With ski season officially in full swing, the thought of strapping a pair of sleds to your feet and hurtling down a mountain suddenly starts to make sense—well, that is, for some of us. But we can all get behind escaping the city and curling up next to a fireplace with friends or family, a good book and an even better glass of wine. Plus, each of these wintertime spots is less than six hours from New York. While the slopes are a major draw, those who are more in it for the après part will find plenty to love, too. Here, the best ski resorts near NYC—whether you’re a black diamond expert or just in it for the après ski.
The 17 Best Ski Resorts Near NYC
For beginners, experts and everyone in between
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Published Dec 18, 2023
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Courtesy of Stratton
- Time from NYC: 3 hours
- Number of Trails: 45 trails
- Opening Day: November 24, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: night skiing, family friendly, great for all levels, uses wind energy to power much of the resort
One of the largest ski resorts in New England, Jiminy Peak has trails for all levels of skiers, from beginners who are just starting out through advanced looking to really challenge their skills. It even offers night skiing on 25 or its 45 trails. The resort has also put a big emphasis on sustainability in recent years, powering much of the resort with a nearby wind turbine (it makes for a wonderfully dramatic reveal as you curve around the West Way trail), using high-efficiency LED lights to light up the trails at night and recycled oil to power various machines across the mountain.
Where to Stay:
- Quiet Horse Farm (4 guests): $225/night
- Ski On/Ski Off Zen Suite (4 guests): $257/night
- Ski On/Ski Off Mountain Suite (9 guests): $387/night
- Time from NYC: 3 hours
- Number of Trails: 22 trails across 100 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: great for families, resort also offers tubing
Just under 3 hours from NYC, Butternut is ideal for beginners and families with young kids, with 60 percent of the trails rated intermediate, 20 percent easy and 20 percent advanced. The resort is relatively small, but still has plenty to keep you entertained, with 22 trails across 100 skiable acres. There’s also a terrain park for learning new tricks, and tubing for the non-skiers in the group.
Where to Stay:
- Home in Great Barrington (5 guests): $207/night
- Quiet Cottage (5 guests): $232/night
- Great Barrington Cabin (14 guests): $318/night
- Time from NYC: 4 hours and 25 minutes
- Number of Trails: 99 trails across 670 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: great for all levels, terrain park, snow making
Stratton runs across the highest peak in Southern Vermont, making for some truly challenging black diamond trails and steep descents. But don’t fret, most of the mountain is still reserved for easier runs, with 40 beginner trails and 35 intermediate trails. There are also 11 lifts spread across 670 skiable acres, so you’ll rarely have to wait long to be ferried back up the mountain for your next run. Be sure to take at least one pass down Mike’s Way to Wanderer, a green circle path that’s a whopping 3 miles long.
Where to Stay:
- Stratton Mountain Studio (4 guests): $201/night
- Charming Chalet (6 guests): $200/night
- Bear Cub Cabin (8 guests): $592/night
- Time from NYC: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 22 trails
- Opening Day: TBA
- Why We Recommend It: night skiing, family friendly, accessible by pubic transportation
Thunder Ridge Ski Resort, located in Patterson, NY, is just an hour and a half drive from Manhattan, or you can take public transportation via the Metro-North Ski Train from Grand Central. There are 22 trails for all levels to explore, plus night skiing for those who want o keep the fun going after the sun’s gone down. Be sure to stop by the Thunder Truck at least once for hot Belgian waffles with all the fixings.
Where to Stay:
- House on Appalachian Trail (6 guests): $162/night
- Lake House with Indoor Spa (6 guests): $167/night
- Vacation House (9 guests): $264/night
- Time from NYC: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Number of Trails: 67 trails across 320 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 25, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: great for intermediate to advanced skiers, four terrain parks
Hunter Mountain has a whopping 67 trails serviced by 13 ski lifts to keep everything running smoothly, even on holiday weekends. And while there are plenty of trails for beginners (as well as lessons offered), it’s most advanced skiers who are likely to get the most out of Hunter. There are 20 intermediate trails and 30 advanced trails (as compared to 17 beginner) to explore, plus four terrain parks to practice all the skills and jumps.
Where to Stay:
- Mountain View Townhome (6 guests): $164/night
- Hunter Condo (5 guests): $225/night
- House Half-Mile from Hunter (14 guests): $655/night
- Time from NYC: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 121 trails across 632 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 17, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: great for all levels, six terrain parks, snow making
Okemo’s 121 trails are fairly evenly divided between beginner, intermediate and advanced (plus six terrain parks), so there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this Vermont destination. Almost all the trails also have snow-making capabilities to ensure they’re always dusted with snow and to prevent closures. There are also cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails available for those looking to really break a sweat.
Where to Stay:
- Okemo Downtown Condo (2 guests): $100/night
- Lake-Front House (7 guests): $318/night
- Okemo Mountain Chalet (15 guests): $452/night
- Time from NYC: 3 hours and 40 minutes
- Number of Trails: 85 trails across 600 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: close to lots of restaurants and bars, four separate mountain faces to explore
Just under four hours from the city, Mount Snow is a New York-area mountain much closer than it seems. And with five times the average snowfall of the city, you can be sure to see some fresh powder on the slopes…or from the window of your Vrbo rental. (Pro tip: If you’re driving, make sure to take an all-terrain vehicle for snowy or icy conditions). The Mount Snow resort features 600 skiable acres, including a 100 acre terrain park for those who want to practice jumps and tricks. There is also a lot to entertain any non-skiers in your group, with tons of picturesque villages and towns just a short drive away, many known for their cheddar cheese and maple syrup. (Some of the best-known, like Grafton, Dorset and Chester, are all within a one-hour drive of the mountain.) Check out the nearby covered bridges in Wilmington and Bennington, fill up a basket full of local treats or spend a day on a snowmobile tour through Green Mountain National Forest.
Where to Stay:
- The Wilmington (2 guests): $176/night
- Dover Chalet (8 guests): $426/night
- The Lodge at Mount Snow (2 guests): $169/night
- Time from NYC: 6 hours
- Number of Trails: 135 trails across 870 skiable acres
- Opening Day: late October, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: more than 100 trails, family friendly, hosts frequent apès-ski events
Located in western Maine's Mahoosuc Mountains, Sunday River is a further trek from NYC, but is well worth digging your ski gear out of the storage unit. The mountain summits at 3,500 feet with 135 trails and glades encompassing some 870 acres. Over the last couple years, Sunday River has been part of a tradition with “Wicked Air & Après Light”, which is a fancy name for a mesmerizing “big air show.” Trick-wiedling skiers and snowboard athletes perform stunts on a large jump, and fans who attend also get to see a 3D projection mapping on the snow. Spectators can take in all the action for free from the Barker Basin. Sunday River is also a standout for an always full roster of music and après-ski events, plus Shipyard Brew Haus at White Cap Lodge, which has a casual vibe but takes its beer selection seriously.
Where to Stay:
- Jordan Hotel (2 guests): $209/night
- The River Shack (8 guests): $334/night
- 5-Star Luxury Ski-in & Ski-out Condo: (10 guests): $800/night
- Time from NYC: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 18 trails
- Opening Day: November 26, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: affordable, family friendly, great for beginners
Not only is this scenic mountain beautiful, it’s as affordable as it is accessible. Big Bear at Masthope Mountain offers up 18 trails and seven lifts, which includes their three magic carpet lifts for kids and beginners (or those who just enjoy the more gentle slopes!). They also have lots of snow machines that keep the trails looking as good as possible throughout the ski season. Thanks to its proximity to NYC and the many lodging options in the surrounding town, Big Bear is an ideal place to plan a last-minute trip. The mountain is especially popular with families, although it definitely offers options for more advanced skiers and snowboarders as well.
Where to Stay:
- Hotel Darby (2 guests): $259/night
- The Settlers Inn (2 guests): $316/night
- Enchanted Cottage with Hot Tub (7 guests): $195/night
10. Loon Mountain, New Hampshire
- Time from NYC: 5 hours
- Number of Trails: 73 trails across 403 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: good for all levels, family friendly, the resort offers lots of skiing alternatives
This pretty, pristine resort is surrounded by White Mountain National Forest, and is a favorite of ours for skiing and embracing nature. Case in point: During our past trips to Loon and nearby Wildcat Mountain, we’ve encountered *actual* moose on the road. At Loon, you can enjoy 2,100 vertical feet, a wide variety of terrain and three separate peaks. The resort also allows you to explore this winter wonderland by snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or a thrilling zipline ride over the (frozen!) Pemigewasset River.
Where to Stay:
- RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain (2 guests): $279/night
- Sunset Hill House: $159/night
- Luxury Loon Mountain Home (16 guests): $575/night
11. Bristol Mountain, New York
- Time from NYC: 4 hours and 50 minutes
- Number of Trails: 35 trails across 160 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 30, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: night skiing, family friendly, close to lots of restaurants and bars
The town of Canandaigua is a lovely little year-round place in the Finger Lakes. It’s wild to think you can spend summers on the lake in a pontoon boat and winters on the slopes of Bristol Mountain with views over the very same (albeit cold) lake. Just a short ride to downtown Canandaigua, one of the best reasons to visit—besides 1,200-feet of vertical fun and trails for all ages and abilities, plus nordic trails—is the selection of excellent restaurants and shopping in the charming town.
Where to Stay:
- Lake House on Canandaigua (2 guests): $238/night
- Sutherland House Victorian Bed & Breakfast (2 guests): $185/night
- The Chalet of Canandaigua (2 or more guests): $290/night
12. Massanutten Resort, Virgina
- Time from NYC: 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 14 trails across 70 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: affordable, the resort offers lots of skiing alternatives, family friendly
We’ll admit, as New Yorkers, Virginia is not the first place that comes to mind when you think about skiing, but one look at Massanutten Resort will change that. Known for being an excellent affordable option, the ski resort is popular with locals and travelers alike for its classes and activities, which include standards like zip lining, ice skating and snow tubing. Less standard options include a class on Ukulele for beginners, animal sketching, and meditation classes, and this family-friendly resort also boasts an Indoor Water Park to keep the little ones busy off the slopes. When you are looking to shred, riders at Massanutten can jump on seven lifts and will find 70 skiable acres and 14 runs—meaning it’s smaller than a lot of resorts on this list in size but is a great option for first timers and families who don’t want to get lost from each other.
Where to Stay:
- Massanutten Resort Hotel (2 guests): $179/night
- The Nutt House (11 guests): $200/night
- Massanutten Getaway (8 guests): $195/night
- Time from NYC: 1 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 39 trails across 166 skiable acres
- Opening Day: December 15, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: close to Shawnee mountain, under 2 hours from the city
The Poconos are full of winter wilderness vibes that will make even the most hardened New Yorker feel like a giddy kid on a snow day. Located about 90 minutes from Manhattan, the region is known for Camelback and also neighboring Shawnee mountain, which is close enough that you could hit both on the same day. Camelback boasts 39 ski trails on 166 acres while Shawnee features 23 trails on 125 acres of skiing terrain. If you don’t ski, the Poconos offer snow tubing, dogsledding and ice-skating—plus plenty of options for less active types too. After a busy morning, you deserve a hearty meal, like the disco fries and s’mores at Trails End Pub & Grille (which also offers outdoor dining).
Where to Stay:
- Stroudsmoor Country Inn (2 guests): $139/night
- Modern Poconos Home with a view (8 guests): $220/night
- Camelback Lodge (2 guests): $369/night
- Time from NYC: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Number of Trails: 50 trails across 174 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: family friendly, good for all levels, terrain park
In Ulster County, where the Catskills meet the Hudson River, you’ll find wooded country roads that wind past barns, farm stands, antique shops and wineries into sleepy hamlets full of Victorian architecture and small-town charm. Skiers here can enjoy one of New York State’s best family-friendly mountains, which boasts eight lifts (including a high-speed gondola, more of a rarity in the Northeast), 174 skiable acres, 50 trails and four fun lodges. Non-skiers will love spending a day in nearby Woodstock, the artsy town that’s mandated to retain the hippyish roots it’s famous for. Nowadays, you’ll find everything from a mezcal bar to home-decor stores and even a toy shop stocked with creative gifts (like a selfie kit for your pets). At night, the place to be is Silvia (Snatch a res on Resy), offering seasonally-focused foods and tasty libations for both indoor and outdoor seating, plus pick-up.
Where to Stay:
- Catskills Season Inn (2 guests): $122/night
- Belleayre GrandHouse (15 guests): $568.10/night
- Breezy Hill Inn (2 guests): $185/night
15. Whiteface Mountain, New York
- Time from NYC: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 90 trails across 188 skiable acres
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: glades and off-piste options, two-time host of the Winter Olympics
We love escaping to upstate New York whenever we need a break from the city and the winter months are no exception. Whiteface Mountain Resort in Wilmington hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics so you’d better believe that the trails here are top-notch. In fact, Whiteface boasts the tallest vertical drop on the eastern seaboard (at 3,430 feet), plus 90 trails and 11 lifts. Did we mention it’s also the mountain for winter visitors to Lake Placid, the storybook-like destination town just 30 minutes away?
Where to Stay:
- Secluded Log Home (8 guests): $175/night
- Whiteface Lodge (2 guests): $695/night
- Mirror Lake Inn (2 guests): $279/night
- Time from NYC: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of Trails: 108 trails
- Opening Day: November 2023
- Why We Recommend It: new lift opened this season, family friendly, open since 1934
Nearby to Whiteface in North Creek is Gore Mountain, a place where you’ll find mesmerizing views of the Adirondacks, the family-friendly Pete’s Paradise trail, snowshoeing through the “largest marble-cave entrance in the East” and the option to ski by twilight. In recent seasons, new high-speed quads have replaced two double chair lifts, providing access to all four of its peaks and Straight Brook Valley.
Where to Stay:
- Gore Mountain Lodge (2 guests): $199/night
- The Alpine Lodge (2 guests): $152/night
- Goose Pond Inn (2 guests): $199/night
17. Mohawk Mountain, Connecticut
- Time from NYC: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Number of Trails: 26 trails
- Opening Day: November 27, 2023
- Why We Recommend It: night skiing, great for beginners, family friendly
Located on 350 beautiful acres in Cornwall, Mohawk Mountain is Connecticut’s largest ski area. With 26 trails (including 16 night trails), a mega 650-feet drop and eight lifts, this pretty spot with views of gentle rolling hills offers plenty of options for a range of ski levels. And for non-skiers, there’s showshoeing and show tubing available. The best part? It’s only 2 hours and 15 minutes from the city.
Where to Stay:
- The Litchfield Inn (2 guests): $192/night
- Family-Friendly Farm House (8 guests): $350/night
- DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol (2 guests): $150/night
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