New England and Upstate New York are known for top-notch skiing. While ski slopes may be one of the few things we don’t have access to in New York City, there are still plenty of options available nearby, some even an hour away!
So whether you’re a professional skier or snowboarder, looking to get into the sport, or just want to get out of the city and in a cozy cabin, keep reading. We’re sharing 7 spots for the best skiing near NYC, including family-friendly destinations, some accessible by public transportation, and a spot that you can get to in less than two hours.
A tip before we start: check out the NYC SnowBus for convenient and affordable round-trip rides available for some of these spots.
Let’s get into it!
1. Hunter Mountain, New York
Distance from NYC: 2 hours
Hunter Mountain is the closest ski resort to New York City. This resort has been open since the 1950s, and even though it was acquired by Vail Resorts in 2019, it has retained that family-owned feel.
Hunter Mountain employs state-of-the-art snowmaking techniques to cover their mountains (fun fact: they were the first mountain in New York to use snowmaking!) so you can always count on fresh pow. The mountain has 58 trails between its 3 mountains with 12 lifts.
* Transportation available via NYC SnowBus
2. Thunder Ridge, New York
Distance from NYC: 1 hour
Skiing you can reach by public transportation? Yes please! Thunder Ridge is the absolute closest ski or snowboarding spot to New York City and is accessible via the Metro-North Ski Train from Grand Central Station and the free shuttle from the Patterson train station in about 1 hour.
Full disclosure, this is better suited for new or beginner skiers with mostly blue and green trails, although there are a few black diamonds for experienced skiers as well. At Thunder Ridge, you’ll find 100 acres of skiable terrain across 22 trails and 1 terrain park. The lift and rental prices are very affordable and steeply discounted during weekdays making this a fairly affordable ski destination.
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3. Stratton Mountain, Vermont
Distance from NYC: 4.5 hours
If you’re willing to make the trek, Vermont will not disappoint with some of the best skiing on the East Coast. Those who love a steep run will be happy to learn that Stratton Mountain is the highest peak in Southern Vermont. But there are still plenty of runs for beginners and intermediate skiers or snowboarders as well.
Bring your kids because Stratton Mountain is very family-friendly! If it’s your first time on the slopes or you want to brush up your skills, there are private and group lessons offered regularly. If you’re not planning to get up on the slopes, there are plenty of other snowy activities like tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, yoga in the snow, snowmobile tours, and more. And of course, there are the shops and restaurants in the ski village.
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4. Windham Mountain, New York
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours
If your ideal winter weekend is more apres than ski, you’ll want to add Windham Mountain to your list. Here you’ll find a top-notch ski lodge, fireplaces, and hot tubs – the makings of a very cozy getaway.
But there’s fun for skiers as well! The mountain has 53 trails, with 12 beginner trails, 7 double-black runs, and 25+ intermediate trails. And on Fridays and Saturdays, they have night skiing so you can make the most of your ski time.
* Transportation available via NYC SnowBus
5. Mountain Creek Resort, New Jersey
Distance from NYC: 1 hour
If you’re looking for a quick day trip, Mountain Creek is a safe bet. Located in New Jersey, it’s about a 1-hour drive away. As New Jersey’s largest ski and snowboard spot, this is arguably some of the best skiing near NYC, with plenty of opportunity for some great runs.
Its four mountain peaks have 3 terrain parks and 46 trails with options for every level of skiing or snowboarding. Before heading back to the city, stop at one of their two cozy lodges for a meal. Or if you want to stay the weekend, they have accommodations as well.
* Transportation available via NYC SnowBus
6. Camelback Mountain Resort
Distance from NYC: 2 hours
Located in the Poconos, Camelback Mountain Resort is the only ski-in/ski-out destination in the region. It has 39 ski trails over 166 acres, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can visit Shawnee Mountain right nearby, which has an additional 23 trails over 126 acres. Between runs, you can head to the mountain-side restaurants for Italian food, tacos, burgers, beers, and more!
This family-friendly spot has a lot to do, from Aquatopia, an exciting indoor water park, to a huge snow tubing park (which happens to be the largest in the United States!). You’ll get the most of your time on weekends when the trails and parks are open until 10pm and the tubing is open until 9pm.
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7. Belleayre Mountain, New York
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours
Located in Ulster County, where the Catskills meet the Hudson River, Belleayre Mountain has that quintessential New England charm. It’s less than 3 hours from NYC by car, but the drive along Catskills Scenic Byway will take you through some of the most beautiful towns in the area.
The laid-back vibe definitely makes this feel like a vacation, even though it’s only a couple of hours outside of the city. Bonus points, this spot is more affordable than many other ski spots and is the least crowded of the Catskills spots. The highest point on Belleayre Mountain is 1,404 feet, and there are 50 trails across 175 acres of mixed terrain.
Explore more of the Catskill Forest Preserve with a cross-country ski or snowshoe tour of the six miles of trails. And you’ll want to save an extra day of your trip to visit Woodstock, known for its cool, artsy shops, restaurants, and community.
That wraps up 7 of the best ski spots near New York City.
Have you been to any? Which is at the top of your list?