Winter Fun in the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains are the perfect locations for a fabulous winter weekend getaway or even just a snowy day trip adventure. Whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or just relaxing fireside at one of the area’s premiere lodges or cozy B&B’s, there’s lots of fun to be had in the Hudson Valley during the winter. Here’s a list of the best places to head to for fun in the snow this winter!
Skiing and Snowboarding
Hunter Mountain
64 Klein Ave., Hunter; 518-263-4223; huntermtn.com
“As Upstate New York’s premier ski vacation destination for skiing and snowboarding, Hunter Mountain celebrates renowned terrain, snowmaking and grooming, an award-winning Learning Center, snowtubing, slopeside condominiums and the Kaatskill Mountain Club luxury hotel.”
Bellayre Mountain
181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount; 845-254-5600 or 800-942-6904; belleayre.com/the-mountain
“Bellayre Mountain offers 50 trails, parks and glades, a vertical drop of 1,404 feet, 8 lifts and 4 lodges. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is something for everyone. From easy green runs to the bumps and glades of the expert terrain, you will find something to enjoy.”
Windham Mountain
19 Resort Drive, Windham; 800-754-9463; windhammountain.com
“Windham Mountain Resort offers skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, yoga, dining and entertainment. The best equipment and apparel of the season can be found at the Mountain Sports Shop, and the Boot Lab has been renovated for an even more comfortable bootfitting experience. You can even escape for a few hours at the slope-side Alpine Spa.”
Plattekill Mountain
469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury; 607-326-3500; plattekill.com
“Plattekill Mountain welcomes skiers, snowboarders, and snowboarders looking for winter fun in the Catskills! Independently owned and family run, what sets this resort apart from the rest is their traditional rustic base lodge, old school New England style ski trails, and small mountain hospitality.”
Ice Skating
Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz
855-883-3798, www.mohonk.com
Bear Mountain Ice Rink
Bear Mountain; 845-786-2701; www.bearmountainicerink.com
Windham Mountain Adventure Park
Windham, 800-754-9463; www.windhammountain.com
Windham Mountain is best known for skiing, but its Adventure Park offers a bunch of non-ski activities, like tubing, a Big Air Bag, and skating on a 120’ x 60’ outdoor rink. Rink open weekends and holidays. $10 per session and $5 rentals.
Cross-Country Skiing
Bellayre Mountain
181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount; 845-254-5600 or 800-942-6904; belleayre.com/the-mountain
Catskill Forest Preserve
Rochester Hollow Trail, Big Indian
Clermont State Park
One Clermont Avenue, Germantown; (518) 537-4240; http://nysparks.com/historic-sites/16/details.aspx
Fahnestock Winter Park
Cold Spring; http://nysparks.com/parks/
Minnewaska State Park
Kerhonkson, http://parks.ny.gov/parks/
Mohonk Preserve
Gardnier, http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/
In addition to these locations, there are dozens of places to go cross-country skiing in the Hudson Valley; you can make a trail anywhere if the land is right and the laws allow.
Snow Tubing
Thomas Bull Memorial Park
Montgomery; 845-615-3830; www.orangecountynyparks.com
Thomas Bull Memorial Park has what is perhaps the best-known tubing hill in the Hudson Valley. In the lodge at the foot of the hill, riders can warm up by the giant stone fireplace while taking in the stunning views. The park also has an ice skating rink and more than three miles of cross-country skiing trails, both of which can be used for free.
Hunter Mountain
64 Klein Ave., Hunter; 518-263-4223; huntermtn.com
Windham Mountain
Windham, 800-754-9463; www.windhammountain.com
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