Skiing In and Around Westchester
Ready to hit the slops this winter with your family? We have you covered with our list of nearby ski areas where you can enjoy a weekend getaway, or a day trip with your family. They all also offer group and private lessons for kids as well as adaptive lessons for kids and adults with cognitive, visual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Check out these family skiing tips before you go.
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
A trip to Belleavre offers a fun adventure to the Central Catskill Mountains. Families can enjoy 64 trails including glades and parks as well as cross-country trails. They offer skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids ages 4-12 years old and lessons for teens and adults as well as private lessons. They also offer a kids’ camp, which includes four hours of ski lessons. You can also enjoy many events during your stay, such as a Holiday Bazaar on December 10th and 11th. Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY, 845-254-5600.
Catamount Mountain Resort
Enjoy skiing at Catamount Mountain Resort, a four-season resort near the New York and Massachusetts border that boasts 13 trails. They offer group and private lessons as well as a camp called the Mountain Cats for kids ages 3-13. Catamount Mountain Resort, Hillsdale, NY 12529, S. Egremont, MA 01258, 518-325-3200.
Campgaw Mountain Ski Area
The Campgaw Mountain Ski Area recently kicked off their season where you can enjoy skiing and group, semi-private and private ski lessons, including adaptive lessons. Adaptive lessons run for 1.5 and are designed for children and adults who have cognitive, visual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Families can also enjoy night skiing, snow tubing, and more. Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. 201-327-7800.
Hunter Mountain Resort
This popular mountain and resort offers New York families access to four separate mountains for skiers of all ranges and abilities. Known for its 1,600-foot vertical drop, Hunter Mountain Resort offers ski and snowboaring lessons for kids ages 3-14 and lessons for teens over age 13. They have options for three-hour lessons as well as all-day private lessons. Lodging options range from village condos to a mountain club and spa. Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter, NY 12442. 518-263-4223.
Mohawk Mountain
Spend a day at Mohawk Mountain and enjoy tubing, racing, and lessons. They offer a parent-tot program for ages 3-4 years old and their parent as well as lessons for children ages 5-12. They have two dining options as well as an on-site store. Mohawk Mountain, 46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall, Connecticut 06753. 860-672-6100.
Okemo Mountain Resort
Take a road trip to Vermont and stay at Okemo Mountain Resort. Okemo offers 121 trails, slopes, and glides with the highest vertical at 2,200 feet. Ski or snowboarding lessons are offered for kids ages 3-12 years old, which includes group and private lessons. After your long day of skiing fun, you can also enjoy many local eateries and places to stay. This includes Jackson Gore Inn, Adams & Bixby House, Solitude Village, Winterplace, Mountain Lodge at Okemo, Kettle Brook, Okemo Trailside, Brookhaven, and Southface Village. Okemo Mountain Resort, 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, Vermont. 1-800-78-OKEMO (65366).
Plattekill Mountain
Enjoy access to 39 trails on Plattekill Mountain, including a two-mile trail. Lessons for kids are offered for ages 7-12 years old to help kids fine-tune their skills and prepare for advanced levels. Plattekill Mountain, 469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury, NY 12474.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Smugglers’ offers tons of programs for kids and families, including babysitting, a childcare center, and lessons. They also have an adaptive skiing program for children with special needs. When you’re not skiing, enjoy family games, nightly bonfires, glow tubing, and a pirate show as well as a teen center for kids ages 13-19 years old. Other winter sports on the property include ice skating, snowshoe adventures, snowcat rides, and more. Smugglers’ Notch Resort, 4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Jeffersonville, VT 05464. 802-332-6854.
Stratton Mountain
This resort has something for everyone with a shopping village, beautiful restaurants, and a mountain with three lifts and eight trails. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are offered everyday for kids over age three. Each ski lesson has a low student-to-instructor ratio to help kids learn and build their skills. Stratton Mountain, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain, Vermont. 1-800-STRATTON (787-2886).
Thunder Ridge Ski Area
The closest ski area to Westchester, Thunder Ridge offers 22 trails, three chairlifts, and four magic carpets. They offer both seasonal and daily lessons for kids over age four. Six week lessons are a great way for Westchester kids to learn once a week. They also have Mommy (or Daddy) and me lessons for kids ages 4-5. In this program, kids learn more about the sport as well as engage in play and fun while getting comfortable on the snow. This ski area also has a slopeside lodge with cafeteria and pub. Thunder Ridge Ski Area, 137 Birch Hill Rd, Patterson, NY 12563. 845-878-4100
Windham Mountain
Kids can take private or group lessons at Windham Mountain, which ranges from half-day to full-day lessons. The resort also features 285 skiable acres across 54 trails serviced by 11 lifts, six terrain parks, lodging, on-mountain dining, an Adventure Park, a full-service spa, and much more. Windham Mountain, 19 Resort Drivem Windham, NY 12496. 800-754-9463.
Victor Constant Ski Area at West Point
Another nearby ski area for Westchester residents, the Victor Constant Ski Area opened in 1939 and is the Army’s oldest ski area. Ski lessons are offered for potty-trained kids. They will learn how to use ski equipment, balance, agility, edges and stopping. Older skiers will learn how to change direction, linked turns, match the skis, maneuver over varied terrain, and ride the chairlift. Victor Constant Ski Area, 732 Victor Constant Road, West Point, NY 10996.
Whiteface Mountain
Home to 90 trails that stretch over 25 miles and three peaks, Whiteface offers tons of fun for families and first-time skiers. They offer a ski camp for kids ages 4-6 years old, a private adventurer camp for kids ages 7-12 years old, private lessons, and an adaptive snowsports program. Stay nearby at one of the many hotels, lodges, chalets, and B&Bs in the area. Whiteface Mountain, 5021 Route 86, Wilmington, NY 12997. 518-946-2223.
