travelbug18

I just recently moved to NYC - and my bf is really into snowboarding (though he says that he's not that good). We're looking for a decent mountain to go for the weekend that's no more than 3 hrs away from the city. Anyone have any suggestions? Lodging suggestions?

travelbug18

I should probably note that we're comfortable spending up to $200/night on lodging - looking for something kind of romantic....

julesj66

I'm a snowboarder living in Manhattan. For weekend trips you can go up to VT (Mt Snow area is Southern Vt about 4-1/2 hrs give or take) or a bit further to Stratton perhaps. You could also do either Hunter Mtn or Ski Windham in the Catskill area (these are VERY crowded on weekends). For daytrips I know alot of people like to go up to Hunter/Windham as well - but we love going to Camelback in PA (straight across Rt 80) - it's much closer and though not as much elevation, it's fine for us (and should be for your husband unless he's a really good border & wants to be more challenged). There are also a few places in the Bershires (MASS, rt over NYS border) Not as far as VT.

travelbug18

This is SO helpful.

Thank you!

LizQ

Here's another vote for Windham. It's less than 3 hours from the city. Lots of B&Bs and small hotels to choose from.

J62

The places in the Berkshires are:

In reverse order of farthest distance from NYC.

Jimminy Peak (NW Mass)(3 1/2hrs (guess)
Catamount (SW Mass) (2 1/2 hrs)
Mohawk Mtn (NW CT) (maybe 2hrs +/-) (smallest mtn)

I believe Jimminy is the largest, with most lodging options at or near the mtn. The other two are more day trip type places. Neither of the latter two have any elevation, but both have snowboarding parks.

Decent is always relative, but all 3 of these offer a variety of terrain and trails, multiple lifts, etc. The farther you drive the more you'll get, so it's a tradeoff.

Bunkhedena

Excellent snowboarding facilities are in Mountain Creek, NJ. Mountain Creek has hosted the US Snowboard Grand Prix Finals and actually has as good if not better snowboard terrain park than all the places mentioned (except maybe Stratton). Mountain Creek is where Danny Kass learned to snowboard. It gets crowded on weekends so you want to be on the slopes real early in the morning.

It is less than an 1 1/4 hours from the GWB

There is a hotel now open very close to the ski slopes that would be most convenient. The scenery is pretty but the towns nearby are not as pretty as the Berkshires.

Camelback is mediocre as a snowboard facility, barely qualifies as a mountain and I don't know why I'd want to spend a winter weekend in the Poconos.

Windham and Stratton are good facilities. Windham is no better than Mt. Creek.

All in all, if you don't mind the extra driving, I'd suggest Stratton. Otherwise, to me I'd save the time and pick Mountain Creek.

DebitNM

I used to go to Butternut Basin in sw Mass. http://www.ultimateskiguide.com/butternutbasin.html

It was always a nice place to ski and the atmosphere.

Debi

ellene

Having rented a house in the Berkshires for the past 2 winters I can say that Jiminy is the best skiing of the Catamount, Butternut trio. It is just about 3 hours from Manhttan. Has the best base lodge and best snowmaking abilities of all three. There are plenty of b&b's in the area, although they do have base lodging. Check the conditions before you go, last year there was not decent snow until end of December.

travelbug18

Thanks for all the detailed replies - we're going to comb through them and make a decision in the next few days.

Any more suggestions, of course, would be much appreciated.

Dohlice

Stratton is a great mountain in general and very good for snowboarding, too. I’ve stayed at the Alpenrose b&b there. Beautiful place with a wonderful breakfast and great hosts. Very close to the mountain without having to stay in one of those phony corporate “villages”. I would skip Camelback. Poorly run and the clientele is even worse than the skiing. Shawnee is very close to NYC. It isn’t my favorite place but I’ve had fun there. Not sure if there’s a specific snowboard “scene” but I have two nephews that learned there. Beautiful lodge, too and plenty of places to stay in the area. Stratton is worth the drive if you can stay at least two nights. Vermont’s season was just as bad as PA’s last year though so I’m definitely hoping for more this year!