Maple Ski Ridge

Note - this is not the official page of Maple Ski Ridge, but rather an article of my visit there. For the official Maple Ski Ridge page, please visit: www.mapleskiridge.com

Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady, NY is a small, friendly, easy ski area perfect for families and beginners. There really is nothing at the ski area that would challenge experts or even intermediates, but its main strengths as a family/beginner mountain truly shine through.

The area is located about 5 miles out of Schenectady off of Rte 159. It has a vertical drop of about 250 feet, 8 trails/slopes. The terrain is served by a late model speedy Borvig Triple, a Hall Double, a pony lift, and an older rope tow. Lift rates are affordable; all are under 22 dollars for the day. The base lodge is warm and friendly, with lots of sunlight. You can park almost right next to the slopes so there's no lugging equipment around.

Basically, like its name, Maple Ski Ridge truly is set on a ridge. To the right is a view of the hill from the base lodge looking up. You can see just about the whole mountain. The double is on the right and the triple at the far left. The beginner area is off to the right of this photo. As you can see, there is not much to the ski area, but it is wide open. The top 30% of the hill is moderately pitched but quickly eases onto a long runout where one doesn't have to make any turns. This can get tiring after a while but is great for kids.

Here's the trail map of the area. Turkey Run is really an easy trail that winds it way down off the ridge, then has a long runout in an open meadow to the base of the triple. Ridge Run has a quick pitch that lasts for 100' vertical, then has a long runout as well. Ash Dash is a very short (30-50' vertical) quick drop onto Hickory Way. The Chute is perhaps the most interesting trail on the mountain. Its a narrow chute, but unfortunately is just too short, and is really not that steep. Hickory Way is a wide cruiser with a tiny mogul field about halfway down it. Spruce Run is also a wide cruiser that runs out to the base lodge. The Bunny Hill is just that, the Bunny Hill, as is Turtle Tow. These runs are perfect for beginners.

Like all ski areas, there are elements that are lost at Maple Ski Ridge. To the left is the remains of a rope tow that used to run up Spruce Run.

Maple Ski Ridge is a perfect place to learn to ski that's not overwhelming at all. Its great for families, particularly young ones, to spend afternoon together on the slopes. Or its great for night skiing to get some runs in after work. True experts and even intermediates, however, will find little to do here.

From the South:
I-88 North to exit 25 Rotterdam. Left on to Rte. 7 East, Left on to Rte. 337, then Left on to Rte. 159 West. 3 Miles on the Left.

From the East or West
NYS Thruway to exit 25A to I-88. Bear Right on to exit 25 Rotterdam/Schenectady ramp. Left on to Rte.7 East, then Left on to Rte. 337. Turn Left on to Rte. 159 West. 3 miles on the Left.

From the North and Schenectady
Take Rte. 50 South. Turn Left on to Rte. 5 East. Take Right on to I-890 West to exit 2A Campbell Rd. Turn Right on to Putnam Rd. then Right on to Rte. 159 (Mariaville Rd.). 1 mile on the left.

Or, from I-97 South take NYS Thruway to exit 25A to I-88. Bear Right on to exit 25 Rotterdam/Schenectady ramp. Turn left onto Rte. 7 East, Left on to Rte. 337, then Left on to Rte. 159 West. 3 Miles on the Left.