The traditional snow sports still have plenty to offer blizzard-watchers. Here are some of the improvements you’ll find at the Valley’s ski and snowboard resorts:
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, NY
New this winter is a state-of-the-art Wintersteiger TuneJet tuning machine, as well as a streamlined reservation service that allows you to order pre-tuned and fitted rentals on-line.
1-800-HUNTERMTN; www.huntermtn.com
Windham Mountain
Windham, NY
The mountain added 70 new pieces of snowmaking equipment during the off-season, including 23 snow guns on the lower portion of the Wing N’It trail alone. That means more snow, no matter how finicky the winter weather gets.
518-734-4300; www.windhammountain.com
Thunder Ridge
Patterson, NY
The terrain park has relocated to a more accessible part of the resort, and is now equipped with new frames, rails, and better snowmaking capabilities.
845-878-4100; www.thunderridgeski.com
Mount Peter
Warwick, NY
Big changes are going down at the state’s oldest operating ski area: the infamous rock at the base of the mountain is out, and a glass-enclosed heated pavilion is in. Gone, too, are the free skiing lessons, which now require a small fee. In their place, however, is something arguably better: a guarantee that you’ll learn how to ski in just one day — or you’ll get your money back.
845-986-4940; www.mtpeter.com
Plattekill Mountain
Roxbury, NY
A newly constructed outdoor fire pit keeps skiiers and snowboarders nice and toasty.
607-326-3500; www.plattekill.com
