West Mountain sits just off I-87 in Queensbury, two miles from exit 18 and a short drive from Glens Falls, Lake George and Saratoga. It is the best-served venue on our schedule for anyone who needs gear or a tune: Reliable Racing is ten minutes away and gives current Masters racers 10% off, and West runs its own race tuning on site. We race The Cure and Gnarwall Race, off the West Express.
Last updated: September 2026.
Before you travel: join the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group. Start lists, weather calls and schedule changes are posted there rather than emailed.
West Mountain at a Glance
| Location | Queensbury, NY — 2 miles from I-87 exit 18 |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Approx. 3 hr 30 min from NYC; 45 min from Albany |
| Race trail | The Cure / Gnarwall Race |
| Lift spin time | West Express — approx. 12 minute turnaround without lift lines |
| Warm-up trails | Holy Mackerel to Gnarlwall North, and Northface |
| Lift ticket | Tickets available at check-in for racers without an Indy or West Mountain pass |
| Race tuning | On-site at West, plus Reliable Racing and Sports Page nearby |
| Nearest towns | Glens Falls, Queensbury, Lake George; Saratoga 30 min |
Race Day Logistics
| Detailed schedule | Race information sheet — timing, order of events and headquarters location |
|---|---|
| Start lists | Shared on WhatsApp. Second run (GS/SL) is reverse order within age class. |
| Registration | Enter in advance on AdminSkiRacing. Entries close roughly two days out. |
The Race Trail
We race The Cure and Gnarwall Race, served by the West Express. Warm up on Holy Mackerel into Gnarlwall North, or on Northface. The West Express takes about twelve minutes without lift lines, so build that into your plan for getting to inspection on time.
Ski Shops & Tuning
West is the best venue on our schedule for last-minute gear. If you need a FIS helmet for GS or a tune before race day, this is the place to sort it out.
| Shop | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reliable Racing | 643 Upper Glen St, Queensbury, NY 12804 | 10% off for current Masters racers. Race clothing, protection, equipment and tuning supplies. Good deals on FIS helmets, including affordable Vola models. Order online with in-store pickup to save time before the race. |
| Sports Page | 138 Quaker Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804 | Knowledgeable race shop that does a great job tuning. They get busy — call ahead. |
| West Mountain Tuning | Rentals and Tuning Building, West Mountain | On-site race tuning on Montana equipment. Call Steve Magee at 518-636-3699 ext. 343 to schedule. |
Racing at West Mountain: Common Questions
Which trail do we race?
The Cure and Gnarwall Race, served by the West Express.
Do I need a lift ticket?
Only if you do not hold an Indy Pass or a West Mountain pass. Tickets for racers without one are available at check-in.
Where do I warm up, and how long is the lift ride?
Warm up on Holy Mackerel into Gnarlwall North, or on Northface. The West Express takes about twelve minutes without lift lines — longer than most venues on our schedule, so leave time when heading up for inspection.
Where should I stay?
The Holiday Inn Express and Fairfield Inn & Suites at I-87 exit 18 are the two closest, both about two miles from the mountain. Glens Falls, Queensbury and Lake George all have further options, and Saratoga is about thirty minutes away.
Where do I find the start list and race schedule?
Start lists are posted on the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group, along with weather calls and any schedule changes. Timing and order of events are in the race information sheet. Second run (GS/SL) is reverse order within age class.
Is this a good venue for a first race?
It is about three and a half hours from New York City, so most racers stay over.
Learn More About Racing
West Mountain rewards a trip north with the best gear and tuning support on our schedule. If you are still working out whether to make it, these will help.
| Adult Ski Racing 101 | What Masters racing is, who can do it and what it costs — the place to start if you have never raced. |
|---|---|
| Getting Started | Licenses, membership and the five steps to entering your first race. Your first race day license is free. |
| Camps & Training | Camps, weekly gate training and beer leagues if you would rather get comfortable in a course first. |
| Equipment | What gear you actually need. Short answer: a helmet, and the skis you already own. |
| All Race Venues | Guides to every mountain where we race, with trails, logistics and travel notes. |
Enter a Race at West Mountain
Our West Mountain dates are on the season schedule, with entry through AdminSkiRacing closing about two days ahead. Worth booking your tune at the same time, since the local shops get busy on a race weekend. First time racing? Email [email protected] and your first day license is covered.