Ski Noob in NYC. Any advice?

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

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.

People have given you some decent advice if you don't mind traveling 4/5 hours (Mt. Snow; Killington), but you can probably get better deals in the Catskills or Pocanos (don't know where....PA skiers???) and have a good all-around experience while traveling at most 2 hours.

You won't get the "Vermont country feel", but you'll get pools, hot tubs, restaurants, etc., and OK skiing (especially for beginners).

 

[BeanoNYC]

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.

I don't speed through towns. Rt 2 and 112 are about as straight as Lance Bass. Try catching 112 up north rather than staying on rt 2 for too long. I'm curious as to how many miles it is to M.S. from Greenfield vs from exit 2 in VT. I feel it takes the same amount of time (give or take) but you're eliminating the extra time on 91.

 

[crank]

I'm not a huge fan of Mt. Snow, however, I do think it would be the ideal place for the OP's group from Brooklyn. I agree that going to VT and staying in a nice condo for the weekend with a group of friends is a great introduction to skiing. Hey, for many it's about the lifestyle and the ambience as much as anything.

I live in southern CT. It takes me about 2:45 - 3 hours to drive to Mt. Snow assuming no traffic (I do use the Mohawk Trail/Rt 2 shortcut.) I've been doing some work in Brooklyn recently and without traffic it takes me about 1:15 to get there, so I'd say you're looking at a good 4-hour drive. Although, from Brooklyn, I'm not sure, but it might be faster to head up the NY Thruway and cut over towards VT around Albany? I know New yorkers reach Kiliington via the Northway, cutting across on RT 4. If you leave on a Friday afternoon or early evening it will add 2 - 3 hours to your drive.

 

[tekweezle]

i think the overall goal in the advice being handed out here is just for you to not waste your time or money. the further north you go, the better the overall snow experience will be. However, there are good options closer to the city. the closest places you could go are in upstate NY(Hunter or WIndham) or the Poconos. if you search around, there might be some bus trips that you could do as a 1 day trip to see if you really like the skiing part. they leave at about 4:00 or 6:00 in the morning.

Personally, i think there is nothing cooler than going up to a ski resort in the dead of winter and experiencing natures beauty. However, i don;t think you can truly appreciate that in just a hectic 2 day weekend. weekends at ski resorts tend to be a zoo. if you could go up midweek to say someplace like Stratton, Okemo or Stowe Vermont, i think you might really like it. these places tend to be pricier but cater to families and offer some amenities that appeal to non skiers.

you will have longer drive times and if there is bad weather, it might detract from your overall experience. depending on when you go and what sort of vehicle you own, it might prove to be a PITA unless you are really committed to doing it.

if you want to go to a place with some semblance of a nightlife and stuff to do other than skiing(which isn;t very vermont really), i;d recommend Killington and just book some ski and stay package complete with lessons and rentals.

goodluck!

 

[hardline]

I'm not a huge fan of Mt. Snow, however, I do think it would be the ideal place for the OP's group from Brooklyn. I agree that going to VT and staying in a nice condo for the weekend with a group of friends is a great introduction to skiing. Hey, for many it's about the lifestyle and the ambience as much as anything.

I live in southern CT. It takes me about 2:45 - 3 hours to drive to Mt. Snow assuming no traffic (I do use the Mohawk Trail/Rt 2 shortcut.) I've been doing some work in Brooklyn recently and without traffic it takes me about 1:15 to get there, so I'd say you're looking at a good 4-hour drive. Although, from Brooklyn, I'm not sure, but it might be faster to head up the NY Thruway and cut over towards VT around Albany? I know New yorkers reach Kiliington via the Northway, cutting across on RT 4. If you leave on a Friday afternoon or early evening it will add 2 - 3 hours to your drive.

actually it seems to be quicker to go up 91. you would have to fight a lot of traffic to get from BK over to the thruway.

 

[BeanoNYC]

actually it seems to be quicker to go up 91. you would have to fight a lot of traffic to get from BK over to the thruway.

Ditto...get on that Hutch and zip up the Merrit.

 

[Greg]

I don't speed through towns. Rt 2 and 112 are about as straight as Lance Bass. Try catching 112 up north rather than staying on rt 2 for too long. I'm curious as to how many miles it is to M.S. from Greenfield vs from exit 2 in VT. I feel it takes the same amount of time (give or take) but you're eliminating the extra time on 91.

FWIW, from Hartford to West Dover:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...2.405207,-72.729492&spn=1.441921,2.471924&z=9

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...5.677068&sspn=49.089956,79.101563&ie=UTF8&z=9

According to that the 91 --> 9 route is 5 miles longer, but 20 minutes quicker than the 91 --> 2 --> 112 route. That's pretty much in line with my experience.

 

[BeanoNYC]

FWIW, from Hartford to West Dover:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...2.405207,-72.729492&spn=1.441921,2.471924&z=9

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...5.677068&sspn=49.089956,79.101563&ie=UTF8&z=9

According to that the 91 --> 9 route is 5 miles longer, but 20 minutes quicker than the 91 --> 2 --> 112 route. That's pretty much in line with my experience.

My Route:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...pn=0.065935,0.154495&safe=strict&ie=UTF8&z=13

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

What about Belleayre..they have their own beginners area..and it's an easy drive

 

[Greg]

My Route:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...pn=0.065935,0.154495&safe=strict&ie=UTF8&z=13

Whatever works for ya, I guess. I just kinda like to take advantage of 91 as long as I can. Plus the BK at Exit 1 is a usually stop for a piss and some food. The climb up route 9 is usually where I crank the music and get pumped for the day.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Plus the BK at Exit 1 is a usually stop for a piss and some food.

LMAO...I was just thinking about the dump I like to take at Friendys in Greenfield.

 

[k2 four]

What about Belleayre..they have their own beginners area..and it's an easy drive

I second that.

Belleayre is a great choice; the whole lower mountain is a beginner area. I can vouch for the quality of instructors; excellent. Ask for Rich Bowie or Cheryl Thomas for a killer beginner lesson.
Places to stay: The Highlands Inn for the bed and breakfast style experience. The Hanah if you want a resort type place with a pool or The Emerson if want the nothing spared experience.
I would travel on Friday afternoon and plan to take care of all your rental crap at Jimmies (base of Belleayre) on Friday so that you don’t have to deal with it on Saturday morning. Then grab dinner at the Pine Hill Arms or the Binnekill Square Restaurant in Margaretville.
Take a 2 hour group lesson on Saturday morning. Then spend the rest of the day sharpening your new skills. End up in the bar in the Overlook lodge for après ski. Saturday night dinner should be at The Peekamoose. Pricey but worth it. Good bar crowd.
I would take another 2 hour group lesson on Sunday morning as well. Spend the afternoon on the slopes and head home at about 4ish.
A fun spot to stop on the way back for Sunday dinner; Mt. Fuji, in Hillburn, just before the thruway meets 287 to NJ. This restaurant is way up on a cliff and has quite an amazing view.
Hope this helps.

 

[hardline]

I second that.

Belleayre is a great choice; the whole lower mountain is a beginner area. I can vouch for the quality of instructors; excellent. Ask for Rich Bowie or Cheryl Thomas for a killer beginner lesson.
Places to stay: The Highlands Inn for the bed and breakfast style experience. The Hanah if you want a resort type place with a pool or The Emerson if want the nothing spared experience.
I would travel on Friday afternoon and plan to take care of all your rental crap at Jimmies (base of Belleayre) on Friday so that you don’t have to deal with it on Saturday morning. Then grab dinner at the Pine Hill Arms or the Binnekill Square Restaurant in Margaretville.
Take a 2 hour group lesson on Saturday morning. Then spend the rest of the day sharpening your new skills. End up in the bar in the Overlook lodge for après ski. Saturday night dinner should be at The Peekamoose. Pricey but worth it. Good bar crowd.
I would take another 2 hour group lesson on Sunday morning as well. Spend the afternoon on the slopes and head home at about 4ish.
A fun spot to stop on the way back for Sunday dinner; Mt. Fuji, in Hillburn, just before the thruway meets 287 to NJ. This restaurant is way up on a cliff and has quite an amazing view.
Hope this helps.

is that the place you see to left as you are headin north? always wondered what that place was.

 

[tekweezle]

What about Belleayre..they have their own beginners area..and it's an easy drive

i've not been to BelleAyre yet but think the OP was looking for something more in the line with a destination resort for the full effect.

Does BelleAyre have some sort of lodging deal?

 

[BeanoNYC]

I just breezed through this thread again. We're a wacked out bunch. I think we scared brooklynski away.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I just breezed through this thread again. We're a wacked out bunch. I think we scared brooklynski away.

He's from Brooklyn...How you Doing..lol..the home of Jerry Farrara and Adrian Grenier from Entourage..Turtle and Vince..Joey Fatone..Alyssa Milano..Jimmy Kimmel..Rosie Perez..Marisa Tomei..Scott Baio..Andrew Dice Clay..Steve Buscemi..Gilbert Gottfried..Tony Danze..Larry David..Pricilla Preslet..Neal Diamond..Woody Allen..Larry King..Jerry Stiller..and many others..Dominoes makes the Brooklyn Style pizza only yo mamma could enjoy..yeah it's a Brooklyn how you doing..that's a spicy meatsauce..lol

 

[hardline]

I just breezed through this thread again. We're a wacked out bunch. I think we scared brooklynski away.

i think we where fine till that statement. smooth move exlax. now the secret is out.

 

[k2 four]

is that the place you see to left as you are headin north? always wondered what that place was.

Yup, up on the cliff. I drove past it for... I can't even tell you how many years. Always wondered what it was, until my son, woke up on the way back from Bell one day and said "Dad, whats that?". I had wondered for years so we went up. Mt. Fuji, mmmmm good. They cook at your table, Japanese steakhouse style. Don't wear anything you are not going to wash cause you will stink when you leave. I mean stink like a grease pit, nasty. Leave your ski jacket in the car. Even your socks will stink.

A little pricey, but worth it, the whole interior was brought over from the far east.

 

[k2 four]

i've not been to BelleAyre yet but think the OP was looking for something more in the line with a destination resort for the full effect.

Does BelleAyre have some sort of lodging deal?

All of Bell's lodging is off hill. Not a single piece of developed real estate at slopeside. Adds to the "back in ski time" appeal of Bell.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

.... the whole interior was brought over from the far east.

Completely hijacks the original intention of this thread.....but you're confusing this part of Mt Fuji's lore with that of a different hibachi restaurant, Gasho. In Central Valley, NY, it's cuisine is very similar to Mt Fuji, and the show that the "chefs" do is equally as cheesy.