Oswego, Ithaca, Utica, Oneonta: The names given to central New York towns located in the Military Tract (a tract of land originally intended to be given as bounty to soldiers of the Revolutionary War) are mostly Greek and Roman inspired. And for more than 50 years, Greek Peak, a ski resort in New York's snowbelt, has taken this theme and run with it. Skiers and boarders can cruise down runs like Zephyr, Elysian Fields, or Arethusa, then head to Orion, Greek Peak's sit-down pub, for some hot grub before heading to a condo in Arcadia Village for the night.

Greek Peak's three peaks offer varied terrain, from glade skiing to steep chutes to cruisers (the longest run is a mile and a half), but it is especially tailored to beginners. A 300-strong staff of instructors is on hand to teach beginners and help more experienced skiers sharpen their skills. Better still, the learn-to-ski program offers one of the best deals in the country: $45 for rentals, a lift ticket, and a lesson.

Besides the great novice-friendly amenities, the resort boasts three terrain parks, each progressively more difficult. Newcomers can start in the Progression Park and move up to the Upper Train when they feel more comfortable, while experienced tricksters can head straight to Middle Pollux Terrain Park and test out its advanced rails, boxes, hips, rollers, tabletops, and halfpipe.

Located in Virgil, New York, Greek Peak is a short drive from several local colleges, including Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the state universities at Binghamton and Cortland. The college kids come more for physical education programs offered through their colleges and for the night

Oswego, Ithaca, Utica, Oneonta: The names given to central New York towns located in the Military Tract (a tract of land originally intended to be given as bounty to soldiers of the Revolutionary War) are mostly Greek and Roman inspired. And for more than 50 years, Greek Peak, a ski resort in New York's snowbelt, has taken this theme and run with it. Skiers and boarders can cruise down runs like Zephyr, Elysian Fields, or Arethusa, then head to Orion, Greek Peak's sit-down pub, for some hot grub before heading to a condo in Arcadia Village for the night.

Greek Peak's three peaks offer varied terrain, from glade skiing to steep chutes to cruisers (the longest run is a mile and a half), but it is especially tailored to beginners. A 300-strong staff of instructors is on hand to teach beginners and help more experienced skiers sharpen their skills. Better still, the learn-to-ski program offers one of the best deals in the country: $45 for rentals, a lift ticket, and a lesson.

Besides the great novice-friendly amenities, the resort boasts three terrain parks, each progressively more difficult. Newcomers can start in the Progression Park and move up to the Upper Train when they feel more comfortable, while experienced tricksters can head straight to Middle Pollux Terrain Park and test out its advanced rails, boxes, hips, rollers, tabletops, and halfpipe.

Located in Virgil, New York, Greek Peak is a short drive from several local colleges, including Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the state universities at Binghamton and Cortland. The college kids come more for physical education programs offered through their colleges and for the night skiing (seven nights a week) than the partying, though, so Greek Peak stays family-oriented and true to their motto: "family fun off every lift." Parents will love the available babysitting, while kids will dig the children's programs and the Youth Center in the main lodge, with plasma TVs and an arcade. For those who seek even more downhill thrills, tubing is available on-site, and for those who aren't downhill-inclined, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails are available.

Greek Peak offers slopeside condos, single-family homes, and cabins, and joins with local hotels in Cortland to offer ski-and-stay packages. For business and urban families, corporate and group outings are available to accommodate special events. If the four on-site dining facilities don't suit you, there are plenty more dining options in nearby Cortland—but you'll probably be too busy enjoying the piste to get there.