From Scarsdale to the Mountains: A Comprehensive Guide to Nearby Skiing and Snowboarding

Haven't skied in a while? Or ever? Maybe you think your kids are too young to learn. Maybe you think you're too old to learn? Or maybe you haven't gone because you hear it's so expensive.

Whereas it's easier to learn to ski or ride as a child, it's not impossible to learn as an adult. (I learned to ski at age 36!) Over 20 ski areas exist within about two hours of Scarsdale, so you have the option to make it a day trip. (See our highlighted ski areas below.) We've even included secret tips to make it a less expensive sport for the whole family. (Full price tickets are listed under each individual ski resort.) All ski areas offer ski and snowboard lessons but some have age restrictions. Most offer tubing options and many offer nurseries for the youngest kids. They all have beginner to expert runs but vary by percentage of these trail types.

The Berkshires
Ski Butternut is in Great Barrington, Massachusetts- a fun, eclectic après-ski town. With 22 trails, 11 lifts, 2 terrain parks, affordable learn-to-ski/snowboard packages, $25 mid-week lift tickets, and a friendly vibe, Ski Butternut is a popular option for families. Early risers can start skiing at 8:15 am. The learning area does not require a parent to buy a lift ticket. Parents can walk next to their kids on the magic carpet and help their kids learn to ski down the bunny hill. Another perk is the mini lift at the learning area. Will, the lift attendant who seems to be there perpetually, teaches kids how to get on and off the lift safely. Lift tickets range between $25-$60 for adults and $15-$50 for children/juniors.

Jiminy Peak is in Hancock, Massachusetts. Not much else is there, but the resort has an inn and restaurants. (We even discovered that there is free hot chocolate and a magician après-ski in the Country Inn and you don't have to be a guest to enjoy it!) Jiminy has 9 lifts including a high-speed one that seats six and 45 trails, 21 of which are open for night skiing. Tickets are $69-77 for adults and $52-66 for kids/juniors. Note that ski school doesn't include lift tickets, an annoyance in my opinion if you want to do a run or two with the kids before heading out. Jiminy Peak tempts kids and adults alike with its mountain coaster. At $4 a ride, it's a thrill not to be missed! 

Catamount is upping the ante with a full-scale resort that is in the works. Catamount has 35 trails, 6 lifts, and night skiing. Lift tickets range between $33-63 for adults and $16-53 for kids. The charge for kids is only $12 if they stay on the magic carpet area. A zip line adventure tour is open at Catamount during the warmer months.

The Catskills

Windham recently made $11 million in capital improvements and you can feel it from the moment you drive up to the resort. It's easy to get in and out, and rentals are streamlined (although rather expensive) so the process goes quickly. There are 12 lifts including 2 high-speed quads leading to 50 trails. There are cross country ski trails on the property as well as snowshoe options and the town outside the resort is cute. Kids 6 and under are only $10. Other kids are $45-67 and adults are $68-78. There is no on-site lodging but there is a shuttle that will take you to lodging near by.

Hunter is popular with the New York crowds. Three mountains make up the ski area and there are ski in, ski out condos on site. There are 5 lifts and 47 trails. Kids 6 and under ski free all week and are $10 on weekends. Lift tickets for kids 7 and up are are $43-68 and adults are $66-76. Hunter has a four-season zip line adventure park.

Belleayre is a friendly mountain that has long green learning runs as well as expert runs for the more advanced. There are 55 trails and 8 lifts including a high-speed quad. There's a terrain park also. It's a senior-friendly mountain with great deals for the 65+ crowd. Kids 7 and under ski for FREE! For the more middle aged, prices range from $31-64 for a lift ticket. There's cross country skiing as well but no on-site lodging. 

The Poconos
Camelback is known for being a great learning mountain. Camelback has 16 lifts including 2 high-speed quads and all 34 trails are wired for night skiing. Seniors (70+) ski free all week and 5 and under ski free with a paying adult. Adults are $51-65 and kids 6 and up are $38-47. A water park is opening at the Camelback ski resort in the spring of this year and looks like 125,000 square feet of indoor fun.

Shawnee is another mountain in Pennsylvania known to be family friendly. Kids 46" and under ski for free. There are 23 slopes/trains, 2 terrain parks, 6 lifts, and 4 magic carpets for those practicing the bunny hills. There is no on-site lodging. Adults pay $50-60 and kids over 46" pay $40-45.

Really Close (45-90 minutes)
Plattekill is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Scarsdale. The website touts a "true family mountain experience" and a 2-mile beginner trail. With 3 lifts, 38 trails, and a terrain park, there's something for everyone. Kids 7 and under are free, kids 8 and up are $40-48, and adults are $50-59.

Thunder Ridge is 45 minutes north and tends to get crowded on the weekends with ski teams. But did I mention it's only 45 minutes away? It has 30 trails with 3 lifts and 4 magic carpets. Parents need a lift ticket in order to enter the magic carpet area, so no walking around in your boots to teach your kids to ski here. Lift tickets are $25 during the week for ages 6 and up and $12 any time for kids age 5 and younger. Adults are $40-50 on the weekends and kids over age 5 are $30-37. There are great deals for night skiing starting at 3 PM during the week.

Mt. Peter is also a short drive away. It's a small mountain with 14 trails and 4 lifts but it has a learning area with a magic carpet and night skiing as well as a terrain park and small lodge. Unique to Mt. Peter is weekly lessons. Eight consecutive weeks of 1 ½ hour lessons are offered in small groups (maximum of 5 people) but the weekend lessons fill up fast. Adults ski for $25-45 and kids ages 5-11 ski for $23-38. Kids under 5 are free.

Mohawk is in Western Connecticut and provides 25 trails serviced by 7 lifts (5 triples and 3 magic carpets). Mohawk is open for night skiing and has themed days such as pirate day, sixties day, and more to add a fun edge to a ski day. Parent-tot lessons are offered for kids 3-4 years old. Kids under 5 ski for $15 and 5-15 year olds ski for $52 on the weekends and $30 midweek. Adults are $60 during the weekends and $30 all week.

Discounts Galore!

Metroland Ski Club and other clubs charge a small membership fee that pays off with one visit to a discounted ski mountain. My family of four, for example, recently skied/snowboarded with our Metroland cards for $60 at Belleayre (instead of $128) and $110 at Butternut instead of $150. Individual memberships are $20, family memberships are $30. Lessons and rentals are discounted as well. Liftopia offers incredible discounts on lift tickets, as much as 50% off. The caveat is you need to purchase the tickets for a specific day and they're generally not refundable. Lift tickets are limited so if you see a good price and know the date you're skiing, get them while you can. Pedigree in White Plains has discounted ski passes that can save a bundle of money. Call to see what they currently have and compare with Liftopia or REI. Kids in 3rd and 4th grade ski free in New York. A ski "passport" is required and costs $25, but it can still be a reasonable deal.

What's your favorite place to ski or snowboard and why? Help inform others and answer in the comments below!