This is some new Grant Opportunities for local businesses – especially bars and restaurants!
The Hoffman Ellis group is offering five Covid Small Business Grants for 2021… Each grant is worth $5,000!Grant applications are available until February 1st. Email [email protected] to request a grant application and details. Information made possible through webinars offered by SUNY CantonSmall Business Development Center (https://www.canton.edu/sbdc/)
The makers of Ball® home canning products… They will award a total of $110,000 to small businesses who have gone above and beyond to give back to their community during the pandemic. Twenty Finalists will be selected and then we want fans to vote for the top 10! The 10 winning businesses will each be awarded $10, 000 to use towards their business. The remaining 10 Finalists will be awarded $1,000 each. Learn more at: https://www.promotionactivator.com/madeformore/
Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund In an effort to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund offers approximately $3 million in reimbursement grants for up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. The program is intended to support full-service restaurants – the industry hit hardest by the pandemic – during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited and as restaurants adjust to New York State’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and new mandates.
North Creek has always been a Winter Sports Mecca mostly due to our location adjacent to the Skiing Facilities at Gore Mt. Ski Center. Recent Covid constraints have seen a surge in outdoor recreation interest and have forced some additional restrictions at Gore Mt with some limits imposed on Lift Ticket and Season Pass Sales. So, here is a compendium of other great Winter activities and attractions in the North Creek area and beyond! Most businesses and all indoor spaces require mask use and social distancing. For Additional Alpine Ski Areas consider Oak Mt, Speculator, NY (35 miles), or West Mt., Queensbury, NY (35 miles). They may or may not have available tickets. Check their websites: Oak Mountain|West Mountain
Read about local restaurants, take-out food during Covid – CLICK HERE!
Snowshoeing
This is the Winter equivalent of hiking during the warm months. You can visit a remote pond, top out on a mountain summit, or just take a walk in the winter woods. Most everyone can snowshoe, even kids! That said – some basics of winter recreation are in order. Dress the part – you will need warm winter boots, and layers of mostly non-cotton clothing. Alpine skiing clothing will generally fill the bill, but the large bulky parka will probably be too much as you warm up. Other essentials include a small day pack, extra clothing – warmer gloves, winter hat, water, snacks, and especially this time of year – A HEADLIGHT or flashlight.
Where to go? Many of the favorite Summer hiking trails are perfect for snowshoeing! The North Creek Area is adjacent to the 114,000 acre Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area with over 70 miles of mapped and marked trails. Use our Hiking Guide to select an adventure. These are more than casual walks especially if you are breaking trail (the first ones after a big snowfall). Additional trails are available off the Schaefer Trail (Parking just outside the Transfer station near the ski bowl). Also see ourBackcountry Ski and Snowshoe Map Here.
If you are brand new to snowshoeing – rentals and easy packed trails are available at the 2 Cross Country Ski Centers – Garnet Hill in North River and Ski Bowl Nordic at Gore on Rt. 28. The Ski bowl has a few Kilometers of snowmaking so it might be the best bet if many other trails are washed out or thin. Other rentals are available at Beaver Brook Outfitters and Cunningham’s Ski Barn. Another unique snowshoe venue is Stone Bridge and Caves in Pottersville with snowshoe rentals and guided tours. More Info, Click a link below:
Best Rainy Day Activities Most indoor spaces are closed due to Covid Restrictions but The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is open with a spectacular light and music show on one of their trails. Well worth the 1 hour 15 min drive. But it is ALL outside – the indoor exhibits are not open (restrooms are open). More Info on their website The Wild Center
Sledding and Ice Skating!
The Town of Johnsburg Sledding Hill and Ice Skating are now Open! Drive into the ski Bowl Park and take a left turn to the Beach. Park here and access the sledding hill with a short walk to the right. Ice Skating (loner skates available at the Pavilion) is on the pond and has been cleared of snow.
What’s Open, Dining – Eat-in and Take-out, Gore Mt. Protocols
The Coronavirus Pandemic has been a challenge for the North Creek business community and visitors alike. But with sensible accommodation and following local, regional and national guidelines – we can all make it through this winter and just maybe have some skiing fun! Generally assume that you are required to wear a face covering or mask in ANY indoor space this holiday period and beyond.
Click a Tab Below to Open for Additional Information
Adirondack Spirits Liquor Store (in the Tops Plaza, Main Street, North Creek) 518-251-3898 open Everyday. Mon – Thurs 10-7, Fri & Sat 930-8, Sun 12-6
Basil and Wicks, 3195 Rt. 28 518-251-31004-8PM Fridays and 3-8PM Saturday, Sundays and Mondays – Eat-in and Take-out. Spring Cleaning – Closed ’till May 27
Becks at Gore Mt. Lodge, 881 Peaceful Valley Road | 518-251-5100 | Open for Eat-in and Take Out NEW – Becks Has Reopened “Full Operation”!Yurt will be open as well for the same days and hours. www.becksTAVERN.com
Black Mountain Lodge, 2999 State Route 8, North Creek, NY 12853 | 518-251-9937 Black Mountain Lodge will be open for dinner from 5-8PM Thurs-Sun. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Give us a call 518-251-9937, for updated selections!
Chef Jake’s Take Out and Catering (At barVino), 272 Main Street, North Creek NY | 201-403-1432 Phones open at 3:45PM for Take Out Orders Only. Regular Thursday-Saturday Menu changes weekly – see barVino’s Facebook or Chef Jake’s Facebook for menu
New! Hey Days Restaurant – Pizza, Wings, More | 267 Main Street, North Creek | 518-251-4448, Take-out ONLY More InfoClosed Tuesday & WednesdayNew! Reopened!
Chrissy’s Cafe, 296 Main Street | North Creek, NY 12853 | 518-251-9909 Open from 7AM-3PM. Closed Thursdays
Full Belly Deli, 2378 State Route 28, Wevertown, NY 12886 | 518- 251-3663, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Garnet Hill Lodge, 13th Lake Road, North River, NY 12856 | 518-251-2444 Open Daily – May 2021 – Log House is Closed for Renovations. Food Service available at The Outdoor Center. Take out and dine in. Outdoor Center – Call for Hours, menus*518-251-2150
The Inn on Gore (takeout only) –711 Peaceful Valley Rd, North Creek, NY 12853 | 518-251-2111 Open for Take-Out Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Trappers Tavern at Phoenix Inn, 307 Main St, North Creek, NY 12853 518-251-0111 Trappers Tavern is open for dine-in and take out 7 days a week from 12:00 to 9pm. Reservations are required for 4 or more people. Breakfast is also available in our Dining Room from 8:00am to 11:00am open Saturdays and Sundays.
Tops Grocery Store, 273 Main Street, North Creek, NY 12853 | 518- 251-4669 Sun 7am-7pm; Mon-Sat 7am-9pm
Barking Spider Bar/Restaurant, 302 Main St, North Creek, NY | 518-251-9911, Closed Tuesdays
Gypsy Pop Up Dinners at Izzy’s Deli, Main St. (Takeout Only, menu changes weekly). We are open Valentine’s Day straight through Friday night. Sunday nights menu is added! Our President’s week special is : *Daily soup, * Stuffed shells, * garlicky herb bread, *decadent dark chocolate brownie | 518-251-3000Facebook Page
Kiki’s Sweets …..In the little storefront attached to Bar Vino, Main Street | 518-812- 4869 Open for custom orders only. Facebook Page
Cafe Sarah Bakery Restaurant, 260 Main St, North Creek, NY 12853 | 518-251-5959 Call for Hours
Marsha’s Family Restaurant 268 Main St, North Creek, NY 12853 | 518- 251-5750 Call for Hours
Undergoing a daily health screening prior to every shift.
Following guidelines recommended by New York State and CDC.
Implementing increased frequency of cleaning procedures and a deep clean at night.
Reducing capacity where necessary to maintain social distancing.
Placing hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue.
When visiting Gore Mountain, please help us by:
Wearing a face covering (mask). These are required at all times while you are at Gore except for when actively skiing or when you are eating/drinking while seated.
Washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer when washing isn’t available.
Practicing social distancing.
Ticketing
Advanced purchase online is required for all lift tickets, lessons, and rentals.
The availability of tickets, lessons, or rentals for purchase at the mountain is not guaranteed, and you may not be able to ski without a pre-purchased ticket. It is recommended to purchase as far in advance as possible to guarantee the dates you’d like to visit.
Once you have an RFID-enabled SKI3 Card (one of our lift tickets), it can be reloaded for future visits online for convenient direct-to-lift access at any of our resorts: Gore, Whiteface, and Belleayre.
Arrival / Departure
Use our expanded drop off areas.
Please limit the number of individuals in your party utilizing our shuttle busses.
Do not leave children unattended at drop off areas.
Arrive as ready to go as possible, avoiding unnecessary indoor time.
Indoor storage space is limited; we encourage you to leave personal belongings in your vehicle.
Lifts
Skiers that traveled to the mountain together can ride the lifts together.
Singles always have the option of boarding a lift alone.
Two singles will be loaded together on opposite ends of lifts that accommodate four or more people.
A face covering is required while waiting in line for lifts, for loading and unloading, and for the duration of your ride.
Windows in gondolas should remain open.
Please adhere to posted signage at lift areas, and the directions of our staff.
Food and Beverage
All indoor food and beverage locations will adhere to a 50% reduction in capacity. Tables are spaced at a minimum of 6’ apart.
Thank you for making room for others. Tables in food service areas can be occupied by those who have purchased food and beverage for up to 30 minutes in any location.
Please try to avoid the busier lunch hour of approximately 12 noon. Look for daily specials we will be serving during off-peak hours.
Individuals who are bringing their own food can use our outdoor spaces.
Food preparation, food sharing, and heating of food is not permitted.
No storing food at tables, locker rooms, or other public spaces. If you are bringing your own food, it should fit into a personal pack and not be left in the lodge. We do not allow large backpacks or coolers.
Lodges
Wear a face covering at all times. Social distancing is required.
Please do not socialize inside.
If you need to store personal items inside, please use a locker or the shelving units and wall hooks provided. Consider leaving all of your personal items in your vehicle.
Personal items cannot be stored under tables or in areas other than lockers, shelving units, or wall hooks.
Restroom occupancies have been reduced by 50%. Outdoor bathroom facilities are available.
Snow Sports School
We will be having a phased opening for our snow sports programs.
Details are coming soon for all lessons and programs.
We require those taking lessons to complete a health screening 24 hours prior to the lesson.
Those taking lessons may ride the lifts together, provided that the required health screenings for both the instructor and all students have been completed.
Seasonal and Day-Use Lockers
Face coverings are required at all times. Please be efficient to get what you need and exit.
Locker fronts and locks will be sanitized nightly during the deep clean process of our lodges.
Please observe reduced capacities and wait for others to exit before entering locker areas. Please be courteous to your fellow skier.
Please limit your time inside and your locker room use.
Shuttles
Face coverings are required while waiting for the shuttles, and for the duration of a shuttle ride.
Windows will be open.
Child Care
We will not be offering indoor child care services this season. Please see information about snow sports programs for our youngest guests.
The Nordic Center
Please follow all protocols listed above.
Before each visit to The Nordic Center please sign in at the North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge.
Although COVID-19 is still with us, we plan to have our 50km trail network open as usual this winter. Below, you’ll find information on some of the changes we’re implementing for the 2020-21 winter season to keep our staff and patrons as safe as possible. Please read all of the information before arriving at the Outdoor Center so you’ll know what to expect.
Health and Wellness
Outdoor recreation, including Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing, is proven to improve mental and physical health. “Research is showing that being outside in a mountain environment can boost our immune systems as well as our mental health and well-being,” says Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix: How Being in Nature Can Make us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative.
Now more than ever, we all need to take time to unwind and relieve stress. Snowsports are the ideal winter activity to help us with this, providing numerous proven health benefits to participants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind.” The WHO says that physical activity increases strength and fitness, reduces the risk of cardiovascular and other physical ailments and improves mental health, specifically reducing the risk of depression*.
Use of the Outdoor Center Facilities
The Outdoor Center will not be open to the public, other than for equipment purchases with appointments booked in advance. Users should be prepared to base out of their vehicles. We are selling passes and equipment rentals from service windows. We are offering private lessons only. We will have fire pits (weather dependent) outside for warming and outdoor toilet facilities for guest use. But be prepared to ski from your car.
Personal items cannot be left in the Outdoor Center and public cubbies will not be available for storage during the 2020-21 season.
Face coverings will be required while waiting to purchase passes, near fire pits unless eating, in areas where you cannot physically distance, and for the entirety of the lessons as well as if you have an appointment for equipment purchase.
We highly recommend online pre-purchase of passes and equipment rentals.
Season Passes
We have reduced the rates for 2020-21 season passes by $25 to acknowledge that not all of the usual facilities will be available.Season passes for 2020-21 are available at a further discount through November 30. Passes can be purchased online by clicking on this link. Season passes purchased prior to November 30 will be mailed out immediately if requested.
Day Passes
Day passes may be purchased in advance online at a discount of $5 per pass. Please print out your receipt or have it available on your cell phone when you arrive and pick up your pass at the ticket window. Passes will be printed out in advance to keep wait times short. Please abide by the physical distancing markers to stay safe and wear your mask while waiting at the ticket window.
Equipment Rentals
We will still be offering equipment rentals this year, but pick up and return is taking place outside. It may be a good time to purchase a season-long rental from our online store. Daily equipment rentals can also be made online and are recommended to guarantee equipment and reduce wait times. Complete the form online that includes your level of skill, your height, weight and boot size as well as the type of ski you wish to rent.
Lessons
Lessons are available for all abilities and must be reserved ahead of time by calling our Outdoor Center at 518-251-2150. Only private or small group (5 or fewer people who are related or traveling together) lessons are available for the 2020-21 season. Any child 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the lesson. Face coverings will be required during all lessons. Lessons are for one hour.
Equipment Purchases
Appointments are required for equipment purchases with one person allowed in the retail shop space with one sales person. Appointment reservations may be made by calling the Outdoor Center at 518-251-2150.A sample and description of equipment packages is available on our online store. This includes Classic, Skate and Backcountry ski packages. Face coverings will be required inside the retail shop and physical distancing will be mandatory for staff and patrons.
Ski Down Ride Back
Unfortunately we are not able to offer the shuttle bus service from the Rogers Road pick up back to the Outdoor Center this year.
The Sugarhouse Warming Hut will be available for skiers use but masks are required inside, skiers must maintain at least 6 feet of distance and given the limited space in the hut we ask guests to limit their time in the Sugarhouse.
Unless you have been living under a rock – the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID19) is causing local, state, regional and worldwide disruptions to normal life. I’ll try and present some useful information to help everyone “get through this”. Click any of the Tabs Below for additional information. Scroll Down for the latest Community Facebook Posts including announcements, closures, and Take-Out Menus form local restaurants. If you don’t see an update for a Take-Out menu – visit our Restaurant Page for contact information including phone numbers and websites.
CDC Information For the Coronavirus, 2020 (COVID19)
Current conditions are great! However it is VERY elevation dependent – trails above about 1500 ft are mostly powder, but lower elevation trails are mostly a mixture of powder and granular – with mostly granular (read icy!) at the lowest elevations. Best bet is to ski on the trails at higher elevations – most of the backcountry trails near Garnet Hill – Read More Here
