Those who visit Hunter Mountain, New York, in the Catskill Mountain Region find themselves within a two-hour drive of New York City but will feel as if they are far away from city hustle and bustle. Hunter Mountain, which is close to New York State's Hudson River Valley region and is the second-tallest peak in the Catskill Mountains, draws year-round tourists eager to sample seasonal recreation such as hiking, mountain biking and skiing as well as those who wish to attend some of the area's numerous festivals.
Since 1981, Hunter Mountain residents and visitors alike have gathered every August for the three-day International Celtic Festival. Celtic ceremonies are celebrated, traditional food and music is enjoyed in the bars and booths, a bagpipe competition and mass march is held and various Celtic dance troops and international musicians take to three stages, offering the festival goer plenty to choose from. It is traditionally held every year either during the second or third full weekend of August, and always in the week following Hunter Mountain's German Alps Festival, so it is a great time to schedule a week-long vacation to coincide with both heritage festivals. As of August 2010, adult festival admission is $14 per person and children 12 years old and under are admitted free.
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, New York 12442
1-800-HUNTERMTN
huntermtn.com
Hunter Mountain, in association with BMW motorbikes, presents annually in October the Color in the Catskills Bike Rally. This event runs in tandem with the first weekend of the two-weekend Oktoberfest celebration, which Hunter Mountain sponsors. Festival goers celebrate open-road motorcycling, New York State's beautiful fall colors in the Catskills and German-American heritage and brewing. Admission is free to all, and tent and RV camping is available on site. In addition, the event has German-American musical acts, fall craft booths, motorbike competitions and a farmer's market. In 2010, Color in the Catskills Bike Rally runs from October 1 through October 3, while the first weekend of Oktoberfest is held on October 2 through October 3.
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, New York 12442
1-800-HUNTERMTN
huntermtn.com
Travelers who happen to visit Hunter Mountain in early August will wish they had remembered to pack the polka shoes and accordion as they pull into this charming Catskill Mountain community and find German Alps Festival activities in full swing. Polka bands, traditional German food and Schuhplattler dancers are on hand for the festivities on the first or second full weekend of August each year in the week prior to the International Celtic Festival. As of August 2010, adult admission is $10 and children 12 years old and under are free.
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, New York 12442
1-800-HUNTERMTN
huntermtn.com
Hunter Mountain visitors interested in the craft of microbrewery, or those wishing to sample Hudson Valley regional and New York State vineyard wines, can check out the Wine and Brew Fest, which is held every year on the last full weekend of September. Grounds admission is free for adults and children, but for a $20 tasting admission (as of September 2010), visitors can taste samples from vintners and brewers. In 2010, on September 25 and 26, a farmer's market, specialty and gourmet food vendors and live entertainment round out the festival.
Hunter Mountain and Colonel's Hall
Hunter, New York 12442
1-800-HUNTERMTN
huntermtn.com
Just as the skiing season is closing down, residents and visitors of Hunter Mountain welcome Spring every year with the TAP New York Craft Beer and Fine Food Festival. This festival celebrates quality hand-crafted brewing with its nationally recognized and attended beer competition as well as fine food and culinary demonstrations. Each year focuses on a different culinary theme, such as barbecue, which was the theme at the April 24 and 25 festival in 2010. Catch this festival running annually since 1998 on the last weekend of April.
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, New York 12442
1-800-HUNTERMTN
huntermtn.com
