Best Family-Friendly Ski Resorts Near New York City
Ski season is here! Just a stone's throw from New York City, you'll find mountains that offer winter fun for every age group and every skill level. Whether you're looking for a quick day-trip or a weekend-long getaway, these ski areas near NYC will make winter getaways easy, fun, and carefree for the whole family.
Windham | Hunter | Belleayre | Catamount | Thunder RidgeStay Near Windham Mountain:
Nestled in the Catskills, Windham is just two hours from NYC and caters to every skier with a variety of trails from leisurely greens to heart-pounding double-black-diamonds. Enjoy night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays as well as Windham's ski school offering lessons for kids ages 2–7, so you can enjoy a carefree day on the mountain. Thanks to Windham Mountain Adventure Park, visitors can indulge in snow tubing, ice skating, zip lines, kids' snowmobiles, and the comforts of a cozy lodge, so you’re guaranteed to have fun with or without skis.
Windham Mountain
The budget-friendly Cave Mountain Motel has true country-cabin appeal. Located just one-and-a-half miles from the mountain, visitors enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast served up right by the kitchen's wood-burning stove. Skiers will also love their comfortable one- or two-bedroom condos at the Winwood Inn, with access to the free mountain shuttle and a classic rec room stocked with throwback video games and a foosball table.
Stay Near Hunter Mountain:
Just two hours away from New York City, Hunter Mountain's alpine ski resort is made up of three separate mountains that offer a wide variety of trails for skiers and riders of all levels. Hunter One offers easy green to double-black-diamond runs, while Hunter West rounds out the resort's terrain with expert-only black and double-black-diamond trails. Group ski lessons equip kids with the skills and confidence they need on the mountain. On top of this, Hunter Mountain offers childcare services just steps away from the slopes for children ages 2–6 years old, so parents can enjoy a worry-free stay on the slopes.
Hunter Mountain
Rooms at Mountain View Lodge are perfectly priced for the budget-conscious. With prices starting at $50 per night and a complimentary continental breakfast, it’s an easy, no-hassle place to rest your head for the weekend. Kaatskill Mountain Club at $250–$800 per night comes with fully equipped kitchens, ski-in/ski-out access and offers the option to relax and unwind après-ski with outdoor hot tubs.
Stay Near Belleayre Mountain:
Belleayre Mountain is a wallet-friendly choice located in the Catskill Forest Preserve where 50 snowy trails cater to a range of skill levels including beginner-friendly slopes on the bottom half of the mountain, tricky double-black runs at the top, and satisfying intermediate trails in between. Led by expert instructors, Belleayre's Kidscamp is the perfect learn-to-ski-or-snowboard program where kids learn the basics like equipment, walking and sliding on skis, balance in motion, how to get up after falling, control, and more.
Belleayre Mountain
Conveniently, the Alpine Osteria B&B is situated at the base of Belleayre Mountain and they offer jacuzzi tubs in two of the seven rooms. Book your stay and wake up to a hot breakfast cooked by the owner, trained at the Culinary Institute of America!
Stay Near Catamount:
Set in the postcard-perfect snowy mountains, this resort can't be beat for value. Perfect for skiers of all abilities, Catamount features scenic runs and a terrain park full of jumps. Introduce your kids to the joys of winter sports with the Mountain Cats kids' ski program where kids learn skiing or snowboarding from trained instructors. Lunch and snacks are included in lessons as well as full-day lift tickets, but rental equipment must be purchased separately—it's a deal you'll want to jump on. And in the summer months, take another trip back to enjoy Catamount's Aerial Adventure Park.
Catamount
No-frills Holiday House Motel features a microwave, refrigerator, and individually controlled thermostats, and at $75–$95 per night the price is hard to match. Within walking distance of the mountain, the Swiss Hutte is an 1800's farmhouse-turned-inn that feels like a European chalet thanks to its 14 rustic-chic guest rooms and fireplace-flanked dining room serving locally sourced fare.
Stay Near Thunder Ridge:
Just a short trek from NYC, Thunder Ridge is a conveniently located ski area that’s perfect for beginners or well-seasoned skiers looking for a quick run down the slopes. The mountain’s trails will keep novice skiers engaged, while adventurous skiers enjoy their share of blues, diamonds, and the terrain park. Thunder Ridge also offers a kindergarten program for children 3–5 years old, designed to introduce young ones to skiing and help them gain confidence on the mountain. This program is specialized and will maintain a one-to-two instructor-to-student ratio.
Thunder Ridge
Heidi's Inn is a comfortable, cozy place to rest your head after a day on the slopes. Just a 12-minute drive from Thunder Ridge, this inn is a convenient, budget-friendly place to enjoy the ski season.
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