Top 12 Ski Resorts Near New York: winter recreation at altitude

Even before the first days of winter arrive, ski enthusiasts start planning vacations that will definitely include snowy slopes. There are plenty of options for a day trip near the city, but for those who want to spend an entire vacation, it's worth considering the best ski resorts near New York City. With stunning views, outdoor activities, modern amenities, and, of course, après-ski, you'll definitely enjoy your trip. In addition, these areas are perfect for any skill level, from beginners to real experts.

The following collection contains ski resorts located within a two- to six-hour drive from a major city - from New York and New Jersey to Vermont and Massachusetts. Just check the opening hours and the cost of accommodation, as they can change.

Windham Mountain, New York

Among the top 12 best ski resorts in New York is Windham Mountain, located in the popular Catskills region. Visitors can enjoy night skiing on Friday and Saturday until 21:00 on eight slopes (49 in total). This allows you to spend as much time as possible doing your favorite activity. The resort offers trails of varying difficulty levels, including 12 options for beginners and 7 steep double tracks for experienced skiers. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more are available.

If you want to spend a few days here, you can choose from a variety of accommodation options - from inexpensive to luxurious. For example, the Cave Mountain Motel allows you to plunge into the style of a country house, and the booking price includes a continental breakfast served by a wood-burning stove in the dining room. Another advantage is the location just a mile and a half from the mountain. For something a little more chic, check out the Winwood Inn, which offers a free shuttle to the slopes, and accommodation options include standard rooms or one/two-bedroom condos.

Thunder Ridge, Patterson, New York

This beautiful ski resort near New York City is the perfect option for a relaxing family vacation. Everyone will find something for themselves here, even if it is children or grandparents. Thunder Ridge offers 22 mountain trails that provide adventure for more experienced skiers and safety for beginners, and night skiing is also available. To demonstrate your skills and perform tricks, you can visit the updated terrain park.

When you want to relax, book a room at the Holiday Inn or treat yourself to a chic room at the Hilton Garden Inn. The latter offers the Metro-North Ski and Stay night package, which includes roundtrip transportation, breakfast for two at the Garden Grille restaurant and a cozy room.

Mount Snow, West Dover, Vermont

The closest mountain to New York City (4 hours away), Vermont offers many advantages, including:

• 80 trails on four different slopes in the beautiful Green Mountain National Forest;
• 467 acres of terrain suitable for skiing and tricks;
• ten parks filled with jumps, pipes and rails.

Beginners will have the opportunity to learn on gentle, safe slopes such as the three-mile Long John trail, while those who feel more confident can head to the North Slope, home to a network of terrain parks. The lifts are open until 16:00, so in the evening there is an opportunity to go tubing, as there are ten separate lines for this entertainment at Mount Snow.

The Grand Summit Resort boasts the closest location to the base of the mountain. The complex offers nearly 200 rooms and suites, all with kitchenettes. In addition, guests have access to a luxurious spa and health club. To save money, book a room in the cozy Big Bears Lodge with 24 rooms. The hotel offers not only comfortable rooms but also delicious, hearty meals like French toast with bacon, homemade blueberry pancakes, and more. After breakfast, take the free shuttle that will take you to the lifts.

Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville, Pennsylvania

Located a two-hour drive from the city, this ski resort near New York City offers 34 slopes, including eight "advanced" slopes. For snowboarding enthusiasts, there is a separate renovated park with an area of 20 acres.

At the foot of Mount Camelback is the beautiful Chateau Resort, designed for 152 rooms, including 39 duplex loft-style suites with extraordinary views of the Poconos. A nice addition will be the poolside jacuzzi and sauna, where it is especially pleasant to spend time after outdoor activities. Another more economical option for accommodations is the Days Inn Tannersville with 72 rooms and a complimentary breakfast. This hotel is located just three miles from the slopes.

Hunter Mountain, Hunter, New York

Hunter Mountain, with its stunning peaks, is less than a three-hour drive from New York City, offering some of the best terrain for skiers. The resort provides 58 different trails and is serviced by 12 lifts, which allows avoiding long queues. In addition, the location boasts the highest and longest zip line, located 600 feet above the ground.

If you're looking for some privacy after your skiing, we recommend choosing a room in the elegant Hunter Mountain Sanctuary with a beautiful terrace from which to watch the picturesque sunset over Hunter Mountain. You can also stay in the cozy Scribner's Catskill Lodge, created by Brooklyn designers.

Mountain Creek, Vernon, New Jersey

The all-season resort Mountain Creek, located in New Jersey, is one of the favorite options for Manhattanites who want to escape to the snowy slopes as part of a day trip. Mountain Creek, with its four peaks, is the largest ski area in the state and is suitable for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. There are 46 trails of varying difficulty and three landscape parks available for visitors to this wonderful resort near New York City. With more than 1,000 snow cannons, the terrain is perfectly covered, so every day of your stay will be filled with skiing. It is also home to the region's largest USSA ski racing arena.

New Jersey offers a variety of accommodation options, both budget and expensive. For example, you can choose a simple room in an Appalachian motel if you plan to spend all your time on the slopes, retiring to a room only for a night's sleep. For upscale amenities combined with direct access to the mountain, we recommend paying attention to Appalachian & Black Creek Sanctuary. The complex offers studios or private apartments with heated pools and jacuzz

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow, Vermont

Even the most discerning travelers will be delighted with one of the best ski resorts near New York City, which offers top-notch service and amenities. Okemo Mountain Resort offers 119 trails spanning five mountains and is 98% covered with powerful snow cannons. The terrain is evenly distributed between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is something for everyone. Trick enthusiasts will be able to demonstrate their skills on the territory of six terrain parks, including a 500-foot-long superpipe.

Another advantage of Okemo Mountain Resort is the availability of round-trip shuttle service from two transportation hubs, the Rutland Amtrak Terminal in Rutland and the Southern Vermont Regional Airport.

Jackson Gore Village is just steps away from the ski lifts. The hotel offers 300 modern and stylish guest rooms and suites, and key amenities skiers will appreciate include an outdoor heated pool and an on-site tavern.

Belleayre Mountain

Among the Catskills resorts, Belleayre Mountain is the least crowded, and it's also a fairly budget-friendly option for ski vacationers and a good choice for those who want to avoid the crowds and long lines at the lifts. There are 47 trails that vary in skill level, from easy runs for beginners to challenging ones for more experienced skiers. The resort has recently updated its parks, where you can hone your tricks and practice freeriding, etc. If you want to explore the beauty of the forest reserve at a relaxed pace, we recommend cross-country skiing and hiking the six miles of Belleayre trails.

You can stay at the quaint, atmospheric Delaware Court Motel, which is just two miles from the resort, offering only 17 rooms, most of which include kitchenettes. Other accommodation options include one- and two-bedroom cottages on the two-hectare property. To get even closer to the mountain, book a room at the Alpine Osteria B&B, located at the very foot of Belleayre.

Jiminy Peak Mountain, Hancock, Massachusetts

With 45 trails served by 9 lifts, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in New England. The perfectly groomed mountain has a vertical rise of over a thousand feet, offering fantastic views of the peaks of the Jericho Valley.

This ski resort near New York City offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every budget. In particular, a hotel in the center of Pittsfield was recently opened, occupying an atmospheric building from the 1880s. Hotel on North offers 45 stylish rooms decorated with vintage furniture combined with modern whimsical decor. Special attention should be paid to the 466-square-foot Library Suite. These suites are equipped with 125 bookshelves and offer extraordinary mountain views.

Catamount, Hillsdale, New York

Located in the Berkshires, an area that is the perfect backdrop for postcards, this family-friendly ski resort near New York City (three hours away) is a great option for a family vacation with kids. Although the mountain looks more like a small hill compared to neighboring New England complexes, Catamount is definitely a good value in terms of price. The resort offers 33 trails, including 11 easy trails, and a terrain park filled with jumps. Interesting fact: Catamount is located on the border of New York and Massachusetts, so you can ski across two states on one slope.

You can stay in one of the four rooms to choose from at the resort, all with beautiful mountain views. Also nearby is the Holiday House, a budget motel with 15 rooms with small kitchens inside.

Stratton

Stratton is one of the most popular ski resorts near New York City, boasting the highest peak in southern Vermont. There are 92 trails available for visitors, including 41 for beginners. With four high-speed lifts, you'll spend less time waiting in line and more time skiing. The resort is also popular with snowboarders thanks to its six top-rated parks, and it's no wonder the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships are held here. For activities other than skiing, head to the tubing park or take a guided snowshoe tour, or simply stroll through the picturesque village and check out the fine restaurants and shops.

A five-minute walk from the lifts is the Long Trail House, which offers a wide range of accommodations from well-appointed studios to condominiums, each with a kitchen and gas fireplace, and hotel-style amenities.

Killington

The list of top 12 ski resorts near New York City includes Killington, which offers 71 miles of trails on six slopes and is located 5 hours from the city. Huge terrain parks and 140 trails will satisfy even the most adventurous skiers. Experienced riders will especially appreciate the 500-foot-long superpipe and 65 black diamond routes.

For luxury accommodation options, check out the full-service Killington Mountain Lodge. The hotel has 99 rooms, and the price includes a free shuttle to the mountain and a hot breakfast buffet with French toast and home fries. For a budget vacation, we recommend the Hillside Inn.