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by Jeremy Thornton
Head to Hunter Mountain, located in the Catskill Mountains, just 2-1/2
hours north of New York City, for some of the best skiing in upstate New York!
Hunter Mountain boasts a
wide variety of trails that will appeal to the first-timer and the experienced pro
alike. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowtubing are all accomodated in
240 skiable acres.
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THINGS TO
DO
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See more info on these activities and businesses
The resort consists of 3
mountains, with 1,600 feet of vertical drop, and a summit elevation of 3,200 feet.
More than 1,000 snowguns service the property, which allows for a longer season
(and more time to enjoy the slopes!).
For all the downhill daredevils
out there, the mountain offers 27 black-diamond and 13 double-black trails.
The onsite Salomon Demo Center lets gear hounds try out the latest equipment
on the market.
A variety of affordable
packages are available for individuals and groups; packages include condo, lift
ticket, and food vouchers.
(And don't forget that Hunter
Mountain is just one attraction in New York State's
Greene County, which abounds in exciting recreational possibilities
year-round! Click
here to read EscapeMaker's profile of Greene County.)
Tip: Hunter's popularity
means that it can sometimes get crowded (like school holiday weeks, for instance); for shorter liftlines, try to visit midweek,
or during off-peak times.
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LODGING
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 Located
slopeside at Hunter Mountain proper, the Kaatskill Mountain Club is a hotel with state-of-the-art
facilities offering a year-round, outdoor heated pool, two Jacuzzis, around-the-clock
staff, a workout room, and a full-service spa. In the summer guests enjoy lift-assisted
mountain biking; in the winter, ski-in/ski-out convenience. Rooms range from $150
for efficiencies during the spring and summer to $500 for two bedrooms during the
winter.
The Liftside Village
Condominiums are also located right on the mountain, and they too feature amenities
like fireplaces, jacuzzis, washer/dryers, and ski-in, ski-out accessibility. Call
the lodging hotline at 800-486-8376 for reservations at the Liftside Condominiums,
the Kaatskill Mountain Club, or other nearby lodgings.
Adjacent
to the mountain is the Scribner Hollow Lodge,
which is famous for the Grotto, an underground
cave-like pool and spa. Also nearby, in Windham, is the
Hotel Vienna.
If your coming up the interstate highway from the Hudson
Valley,
Barclay Heights Bed & Breakfast
is convenient.
See more info on lodging
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DINING &
NIGHTLIFE
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The lodge features six eating
establishments, including the Restaurant at Hunter Mountain. The Kaatskill
Mountain Club (see directly above, under "Lodging") is home to Van
Winkle's restaurant, which has an open kitchen and a Culinary Institute
of America-trained chef.
There are many restaurants
nearby in the town of Hunter that offer live music and a relaxed pub atmosphere.
See more info on dining
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TRANSPORTATION
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BUS:
Adirondack Trailways
buses leave daily from Port Authority. Call Adirondack Trailways at 800-858-8555
to confirm schedule.
Other charter bus tours
leave regularly for Hunter—click
here for some possibilities. (Readers in the New York City
area, for instance, may want to check out Emilio's Ski Shop for tours leaving
from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.)
Travel time: 2-1/2
to 3 hours.
TRAIN/CAR
RENTAL:
Take Amtrak from Penn Station to the Hudson stop,
and rent a car from Enterprise-Rent-a-Car, which
will meet you at the train station. (Call Amtrak
to confirm schedule at 800-USA-RAIL. Call Enterprise-Rent-Car
to make reservations at 518-828-5492.)
Travel time: 2-1/2
to 3 hours.
CAR:
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 20, and then take Rt. 32 north, followed
by Rt. 32A west, and then Rt. 23A west to Hunter Mountain.
Travel time: 2 to
3 hours, depending on traffic.
See more info on transportation
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TRAVEL
TIPS
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As noted above, Hunter can
sometimes get crowded. Try to go midweek, or at other off-peak times, if you can.
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