Pride is in full swing this winter in New York State with three incredible LGBTQ ski weekends happening in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Adirondacks. At Hunter Mountain’s LGBTQ+ Ski & Ride Weekend (January 25-26), Belleayre Mountain’s NYS Pride Ski Weekend (February 7-9), and Whiteface Mountain’s Adirondack Winter Pride (March 7-9), you can connect with others while supporting businesses and organizations that highlight the queer community, ski and snowboard on some of the best trails in the Northeast, and hit the town where the apres-ski experiences are endless! Photo Credit: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

Elevate your winter fun at NYS Pride Ski Weekend at Belleayre Mountain!

February 7-9, 2025 | Registration is now open!

Building on the success of its inaugural year, which brought together over 150 queer community members, this year’s NYS Pride Ski Weekend at Belleayre Mountain (February 7-9) promises to be even more fabulous. With three days of events both on and off the mountain, the weekend celebrates queer visibility and community pride in a Catskills winter wonderland. Sponsored by the Pride Center of the Capital Region, Big Gay Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center, Olympic Regional Development Authority, Ulster County Tourism, and I LOVE NY, the event will benefit LGBTQ serving organizations, directly supporting their vital work across New York State.

Host city Kingston boasts a lively LGBTQ scene and kicks things off Friday night with a welcome party at Stockade Tavern and open mic night at Unicorn Bar. Then it’s time for a weekend full of skiing and snowboarding across Belleayre Mountain‘s 50 thrilling trails, including a special Pride Glide down the slope Saturday afternoon followed by a tea dance on the mountain, complete with drinks and bites available for purchase. When night falls, join more events in Kingston, including “The Wonderful World of Drag” show featuring Pride Ski Weekend hostess Paige Turner at the Old Dutch Church, before ending your weekend on a high note with a delicious Sunday brunch at Hotel Kinsley. 

As you head out, take the opportunity to explore even more of the Catskills. Just a short drive from Belleayre, you’ll find a collection of welcoming towns, including Big Indian where you can feast at the award-winning Peekamoose Restaurant, Phoenicia (home to the iconic Phoenicia Diner), and Mt. Tremper, where you can indulge in some pampering at Emerson Resort and Spa and visit the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope.

Tickets and Registration: Get your lift tickets good for 1-3 days of skiing or riding at Belleayre Mountain ($75-$225) and visit Ulster County Tourism to purchase tickets and register for other Pride Ski Weekend events.

Places to stay:

Credit: @felixwongphoto on Instagram

To celebrate Pride Ski Weekend, Belleayre Lodge, AutoCamp Catskills, Catskills Season Inn, Hutton Brickyards. Hotel Kinsley, and The Graham & Co. are offering special deals and discounts (find details here). Other nearby accommodations include The Roxbury (pictured) featuring a motel, mansion, and tower cottages with whimsically-themed units. The Urban Cowboy in the Big Indian Wilderness offers a cozy and rustic retreat in one of 26 rooms on its 68 picturesque acres while the Shandaken Inn transports you to the golden era of the Catskills, featuring 15 carefully-curated guest rooms and three charming two-bedroom cottages.

March 7-9, 2025 | Registration is now open!

Photo Credit: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

The iconic host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid, sets the stage for the inaugural Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend! From March 7-9, this storybook ski town will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and welcome individuals, families, and allies from near and far to partake in thrilling winter adventures, lively festivities, exceptional dining, and an unmatched après-ski experience. Hosted by the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance in partnership with I LOVE NY, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, this inclusive weekend offers something for everyone, on and off the mountain.

Your arrival will be met with beautifully-crafted charcuterie boards at a welcome reception on Friday evening and then it’s time to dive into a weekend of winter fun and Pride! Carve your way through 94 slopes and take a ride on the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain, cross-country ski pristine Olympic trails at Mt Van Hoevenberg and cheer on world-class athletes as they compete in the IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships. Explore interactive exhibits at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and get a unique view of Lake Placid on the Olympic Jumping Complex Skyride. Glide into an exclusive Pride Weekend ice skating party on Sunday at the historic 1980 Herb Brooks Arena (home of the Miracle on Ice), where Olympic dreams were once made and magic still lingers on the ice.

Photo Credit: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

While in town, head out to explore Lake Placid’s idyllic lakeside Main Street, where you can indulge in relaxing shopping and dining. Pop into Smoke Signals for mouthwatering barbecue or venture up to Top of the Park for expertly curated wines, scotches, and craft beers alongside small plates, all enjoyed with a stunning view of Mirror Lake. Try your hand at a creative make-your-own activity, like candle making at Pure Placid or crafting unique jewelry at Just Bead It! Create your own brewery crawl as you explore Lake Placid’s five local craft breweries and tasting rooms: Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, Wood Boat Brewery, Big Slide Brewery, Raquette River Brewing, Prison City Brewing.  

Tickets and Registration: Your registration for Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend ($129) unlocks access to the welcome reception, Legacy Sites Winter Passport (plus admission to the IBSF Bobsled & Skeleton World Championships), special Whiteface adult lift ticket pricing of $82 per day, branded swag, local deals and discounts, ice skating party, and more.

Places to stay:

Bask in comfort and relaxation at Lake Placid’s coziest and most luxurious accommodations, where the town sparkles with seasonal decor beneath a canopy of stars. At Whiteface Lodge (pictured), unwind in spacious one, two, or three-bedroom suites, each offering cast-iron fireplaces, private balconies, and fully equipped kitchens. For lakeside elegance, the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa offers rooms with stunning balcony views of Mirror Lake and the surrounding High Peaks, all just steps from the lively après-ski village of Lake Placid. Or opt for a stay at Lake Placid Lodge, named one of the world’s best hotels by Travel + Leisure. This iconic retreat boasts rooms with plush featherbeds, wood-burning fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, and breathtaking mountain views.

More Winter Pride Events

Photo courtesy of Hunter Mountain

LGBTQ+ Ski & Ride Weekend

January 25-26

Get ready for a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the thrill of winter sports at Hunter Mountain during the LGBTQ+ Ski & Ride Weekend (January 25-26). Over two fun-filled days, you’ll get to enjoy skiing and snowboarding Hunter Mountain’s 67 thrilling trails with your Epic Pass or lift ticket, and revel in a dynamic lineup of special events designed to foster meaningful connections within the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. You’ll be welcomed with refreshments at the intimate Overlook bar at the Base Lodge, kicking off a weekend that will also feature Drag Bingo, an exciting Drag Raffle, and live music at the Main Bar to wrap things up. All events are first-come, first-served, so make sure to RSVP to secure priority access.

Hunter Mountain also boasts a 1,000-foot-long tubing park for more downhill thrills. Head out to explore Tannersville, known as “The Painted Village in the Sky,” featuring a Main Street lined with century-old buildings, shops, antique stores, and restaurants, all painted in vibrant colors and adorned with unique decor. Local lodging options include Hunter’s slopeside gem the Kaatskill Mountain Club, plus Bluebird Hunter Lodge and Scribner’s Lodge.

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