WHERE TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD IN THE NORTHEAST

Whether you're looking for a conveniently close bunny hill or a well-worth-it trip out to real snow country, you'll find the best fit for your family in our guide to ski mountains and resorts in the Northeast. All mountains listed here are within easy traveling distance of the NYC area -- you'll find great places to ski and snowboard in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, the Poconos (Pennsylvania), the Berkshires (Massachusetts), and Southern Vermont. Our guide includes a description of each mountain's family-friendly features as well as details on traveling there from the NYC area.

We recommend calling ahead before visiting any of these resorts to ensure availability and to reserve a spot in private or group lessons.

Select a region:

Southeast New York
Upstate New York (Worth the Travel)
Connecticut
New Jersey
Berkshires, Massachusetts
Poconos, Pennsylvania
Southern Vermont
New Hampshire

SOUTHEAST NEW YORK

Belleayre Mountain

181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount

845-254-5600 or 845-254-5601

55 trails, five glades, and a terrain park. Offers ski and snowboard lessons, including a Learning Zone for first-timers (ages 8 to adult). Roundtrip bus service from NYC via Adirondack Trailways; includes lift ticket, free beginner lesson, and luggage lock-up.

Catamount

State Route 23 East, Hillsdale

518-325-3200

The mountain has 32 trails, six lifts including a quad lift, night skiing, a terrain park, and a junior park for beginning boarders. Fourth and fifth graders ski free on weekends and holidays with a paying adult; pre-registration and $15 processing fee required.

Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park

99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello

845-796-3161

Seven trails, four lifts, night skiing. Snow tubing and ice skating. Beginner lessons available. Thursday and Saturday nights, from 5-8pm, are Family Nights, with reduced lift ticket and rental pricing; Friday night is Family Tubing Night. Tuesday Night from 5-9pm, buy any lift ticket and get another at half price.

Hunter Mountain

Off Route 23A, Hunter

800-486-8376

Day care available for children ages 6 months to 6 years on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and during the following holidays: Decemeber 24 through January 1, January 16, and February 18-24. Programs for kids include The Explorers (skiers) for ages 4-6 and Mountaineers (snowboarders) for ages 7-12. Snow tubing for those 42 inches and taller on Friday evenings and weekends. Several bus services offer roundtrip transportation from the New York metro area to Hunter; see website for details.

Mount Peter Ski & Ride

40 Ski Lane, Warwick

845-986-4940

Has about a dozen trails, from beginner to black diamond, and a terrain park. Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket; for ages 5 and up. There's also a Tiny Tots program for children who are potty-trained up to 4 years old; program includes a lesson, equipment, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for kids ages 6-18.

Plattekill Mountain

469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury

607-326-3500

35 trails and a terrain park. Childcare on weekends for children ages 6 months and older; group ski lessons for kids as young as 4. Snow tubing on weekends and holidays; children must be at least three feet tall. Kids younger than 7 ski free. Lift tickets are only $15 from January 25-27; the first 100 skiers/riders get a $15 lift ticket on the following dates: January 6, February 3, and March 2. Roundtrip bus service available from New York metro area locations via Adirondack Trailways.

Rocking Horse Ranch

600 Route 44/55, Highland

GPS address: 13 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland

800-647-2624

A family resort that includes downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh ridges, and ice skating. Best for the ski 'dabbler,' there are beginner classes (in the 'Never Ever Area') and free equipment rentals (snowboards not available) with your stay. All-inclusive packages available. Free pickup service available from the Amtrak train station in Poughkeepsie and Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.

Sawkill Family Ski Center

167 Hill Road, Kingston

845-336-6977

Ski and snowboard instruction for children ages 12 and older. Snow tubing for children who are at least 42 inches tall; parents must sign a release form.

Thunder Ridge Ski Area

137 Birch Hill Road, Patterson

845-878-4100

30 trails with many slow and gentle slopes for beginners, plus advanced trails and a ski racing program (ages 6-19). On weekends and holidays through March 13, you can take the Metro-North ski train to Patterson station and then the free shuttle to Thunder Ridge ($33.50; $21.50 seniors; $15.50 children ages 6-11; free for children under 5). Ticket includes all-day/all-night lift ticket (night skiing not available on Sundays), shuttle between the train station and ski area, and a $5 discount on rental equipment.

Tuxedo Ridge

481 Route 17A West, Tuxedo

845-351-1122

Eight trails and a bunny slope, a terrain park, snow tubing, and night skiing. Specializes in beginner and family lessons; group and individual classes available. Metro-North/NJ Transit trains offer pickup and drop off service available on weekends to Tuxedo, NY train station at 10:17am, 12:17pm and 2:30pm. A three-day notice is required for pickup. You can also purchase roundtrip tickets at ShortLineBus.com.

Windham Mountain

33 Clarence D. Lane Road, Windham

800-754-9463

In addition to about 50 trails and six terrain parks (for beginner to expert riders), Windham offers a Mountaintop Adventure Park with ice skating, snow tubing, and a rock climbing wall. Ski and riding programs for kids ages 4-12 (private lessons for kids as young as 3). Lessons for disabled children are offered through the through the Adaptive Sports Foundation (call 518-734-5070 for more information). Childcare is available. Bus service available from NYC via Adirondack Trailways.

UPSTATE NEW YORK (WORTH THE TRAVEL)

Bristol Mountain Resort

5662 Route 64, Canandaigua

585-374-6000

34 trails and two terrain parks. Ski lessons for children as young as 4; snowboard lessons for children as young as 6. Childcare program for children as young as 18 months and babysitting services for children 12 and younger.

Gore Mountain

793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek

518-251-2411 or 800-342-1234

94 trails, including 19 glades, and eight snowshoeing/cross-country trails. Daily ski and snowboard lessons for children as young as 4. Daycare available for children ages 6 months to 6 years.

Whiteface The Olympic Mountain

5021 Route 86, Wilmington

518-946-2223

More than 80 trails, 11 lifts, and several terrain parks at this U.S. Olympic training site. There are expert trails as well as a Kids Kampus for kids and families just learning to ski or board. Lessons for ages 4 and up, and all skill levels. Nursery available for ages 1 to 6. Ski racing program for ages 6 and up.

CONNECTICUT

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area

46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall

860-672-6100 or 800-895-5222

The Parent & Tots program teaches parents (must be at least an intermediate-level skier) how to ski safely with their 4-year-old child, while the child learns to ski; available Wednesday mornings, weekends, and holidays; preregistration required. Skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 5, as well as adaptive lessons for children with special needs. Ski racing program for ages 6-14. Connecticut fourth graders get three free lift tickets ($10 processing fee). Discounted tickets for beginners; free for kids with the purchase of an accompanying adult ticket.

Mount Southington

396 Mount Vernon Road, Plantsville

860-628-0954

14 trails, most of which are beginner and intermediate level, and two terrain parks. Ski Threes, for parents and 3-year-olds, introduces toddlers to skiing while teaching parents to use tip connectors and harnesses while skiing; preregistration required. Introductory ski lessons for kids ages 4-10 are offered on weekends and during holiday periods. Private ski and snowboard instruction also available.

Ski Sundown

126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford

860-379-7669

15 trails, two terrain parks, and night skiing. Group ski lessons for ages 4 and older; snowboarding lessons for ages 7 and older.

Woodbury Ski Area

785 Washington Road, Woodbury

203-263-2203

Closest Connecticut ski area to NYC with 15 snow tube runs, three tubing parks, and night tubing. Learn to ski/snowboard group lessons and private lessons available. Skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country camps offered during Christmas and February school breaks. Discount Savings Card available.

NEW JERSEY

Campgaw Mountain

200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah

201-327-7800

Small ski area with two lifts, night skiing, and snow tubing (must be at least 42 inches tall). Tiny Tot program offers group ski lessons for ages 4-6; group ski and snowboard lessons for ages 7 and up. Approximately 20 miles north of the George Washington Bridge.

Mountain Creek Ski Resort

200 Route 94, Vernon

973-827-2000

41 trails, mostly beginner and intermediate, and a large terrain park. Private lessons available on weekends and holidays. Night skiing and snow tubing for kids 5 years and older who are at least 42 inches tall. Approximately 60 miles from Manhattan.

The Hidden Valley Club

44 Breakneck Road, Vernon

973-764-4200

Offers a weekend ski program for kids ages 4-6; snowboard program for ages 5-6. Group lessons for ages 7-12 available to all skill levels. Also offers the Mountain Masters Program, a five-week after-school program that runs Mondays-Thursdays for skiers and boarders ages 5-14.

BERKSHIRES, MASSACHUSETTS

Berkshire East Ski Resort

66 South River Road, Charlemont

413-339-6617

45 trails (18 night skiing trails), most for intermediate to advanced skill levels, and a terrain park. Ski lessons for ages 3 and older; snowboarding lessons for ages 8 and older. Tubing for children at least 42 inches tall. Children's Center offers childcare and group lesson programs.

Bousquet Ski Area

101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield

413-442-8316

23 trails and three terrain parks. Private and group ski lessons for ages 4 and up; snowboard, ages 7 and up. There is also night skiing and tubing (parents must sign Release from Liability form).

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

37 Corey Road, Hancock

413-738-5500

45 trails, three terrain parks, nine lifts, and night skiing. New KidsRule program features a 3-Year-Old Program and lesson programs for children ages 3-14. Play room available for children ages 6 months and older. Roundtrip service from Long Island and shuttle service from NYC available via Danril Ski Tours.

Otis Ridge

Route 8 and Route 23, Otis

413-269-4444

11 trails and four lifts. Group ski lessons for kids as young as 4; snowboarding lessons for ages 8 and older. Private lessons offered for younger children. Overnight ski camps ($100 per day) for kids ages 8-15, including ski instruction and other recreational activities, are offered December 27 to January 1; January 13-16; February 17-20; February 20-24; and March 9-11. Also offers night skiing.

Ski Butternut

380 State Road (Route 23), Great Barrington

413-528-2000

22 trails and 110 skiable acres, two terrain parks, 10 lifts, and an eight-lane snow tubing center (tubing is for ages 4 and older). Adventurers ski programs for ages 4-13 and miniRIDERS snowboarding programs for ages 7-13. Reservations encouraged. Daycare available for ages 6 months to 8 years.

POCONOS, PENNSYLVANIA

Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center

Route 447 North Analomink

570-595-2150

21 trails of varying difficulty. Learn to ski and snowboard lessons for children ages 4-12. Snow tubing for those at least 42 inches tall. Children 5 years and younger receive a free lift ticket with the purchase of one regular full-priced adult lift ticket.

Blue Mountain Ski Area

1660 Blue Mountain Drive, Danielsville

610-826-7700

39 trails, five terrain parks, snow tubing, and night skiing. Explorer program offers ski lessons for ages 4-12 and snowboarding instruction for ages 5-12.

Camelback Mountain Resort

One Camelback Road, Tannersville

570-629-1661

34 trails, most for novices and beginners. Learn to ski and snowboard classes for kids ages 4-12. Snow tubing with double tubes available for children as small as 33 inches, accompanied by an adult. Night skiing. Ages 5 and younger receive free lift ticket with paid adult.

Jack Frost

1 Jack Frost Mountain Road, Blakeslee

Sister resort: Big Boulder, 1 South Lake Drive, Lake Harmony

570-443-8425

Ski programs for ages 3-10; snowboard lessons for ages 6-10. Both offer terrain parks and tubing for those at least 42 inches tall; only Big Boulder has night skiing.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

I-80 Exit 309, Hollow Road, Shawnee on Delaware

570-421-7231

23 trails, two terrain parks, night skiing, and snow tubing, with tandem tubes for one parent and a child under 46 inches. Offers a SKIbaby program for ages 3 and younger; a Mommy & Me program for 3-year-olds and parents; ski lessons for kids as young as 4; snowboard lessons for kids as young as 7.

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain

192 Karl Hope Boulevard, Lackawaxen

570-685-1400

18 trails, with group ski and snowboard lessons for ages 8 and older and tubing for those at least 42 inches tall. Children 5 years and younger receive a free lift ticket with paying adult.

Snö Mountain Ski Resort

1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton

570-969-7669

30 trails and two terrain parks. Ski lessons for kids as young as 3. Snow tubing for those 44 inches and taller. Located about seven miles from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and 30 miles from Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport.

SOUTHERN VERMONT

Direct service is available to these resorts from New York City, Westchester, and Connecticut via Adventure Northeast Transportation Service. Call 917- 861-1800 or visit www.adventurenortheast.com for reservations and pricing. Urban Sherpa bus service also provides direct transportation from NYC to select resorts; for more information, call 917-692-5222 or visit www.urbansherpatravel.com.

Bromley Mountain Ski Resort

3984 Vermont Route 11, Peru

802-824-5522

44 trails, nine lifts, and several terrain parks. Ski and snowboard lessons for ages 4 and older. Childcare available for ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Children 5 years old and younger receive free lift tickets. On Family Fridays (every Friday except during holiday periods), children are $15 with a paying adult (limited to three children).

Killington Resort & Pico Mountain

4763 Killington Road, Killington

802-422-6200

140 trails, 23 lifts, and several terrain parks, including a Superpipe. Group ski and snowboarding lessons for beginners as young as 2 with a maximum of three children per class; group snowboard lessons for those as young as 4. Friendly Penguin Day Care for ages 12 weeks to 12 years.

Mount Snow

39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover

800-245-7669

467 acres with several dozen trails, 20 lifts, eight terrain parks, snow tubing for all ages, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile tours. Ski lessons for those as young as 3; snowboard lessons for those as young as 7. Available in half-or full-day programs. Childcare available for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Children 5 and younger ski for free.

Okemo Mountain Resort

77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow

866-706-5366

119 trails, 19 lifts, and seven terrain parks. Free skiing and riding for children ages 6 and younger. Reduced price lift tickets for ages 13-18. Private lessons for children as young as 2; group ski lessons for children as young as 3; group snowboard lessons for children as young as 5. Penguin Playground Day Care Center for ages 6 months to 4 years.

Smuggler's Notch Resort

4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Smugglers' Notch

802-644-8851

One of the Top 30 resorts in North America and winner of best family programs for 13 years (SKI Magazine). Three mountains; 78 trails, including 13 easy trails and eight lifts. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobile touring are available. Families enjoy indoor pool and hot tubs, arts and crafts workshops, and kids of all ages play in the FunZone, the family entertainment and recreation center. Treasures Child Care available for kids 6 weeks to 3 years old. Ski lessons for kids as young as 2.5 and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 3. New this year is the ArborTrek Zip Line canopy tour, the only one of its kind in Vermont, where you can whiz through trees highger than 65 feet off the ground.

Stratton Mountain Ski Resort

43 Vermont Route 30, Bondville

800-787-2886

Ski and snowboard lessons for ages 4 and older. Childcare available for ages 6 weeks to 3 years. Snow tubing in the Coca Cola Tubing Park (must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall) Mini Snowmobile Rides for kids ages 2-7; riders 8 and older can drive their own mini Arctic Cat snowmobile every Saturday, plus holiday periods.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Cranmore Mountain Resort

1 Skimobile Road, North Conway

1-800-SUN-N-SKI

Home to the #1 Tubing Park in New Hampshire, 10 lanes wide, open on weekends (Friday-Sunday). 54 trails, 10 lifts, three terrain parks. Private ski lessons for ages 3 to 5, private snowboard lessons for ages 5 to 7, group lessons for ages 3 to 14. Indoor Adventure Zone available seven days a week (hourly, half day, or full day) for children ages 9 and older as well as an indoor tennis court and indoor climbing wall.

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