Calling all snow bunnies – whether you’re a ski enthusiast looking to tackle some new terrain or a snow bunny looking for an idyllic change of scenery, Hunter Mountain Resort in NY is one of the Catskills’ best spots to enjoy fresh powder south of Lake Placid. Located just two hours from Hoboken, Hunter Mountain is the ideal destination for a quick weekend getaway offering a variety of winter activities for all ages and riders to enjoy. Read on for a roundup of everything you need to know about Hunter Mountain Ski Resort:
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Activities
Hunter Mountain is made up three mountains that include 240 skiable acres and 58 trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels to enjoy. The resort has 12 lifts, including two new carpet lifts for kids and a six-passenger chair lift to transport eager alpinists from base to summit while minimizing lift line wait times. During times of good natural snowfall, the tracks off Hunter’s mountain back side are said to be some of the best on the East coast. As an early investor of snowmaking technology, Hunter is also renowned as the “snowmaking capital of the world” boasting snowmaking on 100% of its mountain’s skiable acres {in other words when it comes to snow conditions, there’s no such thing as a bad day at Hunter Mountain}.
Hunter Mountain’s snow sports program offers a variety of specialized options for all levels, including progression-lessons, private lessons for both adults and children, women’s-only clinics, junior competition teams, park workshops and a fully supervised play care program for those who aren’t yet old enough to hit the slopes. The resort also offers reasonably priced ski and snowboard rentals as well as a variety of retail boutiques filled with top of the line equipment, gear, clothing, and accessories from well-known brands making it the ideal place for those who like to shred in style.
See More: A Winter Weekend Getaway to Lake Placid, NY
When it’s time to take a break from the mountain, the resort is also home of New York’s largest snow tubing park. With tubing lanes nearly 1,000 feet long, a snack bar and fire pit, it’s an adventure for all ages and is a fun winter alternative to skiing and snowboarding {it also doesn’t hurt to mention the park’s amazingly convenient carpet lift which allows you to slide more and walk less}.
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When hunger strikes, go enjoy a hearty winter meal {our favorites include the infamous pizza bar, homemade chili served in a bread bowl, and mac ’n cheese} followed by a refreshingly cold beverage at the resort’s Coppertree Bar {après ski anyone?}. For those still on the slopes, be sure to take a pitstop at Pika’s Waffle Stop, located at the bottom of Empire Terrain Park, for a sweet treat.
Every year, Hunter Mountain also hosts to a variety of events, concerts, and festivals such as Oktoberfest celebrations, Mountain Jam Fest and Taste of Country Music Festival.
Best Trails
With three separate mountains, the resort has a trail for every level to enjoy. The first mountain boasts green and blue trails with wide cruising lanes ideal for beginner to moderate skiers and snowboarders. The second mountain offers a variety of terrain, from easy green to double black diamond including favorites such as Belt Parkway, Kennedy Drive and Gun Hill Road. The third rounds out the resort’s terrain with expert-only black and double black diamond trails, such as Hellgate, Upper K-27, and Racer’s Edge.
Read More: Outdoor Winter Activities Near Hoboken + Jersey City
Accommodations
For those looking to plan a full-on weekend getaway, Hunter Mountain has two on-site lodging options. The first, Kaatskill Mountain Lodge, offers a number of accommodations and room types {including ski-in, ski-out rooms} to suit a variety of party sizes. Top amenities include ski and snowboard storage, a complete fitness center, access to the Mountain Club Spa {for a hot chocolate therapy massage}, a four-season heated outdoor pool, steam room, sauna, and two outdoor hot tubs.
For those looking for a more family-friendly accommodation, the resort’s Liftside Village Condominiums is a great option. Known as a “home away from home,” these condos offer a full kitchen, fireplace, private balcony, washer + dryer units, and include a variety of one to three bedrooms. Liftside Village Condos also have ski-in, ski-out privileges and include access to the fitness center, heated pool, and hot tubs.
Have a favorite activity at Hunter Mountain? Let us know in the comments!
