Here’s Where You Can Go Skiing, Skating, Snowshoeing, and More

Check out the Hudson Valley’s best reasons to warm up to winter.

Get outdoors at one of these ice skating rinks and ski areas in the Hudson Valley.

Skiing & Tubing

There’s something for everybody when it comes to hitting the slopes in the Valley — from mega-ski facilities with top-ranked pro runs to family-friendly, low-key community parks. Many sites nowadays offer a variety of sports, including downhill skiing, cross-country trails, and tubing runs. Here’s just a sample:

Mount Peter Ski Area

For more than 80 years this family-run facility has been a hub for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in Warwick. A favorite of many for its relaxed atmosphere and free beginner lessons for skiers and snowboarders (with purchase of a lift ticket; check for dates, times, and restrictions), Mount Peter offers kiddie-level lessons for toddlers, a terrain park, and more.
51 Old Mt Peter Rd, Warwick
845.986.4940

Belleayre Mountain 

This popular regional winter destination located in Highmount has 50 trails, eight lifts, lessons for all experience levels, and lodging. Plus, there’s a vertical drop of 1,404 feet, if you feel daring.
181 Galli Curci Rd, Highmount
845.254.5600 or 800.942.6904

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Hunter Mountain

It operates 13 lifts, 67 trails, and also features tubing, plus group and private ski lessons. Accommodations include several convenient lodges near the slopes.
64 Klein Ave, Hunter
518.263.4223

Try before you buy! The Windham Mountain Demo Center is fully stocked with over 150 of the newest high end Skis and Boards providing the most convenient way to test and buy new equipment. Our ski in, ski out location next to D Lift makes it easy to test ride the latest equipment, whether you are looking to purchase or just want to demo the latest technology in snow sports. Spend the day on the snow at Windham Mountain with the best ski gearfrom Atomic, Fischer, Head, Line, Rossignol, Salomon, Stockli, and Volkl. For Snowboards, check out Burton, Rossi & Jones. If you ever thought about trying Telemark, we carry tele gear from K2, Rottefella, and Scarpa. We are also proud to now offer AT gear from Rossignol! Open from 9am-4pm on weekdays, and from 7am-4:30pm on weekends and holidays.

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Windham Mountain

With 54 trails and 11 lifts, its 285 skiable acres provide plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors. Winter sports lovers can also visit its on-site inn, spa, and restaurants.
19 Resort Dr, Windham
800.754.9463  

Catamount Ski & Snowboarding Area

Catamount features eight lifts, 42 trails, a snowboarding terrain park, and lots more for lovers of the winter sports scene. It’s also home to one of the steepest trails in the Northeast (the double black diamond trail is aptly named Catapult.)
Hillsdale, NY and South Egremont, MA
518.325.3200 or 413.528.1262

Plattekill Mountain

Whether you are an experienced skier who loves black diamonds or someone just starting out, there is a trail that everyone can enjoy. The mountain located right in the Catskills has 38 trails, four lifts, and a terrain park for those who want to catch some air.
469 Plattekill Rd, Roxbury
607.326.3500

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Ice Skating 

Many major ski centers and resorts – and don’t forget your local, municipal, and county parks – offer user-friendly rinks where kids of all ages can enjoy a traditional outdoor spin on the ice. Among them:

Bear Mountain Ice Rink

This popular spot draws loyal winter fans to the park every year. Skate rentals are available; there’s also a snack bar for beverages to warm you up when you take a break from the ice.
3006 Seven Lakes Dr, Bear Mountain
845.786.2701 ext. 266

Bowdoin Park

You can glide across a 76-by-80-foot skating rink while enjoying expansive views of the nearby Hudson River; families also love the gentle sledding hills in this bucolic, 301-acre park.
85 Sheafe Rd, Wappingers Falls
845.298.4600

Mohonk Mountain House 

The world-renowned New Paltz resort offers skating sessions in its rustic, covered outdoor pavilion. It’s fun to combine a session on the ice with a tasty meal at Mohonk when you register as a day guest.
1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz
855.883.3798

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Empire State Plaza

A cool place to dress warmly and savor a few hours of skating outdoors in the middle of the city. The rink is ringed by notable structures ranging from the modernist center at The Egg to the historic Capitol building. Skate rentals available.
Empire State Plaza, Albany
518.473.6299


Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing 

It’s a breeze to slip on a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes and head out on a crisp winter day. Just be sure access to the land is legal. Remember, these sports are less strenuous on a groomed trail, so you’re also less likely to lose your way in the snowy woods. Snowmobiling is also permitted in certain areas of some state parks and preserves throughout the Valley. Some suggestions:

Hand Hollow State Forest

More than 500 acres of wooded land offer endless options for hiking and winter biking. There are also snowmobile/ski trails and cross-country skiing.
4079 Rte 9, East Chatham
518.357.2155

Fahnestock Winter Park

Part of the 16,000-acre Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, the Winter Park provides groomed, mapped trails. You’ll also find a nifty sledding hill plus ski rentals, food, and beverages.
1570 Rte 301, Carmel
845.225.3998

Saratoga Spa State Park

More than 12 miles of groomed trails make this an ideal choice for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as you wind through the picturesque park on the outskirts of Saratoga. It also includes an outdoor ice-skating rink and hockey rink.
19 Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Springs
518.584.2535

The history of Minnewaska State Park is interesting from an advocacy point of view. At one point the park had two resorts and even a kids summer camp within its current day bounds. Both resorts eventually closed down but 600 acres was sold to Marriott to build a new resort and condominiums. By 1985 pressure from environmental groups eventually grew to the point where Marriott abandoned the deal. To the people at the time who took part in this campaign, thank you, thousands of people each year are able to get some quality nature time because of your efforts. To that end, environmental progress often takes work and lots of voices to be heard. The Adirondack Council is asking we all take a moment to write a letter to Governor Cuomo to ask for solutions on overuse within the Adirondack Park. There’s quite a few ideas that can be implemented to help persevere the character and preservation of the park, but it will require an increase in funding and new ideas. If you want to be part of the voice that helps to preserve outdoor spaces and wilderness for future generations, visit the Adirondack Council’s website and send an email to the Governor. (link in bio). Thanks !

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Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Enjoy woodland snowshoeing trails and cross-country skiing areas at this popular park. It boasts 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths that wind through the beautiful Shawangunk Mountain ridge.
5281 Rte 44-55, Kerhonkson
845.255.0752

Full Moon Resort

This getaway, tucked into the Catskills in Big Indian, offers 100 acres of fields that are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Bring your own equipment, or head for the day to the nearby Frost Valley YMCA  – which features over 20 miles of trails, including groomed trails to walk or glide through the woods and meadows.
12 Valley View Rd, Big Indian
845.254.5117

Rocking Horse Ranch

It’s tough to be bored at this 500-acre, family-oriented, four-season destination in Highland. Choose from the winter snow park, snow tubing, a skating rink, skiing, and cross-country skiing. And what’s more postcard-perfect than a horse-drawn sleigh ride on a snowy afternoon at the ranch?

600 Rte 44-55, Highland
845.691.2927


Related: Top 8 Hudson Valley Ski Areas

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