and pasta for a carb-load dinner.

Dinner & Drinks: The Swiss Kitchen restaurant (at the motel) is the unofficial ski pub. The burgers are great, the beer is cold, and the walls are covered in ski memorabilia. Raquette River Brewing in town is fantastic for craft beer and often has food trucks or live music.

The base lodge has basic food—hot dogs, chili, coffee. Pack a snack in your jacket.

The Local's Playbook: Tips & Tricks You Won't Find Elsewhere

After ten seasons, here’s what I’ve learned the hard way.

Snow Check is Non-Negotiable. This isn't a mountain with 90% snowmaking. If it hasn't snowed significantly in a week or two, call the info line or check recent photos online. The conditions can change from "epic" to "scratchy" fast. Follow the National Weather Service forecast for Tupper Lake.

Embrace the T-Bar, Even If You Hate It. The best terrain is served by it. The trick? Don't fight it. Let it pull you, keep your skis straight, and relax. If you fall, just scramble out of the way quickly. Everyone falls on the T-bar sometimes.

The Lodge is for Warming, Not Lounging. It's a cozy, volunteer-run cabin. Space is limited. Get your boots on in your car, use the lodge to warm up for ten minutes, then get out and ski. It keeps the vibe friendly.

Talk to People. The liftee, the person next to you on the chair, the bartender at The Swiss. This is a community hill. They'll tell you which glade got tracked out first, where the soft snow is hiding, or about a potluck dinner happening later.

Pack for Backcountry-Lite. Bring a backpack with water, a protein bar, hand warmers, and an extra layer. Facilities are minimal. I also throw in a basic trail map of the area from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website, just in case I explore the boundary a little too enthusiastically.

Your Big Tupper Questions, Answered

Is Big Tupper a good mountain for a complete beginner's first time skiing?

It can be, but with a caveat. The dedicated learning slope is excellent. However, if natural snow is thin, that area can get firm. For a guaranteed beginner experience, a mountain with extensive snowmaking on the bunny hill might be less stressful for a first-timer. For a second or third timer ready for a real green trail, Big Tupper is perfect.

We're planning a weekend trip. What's the biggest logistical mistake people make?

Assuming everything is open. I've seen families drive four hours only to find the mountain closed for rain or lack of snow. You must confirm operating status the morning of your travel. Also, booking lodging last minute during a holiday period—Tupper Lake is small, and places do fill up.

How does the snow quality at Big Tupper compare to bigger resorts like Whiteface?

It's less consistent but can be deeper. Whiteface has massive snowmaking, so you get a reliable surface. Big Tupper relies on lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario and upslope snow. When it hits, the natural, ungroomed snow is lighter and fluffier than machine-made snow. But when it misses, it's icy or thin. You're trading guaranteed coverage for the potential of higher-quality powder.

Are there any good cross-country skiing or other winter activities nearby?

Absolutely. This is a huge plus. The Tupper Lake Triad of hiking trails (Coney, Goodman, L. Placid) are great for snowshoeing. The Adirondack Public Observatory has winter sky-gazing events. For Nordic skiing, the James C. Frenette Sr. Recreational Trail right in town is a fantastic, free community resource with groomed tracks. It's a great way to spend a morning if you're waiting for the alpine hill to soften up in the afternoon sun.