Cheap Ski Vacations for New Yorkers

New York City can be stressful – and it’s nice to disconnect for a relaxing ski getaway occasionally. Surprisingly, finding cheap ski vacations for New Yorkers isn’t too difficult if you start here. We’ve uncovered ski adventures that range from day trips to more lengthy vacations. Here’s our list of easy and cheap ski vacations for New Yorkers.  

cheap ski vacations for New Yorkers
There’s lots of fresh powder less than three hours from downtown New York City. Here’s our picks for the best cheap ski vacations for New Yorkers.

Ski at Mount Peter

Mount Peter is only about an hour’s drive from New York City and is a must for any ski enthusiast. The New York ski resort is perfect for a quick day trip or a weekend getaway. It even has ties to the Big Apple: It was originally opened in 1936 by Macy’s department store as a resort to showcase it extensive apparel line. It’s also the oldest operating ski area in the state of New York and best known for its night skiing and free ski lessons for beginners.

Mount Peter is just 62 miles from New York City via Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 17A. (An alternate route is from Route 17 North to Route 17A.) The nearby town of Warwick sits right along the Appalachian Trail, and there’s plenty of lodging, restaurants and shops to explore off the slopes. 

Ski at Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain Resort is only 87 miles from New York City via Interstate 289 West and Interstate 80 West in northeastern Pennsylvania. The popular ski destination sits in the heart of the Poconos mountain range just north of Pocono State Park. The resort is a hit with visitors – especially families – who love the indoor water park, mountain coaster, thrilling tubing runs, revamped terrain park and memorable night skiing. The resort is a great spot to learn to ski and there’s even a 50-square-foot air bag for more advanced skiers and riders to work on progression skills. The nearby town of Tannersville offers a variety of unique dining and nightlife experiences.

Ski at Jiminy Peak

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts is a convenient getaway to the unspoiled Berkshire Mountains for New Yorkers. It’s one of the largest ski resorts in New England. The Massachusetts ski resort provides nine lifts and more than 45 challenging and fun trails. The 170-acre resort is located 155 miles north of New York City via Taconic State Parkway.

More Ski Resorts in New York

New York has more than 30 ski resorts in the state, so there’s no shortage of excitement near home. Here are a few more can’t-miss New York ski resorts that you can drive to in less than three hours.

  • Belleayre Mountain: Beautiful resort with more than 50 runs along 170 acres of pristine woodlands of the Catskills. Belleayre Mountain is 133 miles north of New York City via Interstate 87 North and Route 28.
  • Catamount: Learn to ski the Berkshires at this fun resort on the border of Massachusetts. It’s a great spot for beginners, but also has challenging sections for advanced skiers. Catamount Ski Area is 122 miles north of New York City via Interstate 684 North and Route 22.
  • Hunter Mountain: The ski resort covers three mountains in the beautiful Catskills and has well-maintained trails for skiers of all ages and abilities. Hunter Mountain is 126 miles from New York City via Route 17 North and Interstate 87 North.
  • Platekill Mountain: This quiet, family-owned ski resort is perfect for a low-key getaway. There are small crowds and lots of vertical drop. Platekill Mountain is 151 miles north of New York via Interstate 87 North and Route 28.
  • Windham Mountain: This family-friendly resort is known for its incredible beauty, fabulous moguls and seriously steep runs. Windham Mountain Resort is 144 from New York City via Route 17 North and Interstate 87 North.

Fly to Burlington, Vermont

It’s easy to fly from a NYC airport to Burlington, Vermont for prime skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort, one of New England’s top ski resorts. Cheap flights to Burlington are provided by several carriers, including JetBlue Airways, Delta, American and United Airlines. Roundtrip non-stop flights during ski season are usually priced under $150 per person! It’s best to purchase tickets a few weeks in advance of your trip to avoid price hikes close to departure to get cheap ski vacations for New Yorkers. Flying to Burlington puts you only 36 miles from Stowe Mountain Resort. 

Ski during the day (and night) and explore the 200-year-old village during down times. Of course, it’s a must to visit the Ben & Jerry’s factory just 12 miles down the road from the resort for a famous scoop.

cheap ski vacations for new yorkers
Drive to nearby resorts in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, or catch a flight for epic skiing out West.

Fly to Denver

If you’re not in the mood for all that driving, consider catching a flight to a ski resort in the West. Direct flights to ski destinations like Vail, Aspen and Telluride can be expensive, so consider a flight to Denver if you want to save money. Denver International Airport is one of the largest airports in the West and a hub for several airlines, so you might be able to score a reasonable ticket direct to Denver from La Guardia, JFK or Newark.

Keep in mind that once you reach Denver, you’ll need to arrange transportation to your ski resort through either a car rental, bus service or other transportation. Popular destinations like Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge are about 1-2 hours from the airport.

Fly to Salt Lake City

A lot of people don’t consider Salt Lake City a ski destination – but it is. Salt Lake City is less than an hour’s drive from an unbelievable 10 ski resorts. Yes, we said 10 – including big names like Park City and Deer Valley. There’s no shortage of big powder, epic runs and bluebird skies in Utah, and you’ll enjoy savings in the competitive marketplace for lodging in the Salt Lake City metro area. Find a deal in Salt Lake and explore all the area resorts. It’s a ski vacation for the ages!

Flights to Salt Lake City don’t get delayed as much as flights to Denver, so your chances of getting into the city during a snowstorm are better on average. And with the short commute to the area ski resorts, you won’t have to spend a bunch of time in the car once you land. You can be on the ground and on the slopes in less than an hour!

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