Bristol Mountain

The Finger Lakes’ big hill, with 1,200 feet of vertical.

Bristol has the most vertical in western and central New York at 1,200 feet, two high-speed quads and strong snowmaking, about 45 minutes south of Rochester. Expect long blue cruisers, two terrain parks, night skiing on most of the mountain and a small lit Nordic loop at the summit. Slopeside condos and Canandaigua Lake inns make it a good weekend.

The mountain

Vertical drop

1,200 ft

Summit

2,200 ft

Skiable terrain

138 acres

Trails

39

Lifts

7

Average snowfall

130″ a year

Longest run

2 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 33%
• Intermediate 54%
• Advanced 13%

What’s here besides skiing

• Night skiing
• Terrain park
• Cross-country
• Snowshoeing
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• New Year’sDec 31, around 9:30 pm (recent years)Usually

  New Year’s Eve torchlight parade and fireworks

  Free base-area party with a DJ, a kids’ dance party, a torchlight parade and fireworks.

• FestivalA late-March weekend (Mar 21–22 last season)Usually

  Spring Carnival

  Costume day, snow cross, snow mini golf, a ski with the Easter Bunny, tastings and the Climb to the Summit uphill race.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outNorth Star Village

  Condos at the base area, with open-to-close lift tickets only for guests.

  Slopeside
• hotelThe Lake House on Canandaigua

  Lakefront resort with a spa, Nordic barrel saunas, a heated pool and a stay-and-ski package.

  20 min drive
• condoFinger Lakes Premier Properties

  Managed vacation homes around the lake, some with hot tubs and saunas.

  Around Canandaigua Lake
• innNaples Hotel

  Brick hotel from 1895 in Naples, the oldest operating hotel in Ontario County.

  20 min drive
• b&b1795 Acorn Inn

  Long-running AAA Four Diamond B&B in the Bristol Valley between the hill and the lake.

  10 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Bristol Mountain Nordic Center · At the summit

  3 km of summit trails, 1.2 km with snowmaking and lights; ski and snowshoe rentals.

• Morning Star Café · On the mountain

  Slopeside waffle hut with local maple syrup, plus beer and wine; ski-in only.

• Spa at The Lake House · 20 min drive

  Full-service spa and lakeside barrel saunas in Canandaigua.

• Naked Dove Brewing · 20 min drive

  Canandaigua brewery and taproom.

Après and nightlife

• The Cannery

  Fireside après eatery in the Sunset Lodge loft with local beer, craft whiskey and small plates.

• Satellite Lounge

  Rocket Lodge bar pouring local craft beer and Finger Lakes wine.

• Naked Dove Brewing

  Taproom on the way back through Canandaigua.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International (ROC) · about 45 min drive
• Verona, NY · about 2 hr
• Rochester · about 0.75 hr
• Syracuse · about 1.5 hr
• Buffalo · about 1.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps