Skiing in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, about 3 hours away from New York City, offers a wide variety of winter activities. You can find downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, cross country skiing, and ice skating. Winter sports is a tradition in the Catskills bringing visitors to the area year after year.
Although New York is not the ski capital of the world skiing in the Catskills offers everything from beginners slopes to expert skiing that can be enjoyed by families to couples and singles alike. The area gets approximately 170″ of snow each year. So come visit this beautiful winter wonderland only hours away from the New York/Metropolitan area.
Skiing in the Catskills Six locations
Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain is the largest ski resort in the Catskills with 67 trails and 320 skiable acres. Located in the northern Catskills just 2 hours from New York City, they have 13 lifts and the vertical drop is 1600 feet. Summit peak elevation is 3200 feet. The resort is set up with 25% of trails for beginners, 30% for intermediate, 30% for advanced and 15% for expert.
Their snowmaking effects make Hunter’s capability of having 100% of its trails open all the time during the season. They have an extensive learning how to ski program for both skiing and snowboarding.
With its recent new ownership of Peaks Resort, you can now get an Epic season pass that is not only good at Hunter Mountain but also numerous other ski resorts across the country. Passes vary in prices so call for details.
They have on-site accommodations available through the Kaatskill Mountain Club. Different packages of skiing and lodging are available to fit your needs. For more information check here.
Windham Mountain
Windham Mountain is located on state highway 23 off exit 21 of the New York State Thruway, easily accessible from the New York City area. They have 54 trails over 2 peaks with 285 skiable acres, 6 terrain parks, and 12 lifts. Their season runs from December to March with the capability to make snow for 97% of their trails. You should check the weather conditions of the trails before you go.
Windham is opened seven days a week during the season. Season passes are available with no blackout times. Single-day tickets are $98 for adults, $76 for youth and seniors from 65 to 74, $70 for seniors 75+.
Season passes are as follows:
- $1499 for adults 27 to 64
- $649 for Millennials 18 to 26
- $999 for youth 7 to 17
- $659 for seniors 65 to 74
- $229 for seniors 75+
- $60 for children 6 and under
- Sunday to Friday only all adults $549 and college students $345 (no other benefits included)
During the winter months, Windham Mountain offers an Adventure Park that has snow tubing, ice skating, kids snowmobile, and a lodge. The park is located 1/4 mile west of the mountain. It’s opened on weekends from 12/13/19 to 3/8/20.
Snow tubing is available for $20 for 2 hours $25 for 4 hours and a Friday night special for $15. Ice skating is weather permitted and is $10 and skate rentals are available for an extra $5. Snowmobile is $10 for 15 minutes. Season passes are available for the Adventure Park for $49 per person or $179 for the family.
Belleayre Ski
Belleayre is owned by NY and over the last several years the state has been putting a lot of money and has made major improvements. It has become the hub of this part of the Catskills as the state tries to improve the economic conditions of the area.
The ski resort opened in 1949 and was the first in New York State to have a chairlift. They currently have 51 trails and 8 lifts. vertical drop is 1404 feet. There are two lodges, the lower Discovery Lodge and the upper Overlook Lodge. The ski area has trails for all kings of skiers from beginners to expert and offers downhill skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding.
Some improvements include the building of 60 cabin gondola, the “Catskill Thunder”, which transports up to 8 adults to the top of the mountain, and this season the expansion of trails and the Discovery Lodge itself. Other improvements have been made in snowmaking equipment
Plateskill Mountain
This privately-owned resort, Ski Plattekill is located in the northwestern in the town of Roxbury, NY. They offer 38 trails with the highest being 1100 feet vertical drop for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Trails range from beginners to double black diamond (some of the steepest trails in the east).
Of the trails, 20% are for beginners, 40% difficult, 20% black diamond and 20% double black diamond making it a well diverse ski resort for all abilities. There are 4 lifts for your convenience. The largest trail is 2 miles long.
With average snowfalls of 175” a year, there are usually real snow conditions on the mountain. However, if not Ski Plattekill has the capacity for making snow for 75% of the trails. They also offer ski lessons either, private, semi-private or group.
Season passes are available for adults $709, second adult $639, youth (7-17) $359, seniors 65+ for $769 and students $469. There are no blackout dates for season pass holders. Discounts on these prices are available for pre-season purchases before October 15.
Day passes are as follows:
Weekend and Holidays–Adult $67, youth (7-17) $50, Senior (65+) $50
Half-Day–Adults $58, youth and senior $45
2-Day Pass–Adults $125, youth and senior $95
3-Day Pass–Adults $180, youth and seniors $140
Friday–Adult $50, youth and seniors $40
Children 6 and under are always free
For information on lodging and restaurants in the town of Margaretville, which is around a 15-minute ride between Belleayre and Plateskill ski areas be sure to read this article here.
Villa Roma Resort
Villa Roma is an old fashion Catskill resort located in Callicoon, NY. Its an all-inclusive resort with left tickets and all winter activities included in their Unlimited Fun Package. This also includes your room and two meals daily. But you can just go there to ski if you want. You would need to call for further details on skiing only rates.
During the winter months, from December to March, this resort offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ice skating. They do have the ability to make sure as long as the temperatures are below freezing. Although not a big ski resort, their 2 slopes are wide with a vertical drop of 300 feet making this a great place to learn how to ski. There is one chair lift for your convenience in addition to a snow tubing run with lift.
This resort is a great place for families of all ages and skiing ability to enjoy skiing and you can also take advantage of their ski school. The charm of this place will bring you back to the 1970s, although it was been updated to modern times when the Catskills were a resort community. If you are lucky, you can even hear songs from Dirty Dancing playing in the lobby.
Holiday Mountain
Holiday Mountain located in Monticello, NY is a great place to learn how to ski. With 6 trails and 3 lifts, two for skiing and one for snow tubing, it’s a small ski resort that offers affordable skiing for everyone.
They offer beginners lessons for skiing and snowboarding for ages beginner at 3 ½ years old. Lessons start at only $35 which is a group of up to 8 people and private lessons are $90. You if you are two people you can get a semi-private lesson for $105.00.
Ski season begins December 20, 2019, and Holiday Mountain is opened every day except Mondays unless it is a holiday then we will be opened. Season passes range from $265.00 to $325.00 depending on when you purchase them, so the early the better. Daily prices vary depending on time and day but are very much more affordable than any other skiing in the area.
Happy Skiing
So now that you know what your choices are for skiing in the Catskills it’s time to make your reservations and hit the slopes for a fun ski season! Kathy xoxo
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Never been skiing! (I’m a bit of a chicken lol) But it is on my bucket list to try at some point. I also don’t well in the cold 🤣
I’m not really a skier either but when you live in the northeast as I do, its a big part of winter. Enjoy!
I’ve never been skiing before, but I would love to someday. I like that you not only included the locations in the Catskills mountains but the prices too. This will surely come in handy for anyone planning a skiing trip this winter. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome yes the prices from place to place vary a lot as well as the skiing experience
I have never tried skiing before( not so adventurous). Very detailed post, love it
Thank you
I will be honest here… I have only heard of the Catskills before because of the Tv show “The Marvelous Miss Maisel”. The looks are completely different, since this show happens in the summer, but it does look like a beautiful place to go on a short skiing trip. Loved your pics!
It is completely different in summer than winter and I’ll be honest I like it in summer much better!!
This is a great post. We are always looking for new locations for our family ski trips and weekends!
Thank you
Wow, these sound like incredible ski hills! I think I would forever mess up the name and call it cathills haha. I haven’t been skiing in years and I’m pretty scared to get back on the hill but we have children now so I might have to give it a try one of these years. Great review on the slopes!
Thank you, yea my skiing days are over lol but there is a variety of ski options in this area.
Now I am inspired. I love skiing, but we have only been out to Colorado. Maybe we will head up there and try something new.
These are “small” mountains in comparison to Colorado bu the skiing is still good.
Great suggestions for skiing in an area I would not have thought of. It is helpful to know about the mountains as well, as that often determines if it is kid-friendly or not. Thanks for the great post!
Yes some of the mountains are smaller than others and are much more kid-friendly.