Honestly, it is kind of weird how Peek’n Peak Resort—or as most people just call it, Peak n Peak resort—managed to survive the massive shakeups in the ski industry over the last decade. While giant conglomerates are busy buying up every little hill in the country and hiking pass prices into the stratosphere, this spot in Clymer, New York, just keeps doing its thing. It is tucked away in that specific corner of Western New York where the lake effect snow hits like a freight train, often dumping powder when Pittsburgh or Cleveland are just dealing with gray slush.
You’ve probably seen the Tudor-style architecture if you’ve ever driven through that part of Chautauqua County. It looks like a little slice of the English countryside dropped into a snowy valley. It’s charming. Sometimes it’s a bit dated, sure, but that’s basically part of the appeal for the families who have been coming here since the 60s.
The Reality of the Slopes at Peak n Peak Resort
Let’s be real for a second. If you are looking for 3,000 feet of vertical drop, you’re in the wrong state. Peak n Peak resort isn't Aspen. It isn't even Vermont. What it actually is, though, is a masterclass in making the most of a 400-foot vertical.
They have 27 trails. Most of them are cruisers. If you’re an expert looking to huck yourself off a cliff, you might get bored by lunch, but for the other 90% of skiers—the ones with kids or the ones who just want to carve some turns and hit the lodge—it’s kind of perfect. The snowmaking here is the real hero. Because it sits in the snow belt, they can recover from a "thaw" faster than almost any other hill in the region.
Night skiing is a huge deal here. There is something specifically nostalgic about those orange lights hitting the snow while the temperature drops and the wind starts whipping off Lake Erie. Most of the terrain is lit up, which makes the "after work" crowd from Erie or Buffalo pretty loyal.
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It’s Not Just About the Winter
People forget that the resort basically transitions into a golf powerhouse once the ice melts. The Upper Course is legit. It has hosted the Korn Ferry Tour (the LECOM Health Challenge) for years. If it’s good enough for pros trying to make it to the PGA Tour, it’s probably going to frustrate the heck out of your weekend foursome.
The elevation changes that make for decent beginner skiing translate into some really difficult, tiered fairways and greens that feel like they’re tilted at 45-degree angles. You’ll lose balls. You’ll definitely complain about the bunkers. But the views from the higher holes, looking out over the valley, make it worth the greens fee.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lodging
You have two main choices when staying at Peak n Peak resort: the Inn or the condos.
The Inn is where that Tudor vibe is strongest. It’s got the big stone fireplaces and that heavy, wooden furniture that feels like it belongs in a medieval manor. It’s cozy. Some might say it needs a refresh, and they wouldn't be wrong, but the proximity to the indoor/outdoor pool is the selling point. That pool is iconic. You can swim from the inside to the outside while it’s snowing, with steam rising off the water. It is a core memory for basically every kid who grew up within 100 miles of Clymer.
Then there are the condos. These are mostly privately owned but managed through the resort's rental program. This is the pro move if you have a group. You get a kitchen, usually a fireplace, and way more room to dry out your soggy ski gear.
- The Inn: Better for couples or short stays where you want to be near the bar.
- Condos: Necessary for families who don't want to spend $200 on chicken fingers at the cafeteria.
- The Retreat: Private homes nearby that offer more seclusion if you're trying to avoid the crowds.
Eating and Drinking in Clymer
Dining at the resort is... fine. It’s resort food. The Royal Court Dining Room does the "fancy" thing, while the Gazebo Grill is where you’ll find the skiers grabbing a quick burger. But if you want the actual experience, you head to the Regency Pub. It’s dark, loud, and usually smells like beer and fried food. It is exactly what a ski pub should be.
If you are willing to drive ten minutes off-property, you’ll find the actual local gems. The area is rural. Very rural. You’ll see Amish buggies on the road. Don't go 60 mph around blind curves. Stop at a local farm stand if it’s summer. The contrast between the high-end golf resort and the surrounding dairy farms is one of the coolest parts of the trip.
The Summer Pivot: Ziplines and Coasters
To stay alive, these mid-sized resorts had to become year-round destinations. Peak n Peak resort added the Giant Dual Zip Line and an aerial adventure course. It’s fun, but the real draw for the kids is the Soaring Eagle Zipline—it’s one of those sit-down ones where you get pulled backward up the hill before being released. It’s terrifying for about three seconds and then just breezy.
Is It Actually Worth the Price?
This is the big question. With the rise of the Epic and Ikon passes, a lot of people wonder why they should pay "boutique" prices for a smaller hill.
Here is the thing: Peak n Peak resort isn't trying to be Vail. It's a "drive-to" destination. If you live in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo, you aren't fighting TSA or worrying about flight cancellations. You just throw the boards in the back of the truck and you’re there in two hours.
The lift ticket prices have crept up, as they have everywhere. However, they often run midweek specials that are actually reasonable. If you go on a Saturday in February, expect lines. If you go on a Tuesday morning after a fresh lake-effect dump? You’ll have the place to yourself.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
If you're actually planning to head out there, do these three things to avoid the common headaches:
- Check the Lake Effect Forecast, Not the National One: Look at the specific Erie/Clymer radar. The weather can be sunny in Buffalo and a total blizzard at the Peak. If the wind is coming from the West/Northwest, you’re in for a good time.
- Book the Pool Time Early: If the resort is at high capacity, they sometimes have to throttle access to the pool area. If you’re staying at the Inn, make sure you know the current policy so your kids aren't staring through the glass at a pool they can't enter.
- The "Secret" Parking: On busy Saturdays, the main lot fills up fast. There are secondary lots near the lower condos that often have more space and a shorter walk to the lifts if you don't mind starting your day at a different chair.
- Bring Your Own Gear If Possible: The rental line at Peak n Peak resort during a holiday weekend is a special kind of purgatory. Even if you just rent from a local shop in your hometown before you leave, you’ll save two hours of standing in a humid room smelling like wet socks.
Peak n Peak resort remains a weird, Tudor-themed anomaly in the middle of New York farm country. It shouldn't work as well as it does, but for a weekend getaway that feels like a real escape without the airport stress, it’s hard to beat.