Mid-Atlantic School me on eastern NY areas

[tch]

OK, so I live in NW CT, very close to border with MA and NY. In years past, Jiminy Peak MA was my easy-day-trip area and southern VT was the longer-day-trip destination.
But...with quarantine protocols in place, I can't access those states for day trips. NY is in the same "pod" as CT, so now I need to look into eastern NY areas. I know Catamount; it's right next to me. But Windham, Bellayre, Plattekill, Hunter.... differences, strengths, weaknesses, general vibe? I gather Hunter is a big, loud NYC place (that would NOT be my wheelhouse), but that's only reputation.
Anyone got a primer or overview?
Thanks.

 

[Ogg]

OK, so I live in NW CT, very close to border with MA and NY. In years past, Jiminy Peak MA was my easy-day-trip area and southern VT was the longer-day-trip destination.
But...with quarantine protocols in place, I can't access those states for day trips. NY is in the same "pod" as CT, so now I need to look into eastern NY areas. I know Catamount; it's right next to me. But Windham, Bellayre, Plattekill, Hunter.... differences, strengths, weaknesses, general vibe? I gather Hunter is a big, loud NYC place (that would NOT be my wheelhouse), but that's only reputation.
Anyone got a primer or overview?
Thanks.

Hunter isn't nearly as bad as it's reputation especially if you hit it during the week. The lodge/bar scene gets a little raucous but that should be significantly curtailed this season. They do have the best terrain of the bunch, IMO. Windham terrain is boring. Bellayre is a bit better. Others will have to chime in about Plattekill.

 

[crgildart]

Huntahh but only mid week or late season weekends. Total crowded spitshow holidays and mid season weekends. I'll take boring terrain I can ski over the best in the area that also requires parking in BFE and long waits for everything..

 

[dbostedo]

Others will have to chime in about Plattekill

Mid-Atlantic - Anybody here ski Plattekill?

Here's a feel good article I ran across in the NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/nyregion/catskills-skiing-plattekill-mountain.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

www.skitalk.com

 

[neonorchid]

OK, so I live in NW CT, very close to border with MA and NY.

Salisbury CT to Gore MT North Creek NY = 2 hr 35 mn via I - 87 N if accurate for you I wouldn't waste my time in the Cats ... I'm jealous!!!

2 hr 35 min (146 miles)
via I-87 N
Fastest route, the usual traffic

Salisbury
Connecticut

Get on I-90 W in Canaan from CT-41 N, MA-41 N, MA-71 W and NY-22 N

43 min (30.5 mi)

Continue on I-90 W. Drive from I-87 N to Lake George. Take exit 23 from I-87 N
1 hr 25 min (93.5 mi)

Take U.S. 9 N and NY-28 S to Gore Mountain State Ski Center in North Creek
30 min (22.1 mi)

Gore Mountain Ski Resort

793 Peaceful Valley Rd, North Creek, NY 12853

 

[Philpug]

Huntahh but only mid week or late season weekends. Total crowded spitshow holidays and mid season weekends. I'll take boring terrain I can ski over the best in the area that also requires parking in BFE and long waits for everything..

And New Years Day...very quiet.

 

[Ogg]

And New Years Day...very quiet.

Particularly in the morning. In my experience the slopes start to empty and the bar starts to fill around 11 on most days at Hunter.

 

[crgildart]

And New Years Day...very quiet.

Superbowl Sunday too

 

[crgildart]

Salisbury CT to Gore MT North Creek NY = 2 hr 35 mn via I - 87 N if accurate for you I wouldn't waste my time in the Cats ... I'm jealous!!!

2 hr 35 min (146 miles)
via I-87 N
Fastest route, the usual traffic

Salisbury
Connecticut

Get on I-90 W in Canaan from CT-41 N, MA-41 N, MA-71 W and NY-22 N

43 min (30.5 mi)

Continue on I-90 W. Drive from I-87 N to Lake George. Take exit 23 from I-87 N
1 hr 25 min (93.5 mi)

Take U.S. 9 N and NY-28 S to Gore Mountain State Ski Center in North Creek
30 min (22.1 mi)

Gore Mountain Ski Resort

793 Peaceful Valley Rd, North Creek, NY 12853

Then quarantine for 2 weeks because you crossed a state line..

 

[Ogg]

Superbowl Sunday too

Nah. It used to be that way when the game was earlier but not really anymore. You can ski until 3 and still be home for the game if you live in NYC or LI.

 

[Crank]

We used to ski Hunter Christmas eve day. Nobody there and everyone who was was very friendly. My friend's dad always drove us there just to get out of his wife's way for her pre holiday stress out.

Seriously though Hunter for decent vert. and pitch. Better IMO than Windham or Bellayere. Never skied Plattekill. Gore is better still.

 

[Slide of Hans]

If you don't mind the drive, then Gore is the best for variety and scenery. For the closer Catskills, hunter is the best for terrain, the new north side seems underutilized so you can avoid crowds there.
Bellyare is OK , but the "good " vertical is 800-900 feet, I think the tomahawk pod is great. It's not the most scenic area IMHO as its a long ridge with no spruce up top like VT mtns. Actually, the ski areas in the cats have no spruce on top.

I've been to Platekill a few times, good pitch and old school vibe with glades if there is snow. Its kind of out of the way but that keeps the surrounding area unspoiled .

Windham is the most resorty of the bunch. Well polished and the terrain is OK, like a mini okemo. Although not super exciting, enough is there if the east side lift is running.

I'm a midweek skier and was thinking of getting the Ski 3 card, for Gore, beelyare, first ticket free, then every 6 th ticket free, & discount days

 

[Jim Kenney]

Hunter isn't nearly as bad as it's reputation especially if you hit it during the week. The lodge/bar scene gets a little raucous but that should be significantly curtailed this season. They do have the best terrain of the bunch, IMO. Windham terrain is boring. Bellayre is a bit better. Others will have to chime in about Plattekill.

Agree, Hunter would be my pick of the Cats and can be quite good on weekdays, at least it was before covid. Plattekill might be good when you want to ski on a weekend when there's a decent natural snowpack. Gore would be fine on days when you feel like driving a little further for a bigger mtn.

 

[BC.]

Huntahh but only mid week or late season weekends. Total crowded spitshow holidays and mid season weekends. I'll take boring terrain I can ski over the best in the area that also requires parking in BFE and long waits for everything..

I ski a lot of Sunday am’s at Hunter....park like 50 yards from 6 pack or triple........so my first hand experience is a bit different. You can learn to avoid crowds..... It’s not awesome, in fact most people thinks it sucks cuz of clientele.....but it’s better than PA.

 

[Slide of Hans]

Windham Mtn is running a 3 ticket pack for $56/day for low capacity days. Not a bad price considering the lack of deals this season.

 

[Jersey Skier]

Hunter for weekdays and Plattekill for weekends so long as they have decent snowcover.

I typically ski Wednesdays at a variety of places, but only bought NE Epic pass so it should be Hunter this year. Typical Wednesdays will be 2-3 minute liftline at the 6 pack and ski right on to anything else. No crowds normally inside, and I'm guessing less this year.

Platty is great on the weekends if there is decent snowpack. The woods can be great. Way more challenging terrain than anything else around due to the trees and lack of grooming on at least 50% of the trail width. No liftlines to worry about. The lodge is where it seems busy. Not sure how they will deal with that this year.

 

[JohnL]

And New Years Day...very quiet.

Actually no - but I know you were j/k. I think?

That 6 pack is slammed by 10, even on hang-over day. I relied on @SKI-3PO to guide me through the mess. We did get a decent amount of skiing in, but had to be smart.

 

[SCWVA]

Anyone ski West Mtn? Was wondering how it compares to the other mid-atlantic ski areas.

 

[dbostedo]

Anyone ski West Mtn? Was wondering how it compares to the other mid-atlantic ski areas.

West Mountain? Did you mean Wisp maybe?

 

[SKI-3PO]

West Mountain is just west of Glens Falls, NY