Ski the Catskills

In a state that has more ski areas than most other states in the country, the Catskill region remains the “go to” place for local and metropolitan ski families looking for a winter fun in the mountains. Creative uses of some of the earliest snowmaking technology in the 1960s set the region up for success in the industry. Early ski slopes like Phoenicia, Highmount and Belleayre were joined in the industry by Bearpen (the Princeton Ski Bowl) Hunter, Windham, BobCat, and Plattekill with the region entering the 1980s boasting more than a dozen active ski areas. Though that number has dwindled, the areas still operating today have mastered the art of snowmaking, creating outdoor recreation opportunities that generally start in November and run well into March.

A wide variety of types of facilities serve the tastes and pocketbooks of everyone who might want to get outdoors for the winter. From major corporate and state-owned operations to independent, family owned facilities, the Catskills is a great winter destination.

Several of the Catskill region ski areas kick off their seasons with fall festivals in October. Belleayre will offer two consecutive fall festival weekends in October. Hunter will offer an “elevated Oktoberfest experience, adding a second lift for scenic fall foliage views and fun for all ages. Check each center’s website for updated information.

Delaware County

Delaware County’s Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort began life as a family owned and operated ski center and has remained just that ever since. Laszlo and Danielle Vajtay have owned the mountain since 1993 and operate with a mantra “Family-Owned and Fiercely Independent.” Those attributes have been necessary to survive for 32 years surrounded by corporate and state-owned facilities.

Hard work and creative marketing have fueled Plattekill’s success. With skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing offered on 41 trails served by four lifts, the winter experience is suited to non-skiers as well as skiers. Extensive snowmaking and grooming, coupled with rentals, lessons and race development classes ensure that everyone can develop the outdoor experience they seek. Open to the general public through the entire winter on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and winter holidays (Christmas, Martin Luther King Weekend, February Presidents’ holidays), the Vajtays reserve 100% of the mountain’s operation on most Mondays and Thursdays for private “rent the whole mountain for a day” group experiences.

Danielle Vajtay said that this year’s improvements are the type are not easy to see but help meet skier expectations; lodge upgrades, more snowmaking, a new winch cat groomer for head walls that are steep and deep. Skiers can expect faster recovery from inclement weather or “bigger, faster, deeper,” as she puts it.

There was a time when competing economically with corporate and state-owned facilities was harder because they could bundle three or more ski resorts into packages that tied skiers to the ski centers in the corporate portfolio. To compete, the Vajtays created their own mountain-to-mountain pass system.  Working with 42 other ski centers around the country, all of which are independently owned like Plattekill, the Vajtays can now offer complimentary or discounted skiing all over the country to people who buy the Plattekill season pass. Ski centers from 23 different states are participating in the program including Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Ski Cooper in Colorado and Mad River Glen in Vermont. “We’re creating more value for our passholders by offering them free or discounted skiing and at the same time, promoting the survival of independent ski centers like ours,” said Vajtay. Like most other ski centers in the country, everything offered at Plattekill is offered online and discounts for advanced purchase are available. Unlike most other ski centers, skiers are not required to buy services on-line. At Plattekill, it is still possible to get up and look out the window on a nice winter day and say “I think I’ll go skiing today.” Vajtay notes the last minute, single day ticket purchase is more expensive than other options, “but at least it’s still an option for those who want it.” Delaware County’s Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort is located at 469 Plattekill Rd. Roxbury, NY 12474. More information is available at plattekill.com

Greene County

Hunter Mountain one of the Catskill Mountain’s big three with Belleayre and Windham, was founded by celebrities in 1960 and has had big mojo ever since. Built by Orville and Izzy Slutzsky who eventually bought out original investors, Hunter was a pioneer in snowmaking technology and in aggressive marketing of its facilities. Now owned by Vail Resorts, Hunter at age 65, continues to hone its national reputation. Boasting 320 acres of skiable terrain, nearly half of which is rated for experts, Hunter has 67 trails, 13 lifts and 4 terrain parks for snowboarding. Lessons and rentals are available for skiers of all ability leverls and snow tubing is offered or non-skiers who just want a fun, winter experience. The night life at Hunter Mountain and in the nearby communities is legendary. One of the few Catskill Mountain ski areas to offer on mountain lodging, reservations for the entire ski experience can be made at the Hunter website.  This year there will be new snowmaking pipes and a few new snow guns. Guests will also notice renovated food & beverage spaces to enhance the guest experience.   

The Hunter Mountain Competition Program, a full-season program for youth of all ages, includes alpine racing, freestyle moguls, and terrain park-slopestyle. An adult race training program is enhanced by community race events like the FDNY Ski Races and the Chef’s Race. Greene County’s Hunter Mountain Ski Resort is located at state Route 23A Hunter, NY 12442.  More info is available at huntermtn.com

Greene County’s Windham Mountain Club offers its members 54 trails spanning 285 skiable acres. It operates  11 lifts, including a high-speed six-passenger chairlift, and features six terrain parks for freestyle riders. Snow tubing for non skiers is also available at the resort, which. The resort has excellent snowmaking coverage at 97% and averages around 78-100 inches of annual snowfall. Unlike other ski resorts in the region, the Windham Mountain Club is a private, members-only retreat that seeks to provide a premium, year-round experience for its members. Currently the club has a waiting list for new members. While the general public allowed to ski and snowboard during the winter season, access for the public is extremely limited and subject to availability. The club has a focus on crowd management, and no walk-up tickets are sold if capacity is reached. Pricing for daily tickets that may be available is high and tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Lessons, rentals, and racing programs are offered.  The ski and ride school provides a variety of lessons for all ages and skill levels, while the on-site shop offers ski and snowboard rentals. For racing, they have dedicated programs and seasonal offerings, including a competitive race team for youth and training camps for adults. Greene County’s Windham Mountain Club is located at 19 Resort Drive Windham, NY 12496. More information is available at windhammountainclub.com

In Greene County’s Prattsville, Bearpen Mountain Sports started as a ski center famous for a “cable-less tow.” Known as the Princeton Ski Bowl from 1955 to 1959 skiers were shuttled from the parking lot to the summit lodge by army trucks. However, the heavy snowfall would often keep the “cableless chairlift” from reaching the summit. After several years of operation, Princeton Ski Bowl closed its doors in 1959.

Decades later, the father-daughter team of Howard and Dominique Rennell has reimagined the resort and created a winter mecca for everything except downhill skiing. Among the most exciting offerings is the curling center. Since the 2022 Winter Olympics, Americans have been fascinated by the sport where two teams slide heavy granite stones across a sheet of ice, aiming to get them closest to the center of a target called the “house.” Players use skill and strategy to deliver their stones, while sweepers use brooms to warm the ice, controlling the stone’s speed and path. Opportunities to try the sport are rare but Bearpen makes if possible for the curious and the competitive.   

Bearpen also offers cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing/sledding, fat biking, and ice skating. So there is always something going on. Limited food and cocktail service is available. Rental equipment is available at the recreation center and live entertainment performs most weekends at the complex which is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. The recreation center is also open for extra hours on holidays and during winter holiday weeks. Bearpen Mountain Sports is located at 1491 County Route 2, Prattsville, NY 12468. More information is available at bearpenmountain.com

Sullivan County

Holiday Mountain Ski Park in Monticello got its start in 1957 as a town recreation facility and has been both a public and private ski center ever since. Purchased in 2023 by the Taylor family, this newly renovated winter activity center has something for the whole family. Holiday Mountain offers both skiing and snow tubing on eight ski trails accessed by two chairlifts, including a new quad chairlift. An updated Learning Center with various stations of beginner-friendly terrain and a magic carpet lift back to the top is perfect for new skiers of all ages. An expanded snowmaking system with upgraded piping, and pumps ensures fantastic conditions all winter long. Lessons can be booked online with the Snowsports School and top of the line ski and snowboard equipment is available for rent. For non-skiers, a 350-foot snow tubing run at the North Lodge, features 12 lanes down and a conveyor lift back to the top. Alpine racing is also features at Holiday Mountain as are multi-week ski development programs. Open every day but Monday, Holiday Mountain is one of the few ski centers still offering a night ski experience, with hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Just 90 minutes from New York City,  Sullivan County’s Holiday Mountain Ski park is at 99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello, NY 12701. More info is available at skiholidaymtn.com

Villa Roma has everything a family could want for both indoor and outdoor winter escapes. The Sports Complex offers a wide range of activities for all ages. Visitors can stay active at the fully equipped fitness center, enjoy friendly competition in the 8-lane bowling alley, or have fun in the bounce house. Additional amenities include Wallyball and racquetball courts for endless entertainment. The Villa Roma Game Room is a hub of fun for all ages. Younger guests can explore the soft play area, while the arcade offers exciting games for everyone. The resort’s full-size gym is a spacious, well-equipped fitness center offering a variety of exercise options. With cardio machines, strength training machines, and free weights, guests can enjoy a comprehensive workout to maintain their fitness routine during their stay. The indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna offer a perfect way to unwind and relax.

For those who do want to get out, Villa Roma has cross country skiing and sledding and offers a “ski hill” with three scenic slopes perfect for skiing and  snowboarding, plus two exhilarating snow tube runs. Ice skating is also offers at the ski hill. With equipment rentals, a convenient chair lift, and a ski school for kids and beginners, everyone can join in the excitement. After a day on the slopes, unwind by the cozy fireplace in the Ski Chalet, warm up with a hot drink, or grab a delicious snack.

Fine dining, shopping, spa and salon services are all available on premise to round out The Villa Roma experience. The Villa Roma is located at 356 Villa Roma Rd, Callicoon, NY 12723.  More information is available at villaroma.com

Ulster County

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, owned by the State of New York and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority is the grandaddy of them all. With 75 seasons of operation to its credit, Belleayre had the first chairlift in the State and in 2017, became the only ski center in the Catskills with an enclosed cabin gondola.

There are 8 lifts including the high-speed gondola and detachable quad, 174 skiable acres, 50 trails, almost 10 km of cross country trails, served by four lodges. A robust snowmaking system gets nearly expanded every year. The Discovery Lodge serves as the primary arrival point for guests visiting Belleayre Mountain, and has a full range of services including ticket sales, ski & snowboard equipment rentals, tuning and repairs, food services, and snowsports lessons for both skiing and snowboarding. The lodge, which hosts various off-season events such as concerts, weddings, and community gatherings, is getting another expansion this year to add 28,600 square feet to the existing lodge. While Belleayre is great for everyone from the never-ever skier to the seasoned veteran, it’s especially popular with young racers who have a wide array of options for race training at the facility. Open daily during the winter season, Belleayre Mountain, which straddles Ulster and Delaware counties, is located off Route 28  at 181 Galli Curci Rd. Highmount, NY 12441. More info is available at Belleayre.com