The Skiing at Swain Resort

Swain is the resort that produced alpine racing legends A.J. Kitt and Scott Miller. So it should be no surprise that this is a place that provides ample opportunity to carve laser-sharp GS turns, bump moguls like a YKK zipper, and slice up the slalom gates like the Hermannator (we've heard he secretly trained at Swain one winter).

For an east coast resort, there is impressively expansive schussing -- one run is literally a MILE long! And with vertical bump runs Last Will and Upper Robinson, you’ll get to prove you’re not scared of kickers big enough to launch you through the Rich Stadium uprights (we said "through", not "wide-right").

The Town: Swain Resort

Swain locals are a welcoming bunch who drink Genny by the case and make their own venison jerky. At the base of the mountain, you’ll want to pony up to the bar at the Shawmut Grille where a revolving string of camo-chic celebrity chefs will keep you well fed and watered. Slope-side accommodation can be found at the cozy Mountain Side Inn or nearby at a number of charming B&Bs. Alternatively, there’s always the bed of an F-350, which makes for fine slumber—and there’s more than a few of those trucks in town.

A Few Words On The Snow

If you're waiting for a powder day at Swain Resort, then you might have a long wait. Only 5.0% of winter days see more than 6 inches of snowfall, which means, on average, you'll have to spend 10 days or more mining the slopes at Swain Resort to score that one great day. It could be worse, however. You could be muskie fishing.

Skiing at Swain Resort is about getting outside, ripping up the slope, eating chili dogs and getting in as much vertical as you can. It's not about big dumps. And that's okay. This place is about honing your skills for that trip to Snowbird or Alaska. With only 0.0% of months at Swain Resort getting more than 90 inches of snow, this isn't the place to set up your powderhound shack.

Drought Potential

The snow at Swain Resort can disappear often enough that you may want to pack extra snow beads when taking a trip here. A good number of months, 65.0% to be exact, see less than 30 inches of snow. If you're banking on snow and you're boarding a plane for a week at Swain Resort, you should temper your expectations. This is a place where winter drought can grab hold of the weather pattern for long periods, as 65.0% of the winter months here see less than 30 inches of snow.

Getting to Swain Resort, if you're flying in

The stretch from the Rochester, NY airport takes a modest drive of 66 minutes, not enough for your legs to fall asleep before you stretch out in the parking lot.