Many people don’t always realize how big the state of New York is once you get outside of the city. There are a lot of different places to snowboard here or in nearby states, and although they take a bit of driving to reach, all offer pretty solid conditions during the winter.
I’ve been a passionate snowboarder my entire life, and I love to travel to new places to ride. I’ve had the opportunity to visit New York in the winter several times and know through first-hand experience several good places to ride here.
This post will spotlight some of the best snowboarding places in and near New York. I’ll provide you with some basic information on each location, such as what the spot is best known for and what you can expect if you make the trip.
Let’s get after it.
Contents
1. Windham Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.windhammountain.com/
- Opening Day: November 25 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 30 (Average)
- Best Known For: Good vertical drop, technical terrain, largest resort in the region
Windham Mountain is a top snowboarding destination in New York for several reasons. It’s relatively close to the city, and you can be to the slopes in a few hours’ drive if the traffic isn’t too bad, and it’s also the largest resort in the region.
You have access to nearly 300 acres of rideable terrain at Windham, which might not seem like much if you are from the west but is pretty decent for out east. There is also a lot of technical terrain here, giving advanced riders plenty of options.
Another awesome aspect of Windham is that the resort has many different terrain parks. This means you can cruise park lines to your heart’s content, working on new skills and tricks at any time of the year.
There are a few places to stay overnight nearby, including the Winwood Inn, and you can find a hotel room or rental house to make a trip out of your stay here.
2. Mountain Creek, New Jersey
- Official Website: https://mountaincreek.com/
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 25 (Average)
- Best Known For: Closest resort to New York City, long runs, great snowmaking
If you are looking for a resort close to New York City, you’ll want to head a bit south into New Jersey and visit Mountain Creek. This one is under two hours away and gives you a lot of choices for good snowboarding.
Mountain Creek has a decent vertical drop, giving you access to long runs that you can take advantage of when you visit. Once you reach the top of the mountain, the ride back down will take you a while.
There is also night skiing here, which allows you to take advantage of fewer crowds and enjoy some fun under the stars. The resort does a great job of snowmaking, so you can expect pretty decent conditions all season long.
Being so close to the city, this spot can definitely get crowded. If you come on a weekday, that’s your best bet for getting in as many runs as possible without waiting in line too long for them.
3. Camelback, Pennsylvania
- Official Website: https://www.camelbackresort.com/
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 1 (Average)
- Best Known For: Family-friendly, good terrain parks, night riding
Camelback is another solid snowboarding destination near New York. This location is in Pennsylvania and gives you more opportunities for good snow and a family-friendly atmosphere that makes for a good winter vacation destination.
The mountain has a lot of beginner terrain, so it’s a good spot to learn how to ride if you are new to snowboarding. There are also good instructors who will help teach you the ropes without pushing you to get out of your comfort zone.
More advanced riders will appreciate the terrain parks, and there are plenty of features and well-maintained pipes that you can bomb through all day long. Camelback can get really crowded on the weekends, so you’ll want to plan accordingly and visit at other times if you can.
4. Hunter Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.huntermtn.com/
- Opening Day: November 20 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 10 (Average)
- Best Known For: Variety of terrain, excellent snow making
If you are looking for a wide variety of terrain to challenge your skills or just try something new, Hunter Mountain is the snowboarding spot for you. This is another top destination in New York that is well worth exploring.
The resort has over 1,500 feet of vertical drop, providing plenty of trails that allow you to push your limits. There is some technical terrain as well, which is good for experienced riders who want a challenge. There are plenty of beginner runs as well.
The resort doesn’t always have the best snow coverage, but they have developed a solid snowmaking system that keeps the white stuff on the ground. There also aren’t that many places to stay nearby.
5. Belleayre
- Official Website: https://www.belleayre.com/
- Opening Day: November 25 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 5 (Average)
- Best Known For: Not crowded, affordable
Belleayre is one of the most affordable snowboarding destinations in New York, making it appealing for anyone on a budget.
It’s also not as crowded as many other options on this list, so it is perfect if you are looking to get away from the masses and spread out to enjoy yourself.
The downside is that the terrain isn’t as expansive or varied here. But if you are looking to save some money and avoid crowds, Belleayre is hard to beat.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the best places to snowboard in and near New York.
Can you go snowboarding in New York?
Yes, there are a number of resorts in the state of New York that make for good opportunities to snowboard. These resorts aren’t directly near New York City, but you can still find good snow and a lot of fun if you are willing to drive a bit.
What’s the closest ski resort to New York City?
Mountain Creek, New Jersey, is the closest ski resort to New York City. Even though this location isn’t in the state of New York, you can still get from the city to the slopes in around two hours, depending on how bad the traffic is.
Which is better Windham or Belleayre?
I prefer Windham over Belleayre because it seems less crowded and often has better snow. And I like the terrain park at Windham better as well. That said, Belleayre is still a decent place to ride. It’s just not the best location in the region.
Final Thoughts
New York and the surrounding states have some great places to go snowboard. All of the destinations on this list are worth checking out and are within a few hours’ drive of the city. Just make sure to get up early and try to beat the crowds!
About Lorraine