ADIRONDACK REGION, NY – One word defines winter travel right now and that is Value. For travelers looking to get away without spending a lot of money or time researching the best deal, smaller ski resorts throughout the Adirondack Region of New York offer shorter lift lines, cheaper passes, ski packages and varied terrain. For the price of one plane ticket out west, an entire family can book an Adirondack ski vacation.

Big Tupper Resort in Tupper Lake re-opened in 2009 as a not-for-profit, no-frills, re-invigorated Adirondack ski resort run entirely by volunteers. With a 1,200′ vertical drop and 17 trails of beginner-to-expert terrain – Big Tupper is the biggest bargain in the Adirondacks. And a lift ticket costs just $15. Log onto VisitAdirondacks.com for more information on downhill skiing at Big Tupper.

Since the 1940s, Titus Mountain in Malone has been a hub for Adirondack skiing. Originally called “Moon Valley,” Titus has undergone some major changes in the past 70 years. Eight chairlifts, 27 trails, a ski school and 1,200′ of vertical drop make Titus a great option for Canadians, as well as skiers and boarders from nearby Vermont. It’s also the third highest ski area in the entire Adirondacks, yet an all-day ski pass costs less than $40.

In Warrensburg, just north of Lake George, is Hickory Ski Center, a re-invigorated small-town mountain with a lot going on. Day passes range from $30 to $45, and half-day tickets range from $20-$30. Participants in New York State’s “Learn a Snow Sport Month” this January, can get 20 percent discount off a lift, lesson and rental package at Hickory.

More Family Oriented Adirondack Skiing options:

• Dynamite Hill Recreation Center in Chestertown is perfect for beginner skiers – and it’s FREE! Night skiing and sledding on the toboggan hill available too.
• Snow Ridge in Turin boasts the heaviest snowfall in the east. Scheduled to open Christmas Day, lift tickets cost between $5 and $37. Snow Ridge offers seven lifts, 22 trails, a ski school, rental shop, restaurant and lounge.
• Beartown Mountain in Beekmantown is a great mountain for travelers coming into the area from Canada. Tentatively scheduled to open Dec. 26th, lift tickets cost $18 for a non-member, adult full-day pass. For more information on Adirondack cross-country skiing and downhill options, log onto skibeartown.com.
• West Mountain in Queensbury will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. VisitLakeGeorge.com has a full list of information on the ski and snowboard school, rentals, tubing schedule and more.
• At Oak Mountain in Speculator, snowmaking is underway way on the 14 trails. Open Thursday-Sunday, the ski center also offers tubing Friday through Sunday. Lift tickets cost $32 for adults, $22 for juniors (ages 6-12) and kids under 5 ski free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Group rates and special discounts available.
• Mt. Pisgah in Saranac Lake is a classic small mountain family ski resort. Its five trails are groomed for beginner to intermediate skiers. Lift tickets are $15-$20 per person. Night skiing and tubing also available.
• Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid, and Gore Mountain in North Creek have initiated the Empire, Student and Snowball cards so that families can save on ski passes all winter long. Separate cards for different age groups offer card carriers their first day of skiing free, and $15 off each subsequent visit to Whiteface. After five visits, the sixth day is free. Additional perks and benefits apply.

The Adirondack Region is a six-million acre wilderness located within the largest temperate forest in the world. Offering unparalleled outdoor winter recreation opportunities and pure alpine mountain experiences, this New York region has a tucked-away appeal, yet is within a day’s drive for more than 60 million North Americans. For more information on Adirondack ski centers, places to stay in the Adirondacks and Adirondack ski packages, log onto VisitAdirondacks.com.