We are looking to get away for the weekend and thought about a quick ski trip...we live in western jersey and love stratton!! and the village type atmosphere (not too common on east coast?) but don't want to do the drive this time...know of any good ski resorts within about 3 hour drive with possible slope side lodging...saw Hunter mt and possibility...any comments how crowded of a resort since so close to city?...any other places come to mind...both of us good skiers and not into crazy kid packed slopes...any thoughts would be great thanks amy

Absolutely don't go to hunter on any weekend and certainly not with your kids. It is a party mountain. Go to the website they advertise it as a place to come, get drunk and ski. I have never had a good time there and have seen a good many accidents. YUCK YUCK YUCK.

My sister owns a home up there and they get regular reports of fatalities. Very poorly run family mountain I would never tell any friend to go there. I don't know anyone over 21 and sober that likes the place. Ok I am being dramatic but I think it alienates families and has very very very poor ski patrol.

Where I would go Windham, Bellaire (sp) although I have not been to Bellaire. I think you should take the drive, its worth it, certainly if you are staying over. I love Sugarbush, Killington, and OKEMO least drive of all three.

www.epicski.com for more advice.

http://www.skiwindham.com/

almc:
Sarah is being a bit dramatic! Hunter is one of the best ski areas for SKIERS within 3 hours of NYC
She is correct in that it gets crowded on weekends. But it is because the terrain is challenging, the snowmaking is first class, and it is the destination resort for NYC!
That said, I think Windham would be a better fit for a family!
JOHN

While the skiing isn't top notch (on par with VT) Shawnee in Pennsylvania isn't bad for a couple of days. In addition, it'll be less than 90 minutes from Western NJ.

If you do go the NY route, I'll second that Windham is a better option for someone not wanting a "crazy kid packed mountain" than Hunter.

bmw? Ok I was passionate, but hunter mountain top notch? I DON'T THINK SO! I belong to 4 ski clubs in NYC. I get very bored at hunter. I speak regularly (each season) with about 70-100 people. Everyone laughs when we talk about hunter. People compare bad days on any mountain to Hunter. Not to beat a dead horse here almc. I just don't know ANYONE that likes hunter. Everyone complains of novice skiers, drunks. No one thinks its a mountain with variety. Most people I know if pressed will go a bit further to Stratton, Okemo, Mt. Snow. If they really want an easy trip, bellairye, Windham.

Sarah:
I have been skiing for about 25 years.

What I said was the best skiing within "3 hrs of NYC".

I would put Hunter "West" up against most ski terrain in Vermont. They also have the best snowmaking in the East!
That combination is hard to beat!

As Yogi Berra said: "No one ever goes there anymore..it's too crowded!"

Too bad you do not go there anymore, I could meet you on a 'weekday' and show you the Hunter that I know!...without the weekend warriors!
John

We ski at Hunter every weekend.The skiing is great for a mountain that is so close to NYC.Yes it can be crowded but the lines move well.They have a great ski school and the accommodations on the mountain are great(Condos).The sushi bar upstairs is great and there is a quiet bar.Windham is more family oriented,just as crowded and
the skiing is definitely not as good as
Hunter.We actually thought there were too many little kids at Windham so if you don not have kids I would skip it.
PS.
We just returned from Banff and thought the conditions were better at Hunter,not the terrain just the conditions.Have fun

BMW Killington has the most snow making in the US, that beats out hunter.

Cindy, you are in classes with 16 people at hunter. One of my worst experiences. Okemo (VT) and Grey Rock (up in Quebec) have recieved national recognition. So I am not sure what your measure is on Hunter Ski schools.

Ok everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Not at all trying to stomp anyone out. I just have a pretty passionate one against hunter. Honestly,I would hate to not speak this and see someone WASTE a week vacationing there.

thanks everyone for your input...i think we are going to bite the bullet and drive to Stratton, it's worth the extra little drive..but when we want to hit ny I will definetly keep your thoughts in mind....also heard lots off the web about hunter some good, most bad..so will probably hit wyndham...just a little side note..we live every close to camelback in tannersville, pa...we ski there often..nice little place...sun bowl section of the mountain is usually quiet, however nothing compares to vt...but this is pretty close...pocono are a little cheesy for vacationing but skiing good...thanks again amy

Friend of mine works at Camelback, so I heard the same thing. You might also want to consider Holiday Mtn. which is close to Hunter, but not quite as crowded. I went there 2 years ago and didn't wait more than 15 minutes on line, and there didn't seem to be any inconsiderate skiiers or snowboarders.

Unfortunately for me, my company is planning a company snowboarding trip to Hunter in March....argh!!

bmw thanks for your offer on showing me the mountain but I won't be getting away during the week any time soon.