Celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, “Greek” as the locals refer to it, is the largest ski resort in Central New York and easily accessible to those living in the Syracuse, Ithaca, and Binghamton areas. Boasting a modest summit of around 2,100 feet and about 950 feet vertical drop, Greek is the epitome of “size doesn’t matter, it’s how you use it.”
When fully open, Greek is spinning six lifts and two conveyors. The six chair lifts consist of a quad, two triples, and three double chairs. There are 55 runs in total in the 220 acres of skiable terrain, 175 of which are available for night skiing. Greek’s versatile terrain caters to all types of skiers. The best of which are the summer bike trails tucked within the glades.
Greek holds the distinction of being the site where I made my first descent on skis when my father took me and my siblings around the age of eight. After booking us a lesson and getting the gist of ‘pizza’ and ‘french fries’ he decided we were ready for more. He pulled us out early and with a basic grasp of skiing and a gentle push, he led us to the magic carpet. From above, he observed as we straight-lined down the slope, yelling “PIZZA!” Unfortunately, his well-intentioned guidance led us straight into a creek, with a crash just shy of the edge. Ah, the memories of dear old Dad and our first skiing expedition at Greek Peak. Despite falling, I was hooked. I have a lot of fond memories of going every winter weekend and occasionally getting pulled from school for a “Dentist Appointment.”
In the winter breaks of my collegiate years, I was lucky enough to be a lifty at Greek Peak with a handful of my hometown friends. It was by far the best job I have ever had. Together we spent practically all day every day of our breaks on the mountain either bumping chairs in the morning and shredding under the lights at night or vice versa. Skiing and working as much as we could to re-up on beer money for the second semester of the school year.
In 2013, local businessmen, John Meier and Marc Stemerman acquired Greek Peak following its bankruptcy, and two years later, they also acquired near by resort Toggenburg. Following a buyout, the complete ownership of Greek Peak was assumed by the Meier family in 2019. Each year it seems they are adding new snow-making equipment, clearing new trails, or making improvements on lifts. From childhood adventures with my family to unforgettable winter breaks spent working and skiing with friends, Greeks ever-expanding slopes have been the canvas for countless memories and will be for many more to come.
