Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Virgil

Greek Peak Mountain Resort is a mountain resort located near Cortland, NY. It claims a vertical drop of 952 feet (290 m) and 220 acres of ski terrain. Greek Peak offers day and night skiing, 7 days a week, and weather permitting, Greek Peak typically opens for skiing Thanksgiving weekend and closes in early April. For 2021-22, the mountain had 51 ski and 18 bike trails (many used for skiing too) with varied terrain. It has terrain from the 40-degree Olympian to nice beginner runs like Castor and Karyatis Way. It has 6 chair-lifts and 3 magic carpet lifts, one of which is used for tubing. A cross country Nordic center features 10 trails. Several terrain parks with various elements are also located on the mountain along with the Progression Park, which is more suited for people just starting out in the parks. Greek Peak offers lessons for all ages and every level of skier or boarder. There is babysitting available for non-skiing infants and toddlers as well. Greek Peak is also the home of the ski team Greek Peak Ski Club (GPSC) and hosts NASTAR Racing.

Summer activities include hiking, an outdoor adventure center with a zip line, a mountain coaster and mountain and off-road biking on trails of varied difficulty.

Greek Peak was founded in 1958 by members of the Cortland Ski Club. New York's Governor, William Averell Harriman, who developed Idaho's famous Sun Valley resort and ski mountain, conducted the Opening Day ceremonies for the new ski resort. By 1960, two T-Bars had been built and construction had begun on a new lodge. In 1962, Al Kryger was commissioned to build the first chairlift in central New York.

Greek Peak led the industry by developing the idea of offering packages to local schools and colleges. The ski school runs programs for home school children as well as many schools and colleges from around the region.

Beginning in the mid 1970s Greek Peak has had an Adaptive Snowsports (GPAS) program. It began in 1974 when the ski school director, Gordon Richardson, began teaching a person with a disability.

In the fall of 2009, the ski area opened Hope Lake Lodge. This includes a 106-unit fractional ownership condo and hotel, 5,500-square-foot (510 m2) Waterfalls Spa, and 41,000-square-foot (3,800 m2) Cascades indoor water park.

For 2022-23, Greek Peak is replacing the 50 year old single speed double "Alpha" chairlift on the beginner slope with a multi-speed triple, adding additional snow making capacity, a new terrain off Chairs 4 and 5, and expanded glade skiing. Greek owners spent over $1.3 million for snow-making and lift upgrades. The new trails will increase the number of ski trails to 54 for the 2022-23 season. Other recent improvements over the past few years have been a new RV park and wedding and event centers.

Use our Virgil day trip planner to add Greek Peak Mountain Resort and other attractions to your Virgil vacation plans.
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