Swain

The western portion of New York offers plenty of family fun during the winter, including alpine skiing and riding at venues like the Swain Resort ski area. Those looking to ski, ride, stay, and play will find the staff friendly and attentive. What Mother Nature does not cover, snowmaking equipment will.

Those looking to drive to this winter resort can use Interstate 86 or I-390 to get most of the way. The facilities are off New York State Highway 70, placing the mountain 60-miles southeast of Buffalo, New York, as the crow flies. Buffalo - Niagara International Airport is one of the closer International facilities that visitors can use.

With Age Comes ... Hospitality

The Swain Resort ski area is the oldest continuously running alpine venue in New York, saying something with the state's downhill history. A humid continental climate brings cold temperatures to this part of New York state during the winter months, especially in January and February. Visitors will appreciate the average annual snowfall above 120 inches thanks to the lake-effect storms off Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. They will ski and snowboard on a solid base, no matter what, thanks to the snow-making equipment that provides coverage to 97-percent of the venue.

Over a dozen lodging options at the Swain Resort ski venue provide sleeping accommodations for couples, families, and groups. A warm atmosphere at the Shawmut Grille and the Mercer's Cafe makes them a great place to rest and refuel. Ski and snowboard equipment are available to rent at the shop, and most guest services sit near the base area.

The Swain Resort ski area offers group and private lessons at the Ski School. Multi-day and weekly camps are other features that get skiers and riders going the right way from the start. These slopes also host six racing teams/leagues that folks can enjoy over the season. That includes NASTAR racing, where the toughest competition is from one's self.

Skiers and Snowboarders Welcome

The Swain Resort ski venue has a base elevation of 1,320 feet above sea level. Its summit height is 1,970 feet, creating the 650-foot vertical rise that greats guests on the slopes. That gives alpine skiers and snowboarders more than enough downhill angle to bomb along steeper runs while beginners practice the basics on friendlier groomers.

The named trails on the Swain Resort ski area divide evenly, with beginner (11 runs), intermediates (13 trails), and advanced (11 runs). Those 35 trails cross over 120 acres of skiable terrain. It may not be the largest resort in the East, but it does offer plenty of pow to carve down no matter what skill level a skier or rider is.

Terrain ratings go from green/beginner (31-percent), intermediate/blue (37-percent), and advanced/black diamond (31-percent), with no expert/double-diamond runs found on the slopes of the Swain Resort venue. The longest run reaches 5,280 feet in total length.

Guests at the Swain Resort ski area use a five-lift system to move around the mountain. A double, three quads, and a surface lift provide an uphill capacity of 8,400 visitors each hour.