Thunder Ridge

[Sparky]

On a recent trip down state, to visit my brand new grandson, We drove by a small area called Thunder Ridge located on rt.22. Since we will more then likely be making this trip often ( according to Grandmother) I decided to do some research on this little area. Has anyone been there or know anything about it?

 

[ed-drum]

Thunder Ridge used to be called Birch Hill. I started skiing there back in High School when Mt. Storm closed. I went to school with the owners and we had great parties up there in the summer time at the summit. Ed.

 

[Sparky]

Thunder Ridge used to be called Birch Hill. I started skiing there back in High School when Mt. Storm closed. I went to school with the owners and we had great parties up there in the summer time at the summit. Ed.

Speaking of the summit, do you know what the vertical is there?

 

[ed-drum]

The summit is 1270', the drop is 600'. It's a good place to learn to ski. Ed.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Where on route 22?

 

[ed-drum]

Patterson, N.Y. Putnam county.

 

[WoodCore]

The summit is 1270', the drop is 600'. It's a good place to learn to ski. Ed.

The lift serviced summit is actually around 880' and the base area is at 480' so vertical is around 400' of which only about 300' is a sustained pitch of any consequence. Thunder Ridge aka Birch Hill has a funky layout as far as ski areas go but nonetheless a great place to learn to ski.

Pros: Good steeps on "The Face" and "Fool's Delight"; Great learning areas for beginning skiers including a double chair well away the action.

Cons: Crowded on Weekends; Inadequate snowmaking and grooming (although somewhat improved in the last few years);

Here's a few pictures.....

 

[abc]

For those who live nearby, it's a good place to get a few turns in when there's no time to go elsewhere. I did.

No worth traveling from anywhere else though.

 

[JimG.]

I live 15 minutes away...great place for after work turns on powder nights.

And my 5 year old loves it.

Wouldn't drive more than an hour to ski it.

 

[SKidds]

Ah, Big Birch. Having been on the ski team at Brewster High way back when (graduated '86) I spent many an afternoon and evening at Birch Hill. If you are in the area and jonesing for turns it will fit the bill. If you have kids it's a great local hill to take them to. I agree that it probably isn't worth a trip from very far away, but it does have some interesting, albeit short, trails when the conditions are right (and I'm not sure how often that is).

 

[ed-drum]

Google "Birch Hill Game Farm". It gives the whole story about the place. We used to call it "Big Bump" because it was small. I used to go after school, at nights and weekends. It was my home hill and Hunter was second. All of the local school ski teams go there. Ed.

 

[Sparky]

Thanks for all the info. I don't plan on a trip just for Thunder Ridge(Birch Hill) but when we're down to see the Kid, it sounds like a worth while venture.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Makes Sundown seem high class.

 

[andyzee]

If you want something to do in the non winter months while you're there, I highly recommend a hike up Breakneck Ridge, just a few miles away.

 

[downhill04]

I grew up about 5 minutes away from Thunder Ridge. Neither one of my parents had ever put on a pair of skies but they somehow got me skiing there at the age of 3. They would drop me off for the Jaycees lesson program that ran every Friday night, then go out to dinner.

Side note: I can’t imagine dropping my 3y/o off at the mountain then going out to dinner. It’s a different world now a day. :-o

It was a great place to learn. When I was in high school I would ski there just about every night. Like the others have said it isn’t worth driving more than an hour to ski there, but I have some very fond memories of that place.

Greg they have no moguls so don’t waste your time going there. You will be disappointed :wink:

I wish they would bring back the restaurant that use to be at the base of the mountain, Ming Hoi. They had some really good food. Then again I was about 7 when the place closed so who knows how the food really was.

 

[nycskier]

If you live near a metro North Station the MTA has ski and ride deal. While small Thunder Ridge is accesible by mass transit which makes it a nice place to go and learn to ski or board if you live in the NYC area and are carless.

 

[Sparky]

If you live near a metro North Station the MTA has ski and ride deal. While small Thunder Ridge is accesible by mass transit which makes it a nice place to go and learn to ski or board if you live in the NYC area and are carless.

A ski area that is currently accesible be mass transit. That is interesting I wonder if there are any others. I have heard that Wachusetts has a deal for a refunding train from Boston. Are there any others?