Chionophiles have been thoroughly disappointed by the lack of snow in New York City this year, and some of Europe’s most popular ski resorts have suffered from a shortage of the white stuff.
But for Manhattanites looking to hit the slopes this season, these charming resorts in the Catskills offer a scenic and convenient alternative.
Less than three hours from the Big Apple, Hunterberg and Belleayreberg offer numerous hiking trails for a long weekend or even a day trip.
Where the area once lacked style, there are now a handful of sleek hotels with all the bells and whistles a city slicker could want for a winter weekend getaway.
Skiing: Mount Belleayre
With a modest 174 acres and a total of eight lifts, Belleayre is often overlooked
With a modest 174 hectares and a total of eight lifts, this little mountain is often overlooked.
But with a decent selection of runs, four cabins and short chairlift waits, beginner skiers or skiers with children will be hard pressed to find a pleasant mountain for a weekend or day trip.
Although Belleayre is probably one of the smallest in the region, it boasts one of the few gondola lifts in the region, which not only provides welcome shelter from the harsh east coast winds, but also beautiful views of the resort.
Lunch is easy and cozy in the main lodge, where the busy bar serves Bloody Marys and beer to weary parents and wild groups of friends.
Lift tickets are cheap – $79 for adults on weekends and less for children and teenagers – while a season pass costs $850.
Accommodation: Eastwind Oliverea Valley
Winter Wonderland: The Eastwind Oliverea Valley offers a variety of stylish rooms
Aprs time! Dandelion’s Bar, the impressive on-site restaurant
Eastwind’s new property in the Oliverea Valley is a stunning new addition sure to attract NYC’s Instagram-driven crowds.
The hotel opened in January 2023 and is the third in Eastwind’s rapidly growing portfolio. Sister properties are located in Lake Placid and Windham, another nearby ski area.
At Eastwind Oliverea Valley, guests can enjoy two infrared and classic saunas, an outdoor pool (summer months only) and a fire pit.
There are four different room types, the most famous – and sought after – of which is the signature Lushna Suite, a Hygge-style cabin with breathtaking views of the surrounding forest.
Each suite has an impressive bathroom with rain shower, terrace and queen size loft bed.
In spring and summer, more adventurous travelers can opt for the classic Lushna, of which these bathrooms are separate.
Classic King and King Loft Suites are also available and are equally luxurious.
Dandelion’s menu is sophisticated yet simple, serving Scandinavian fish stews and roast ribs in a beautiful setting
A Lushna Suite at Eastwind, the stylish hotel chain that now has three properties in upstate New York
Most unique is the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Dandelion, which serves simple but delicious dishes such as short rib (the best you’ll eat in the state, not to mention Big Indian), mushroom and parmesan cavatelli, and lohikeitto — a Scandinavian fish stew.
The wine list is short but impressive and well priced, and the relaxed service matches the overall relaxed atmosphere.
For breakfast, guests can enjoy a basket of freshly baked pastries, hard-boiled eggs, fruit and cereal parfaits – the perfect finishing touch to make a lasting impression upon check-out.
Rooms require a two-night minimum and start at $359.00 per night for a Classic King and $639 per night for a Lushna Suite.
For more information, visit the Eastwind website here.
Skiing: Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain is the largest in the area and offers a variety of slopes for skiers. Snow tubing is also available for the less adventurous
Hunter has long been the city’s favorite mountain for skiers and snowboarders to relax.
At only 200 kilometers from the center of Manhattan, it is the next “big mountain”.
The four mountain slopes offer 320 hectares of skiable terrain, most of which are designated as intermediate or advanced.
Although once known for its steep, icy sections, the impressive on-site snow machines ensure the slopes are perfectly dusted.
Owned by Vail Resorts, Hunter is accessible with both daily lift tickets and Epic Passes, the multi-resort subscription discount.
Lift tickets start at $99 per day for a weekend adult, but Epic Pass holders can enter the resort as part of their pass.
On the mountain you’ll find an impressive array of restaurants, and by 4pm the main bar at the base is hopping with an eager après-ski crowd.
For a relatively small mountain near New York City, Hunter offers an impressive variety for skiers of all skill levels.
Group and private lessons are also available and can be purchased as part of a very affordable package that also includes ski hire.
Overnight: Hotel Lilien
Opened in December 2022 after years of painstaking renovation, Hotel Lilien brings a relaxed sophistication to the mountain that is appreciated by locals and visitors alike.
The ten hotel rooms vary in size and theme, but are all furnished to a high standard.
Most have bathtubs — a welcome bonus after a day on the slopes — with luxurious, eco-friendly products from LA-based soap company Further.
There are no TVs in the room, but guests are encouraged to relax downstairs in the expansive and popular bar, where a fireplace and pool table entertain guests.
One of the comfortable king-size rooms at Hotel Lilien, a new addition to Tannersville
The entrance to the charming boutique hotel in the lobby
Pop in during the summer months for a dip in the hotel’s spacious pool
In addition to stylish rooms, Hotel Lilien has also livened up the local nightlife.
On a weekend in February – the coldest in years – the pub was packed with locals and guests.
A pop-up by trendy Brooklyn eatery Fandi Mata was a popular choice, and crowds flocked to sample the tacos and bop to the music of the NYC DJ brought up for the night.
The simple but adequate breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, croissants, cheese, ham, cereal bowls and coffee is a charming touch that makes the hotel more similar to its European counterparts than anywhere near Mt.
Rooms start at $279 per night. You can find more information here on the Hotel Lilien website.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
