EAST COAST | SKI + WINTER
Crave skiing? Check out these slopes in the northeast
Hitting the bunny slopes at 5 Southern California ski resorts
Czech Republic: Skiing the Krkonose Mountains
Hitting the western ski slopes
If 10 hours is more than you care to spend in a car - even if it is to eastern North America's perennial top resort, Mont Tremblant in Quebec - not to worry. There are plenty of places to hit the slopes sliding much closer to home, and we don't mean Vermont or New Hampshire.
Generally, you won't be defying double-black diamonds or crushing multi-mile cruisers, but you will be saving lots of time, gas money and usually the cost of overnight accommodations. Best of all, you can go at the drop of a hat - or several inches of fresh powder - even after work.
What you'll save
Fair warning: You won't save much on lift tickets or on-mountain food, as resorts that cater to metro New York-area skiers tend to charge metro New York-area prices.
When to go
These resorts tend to attract metro New York-area crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Even though they rely heavily on extensive snowmaking systems, a little warm weather can wreak major havoc. Be sure to call ahead or visit their Web sites to check snow conditions and how many lifts and/or trails are open before piling into the family minivan.
About the resorts
All resorts listed here offer equipment rentals (skis and boards), lessons and - with the exception of Hunter and Belleayre - night skiing, though not necessarily on all trails. Only the most expensive one-day lift ticket price is listed, so you'll likely pay less.
How to choose
Driving to mountains within a 100-mile radius of
If you're willing to drive 150 miles, you can reach both the Poconos and the Catskills, legitimate mountains with legitimate expert terrain whose higher base elevations also make for more dependable snowmaking.
While each can be done in a single (long) day, you can double your pleasure and investment by overnighting at either on-site accommodations or in nearby resort communities.
If you want...
... to stay within
50 miles
Campgaw Mountain
Mahwah, N.J.
201-327-7800
skicampgaw.com
MAX LIFT TICKET $34
There's only one resort this close. But with only five trails, 18 acres and 270 feet vertical, Campgaw favors first-timers and other beginners, or those desperate for a quick (in more ways than one) downhill fix.
... an upscale resort
Mountain Creek
Vernon, N.J.
973-827-2000
mountaincreek.com
MAX LIFT TICKET $62
The pick of the litter in terms of Northeast U.S. resorts within 100 miles of Long Island, Mountain Creek (170 acres, 1,040 vertical feet, 45 trails, 11 lifts, tubing) is a true resort - complete with deluxe slopeside lodging - owned and operated by
... to take the family
Thunder Ridge
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