When people think about places to go snowboarding in the Northwest, they think about Vermont, Maine, or New Hampshire. Most people do not think of New York as a place where you can find rewarding outdoor activities. However, concerning snowboarding, skiing, and other snow sports, New York deserves some credit. With 43 ski areas, 10 of which can be considered resorts, New York is the state with the most ski areas in America. So, if you want to go snowboarding or skiing in the state, there are various options within driving distance to choose from.
A great location for snowboarding in New York is the Thunder Ridge Ski Area. Located in Patterson, New York, Thunder Ridge is about 68 miles from New York City. It would take an hour and a half to get to the resort, making it a suitable option for city dwellers who like to engage in snow sports during the winter. Also, the tickets in the area are less expensive than many other resorts around, making it affordable for most New Yorkers.
Thunder Ridge Ski Area has a little over 20 trails. The difficulty of its slopes ranges from easy to expert, so snowboarders of any level can have a great time at the resort. The ski area also has a terrain park for beginner snowboarders and skiers to get some experience.
In Greene County, New York, Hunter Mountain is another excellent option for New York snowboarders and skiers. About half of all the trails at Hunter Mountain are difficult, so much that the ski area is arguably the most challenging one around New York City. The ski area is about two hours from New York City by car. Because of its relatively difficult slopes, Hunter Mountain attracts hardcore snow sports enthusiasts.
The ski area was the first in the world to achieve 100 percent snowmaking. The area achieved this in 1980, and since then, it has developed on this feature, introducing new snow machines, a new pumping system, and automated snowmaking in the past two decades.
The Catskills Mountains are home to many great ski resorts and areas, Windham Mountain, Windham. Over its 280 acres, Windham offers opportunities to hone one’s skiing and snowboarding skills. The area is pretty wide, so visitors can explore a far stretch of snow, having fun and improving their snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice-skating, and cross-country skiing skills.
The area also has a Big Air Bag service that allows visitors to engage in professional-level stunts safely. Windham provides a variety of programs that groups can engage in. It is perfect for family weekend getaways and an escape from the city.
In addition, you should check Gore Mountain out if you are looking to go skiing or snowboarding in New York. Located in Albany, the resort is about a four-hour drive from NYC. This may be a long drive, but it is worth it because Gore Mountain is the largest resort in New York. The resort has a total of 15 lifts and 107 trails that span across four peaks. An advantage of Gore Mountain being far from the city is that you will find fewer people there, allowing a chill atmosphere. From the resort, you may be able to see mountain peaks located as far as Canada.
