Ski Noob in NYC. Any advice?

[brooklynski]

Hello all, i have never gone skiing before and am trying to arrange a trip with some friends for a weekend. Im looking to go somewhere around the new york area. None of us are skiers so we wont be picky about getting the greatest slopes. id be interested in staying at a nice resort type place with pools and such where we can relax when were not on the slopes. Anyone have any advice for me on where i should look? im looking for a place that isnt too far from NYC and is budget friendly, and really dont have much of a clue where to start. Id like to stay for 2 nights.

any help is greatly appreciated. THANKS

 

[hardline]

Hello all, i have never gone skiing before and am trying to arrange a trip with some friends for a weekend. Im looking to go somewhere around the new york area. None of us are skiers so we wont be picky about getting the greatest slopes. id be interested in staying at a nice resort type place with pools and such where we can relax when were not on the slopes. Anyone have any advice for me on where i should look? im looking for a place that isnt too far from NYC and is budget friendly, and really dont have much of a clue where to start. Id like to stay for 2 nights.

any help is greatly appreciated. THANKS

i would say mt snow would be your best bet. close if you are driving if not you can take the vermonter train to rutland and goto killington. i would suggest you doa few day trips first then do an overnighter. emilios ski shop runs busses. also lookin to the diamond dogs ski club.

 

[rjc1976]

Can you define "budget friendly" for us? I ask this because I usually do not find any "nice resort type place with pools and such" budget friendly. That said Hunter and Windham are the two that come to mind closer to NYC. Hunter has the Kaatskill Mtn Club with pool and hot tubs. I forget the name of the condos at the base of Windham, but I believe they have a pool too. Windham also offers ice skating, outdoor gas fire pit outside the base lodge, but in general it tends to cost a bit more.

How far are you willing to drive? Hunter and Windham are about 2.5 hours. If you willing to drive to southern VT, the Grand Summit at Mount Snow also offers hot tub and pools as well. That will probably take you 3.5 to 4 hours. If you are looking for less than 2.5 hours, then you're probably looking at either Mountain Creek or Camelback if you wanted a nice hotel with amenities. Hope that helps you get started in your research.

 

[brooklynski]

thanks for the response guys. i have a friend who told me about a deal for a 2 night stay at killington in vermont. 8 people in a 3 bedroom condo would run 140 per person with 1 day lift or 165 per person with a 2 day lift. condos include full kitchen, cable, fireplace etc resort has pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym. ski gear rental is 25 per day. this sounds like something i would be interested in, but it sounds a little too far as i figure its about 6 hours away from me. id prefer something closer like 2-3 hour drive as 6 hrs is a long drive for a 2 day trip. anyhow, that killington deal looks like it would be around 200 per person total (besides food, travel etc) sounds like a good price? just to get an idea on how much im going to have to spend

 

[brooklynski]

i would say mt snow would be your best bet. close if you are driving if not you can take the vermonter train to rutland and goto killington. i would suggest you doa few day trips first then do an overnighter. emilios ski shop runs busses. also lookin to the diamond dogs ski club.

also curious why u think i should try a day trip instead?

 

[BeanoNYC]

You can get some good group deals here.

 

[hardline]

also curious why u think i should try a day trip instead?

sorta try the water before you commit to a full on trip. you could do one of the areas in the catskills as a day trip take a lesson then when you go to vt you will enjoy you on snow experiance more. that is if you event like it which i hope you do.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If you have never skied..I don't see the need to go 6 hours..maybe try Hidden Valley in NJ for a beginner mountain..

 

[hardline]

If you have never skied..I don't see the need to go 6 hours..maybe try Hidden Valley in NJ for a beginner mountain..

don't know why, but i find it funny you suggesting a mountain in nj but you might be right HV might be a good idea.

 

[BeanoNYC]

sorta try the water before you commit to a full on trip. you could do one of the areas in the catskills as a day trip take a lesson then when you go to vt you will enjoy you on snow experiance more. that is if you event like it which i hope you do.

Here's where I disagree. I would rather him have the "entire" ski experience from a day on the slopes, to apres ski, to cozying up by the fireplace at a condo then back out for the nightlife. This way if it's a bad day on the slopes all is not lost.

If you have never skied..I don't see the need to go 6 hours..maybe try Hidden Valley in NJ for a beginner mountain..

If he leaves at the right time he can make Mount Snow in a little over 4 hours. With the exception of Staten Island, I probably have one of the longest trips from the 5 boros and I've made it to Mount Snow in 3:45. (Granted, I floored it and took the Mohawk Trail route)

 

[ta&idaho]

Here's where I disagree. I would rather him have the "entire" ski experience from a day on the slopes, to apres ski, to cozying up by the fireplace at a condo then back out for the nightlife. This way if it's a bad day on the slopes all is not lost.

I agree. I took some a group of people to Mount Snow, where we stayed in a nice big condo with hot tub, fire place, etc., and the whole group--from the several beginners through the more advanced skiers--had a blast and can't wait to go back.

If you're looking for something a little closer, Windham isn't a bad choice. Its about 2-2.5 hours from the city, is beginner-friendly and has some cushy amenities, and there are some nice places to stay and eat.

If he leaves at the right time he can make Mount Snow in a little over 4 hours. With the exception of Staten Island, I probably have one of the longest trips from the 5 boros and I've made it to Mount Snow in 3:45. (Granted, I floored it and took the Mohawk Trail route)

What's the Mohawk Trail route?

 

[hardline]

Here's where I disagree. I would rather him have the "entire" ski experience from a day on the slopes, to apres ski, to cozying up by the fireplace at a condo then back out for the nightlife. This way if it's a bad day on the slopes all is not lost.




If he leaves at the right time he can make Mount Snow in a little over 4 hours. With the exception of Staten Island, I probably have one of the longest trips from the 5 boros and I've made it to Mount Snow in 3:45. (Granted, I floored it and took the Mohawk Trail route)

ya i can see you point. i think were in agreement they should try snow for the whole experience.

 

[BeanoNYC]

What's the Mohawk Trail route?

Let me start off by saying that the jury on this board is still out as to if this cuts time off the trip. (I'm convinced that it takes off a good 20-30 minutes off the trip) That being said, instead of taking 91 to rt 9, you get off at rt 2 in Greenfield, Mass (Mowhawk Trail) and work your way up. At that point you can do several things. I grab Shelburn/Colrain road take that alllllll the way up to rt112 then take 112 to rt 100. Just be careful of the speed traps in Colrain and be mindful that rt 100 will head west with 9 for a bit then you'll make that right back onto 100 in Wilmington.

 

[hardline]

Let me start off by saying that the jury on this board is still out as to if this cuts time off the trip. (I'm convinced that it takes off a good 20-30 minutes off the trip) That being said, instead of taking 91 to rt 9, you get off at rt 2 in Greenfield, Mass (Mowhawk Trail) and work your way up. At that point you can do several things. I grab Shelburn/Colrain road take that alllllll the way up to rt112 then take 112 to rt 100. Just be careful of the speed traps in Colrain and be mindful that rt 100 will head west with 9 for a bit then you'll make that right back onto 100 in Wilmington.

when i do head up i usually leave the city after 7 so i can avoid traffic so i like to blast up 91. i don't know the local road well enough to avoid the traps.

 

[BeanoNYC]

when i do head up i usually leave the city after 7 so i can avoid traffic so i like to blast up 91. i don't know the local road well enough to avoid the traps.

Basically you want to set the cruise control a mile or two UNDER the speed the limit through Colrain. Especially with out of state plates and your skis/board on the roof.

 

[RootDKJ]

If you're looking for something a little closer, Windham isn't a bad choice. Its about 2-2.5 hours from the city, is beginner-friendly and has some cushy amenities, and there are some nice places to stay and eat.

What lodging places do you suggest?

 

[hardline]

Basically you want to set the cruise control a mile or two UNDER the speed the limit through Colrain. Especially with out of state plates and your skis/board on the roof.

i always roll with nothing on the roof on my way to the areas.

 

[RootDKJ]

i always roll with nothing on the roof on my way to the areas.

same here. nothing says target for the troopers like a fully loaded rack

 

[gmcunni]

Let me start off by saying that the jury on this board is still out as to if this cuts time off the trip. (I'm convinced that it takes off a good 20-30 minutes off the trip) That being said, instead of taking 91 to rt 9, you get off at rt 2 in Greenfield, Mass (Mowhawk Trail) and work your way up. At that point you can do several things. I grab Shelburn/Colrain road take that alllllll the way up to rt112 then take 112 to rt 100. Just be careful of the speed traps in Colrain and be mindful that rt 100 will head west with 9 for a bit then you'll make that right back onto 100 in Wilmington.

a buddy of mine has a house near mt. snow and swears by this route. last season i was heading to MT snow with another family. I took the short cut and the other car stayed on 91 to VT. i arrived 10 minutes ahead of them. No blatant disregard for speed limits by either car.

 

[Greg]

Let me start off by saying that the jury on this board is still out as to if this cuts time off the trip. (I'm convinced that it takes off a good 20-30 minutes off the trip) That being said, instead of taking 91 to rt 9, you get off at rt 2 in Greenfield, Mass (Mowhawk Trail) and work your way up. At that point you can do several things. I grab Shelburn/Colrain road take that alllllll the way up to rt112 then take 112 to rt 100. Just be careful of the speed traps in Colrain and be mindful that rt 100 will head west with 9 for a bit then you'll make that right back onto 100 in Wilmington.

I've done the 2 to 112 to 100 route and I find it a bit longer. If you're willing to speed through towns, you might be able to save some time. I still think it's better to just haul ass up 91 and take 9 west out of Brattleboro. As long as you don't get stuck behind anyone on the hills, you're golden. There are quite a few passing areas anyway.