Four Seasons
The Western Catskills is lucky to experience the four seasons in all their brilliant, rich beauty. Winter is a favorite for many. Curl up in front of a fire. Get out on the slopes for fast fun or take a leisurely trek on a trail. Meet friends at the cafe for a midday latte and warm up. Stay inside with great workshops or check out our wonderful antique stores and art galleries.
Winter's WILD in the Western Catskills
Who needs to get on a plane to the Rockies for great winter fun or drive six hours to Vermont?? The Western Catskills have peaks over 3000 feet above elevation with downhill ski runs over 1000 feet long, hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, hayfields and golf courses for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and the required fireplace to hang out in front of afterwards.
Teaching the kids to ski? Plattekill Mountains lodging group offers kids ski free passes to their lodging guests, so every child accompanied by an adult (except on holidays) will get a free ski pass up to the age of 17. It's a charming family friendly mountain with great instructors to help you improve your skills and Saturday night tubing fun. Advanced skiers love the challenging double black diamond runs on the mountain. And there's snow making galore with improved machines that churn up the runs and maintain a great surface no matter what mother nature throws at us. Plattekill is open on weekends and holiday weeks, and on Snow Daze - the day after we get ten inches or more of fresh powder.www.plattekill.com.
Belleayre Ski Center is a state run facility open seven days a week with ski school, ski race teams, a high speed lift line and adaptive ski program.www.belleayre.com.
Local snowmobile clubs maintain an extensive system of trails that weave their way around the entire county. Check out the club websites at this link.
You can rent snowshoes at Plattekill and cross country skis at the Belleayre Mountain Ski Shop in Highmount just before you enter the county on State Hwy 28.
Winter rocks in the Western Catskills.
