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Discover Skiing, Ziplining & Tubing in the Catskills

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2018-01-24 11:00:00

This winter, when it’s time to bust out the skis and snowboards, look no further than New York’s Catskill Mountains. The area is home to many ski resorts, suited for everyone from bunny-hill-bound beginners to those who consider the slopes their second home.

Bellayre Mountain

Located in Highmount, NY, in the heart of the Catskills, Bellayre Mountain  has appealed to rugged backcountry skiers since the 1800s, when it was part of a protected wilderness area. But Bellayre really became a staple for winter enthusiasts in the 1940s, when it was turned into a family-friendly winter resort for skiers of every skill level. It even boasts the distinction of having the first working chairlift in New York State.


Today, the mountain is home to 50 ski trails and a vertical drop of more than 1400 feet, plus four lodges with places to eat, warm up and relax, and a snowsports school  offering individual and group lessons for all ages, plus kids camps throughout the winter.


Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain Resort, located in the town that shares its name, offers a whole range of winter vacation experiences. It’s home to 54 trails spread out of 285 acres and two peaks, with a 1600-foot vertical drop, making it a favorite destination for many skiers in the Catskill area. Off-trail, there’s also a snowtubing park and guided snowshoe trails can also be found here, along with a variety of specialized ski and snowboarding lessons for all ages.


Make it a weekend-long excursion with an overnight stay at a private vacation house rental in Windham Mountain Village or the Winwood Inn, both located right on the mountain for easy access to all the amenities. And the lodge itself offers restaurants, including an Irish pub and a Mexican restaurant, plus there’s a full-service spa to enjoy, too.

Hunter Mountain

Hunter Mountain  is well known throughout the year for its music festivals, like Taste of Country and Mountain Jam in June, but the mountain’s original claim to fame—skiing—is still its biggest draw. When winter hits, hit the slopes at Hunter, where you’ll find three separate peaks and 58 trails over 240 acres, with a 1600-foot vertical drop. Terrain is pretty evenly split, with 30% each dedicated to beginner, intermediate and advanced level trails, and the remaining 10% allotted to expert trails.


This is also where to go to find the king of all snow tubing parks—Hunter is home to the largest one in New York State’s. It’s also home nation’s highest and longest zip line canopy tour, which is open year-round. The Kaatskill Mountain Club Hotel and the Mountain Club Spa provide a place to rest and relax off-trail, and there are eateries and bars within the lodge. A learning center offers lessons for all ages and skill levels, for skiers, snowboarders or both.


 

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