If you say “New York,” most people automatically think of the fast-paced hub of fashion, theater, finance, and technology and the most populous urban center on the US East Coast.
And yet The Big Apple is just the southernmost tip of New York State, a large region of suburban towns, rural hamlets, farmlands, forests, and now that winter is again approaching a plethora of high-quality, skiiable mountains and full-service ski resorts, more than 30 of them, many within easy driving distance of New York City.
Here are three of the most popular:
Belleayre Ski Center, in the Catskill Mountain town of Highmount, has grown into a full-service ski facility offering 171 acres of skiable terrain that includes 50 runs, a terrain parks, five glades, a progression course, and a 1X course, providing a variety of snow sport experiences for everyone.
Kids will enjoy the SkiWee Carousel, which helps teach skiing techniques. There are four separate lodges at various elevations, three with full-service cafeterias and other visitor amenities. Belleayre also operates its own snow-sports school.
A new high-speed gondola called Catskill Thunder will be unveiled in December 2017. A dizzying array of hotels, chain motels, inns as well as charming local shops and restaurants serve the area. Pro Tip: Do not underestimate your snowboarding clothing! Having a warm, waterproof snowboard jacket and pants can make a big difference.
Gore Mountain, in the town of North Creek in the Adirondack Mountains, is New York's second largest winter resort and one of its most popular. Visitors have access to 108 Alpine as well as snowshoe and cross-country trails spread over nine sides of four separate mountain peaks: Gore, Bear Mountain, Burnt Ridge Mountain and Little Gore Mountain.
There is terrain for every skill level, with 10 percent beginner and 40 percent advanced. Gore's snow-sports school offers daily, private, and long-term coaching and instruction to all ages, and skiers can enjoy their choice of six mountainside restaurants. Numerous options for staying nearby include everything from hotels to ski chalets, vacation rentals and B&Bs.
Windham Mountain, in the northern Catskill, offers a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs as well as six terrain parks for snowboarders and freestylers, with 12 lifts over 285 skiable acres. The base area combines retail shops, dining, a children’s learning center, and more.
Recent improvements to the Boot Lab mean equipment renters will get an even better fitting. The resort town also gets high marks from visitors for its nightlife; in addition to night skiing, adult visitors can enjoy amenities like fine dining, nightclubs, hot tubbing, and more, with lodging available at the Windham Ridge Club or condominium complexes nearby.
Windham also makes a great day trip as it is just a two-hour drive from New York City. Each of these resorts offer year-round accommodations for travelers to enjoy mountain biking, hiking, gondola rides, music and food festivals, sporting events, and much more. So be sure to add New York State to the shortlist of fabulous and fun U.S. skiing destinations.
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