WCDO Radio News

The start of the 2017-18 skiing and snowboarding season is this Saturday, with both Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain opening their season. Belleayre Ski Resort is scheduled to open Friday, November 24th. Every winter, skiing and riding at New York's 51 mountains attracts millions of visitors and generates $1 billion for the state's economy.

3 state run ski resorts are pledging to generate 100% of their energy from renewable resources by 2030. Cuomo is seeking to have the state generate half of its energy form renewable resources like wind & solar by 2030, about 28 million dollars is earmarked for upgrades at Belleayre, Gore & Whiteface in the near future.

Governor Cuomo announced the state would invest up to $20 million for major upgrades at Whiteface and Gore Mountains to attract more visitors to the upstate region in the winter time. The investments will enhance the current facilities at Gore and Whiteface Mountains and create state-of-the art skiing, lodging, dining and retail opportunities and year-round activities. The project will be the first major upgrade at both Whiteface and Gore in 30 years.

Ski season is open in New York State, as Whiteface Mountain opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1 day ahead of schedule. Officials said that the Lake Placid area near Whiteface was hit with about 15 inches of snow last weekend, Gore and Belleayre ski resorts opened today, Belleayre received more than 10 inches of snow and Gore got about 6 inches earlier this week.

Governor Cuomo today kicked off the 2016-17 skiing and snowboarding season and announced that Whiteface Mountain will open on Thursday, November 24, and Gore and Belleayre Mountains will open on Friday, November 25. Every winter season, skiing and snowboarding at New York's 51 mountains attracts millions of visitors and generates $1 billion for the state's economy.

Former Vice President Al Gore joined Governor Cuomo last week to announce 4 actions to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across New York State. First, Governor Cuomo signed a Memorandum of Understanding between states, provinces and cities worldwide to affirm their commitment to help keep the earth's average temperature from increasing 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. Secondly New York and the other northeast regional greenhouse gas cap and trade states have demonstrated that carbon markets are a powerful tool for reducing the pollution contributing to climate change. 3rd, Cuomo announced a commitment to bring solar to 150,000 more homes and businesses by 2020. The Governor also announced that the SUNY system would install renewable energy, at each of its 64 campuses by 2020.