The New Yorker’s Guide to Skiing & Snowboarding

Looking for more winter weekend getaways from NYC without a car? Head to offMetro.com.

Let’s face it, winters in Manhattan can be a miserably frigid experience. Why not take advantage of the only redeeming quality of winter (snow) and enjoy a weekend of skiing or snowboarding? Fortunately for us, there are many winter resorts nearby, which we have featured below.

And in traditional offMetro style, all of these mountains are accessible to you without a car. Next time you take a reluctant step into the cold and rainy streets, remember that it could be snowing at your favorite local mountain. Get out there and hit the slopes!

New York: Catskills

Windham Mountain | Windham, NY | 800.SKI.WIND | windhammountain.com This slope gives skiers the opportunity to ride as late as 9pm, or slide down a snow tube with your screaming family and friends at Adventure Park, which includes a skating center, bungee trampoline, and rock climbing wall. If you’re here to settle in for a romantic getaway, rent a condo for as little as $133/night.

• Paragon Winter Express Trip | Days: Sundays Transportation: Bus pick-up and drop off at Paragon Sports in Union Square at 6:30AM. Price: $95.00 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift. Light breakfast. Info: Visit ParagonSports.com.
• OvRride | Days: Sundays and Wednesdays Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (5:30AM), Soho (5:50AM), Union Square (6:10AM), and the Upper East Side (6:30AM). Price: $100 (Weekdays), $120 (Weekends), $130 (Holidays) with the option to add-on rentals and lessons. Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift ticket Info: Visit OvRride: Windham MT to book your spot.
• Island Ski Tours | Days: Sundays, starting December 31st, 2017 Transportation: 6:00am departure from 42nd Street between Lexington & Vanderbilt (Front of Grand Hyatt Hotel) – Also has pickups in Queens, Long Island, and NJ (see website). Price: $55 (Transportation) + $40 (Lift Ticket) + $35 (Rentals) Includes: Transportation with lavatory, video-equipped motor coach plus add-ons Info: Visit Island Ski Tours. Must reserve ahead online.
• Urban Sherpa | Days: Tuesday – Sunday Transportation: Union Square (6:15AM), Time Square (6:30AM) Price: $85 (weekdays), $95 (weekends) Includes: Lift ticket and transportation. They also offer monthly multi-day trips to Windham starting at $259. Info: Check out Urban Sherpa for more details.
• NYC Snow Bus | Days: Fridays and Saturdays, select Sundays and Mondays Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal, Union Square, Times Square and the Upper West Side. Exact times for each location can be found here. Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $119.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, and lessons Info: Visit NYCSnowBus.com.

Thunder Ridge | Patterson, NY | 845.878.4100 | thunderridgeski.com Only 75 minutes from Manhattan, this mellow family mountain has 30 trails, 3 chairs, a T-bar, handtow, magic carpet, and a day ski school for new “slopesters.” If there hasn’t been enough fallen snow by the time that ski itch begins, Thunder Ridge will create soft powder from their fan snow cannons enough to cover over 100 acres. Ski on!

• Thunder Ridge Ski Train | Days: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Transportation: Take the Metro-North Ski Train from Grand Central Station to the Patterson, New York Train Station. The Ski Train shuttle meets three morning trains and provides FREE transportation to the ski area. Price: $63.50 with the Thunder Ski Metro-North Getaway Package which, also includes a lift ticket, and discounted rental equipment. Includes: Discount round-trip rail fare, all-day lift ticket; shuttle to / from the train station to the ski area. Info: For transportation package details call 212.532.4900, or visit the MTA Metro-North. Tickets can also be purchased at Grand Central Terminal, all Metro-North ticket offices, and through the full-service ticket machines.

Belleayre Mountain | Highmount, NY | 800.942.6904 | belleayre.com This mountain boasts 47 trails, terrain parks, glades and 8 lifts, including a new high speed quad. There are a variety of pass options to choose from, ranging from mid-week to student pricing. Have a nice trip to the “Forever Wild” slopes.

• Adirondack Trailways Ski Bus | Days: Friday through Monday and Holidays Transportation: 7am departure from New York Port Authority Bus Terminal arrives at the mountain at about 10:15am. Return trip departs the mountain at 4:15pm and arrives back at the terminal at about 7:40pm Price: $103 Includes: Transportation on coach bus and all day lift pass. Info: Visit Bellyeare.com or call 800-858-8555.

Hunter Mountain | Hunter, NY | 800.HUNTERMTN | huntermtn.com With three separate mountains, Hunter is the premier Catskills destination, providing multiple trails for a range of experienced riders and skiers. Head to the Atrium Bar for spectacular views and drinks after a day of downhill carving. To loosen up those muscles even more, visit the luxury spa for a variety of soothing natural treatments.

• Sourced Adventures | Days: Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season, select Fridays Transportation: Pick-ups in Lower East Side and Midtown West (usually between 6:30am and 7:30am) Price: $99 (weekdays), $119 (normal weekend days), $139 (holidays) Includes: Lift ticket, transportation, rentals, and a hot beverage Info: Visit Sourced Adventures. Must reserve ahead online.
• Urban Sherpa | Days: Tuesdays – Sunday Transportation: Union Square (6:15AM), Time Square (6:30AM) Price: $85 (weekdays), $95 (weekends) Includes: Lift ticket and transportation. Info: Check out Urban Sherpa for more details.
• NYC Snow Bus | Days: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal, Union Square, Times Square and the Upper West Side. Exact times for each location can be found here. Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $99.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, and lessons Info: Visit NYCSnowBus.com.
• Paragon Winter Express Trip | Days: Saturdays Transportation: Bus pick-up and drop off at Paragon Sports in Union Square at 6:30AM. Price: $95.00 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift. Light breakfast. Info: Visit ParagonSports.com.

New York: Adirondacks

Gore Mountain | North Creek, NY | 518.251.2411 | goremountain.com

Head to Gore for a locals mountain… where everyone knows your name. Well, perhaps not everybody, but this family friendly spot will make you feel right at hand. Over the year’s they’ve been steadily expanding terrain so that no one area gets overly crowded. This is the spot to find progression as a beginner both on the slopes and in the terrain park.

• NYC Snow Bus | Days: Select Saturdays throughout the season Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal (4:00AM), Union Square (4:15AM), Times Square (4:30AM) and the Upper West Side (5:00AM). Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $139.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, and lessons Info: Visit NYC Snow Bus

Whiteface

For the most vertical on the east, you’ll need to spend some extra time on the bus. In the High Peaks of the Adirondacks is Whiteface Resort, known for its harrowing steeps and expansive mountain views. Plus, if your legs get tired from all of the vertical, there’s also a ton to explore in Lake Placid (bobsledding anyone?)

• Adirondack Trailways | Days: Multiple departures daily Transportation: This bus runs from Port Authority to Lake Placid and requires a transfer in Albany. Total trip length is about 8 hours. Once in Lake Placid, there’s a free shuttle to get around town and to the mountain. Price: $50 and up (book early, prices can get up to $120) Includes: One way bus ticket Info: Visit Trailways NY
• NYC Snow Bus Days: Select Saturdays throughout the season Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal (3:30AM), Union Square (3:45AM), Times Square (4:00AM) and the Upper West Side (4:15AM). Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $149.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, and lessons Info: Visit NYC Snow Bus

New Jersey

Mountain Creek | Vernon Valley, NJ | 973.827.2000 | mountaincreek.com For Manhattanites who don’t want to stray too far this winter season, head to Vernon Valley.

• NYC Snow Bus | Days: 5 days a week, generally Thursdays-Mondays Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal, Union Square and Times Square. Exact times (including 10:00AM weekday pick-ups!) for each location can be found here. Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $94.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, tubbing and lessons Info: Visit NYCSnowBus.com.
• Sourced Adventures | Days: Fridays and Saturdays Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal, Lower East Side and Midtown West Price: $79 (Fridays), $85 (Saturdays) Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on option for those needing rentals. Info: Visit Sourced Adventures. Must reserve ahead online. They also offer an evening snow tubing and brewery option for those looking for evening adventure.

Southern Vermont

Mt. Snow | West Dover, VT | 800.245.SNOW | mountsnow.com One of only three Vermont ski areas on U.S. Forest Service land – and one of a handful that boasts sustainable slopes – there’s a reason why many people (including one of our very own editors) first learn to ski here. Whether you want jumps, forest trails, an easy straight course, superpipes, or night time shredding in the mini rail park, this mountain has enough ski packages, activities, and leisure options to keep you here for a month. Which reminds us to let you know about this last-minute deal: Buy two nights at the Grand Summit Hotel today, get the third night free. Check out their website for other get-’em-while-you-can super steals.

• Sourced Adventures | Days: Full weekend trips: Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon Transportation: Pick-up from 11th Ave and 45th Ave at 4:00PM (Friday) Price: $269 for the full weekend package. Includes: Lift tickets, transportation, breakfast, lodging at the Snow Lake Lodge Info: Visit Sourced Adventures. Must reserve ahead online.
• NYC Snow Bus | Days: Every other Sunday Transportation: Pick-up options include Atlantic Terminal, Union Square, Times Square and the Upper West Side. Exact times (starting at 4:00AM) for each location can be found here. Transportation in coach buses with wifi and sometimes outlets. Price: $149.90 Includes: Base price for transportation and lift, add-on options for rentals, and lessons Info: Visit NYCSnowBus.com.
• OvRride | Days: Day trips on most Saturdays and select Thursdays throughout the season. Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (3:30AM), Cobble Hill (3:45AM), Union Square (4:00AM), and the Upper West Side (4:30AM). Price: $129.95. Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift ticket. Info: Visit OvRride: Mt. Snow to book your spot. Also check out Mt. Snow Weekend Trips Scheduled for New Year’s, Superbowl Weekend and Daylight Savings Weekend.

Stratton | Stratton Mountain, VT | 800.787.2886 | stratton.com Another environmentally conscious mountain, Stratton is powered by 100% renewable energy. It features 583 acres of terrain, 6 parks, and 13 lifts including four high-speed, six passenger lifts and a 12-passenger summit gondola. When your ski or snow boots are drying at the door, and you’ve still got that active revved-up spirit, kick up your blades and go skating, or snow tubing, sign up for a free tour of Stratton Mountain, take a spin on the snowmobiles or a Friesian-drawn carriage ride. Instead of Top of the Rock, try Top of Southern Vermont.

• Stratton Jitney | Days: Weekends (depart Friday, return Sunday). Holidays (depart Thursday, return Monday) Transportation: Leaves from 44th Street and 3rd Ave in Manhattan between 5:45 and 6:30PM every Friday going to Stratton Welcome Center. Price: $84 each way, transportation only. Wifi, restrooms and snacks on board. Info: HamptonJitney.com.
• OvRride | Days: First Saturday of the month Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (3:30AM), Soho (3:45AM), Union Square (4:00AM), and the Upper East Side (4:30AM). Price: $149.95 for the bus and lift ticket. Option to add-on rentals Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift ticket Info: Visit OvRride: Stratton to book your spot.

Okemo | Ludlow, VT | 800.78.OKEMO | okemo.com Okemo has 117 slopes, trails and glades, 2 pipes, 6 parks. Annual snow fall: 200 inches. Summit Elevation: 3,344 feet. Longest trail: 4.5 miles (Mountain Road). Five Mountain Areas: Jackson Gore Peak, Solitude Peak, South Face, Glades Peak, South Ridge. This mountain has the biggest vertical drop in Southern Vermont: 2,200 feet. Enjoy, you daredevils.

• OvRride | Days: Third Saturday of the month Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (3:30AM), Soho (3:45AM), Union Square (4:00AM), and the Upper East Side (4:30AM). Price: $129.95 for the bus and lift ticket. Option to add-on rentals Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift ticket Info: Visit OvRride: Okemo to book your spot.

Killington | Killington VT | (802) 422-3333 | killington.com

Head to Southern Vermont to ski the most expansive resort in the area at Killington. The “Beast of the East” has over 1,500 acres of diverse terrain and 120 snow guns to ensure there’s skiing even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

• OvRride | Days: Day trips on most Saturdays throughout the season. Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (3:00AM), Soho (3:15AM), Union Square (3:30AM), and the Upper East Side (4:00AM). Price: $129.95. Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift ticket. OvR also has select weekend trip including lodging for $349.95. Info: Visit OvRride: Killington to book your spot.

Northern Vermont

Sugarbush | Warren, VT | 1.800.53.SUGAR | sugarbush.com

Sugarbush Resort boasts an impressive 250-inch annual snowfall, 2,600-foot vertical drop, and over 4,000 acres of front and sidecountry terrain, making it the ideal destination for skiers and riders of all ability levels

• Amtrak | Days: Daily Transportation: Ride Amtrak’s scenic Vermonter from Penn Station to Waterbury in 6 hours. From Waterbury it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to the Mad River Valley. Once in town, the Mad Bus is a free shuttle service that stops at various points around the Valley during the winter months. Price: Amtrak tickets are as low as $50 when you book in advance. Info: Amtrak.com. Jessica’s Vital Transit (802- 279-8251) and Stowe Taxi (802- 253-9490) are reliable. Call ahead and book a taxi to meet your train.
• Miramar Ski Club | Days: Miramar runs ski trips almost every weekend of the season. Transportation: The bus picks up from 6th Ave. between 23rd and 24th St. at 6:15PM on Fridays. The group bus will head to mountains based on the trip leaders preference which means usually Sugarbush or Stowe. Price: $300-$490 depending on length of trip Includes: Roundtrip transportation, two nights at Miramar’s Waitsfield Vermont Lodge, Saturday and Sunday breakfast and dinner and happy hours. Info: Visit Miramar Ski Club.
• OvRride | Days: OvR runs the “Sugarbus” one weekend every month. See schedule for details. Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn, Soho and Upper West Side on Friday afternoon. Price: $329.95-$499.95 Includes: Roundtrip transportation, some food, lift tickets and lodging. Info: Visit OvRride.

Stowe | Stowe, VT | 1.888.253.4849 | stowe.com

Stowe Mountain Resort, referred to by everyone as simply Stowe, reigns supreme for skiing and snowboarding in the Northeast. This is thanks to its abundant snow blanket, modern facilities, diverse terrain and jaw-dropping natural beauty. Double black diamond trails challenge even experts, so serious skiers should be satiated all weekend long.

• OvRride | Days: Weekends of January 2nd, February 2nd, and March 16th 2018 Transportation: Pick-up areas include Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn (12:15PM) and Soho (12:45PM) Price: $399.95. Includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, lift tickets and lodging. Info: Visit OvRride.
• Amtrak | Days: Daily Transportation: Ride Amtrak’s scenic Vermonter from Penn Station to Waterbury in 6 hours. From Waterbury it’s a 25-minute taxi ride to Stowe. Price: $50 when you book in advance. Info: Amtrak.com. Jessica’s Vital Transit (802- 279-8251) and Stowe Taxi (802- 253-9490) are reliable. Call ahead and book a taxi to meet your train.

Photos: Courtesy of respective ski resorts and Jérôme S.