Bristol Mountain
160 acres, 34 runs near Rochester. Highest vertical between the Adirondacks and Rockies, night skiing.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
11 Dec 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
114
Annual snow
60in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Bristol Mountain's summit reaches 2,201 feet, dropping 1,200 vertical feet to a base at 1,001 feet across 34 runs spread over 160 acres in South Bristol, New York. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 35 per cent beginner and 20 per cent advanced, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 60 inches. Five lifts, including three quad chairs and one double chair, serve the mountain alongside one triple chair and one surface lift.
Bristol Mountain markets itself as offering the highest vertical drop of any ski area between the Adirondacks and the Rocky Mountains, a distinction that has anchored its identity in the Finger Lakes region since opening. Its comprehensive night-skiing programme, covering the resort's full trail network, extends the useful ski day considerably for visitors from the nearby Rochester and Canandaigua areas.
Bristol Mountain has operated since 1964, developing into the Finger Lakes region's premier ski destination over subsequent decades. Specific details of the resort's founding circumstances and original ownership structure are not confirmed in available resort information.
The resort continues to operate as a standalone Finger Lakes destination without major multi-resort pass affiliation, offering its own Bristol Season Pass alongside daily and college-student discounted tickets. Adult daily tickets run from 59 to 79 US dollars, with dedicated pricing for college students seeking twilight sessions.
1,201ft
Vertical
34
Runs
160 acres
Skiable
60in
Annual snow
The Terrain
34 runs across 160 acres skiable
Bristol Mountain covers 160 acres (65 hectares) in the Finger Lakes region of western New York, with 34 runs falling 1,200 ft (366 m) from a 2,200 ft (671 m) summit to a base near 1,000 ft (305 m). That is a lot of vertical for upstate New York. Intermediate trails take 45% of the mountain, beginner runs 35% and advanced 20%, with no expert-rated terrain. Three quad chairs, a triple, a double and a surface lift handle the traffic, keeping lines short for a day-trip hill close to Rochester.
Skiers and riders who want to jump have two choices, Morning Star Park and the gentler Shooting Star Progression Park. The longest run on the mountain stretches about two miles, so the fall line gives long, sustained descents rather than short pitches. Around 96% of the trails are lit for night skiing, which suits after-work sessions from Rochester and Canandaigua. Bristol is best for beginners and intermediates who want real vertical and long cruisers, and advanced skiers will find enough pitch to stay busy, though they will not find extreme terrain.
Terrain split
34
runs
34 runs across 4 grades
Beginner12 runs · 35%
Intermediate15 runs · 45%
Advanced7 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Bristol Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Bristol Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 60 inches. Extensive snowmaking supports consistent conditions throughout the season given the resort's more modest natural snowfall relative to higher-elevation Northeast resorts.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's intermediate and beginner-weighted terrain. Given Bristol's comprehensive night-skiing programme, the resort draws strong weekday evening visitation from the nearby Rochester metropolitan area and Canandaigua, extending well beyond typical daytime-only ski areas.
As an independently operated resort offering its own season pass, Bristol's visitor base draws heavily from the Finger Lakes region and greater Rochester area rather than national destination traffic. College student twilight pricing reflects the resort's proximity to several regional colleges and universities. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. Bristol Mountain's operation since 1964 continues to anchor Finger Lakes skiing for the Rochester region each winter. The mountain's marketed status as having the highest vertical between the Adirondacks and the Rockies remains a defining seasonal draw.
Season 2026 - 2027
11 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
114
Days open
60 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Bristol Mountain
Daily snow reports at Bristol Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
16 in
Snowiest day
26 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
36 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Bristol Mountain, and where to stay
Bristol Mountain sits in South Bristol, New York, in the Finger Lakes region, roughly 30 miles from Rochester and 10 miles from Canandaigua along New York State Route 64, with a base elevation of 1,001 feet and a summit at 2,201 feet across a 1,200-foot vertical drop over 160 acres. This setting places the resort within easy reach of the Finger Lakes wine region.
Canandaigua, a lakeside town with dining, lodging and Finger Lakes wine-country attractions, lies a short drive from the resort. Rochester, a considerable regional city, provides the resort's primary metropolitan visitor base within a roughly 30-mile drive, making Bristol a practical day-trip or evening destination for the city's population.
New York State Route 64 provides direct access to the resort from both Canandaigua and Rochester. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled state highway is regularly maintained given the resort's popularity with the Rochester metropolitan area. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Greater Rochester International Airport, roughly 30 miles away, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, making Bristol Mountain a genuinely convenient option for visitors flying into the Rochester area. This proximity to a major regional airport supports the resort's role as the Finger Lakes region's premier ski destination.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Bristol Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Bristol Mountain's ski season?
Bristol Mountain's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 11 through April 4. That window is roughly 114 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New York, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Bristol Mountain have?
Bristol Mountain lists about 160 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 34 named runs (65 hectares alongside 160 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Bristol Mountain?
Trail grading at Bristol Mountain breaks down roughly as 35% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Bristol Mountain suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Bristol Mountain have?
Bristol Mountain operates 6 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 3 quad chairs, 1 triple chair, 1 double chair, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Bristol Mountain?
Base elevation at Bristol Mountain is about 1,001 ft (305 m), with the summit around 2,201 ft (671 m), giving roughly 1,201 ft (366 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Bristol Mountain get each season?
Bristol Mountain averages about 60 inches (152 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Bristol Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$40 to US$79, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Bristol Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Bristol Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Bristol Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Bristol Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Bristol Mountain located?
Bristol Mountain sits in New York, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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