Winter Has Officially Arrived: ADK Mountain Gets Its First Real Snowfall

Winter Has Arrived in the Adirondacks

Well, it’s official, as much as many of us here in the Capital Region want to hold off as long as we can: winter is HERE in the Adirondacks.
Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington woke up under a fresh blanket of snow this week, marking the first significant snowfall of the season — and signaling that ski season is right around the corner.

The mountain’s Facebook post quickly blew up with reactions from locals and visitors alike. Some couldn’t hide their excitement:

“Can’t wait! See y’all in February,” wrote Timothy Oswald.
“Simply beautiful,” added Heidi Hossack Steinborn.

Others, though, weren’t quite ready to swap their flannels for snow boots:

“It can stay on top of Whiteface as far as I’m concerned!” joked Lisa Keyes.
“That’s nothing new — it snows there in August,” quipped Charles Gyss.

At 4,867 feet above sea level, Whiteface’s snow-dusted peak serves as a reminder: whether you love it or dread it, the long Upstate winter has begun.

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October Snow Not That Unusual

One of the most unforgettable early-season snow events in Adirondack history occurred on October 4, 1987, when a powerful, unseasonably early storm dumped up to 2 feet of wet, heavy snow across parts of Upstate New York, including the Adirondacks and the Capital Region.

Weather experts say the snow’s high moisture content made it especially destructive, snapping tree limbs, downing power lines, and catching residents completely off guard. It remains one of the heaviest and earliest October snowstorms ever recorded in the region.

So, which side are you on? The “let it snow” crowd, or the “see you in May” hibernators?