We at Roll thought you might like a quick overview of the skiing scene in and around the Hudson Valley, cross-country and downhill. From a full day pass at Hunter Mt., to the free ski trails at the golf course just up the road, there’s plenty to choose from, regardless of budget.

Some general observations, and apologies if I’m stating the obvious: downhill skiing is centered on the Catskills to the west, and the Berkshires to the east, though there is some skiing available in between. Lift ticket information gets a bit complicated, so please check with our supplied ski resort websites and info lines. Cross-country skiing is widely available all over Ulster and Dutchess Counties, with numerous cost-free skiing options in many state parks, rail trails, and golf courses, and exceptional possibilities in Cold Spring and the Shawangunks. Also, when we have “skating” in our X-C skiing listing, it’s in reference to a skiing technique, as opposed to the classic “striding”, not the ice-skating variety.

But first you might need proper clothing, gear, and accessories. Here are some locally-owned places we recommend checking out…

Some Hudson Valley Outfitters

Kenco, 1000 Hurley Mt. Rd., Kingston NY, www.atkenco.com, 845.340.0552, 800.872.2964. Open Mo-Th 9 AM- 6 PM, Fr 9 AM- 7 PM, Sa 10 AM- 5 PM, Su 11 AM- 5 PM. Outdoor apparel, boating/kayaking, footwear, all terrain/season hiking and camping gear, pet gear, full optical. Pretty much everything, and we do mean EVERYTHING but the skis are available here.

Cabin Fever Outfitters, 6423 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck NY, www.cabinfeveroutfitters.com, 845.876.6005. Open daily 11 AM- 6 PM. Outdoor apparel and outdoor lifestyle accessories.

Mountain Tops, 144 Main St., Beacon NY, www.mountaintopsonline.com, 845.831.1997. Open Su-Th 11 AM- 6 PM, Fr 11 AM- 6 PM, Sa 10 AM- 6 PM, 2nd Sa 10 AM- 9 PM. Outdoor apparel, footwear, backpacking, pet gear.

Mountain Buddies, 397 Main St., Catskill NY, www.mountainbuddies.com, 518.943.7422. Call for open times. Outdoor apparel, footwear, boating/kayaking.
(see below for New Paltz outfitters) 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Rentals are available at locations denoted with a (*), and also at Peak Performance Sports, 184 Main Street (Route 299), New Paltz NY, 845.255.8200, and Rock & Snow, 44 Main St., New Paltz NY, 845.255.1311. Special thanks to Ken Roberts and Sharon Marsh Roberts for their exceptional X-C skiing website, www.roberts-1.com.

East Side Of the Hudson River

(A) *Fahnestock Winter Park, Rte. 301, Cold Spring NY, nysparks.com/parks , 845.225.3998

15 Km/9 Mi. of groomed and tracked (also skate) ski trails, snowshoeing, tube-sledding, warming lodge with food, beverages, rest rooms and changing facilities. All equipment rental, beginner and advanced instruction. 9 AM- 5:30 PM weekends/holidays, 10 AM- 5 PM weekdays. Trail fees: Adult- $8, Senior (62+)- $7, under 17- $6. Easy access from the Taconic, I-84, and Rte. 301. Great for novice skiers.

(B) Harlem Valley Rail Trail, alongside Rte.22, Copake, Millerton, Amenia NY. www.hvrt.org, 518.789.9591

Two ungroomed stretches of flat rail trial: One between Copake Falls (Rte. 344) and Under Mt. Rd (Rte. 63), the other between Millerton and Amenia all the way down to the Metro North station in Wassaic. See website for parking and access points.

Dutchess/Putnam/Columbia Parks:

(C) James Baird State Park, near Taconic Pkwy. and Rte. 55, LaGrange NY, 845.452.1489; conditions: 485.7358
(D) Bowdoin County Park, Wappingers Falls NY, 845.297.1224
(E) Lake Taghkanic State Park, Hudson NY, 518.851.3631
(F) Mills/Norrie State Park, Hyde Park NY, 845.889.4646
(G) Stissing Mountain Dutchess County Multiple Use Area, just off Rte. 82, Pine Plains NY, 845.677.8268

West Side of the Hudson River

(H) Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Rte.44 west of New Paltz NY,
www.roberts-1.com/minnewaska/ski/, 845.255.0752

A variety of ungroomed ski trails on the Shawangunk Ridge, mostly for intermediate and expert skiers, due to relatively steep inclines at times, but with some beginner trails. Trail maps, limited grooming, and an unheated hut are the extent of the amenities, but wonderful views and terrain between and around Minnewaska and Awosting Lakes abound. No rentals or instruction. Either a parking fee of $5, or between $2-$6 per person (check website to see if collecting this year).

(I) *Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Rd.,New Paltz NY, www.mohonk.com/recreation/cross_country_skiing.cfm, 845.255.1000 (ski shop 845.256.2101, info/conditions 845.256.2197)

56 Km/35 mi. of groomed and tracked (also skate) ski trails near this famous Shawangunk resort. Some gentle trails, as well as extraordinary beginner, intermediate, and athletic, around Lake Mohonk, up to Humpty Dumpty and the Skytop Tower. Ski rentals and beginner lessons available at the ski shop, at the other end of the resort from the gatehouse (shuttle van is available). Prices and parking are variable for non-guests of the resort, but reasonable when enforced. Call ahead to the ski shop (845.256.2101) for info, ski passes are reportedly not given out after 2:30 PM.

(J) Mohonk Preserve, Rte. 44 west of New Paltz NY, www.mohonkpreserve.org, 845.255.0919

Two series of 5-8 Km/3-5 mi. of groomed and tracked trails—Spring Farm Rd./Bonticou and The Trapps—situated between New Paltz and Minnewaska, and connected to the Mohonk Mountain Home trails. Snowshoeing also. Spring Farm/Bonticou requires a little uphill work early, but is rewarding at all levels. The Trapps is generally gentler, with some challenging parts. No rental or instruction. Day passes to be purchased at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center on Rte. 44 (which incidentally is not connected to the trailheads) and use is free to members of the Mohonk Preserve. Call for info and conditions.

(K) Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, between Rosendale and Gardiner NY, www.gorailtrail.com

With the Rosendale stretch included, this runs straight and flat for almost 20 miles of rail trail. Access points and parking in Gardiner at Rte. 44, New Paltz at Rte. 208 (near Water St. Market), just north of New Paltz off Rte. 32, and Springtown Road, between New Paltz and Rosendale. Free to use at your own risk, not that there is much.

(L) *Mountain Trails Cross County Ski Center, Rte. 23A, Tannersville NY, www.mtntrails.com, 518.589.5361

35 Km of a groomed and tracked ski trails, beginner, intermediate, and expert, many on upgraded old logging roads. Snowshoeing and sledding also. Lodge with rest room, ski patrol. Ski rentals, sales, and instruction. Weekends open 9 AM to 4:30 PM, weekdays depending on conditions. Trail fees: Adult-$15, ages 13 to 17-$13, ages 5 to 12 yrs-$8, under 5 free. Half day rates after 2 PM.

(M) Bear Mountain State Park, Palisades Parkway and Rte. 9W, Bear Mt. NY, 914.786.2701

10 Km of marked and tracked trails, also Nordic jumps and open skating rink. No rentals or instruction. 10 AM- 6 PM weekdays, 9:30 AM- 7 PM weekends & holidays. No fee for skiing, minimal fee for skating, $6 for parking. Close to Peekskill, easy access from I-87/Palisades Pkwy. Also ski trails open at nearby Harriman State Park.

(N) *High Point Cross-Country Ski Area, 1480 Rte. 23, Sussex NJ, www.xcskihighpoint.com, 973.702.1222

Over 15 Km of groomed and tracked (also skate) ski trails, snowshoeing, warming lodge, all equipment rental, beginner and advanced instruction. 9 AM- 4 PM weekdays, 8 AM- 4 PM weekends. Events and races, and full ski shop. Trail fees: Adult- $13 (wkdy) $16 (wknd), under 12/over 62- $11 (wkdy) $14 (wknd). Half-day rates available. Over 1600’ elevation.

(O) *Frost Valley YMCA, 2000 Frost Valley Rd., Claryville NY, www.frostvalley.org, 845.985.2291

Over 25 Km of groomed and tracked trails, as well as backcountry. Beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. Additional family activities. Dining hall lodge, equipment rental and instruction. 9 AM- 4 PM Weekends and holidays. Trail Fee: $10 full day, packages available. Conditions hotline: 845.985.2291, ex.396 and www.snocountry.com. Excellent for all ages and abilities.

HUDSON VALLEY DOWNHILL SKIING

Equipment rentals are available at all listed resorts. Ski Conditions 24 hour hotline: 1.800.225.5697

 East Side of the Hudson River

[1] Ski Butternut, 380 State Rd. (Rte. 23), Great Barrington MA, www.skibutternut.com, 413.528.2000

22 trails with 10 lifts (w/ 3 quads), w/ terrain park, tubing center, and XC trails. All equipment rental and instruction. Child care, snowmaking, 9 AM- 4 PM weekdays, 8:15 AM- 4 PM weekends and holidays (lodge open 1ž2 hour earlier).Tubing Sa 10 AM- 8 PM, Su 10 AM- 5 PM (see website for holiday hours).

 [2] Catamount Ski Area, 3200 Rte. 23, Hillsdale NY, www.catamountski.com, 518.325.3200, 413.528.1262

30 trails with 6 lifts (incl. Summit Quad and Wonder Carpet), all difficulty levels, halfpipe and terrain park, mogul run. All equipment rental and instruction, group packages and special events, racing, child care. Snowmaking and night skiing. Weekdays 9 AM- 4 PM, Weekends 8:30 AM- 4 PM.

 [3] Mohawk Mountain, 46 Great Hollow Rd., West Cornwall CT, www.mohawkmtn.com, 800.895.5222

24 trails with 6 lifts, night skiing. Equipment rental and instruction, snowmaking, night skiing. 8:30 AM- 10PM daily, except Su until 4 PM. Mo-Th special rates. Special rates and package deals, see website for details.

 [4] Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Rte. 22 (8.5 mi. N of I-84), Patterson NY, www.thunderridgeski.com, 845.878.4100

30 trails with 6 lifts, with terrain park, halfpipe, and carpet lift. All equipment rental and instruction, racing, childcare, snowmaking, and night skiing. 10 AM- 9 PM weekdays, Sa 9 AM- 9 PM, Su 9 AM- 5 PM. See website for holiday hours.

West Side of the Hudson River

 [5] Belleayre Mountain, 181 Gallicurci Road, Highmount NY, www.belleayre.com, 800.942.6904, 845.254.5600

47 trails w/ 8 lifts (incl. High Speed Quad), Cat-access skiing, halfpipe and terrain park, XC trails. All equipment rental and instruction, child care, racing. Snowmaking. Lodges open daily 7 AM- 5 PM, lifts 9 AM- 4 PM.

[6] Cortina Mountain Resort, 227 Clum Hill Rd., Hunter NY, www.cortinamountain.com, 1.866.9-CORTINA, 518.589.6378

11 ski trails and 19 snowboarding trails, terrain park, snowtubing, snowskating. Part of a resort with full lodging, restaurant and nightclub. Rentals for snowtubes and snowskates. Tube park: Fr 4-9 PM, Sa 10 AM- 9 PM, Su 10 AM- 5 PM. Snowskate park: Sa 10 AM- 9 PM, Su 10 AM- 5 PM. Call for weekday hours and rates.

[7] Hunter Mountain, Hunter NY, www.huntermtn.com, 1.800.HUNTERMTN

3 mountains with 55 trails and 11 lifts (w/ 3 quad chairs), terrain park and snowtubing. All equipment rental and instruction, childcare, instructor training, and racing. Base lodge opens 6 AM, lifts 8:30 AM- 4 PM, Hunter West 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM. Legendary snowmaking ability. Groups and conference rates.

[8] Mount Peter, 51 Old Mt. Peter Rd., Warwick NY, www.mtpeter.com, 845.986.4940, conditions 845.986.4992

12 trails with 4 lifts w/ terrain park, equipment rental and instruction (including toddlers), racing. Fr 10 AM- 6 PM, Sa/Su 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM. Free beginner lessons, snowmaking, and night skiing. Retail shop and Pete’s Place Tavern.

[9] Sawkill Family Ski Center, 167 Hill Rd., Kingston NY, sawkillski.com, 845.336.6966, 336.6977

Primarily a snowboard run and terrain park, suitable also for tubing and beginner skiing, with a carpet lift. Equipment rental and instruction, ski shop and snack bar. Snowmaking. 10 AM- 4 PM weekends and holidays.

[10] Plattekill Mountain, 469 Plattekill Mt. Rd., Roxbury NY, www.plattekill.com, 607.326.3500

35 trails w/ 3 lifts, with terrain park and snowtubing. Equipment rental and instruction, childcare, racing, snowmaking.  8:45 AM- 4:15 PM Fr/Sa/Su and holidays. “Powder Daize” day after storm of 1 foot or more mid-week. 1/28-2/1: $10 ticket week. Tubing 5-9 PM weekends (see website for date details). Both ski mountain and tube park can be rented mid-week.

[11] Windham Mountain, Rte. 23W, Windham NY, www.windhammountain.com, 518.734.4300

46 trail w/ 10 lifts (incl. 2 Hi-Speed Quads), with terrain park, halfpipe, snowtubing, and ice skating. Equipment rental and instruction, childcare, racing, snowmaking, night skiing. 9 AM- 4 PM weekdays, 8 AM- 4 PM weekends and holidays. Night skiing thru 3/8 4-9 PM. Check website for specifics.