catskills?

[spring_mountain_high]

never been...will go this year...any info much appreciated

my situation: live nearish to allentown pa...will be cutting across 78 to the thruway...less driving is better...advanced intermediate...trying to learn bumps and trees...enjoy steeps, narrow winding trails...will drive for less crowds and better conditions...i generally ski only midweek to avoid crowds and keep the price down

here are my impressions, and please feel free to correct me:

hunter: pros: good terrain, most acreage, closest drive-wise; cons: most crowded, conditions maybe not as good due to skier traffic, may have to be evacuated from lift, may get into arguments/fights with crazy, GS'ing eastern euro-trash

bellayre: pros: less crowded, tree skiing; cons: farther drive, less snowmaking coverage

plattekill: pros: varied, quailty terrain, less crowded; cons: furthest drive, i think

windham seems to get a solid 'meh' from everyone, so that would be my last option

if you were only going to ski one of these this season, which would it be and why?

thanks!

 

[playoutside]

I'd choose Belleayre. I like the atmosphere, the snow is usually in good shape, the crowds are normally manageable. Have skied there <10 times in the last 3 years, but never had a bad day. Always leave there with a smile on my face. The runs are short compared to VT, but will feel long compared to a Shawnee (PA). There are some steep spots but they are short.

 

[4aprice]

You might be better off going up the PA Tpk and cutting across I-84 to the thruway.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[zinger3000]

Plattekill is not open midweek - only Fri, Sat, Sun. The only exception is "Powder Daize" - Open the day after a storm of 1 foot or more of snow with lots of powder.

My favorite Catskills ski area is Belleayre. Like playoutside said, it's usually not too crowded there. Also less expensive than Hunter and Windham. And according to Mapquest, Allentown to Belleayre is 3:28, while Allentown to Hunter is 3:31.

 

[spring_mountain_high]

You might be better off going up the PA Tpk and cutting across I-84 to the thruway.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

never considered that as all the directions point me across jersey, but i will give it a look...thanks

 

[playoutside]

You might be better off going up the PA Tpk and cutting across I-84 to the thruway.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

I was thinking this too. Go up thru Port Jervis area. Why stay as far south as 78 and throw yourself into potential congestion. I live north of I-80 and often will take backroads north to 84 and then pick up 87 for a couple exits.

 

[ta&idaho]

I'd go to Hunter or Plattekill, depending on the conditions: Plattekill if there's natural snow, Hunter if there's not. There are plenty of Belleayre fans out there, but I think it suffers from the same fundamental problem as Windham: a few hundred vertical feet of interesting terrain followed by a long, slow runout. Hunter and Plattekill both offer steep, interesting trails from top to bottom. Of the four, Hunter has the best snowmaking, and Plattekill gets the most natural snow (and fewest skier visits). Never any crowds at Plattekill. Hunter shouldn't be a problem midweek, and even on the weekends the F lift and the West side aren't too bad. Enjoy!

 

[ta&idaho]

On the price front, stop at Potter Brothers in Kingston (just west of the thruway on the road to Belleayre and Plattekill) for discounted tickets to any of the resorts:

http://potterbrothers.com/tickets.php

 

[catskills]

Snowmaking at Belleayre is underrated. They do a lot with a little.

Midweek for advanced intermediate that can ski groomed single black diamonds, I wuld strongly suggest Hunter Mtn. The Hunter Inn use to have some reasonable midweek ski packages.

Midweek for advanced intermediate that skis only groomed intermediate blue trails I would suggest both Belleayre and Windham. Hunter has limited intermediate blue trails.

Weekend I would suggest Belleayre for an advanced intermediate. Lodging click here.

Both Belleayre and Windham have some easy trails with moguls that make it fun to learn to ski moguls.

To avoid all crowds on weekends there is always Plattekill but the advanced intermediate trails are limited.

 

[andyzee]

hunter: pros: good terrain, most acreage, closest drive-wise; cons: most crowded,
Hunter has gotten a bad rep, maybe it was warranted in the past not now. A lot of good terrain, bearable on weekends, great on weekdays.

bellayre: pros: less crowded, tree skiing; cons: farther drive, less snowmaking coverage
Only been there once, but found it boring. All trails seemed to be like one another. More advance terrain at the top half of the mountain, easier stuff at the bottom. So in effect, depending on your ability, you'll only ski half a mountain.

plattekill: pros: varied, quailty terrain, less crowded; cons: furthest drive, i think
Love this place, only open Fri-Sun


windham seems to get a solid 'meh' from everyone, so that would be my last option
if you were only going to ski one of these this season, which would it be and why?
thanks!

Windham is a nice mountain, varied terrain, but IMHO, far more crowded than Hunter on weekends, not sure during the week.

 

[Bandit2941]

hunter: pros: good terrain, most acreage, closest drive-wise; cons: most crowded, conditions maybe not as good due to skier traffic, may have to be evacuated from lift, may get into arguments/fights with crazy, GS'ing eastern euro-trash

bellayre: pros: less crowded, tree skiing; cons: farther drive, less snowmaking coverage

What route are you taking that Hunter is closer? Hunter should be about the same distance when coming from the south. If you get off at exit 19 then take 214 in Phoenicia to Hunter, Hunter is 2 miles closer than Belleayre (but the winding 214 makes it take the same amount of time or even longer then 28 to Belleayre). Not sure how the mileage/time stacks up if you get off in Saugerties.

As far as the mountains themselves, Hunter has longer runs with more sustained pitch, but the crowds drive me away. Andyzee and others have said the crowds aren't bad the past few years....I was there on Tuesday or Wednesday between xmas and new years and it was terrible...way worse than the most crowded days at Belleayre....THEN the lift broke for a few hours. Hunter has more snowmaking capacity but in general I find the snow to be better at Belleayre, probably due to less skier traffic.

The atmosphere is certainly different at both mountains. Best bet is to ski both/all and see where you feel more comfortable.

 

[evantrentful]

If you love ripping down blacks then Hunter is the end all. Its got a steep ride all the way to the bottom and its trails arent all 'fall line" trails. awesome snow making, and a really nice drive up 23a complete the trip. Hunter is a skiers/boarder mountain in every sense of the meaning.

Windham I think if you are a solid blue/black is just awesome a great mountain to rip and cruise on all day long, using most of its vertical to its advantage. great facilities and great snow making also. the east side peak really gives it alot of character that I feel the main face lacks.

Belleayre, is one step back to yesteryear skiing without all the condo's and hotels. As others said its not bad on weekends crowd wise. Belleayre lacks the continuous vertical that Hunter and Windham have and its facilities are alittle dated in comparison. Its inbounds wood skiing is only equaled by Plattekill. Even on trails that you might not think are worth your time if you look to your sides youll see what is probably the best natural terrain parks in the catskills.

Plattekill is a gem and deserves a visit just because. Its the perfect blend of Mad River Glen and more modern functionality. Just go.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Plattekill...mini MRG..worth the extra drive....

 

[dmc]

There is only one marked woods run(glade) at Hunter.... And I like it that way...
Hunter has something the other areas don't have... Double fall lines.. Which can send a novice skier into the woods if they find themselves skiing over their head...
Hunter midweek is sublime... Wednesdays are bus days... A few more people on the hill...
Hunter has a good sustained vert especially on the west side...

Bellyeare is a typical ridge run area... Short headwalls at the top straight down to the lodge... Anything below the lodge is pretty much just a runout... The lodge is cool.. You'll hear people blasting Hunter and Windham there... Hunter people don't care about Belleayre.. Even all my friends that learned at Highmount and live in the valley come up to Hunter for better advanced terrain...

Windham is just not my cup of tea...

Plattekill is good when it's open... Can be brilliant! Can be sketchy.. But thats what you get for reaching into the old school..

 

[dmc]

Plattekill...mini MRG..worth the extra drive....

Not really... But I hear ya... It does have more natural snowtrails and a "old school" lodge...

 

[andyzee]

Not really... But I hear ya... It does have more natural snowtrails and a "old school" lodge...

And a nice friendly environment, no corporate vibe like a lot of areas. Saturday when I was there the owner was helping to park cars.

 

[dmc]

And a nice friendly environment, no corporate vibe like a lot of areas. Saturday when I was there the owner was helping to park cars.

yup and Orville(Hunter) still picks up garbage off the floor at the age of 93... Must be a family own thing...

 

[andyzee]

yup and Orville(Hunter) still picks up garbage off the floor at the age of 93... Must be a family own thing...

:lol: old school for sure.

 

[Stache]

Don't even include Windham on your list of remote considerations.
Bad management and worse people on the hill.
JMHO

 

[St. Bear]

And a nice friendly environment, no corporate vibe like a lot of areas. Saturday when I was there the owner was helping to park cars.

yup and Orville(Hunter) still picks up garbage off the floor at the age of 93... Must be a family own thing...

:lol: old school for sure.

When I was at Magic on Mon, the owner (John?), was loading the Red Chair around midday.