Campgaw 1-27-18

[legalskier]

I couldn't get upstate this weekend but didn't want too much time to pass before I got out again so I decided to hit a local hill I haven't been to in many years. Campgaw is located in county parkland along Route 287 a few miles south of the NY border. Two old double chairs and two new magic carpets provide its uphill capacity, while a third magic carpet serves the adjacent snow tubing area. Although it's a small area (probably between 300' to 400' of vertical), the ski school area was very busy, as you can see in the distance:




Both of the main slopes were open with a good base, and one side trail was open from the top to mid-station on looker's right; snow guns were positioned along the lower portion of that trail waiting for temps to drop. A small terrain park was set up just below mid-station with rails, rollers, a kicker and a gaspipe. Ski patrol has a hut at the summit. The chairlift lines were very manageable- I doubt I waited more than 3-4 minutes tops. I got plenty of runs in on a half day pass, a nice fix before the rain came in last night. I remember skiing here when it opened in the late 60s, my kids skied here when they were little, and it's kept on ever since. A small but vibrant ski area feeding the larger areas to the north with new skiers and riders, it was like visiting an old friend.

 

[catskillman]

Nice to see a review from this hill. You are right it is a great place to start, affordable and it is great the county deeps it open. If it was not for places like this there would be fewer kids learning........

 

[Vaughn]

I'm always surprised these short mountains right near cities don't go more all in on terrain parks, pipes, etc... to get the free skier / snowboarder types. If you want to launch off of features, you don't really need any vertical more than places like this offer and you can get a larger base than just beginner skiers.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

I grew up near Campgaw so I used to go there with friends after school. Fun times. I last skied there probably around 2007, then I moved up by Mountain Creek so I haven't been back.

I had a great day there in 2006 where it was dumping snow and since I was off work I made the 10 minute drive to Campgaw, and lapped the hill in the fresh powder for an hour and a half. It was a weekday and I was the only one there.

At night you can see the lights of the George Washington Bridge from the summit. I agree it's great that the county keeps it open so the local kids have something to do in the winter.

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