FOR RELEASE:

Gore Mountain Interconnect Could Double the Tourist Dollars for
North Country Economy

Connecting Gore Mountain and the Hamlet of North Creek could help Gore Mt. Ski Resort more than double the tourist dollars coming to the regional economy annually, according to a study released today by State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. The Comptroller's office conducted the study at the request of the Warren County Economic Development Corporation, using ski industry statistical data to assess the monetary impact of developing the ski lifts and trail network adjacent to the North Creek Ski Bowl.

"Connecting Gore Mountain with North Creek will help make the town a destination resort and help to capture some of the $100 million New Yorkers spend annually on skiing in Vermont," Hevesi said. "Upgrading the ski facilities and the coordinated efforts to upgrade transportation and lodgings would provide a tremendous boon to the area's economy."

The proposed project would construct and develop ski lifts and trails that would "interconnect" the Hamlet of North Creek, NY and the North Creek Ski Bowl with the main trail network of Gore Mountain Ski Center. This interconnection would create one resort facility accessible from either the base area of Gore or the North Creek Ski Bowl. In addition, planned development of as many as 2,514 new lodging beds and the extension of a commercial rail line from Saratoga Springs to North Creek will make the area more attractive and readily accessible to skiers from the New York City metropolitan area.

The study estimated that, based on historical trends, Gore Mountain is expected to attract 168,000 additional skiers per year following the completion of the work or approximately 359,000 skiers annually. With Gore averaging about $25 in income for each skier visit, and with a conservative estimate of four dollars spent regionally for each dollar spent on the mountain, the work could help Gore contribute $45 million annually to the region's economy. Currently, skiers bring in approximately $21.7 million annually to the region.

Because Gore is less developed than other nearby resorts, capital improvements at Gore have also fueled faster growth in visits. The report noted that past improvements to the mountain facilities have increased skiing visits considerably.

A number of associations have endorsed the plan, including the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Residents to Protect the Adirondacks, The Adirondack Council and the Adirondack Nature Conservancy, as well as the Warren County Board of Supervisors and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Click Here for a Copy of the Report.

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