Grab your skis and pack up the snowboards: it’s ski season! Whether you’re a bunny-hop beginner or can slalom like a superstar, our family-fun guide to the area’s best ski mountains in and around Bergen County, NJ will tell you everywhere you’ll want to chill this winter (and the best places to cozy up by the fire afterwards), plus which resorts have great deals for grade schoolers during January’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.
Day trippin’
Camp Gaw: (219 Ramapo Valley Rd, Mahwah, 201-529-2302)
Bergen’s very own mini-mountain is high on fun and low on stress. In just a few hours, you can catch a few runs to satisfy your urge to hit the slopes. (Daily Passes range from $19 to $36 per day, 7 trails total)?
Tips: Beginner skiers ages 7+ can enroll in their 4 week “first step” program, younger ones can enroll in the Cruisers. Buy some tubing tickets on-line prior to your visit, and take a few runs bouncing down the hill post skiing and set up a skiing or boarding lesson for your tot prior to your visit, starting at $32 for ages 4-6, $70 for private, $97 for semi private.
Chow: On your way home hit The Mason Jar for pizzas, pub fare and a family-friendly vibe.
Tuxedo Ridge:(296 Route 17N, Hillburn, NY) Just up Route 17, over the Jersey border, Tuxedo Ridge is close enough to “test” your skills. This self proclaimed “little mountain” boasts 7 trails for skiing and boarding, a terrain park and 4 tubing lanes with a lift to take you to the top. Plus, they are participating in NY’s ISKINY Free program where 3rd and 4th graders can ski for free with a paying adult. (Daily Passes range from $13 to $60 per day)
Tips: Grab one of the 12 varieties of beer or settle for a hot cocoa at the Ridge Pub, located in the lodge overlooking the slopes.
Chow: Did you work up an appetite? Pop into Mt. Fuji restaurant for some of the funniest hibachi chefs around.
Mountain Creek:(200 Route 94 Vernon, NJ) Approximately an hour from Bergen, this ski resort is about as full service as you can get for just a day trip. With 44 trails on 4 peaks, the Creek offers skiing, boarding, and a Tube Park open from Thursday through Sunday and special attractions like Zoom Zip Lines, the Alpine Coaster and the new Soaring Eagle suspension ride for thrill seekers. ($42 to $66 per ticket, kids 6 and under ride free with a paying adult, $349-$439 for a season pass.)
Tips: Book a “Sacred Stone Massage” at Elements Spa to soothe tired and achy muscles at the end of the day or stay overnight in a luxe room to take advantage of the Biosphere Pool Complex which is comprised of 10,000 sq. feet of tropical pools.
Chow: We love Hawks Nest for upscale on-mountain eats or Kites for more casual fireside fare located at the Resort.
Mt. Peter (40 Ski Lane, Warwick, NY)This family-friendly ski mountain boasts 4 lifts, over 10 trails and a terrain park.
Tips:Family friendly features include FREE first time skiing and snowboard lessons for beginners (with purchase of a lift ticket, weekends and holidays only) and Pete’s Pals program for kids ages four and under, which takes place at the base of the hill to familiarize young kids with equipment and balance and has one all inclusive price for rentals, lessons and tickets. Hit the Woodbury Commons Outlets on the way home.
Chow: Pop into Fratello’s for family style Italian and brick oven pies.
Book a Room
Windham Mountain: (19 Resort Drive, Windham) Just a two hour journey up the New York State Thruway, Windham is home to 46 trails for skiing and boarding, snow tubing, and five terrain parks and has gone upscale, with uniformed valets who unload and store your skis and a well appointed private locker room. ($10 to $78 per ticket)
Tips: The mountain also offers ice skating (with a warming hut) and cross country skiing for those who prefer level ground. Tired moms can escape to the brand new Alpine Spa for massage and yoga.
Chow: Spice it up at The Windham Inn’s Rock’N Mexicana Cantina for Queso Fundido and a margarita après ski. (Main Street, Windham) Or grab a waffle at the on-hill waffle hut that allows skiers and boarders to glide up to the window for service.
Crash: At the slope-side Windham Mountain Village - a short walk to the slopes.
Liberty Mountain (78 Country Club Trail, Carroll Valley, PA) Head south 3.5 hours to Pennsylvania and check out the 22 trails, tubing on 15 chutes (including Pebble Ridge Kiddie Tubing geared specifically for 2-4 year olds! and 5 terrain parks. Great kid’s programs for half day and full day sessions. (Open to close tickets range from $22 to $72)
Tips: Little ones can get their shred on at the Burton Riglet Park which teaches aspiring snowboarders ages 3 to 7. And stop by Historic Gettysburg on your way out - it’s a mere 8 miles from the resort.
Chow: Families love the slopeside McKee’s Tavern, which has something to please the picky younger ones.
Crash: At the super-convenient Liberty Mountain Resort.
Jiminy Peak: (37 Corey Rd Hancock, MA) A three trip to the Berkshires will take you to Jiminy Peak in Hancock, Mass. The resort has 45 trails, three terrain parks, and is surrounded by spectacular views and wind farms used to generate the power for the lifts. (Tickets range from $30 to $69, kids 5 and under ride FREE)
Tips: Ride the “Mountain Coaster” for 3600 feet of twisting turning fun.
Chow: Bypass the food at the Lodge and dine in Lenox. Mama loves Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar(34 Church Street, Lenox)
Crash: Also in Lenox, at Cranwell Resort and Spa. With its 35,000 square foot spa, indoor pool and cross country skiing, you’ll really feel like you’ve had an escape. (55 Lee Road, Lenox; 413-637-1364, rooms start at $300)
Whiteface Mountain (Wilmington, NY) With 86 trails, 20% of which are for beginners, Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid is a great place for a family ski-weekend. And to mix it up, Gore is a nearby neighbor.
Tips: “Kids Kampus” Ski school for every age category and level as well as their “Bears Den” nursery program for kids too young to hit the slopes. Indoor and outdoor ice skating facilities, snow tubing, cross country and their “Skeleton Experience” for your daredevils ages 13 and up who want to sled at 30 mph.
Crash: Newcomer Whiteface Lodge was built in classic Adirondack style, but has luxurious touches like an upscale spa and fine dining, hence it’s #10 rating in the 2011 Conde Naste Travelers’ Readers Choice awards. An indoor/outdoor heated pool, ice rink, nightly s’mores and a movie theatre will keep the kiddos happy (and occupied) too. (Rates begin at $479 for a junior suite)
Stratton (5 Village Lodge Rd. Stratton Mountain, Vermont, 1-800-Stratton)
Crowd-pleaser Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont is one of the best east coast ski resorts for families, with 89 open trails and terrain for every skill level.
Tips: Stratton’s award winning ski school starts kids as young as 4 on skiis and 7 year olds on snowboards with full day programs that include lunch, instruction and exploration, taught by young fun instructors your kids will love. You will love: the on-mountain spa services and village sushi flown in fresh daily.
Crash: On the mountain in Treetop Condos which are available to rent, but there are tons of other options too.
