Get ready to roll at Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson, New York. Located 64 miles northeast of Manhattan, the family-friendly resort caters to beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Make the drive or ride the Metro-North Ski Train and catch Thunder Ridge’s free shuttle from the Patterson train station. Once there, catch air on the resort’s 30 trails, including the longest run measuring 5, 280 feet. After satiating your need for speed, relax at the resort’s lodge, which features a lounge, cafeteria, glass atrium and daycare center. Night skiing, equipment rental and private lessons are also available. Thunder Ridge is open seven days a week from December until March and employs tower-mounted snow cannons to ensure fresh powder regardless of Mother Nature’s mood.
Cure the winter blues with a dose of high-flying fun on the slopes of Mountain Creek. Located an hour northwest of Manhattan in Vernon, New Jersey, the sprawling resort offers nearly 170 acres of ski trails on four scenic peaks. Tear down Mountain Creek’s 1,040-foot vertical drop or take it easy on tamer terrain serviced by 11 lifts, including a high-speed gondola. A 30-lane tubing park is also available along with private or group ski and snowboarding lessons for adults and children. When you are ready for a break, refuel at the resort’s two food courts. Mountain Creek is open seven days a week from December until March with guaranteed night skiing and 100 percent coverage courtesy of the resort’s 1,000 state-of-the-art snow guns.
Snow tubing in the heart of New York City can be a logistical nightmare, but drive 45 minutes northwest of midtown Manhattan and your dreams of flying down the face of a mountain become reality. Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in Mahwah, New Jersey, offers eight 800-foot snow tubing runs with kid-friendly lifts that eliminate the need to trek up the hill on foot. The 18-acre no-frills resort is also the ideal setting for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Utilize the on-site rental equipment and enroll your kids in the special children’s ski camp. While Junior is learning how to shred, hit the intermediate trails or master new snowboarding moves at Campgaw’s freestyle terrain park. The resort is open seven days a week from December through the end of March.
All 100 acres of Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center are nestled in New York’s pristine Sterling Forest State Park. The natural gem is located in the town of Tuxedo, just 50 miles from Manhattan. When you aren’t being blown away by the dramatic scenery, you’ll be jolted by the high-octane action offered on the resort’s slopes. Ski, snowboard or tube on champagne powder made throughout the season by high-tech snow-making machines. Take the plunge on Tuxedo Ridge’s 2,640-foot-long run before retiring to the resort’s full-service pub and cafeteria. If you’re on a budget, pack your own snacks and dine on the outdoor picnic tables or in the warming hut located at the base of the mountain. The winter playground is open seven days a week from December until March.
