Even the most die-hard urban dwellers could use an escape to the mountains from time to time. Luckily, for many people who live in East Coast cities like Boston and New York, numerous ski resorts are a short drive away. You can be skiing down early-morning corduroy or ripping through powder just a couple hours after getting in your car. What’s more, many ski areas near New York City have their own accommodations, or are located near towns that have great lodging options. Below, find our top picks of ski resorts within a three-hour drive of New York City (traffic dependent, of course).
Ski Resorts Near New York City
Windham Mountain, New York
Located in the Northern Catskills, about two hours from New York City, Windham offers family-friendly fun with 50 runs and 285 acres of skiable terrain. Our users rank it no. 7 in the United States for beginner terrain, and no. 1 in New York, although skiers and riders of all abilities can appreciate Windham’s diverse range of trails and authentic ski atmosphere. Those who like to rip through terrain park features will find a lot to play on with Windham’s six progressive terrain parks.
Coming from New York City without a car? No problem, as the Adirondack Trailways runs out of Port Authority to the Windham bus stop. An Amtrak train is also available from Penn Station to the quaint town of Hudson, which is just a 40-minute drive to the mountain. Urban Sherpa Travel and OvRide are bus companies that also have scheduled service to the resort.
Hunter Mountain, New York
The Northern Catskills provide incredible outdoor experiences, and Hunter Mountain is no exception. Just under a 3-hour drive from New York City, Hunter Mountain boasts terrain across three separate mountains. Hunter’s 66 trails and 320 acres of skiable terrain means that there is truly something for everyone, from beginners to advanced skiers.
Hunter has an award-winning learning center at their exclusively beginner mountain, Hunter One. On the opposite side, Hunter West boasts some seriously expert terrain. Hunter Mountain is also home to North America’s highest, longest, and fastest zipline canopy tour, making it a great four-season destination in New York. High-tech snowmaking and a variety of lodging and dining options give you everything you need for a great vacation. The New York Ski Bus runs periodic trips to Hunter from multiple locations in the city with round-trip transportation starting at $80.
Camelback Mountain, Pennsylvania
Camelback’s 40 runs and 166 acres of skiable terrain makes it a top-rated ski destination for New Yorkers. Located just two hours from New York City, Camelback’s trails range from beginner to expert, serviced by 16 lifts, while there are 3 terrain parks. Many New England skiers learn to ski at Camelback due to its family-friendly nature and top-notch ski school. Guests can also enjoy the world of Aquatopia, the resort’s 125,000-square-foot indoor water park, which you can read more about here in our article of ski resorts with indoor water parks. Aquatopia has 13 slides, cabanas for rent, and poolside dining, making it your one-stop shop for fun after the lifts close. Additionally, Camelback is a great four-season destination, with an outdoor water park, ropes courses, and a full zipline open in the warmer months.
Mountain Creek, New Jersey
Voted by OnTheSnow users as the no. 1 family-friendly resort in New Jersey, Mountain Creek is a perfect option for a day trip from New York City. Less than a two-hour drive from New York City, Mountain Creek is the state’s largest ski area spread out across four peaks. It attracts riders of all levels but particularly caters to those learning to ski or ride. Mountain Creek has 46 trails, 3 terrain parks, night skiing, and 1,000 snow guns to maximize snow coverage.
Check out The Appalachian, located at the base of Vernon Peak, which is a condo-style hotel with cozy rooms, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and sweeping mountain views. This makes Mountain Creek the perfect weekend ski getaway from New York City. For those who don’t have a car, the New York Ski Bus runs periodic trips to Mountain Creek from multiple locations in the city, with round-trip transportation starting at $60.
Belleayre Mountain, New York
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, located in Highmount, is about three hours outside of Manhattan. The resort is owned and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority. This means that Belleayre operates under the jurisdiction of New York State and is committed to maintaining Olympic training centers and supports the resort’s goal of bringing athletes and spectators to the state. Belleayre is the only Catskill ski resort with an operating gondola, helping to attract New Yorkers who want a ski resort experience. Home to 170 acres of skiable terrain, it’s primarily known as a family-friendly mountain, with terrain ranging from long cruisers to bumps to park skiing. Belleayre Mountain is also the best East Coast ski area on this list for cross-country skiing. It has a variety of cross-country skiing trails, from wide historic carriage trails to narrower steep runs.
Belleayre is a convenient weekend trip from New York City. Because it’s a little further away from the city, it’s also a little less crowded than other ski areas. The Adirondack Trailways bus line offers a route from Port Authority to Belleayre, with packages available that include lift tickets.
Thunder Ridge, New York
Thunder Ridge Ski Area, a little over an hour from New York City, has 100% snowmaking coverage, and is open day and night for skiing under the sun and moon. If you don’t have a car, the Metro-North Ski Train is a good option, taking riders to the Patterson Station, where travelers can then hop on a free shuttle to Thunder Ridge. The ski area’s terrain park was recently redone so adventurous riders have terrain park features to play on. Make a weekend of it and stay at one of the many accommodation options available 20 minutes away in Danbury, Connecticut.
Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts
Located an equal distance from Boston and New York City is Jiminy Peak, rated the no. 1 ski area in Massachusetts by our users. A three-hour drive will take you from the bustling city streets to the serene Berkshire mountains. The largest ski area in Massachusetts, Jiminy Peak has some of the best beginner terrain in the country, and was rated the top beginner ski area of the 2022-23 season for OnTheSnow’s Visitors’ Choice Awards.
Jiminy Peak has a slopeside village full of lodging so that it’s easy to make it a full weekend getaway. It is also one of the only resorts in the country that runs almost completely on renewable energy. A giant wind turbine can be seen from the summit with 123-foot-long blades that help power the area. Skip the crowds at the big pass resorts and head to Jiminy Peak for shorter lift lines and tons of fun.
Blue Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania
Blue Mountain Resort is located just over a couple hours from New York City, and boasts the highest vertical in Pennsylvania at 1,082 feet. Intermediate riders can enjoy plenty of trail options, while more advanced and expert skiers will appreciate the amount of vertical. Blue Mountain has 39 trails serviced by 13 lifts, and features 5 terrain parks and nearly 40 lanes for tubing. Bonus: It’s open daily for night skiing. The summit provides picturesque views of the Little Gap Valley, right beside the Pocono Mountains.
A few honorable mentions are Mount Snow and Gore Mountain. Mount Snow, in West Dover, Vermont, and Gore Mountain, in North Creek, New York, are a bit more of a hike, taking at least 4 hours by car from New York City. However, they do remain popular among New Yorkers for weekend trips or longer stays. Other well-known ski areas, like Bristol Mountain in the Finger Lakes Region, and Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, host of the 1980 Winter Olympics, are several hours away, and better to fly to.
There’s no denying that New Yorkers have a lot of ski areas to choose from as they plan their winter ski trips. See more East Coast ski resorts here.
Header image: ©Camelback Mountain Resort
February 15, 2024
