It's All Downhill from Here

Skiing Greene County

by Gabrielle Compolongo, November 24, 2008

December: the time of year when the quiet white mist takes over the mountains, and the winter ready cars head up winding roads to the Greene County ski resorts. Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain are two of the highest mountains in New York, and both bring something new and fresh to the scene. Both mountains contain exciting new events throughout the winter season, and extensive and upgraded trails and pipes have been cut and carved for this year. Hunter Mountain will never be lacking in the snow department, thanks to their first-in-the-world 100 percent snowmaking coverage. Windham Mountain boasts the highest vertical drop in the Catskills at 1,600 feet. These two mountains make it possible to have a world-class vacation, or at least an exciting day on the slopes.

Daniela Marino, director of marketing at Greene County Tourism, emphasizes the mountaintops’ proximity to major cities. “With one tank of gas, you can get a whole vacation coming from the metro areas. While [the loss of] disposable income will not make it a record season, if nature smiles and snows upon us, we will have a very satisfying season,” states Marino. What really makes the ski trips worthwhile is the number of elegant and unique accommodations in Greene County.

Hunter Mountain, at 4,040 feet, is the highest mountain in Greene County––and with 240 skiable acres, including 54 trails and 11 lifts, Hunter Mountain has even been dubbed “the snowmaking capital of the world.” Hunter Mountain was the first in the state to install snowmaking and first in the world with top-to-bottom snowmaking. According to Jessica Pezak, marketing director of Hunter Mountain, a gladed section was added on the east side of the mountain last year, where the trees have been thinned out so that intermediate skiers may experience more thrilling ski conditions. Forty-five new snow guns have been installed, along with a new compressor, which allows for even faster recovery times. Twenty one of the new snow guns were installed in Hunter’s second terrain park, Park Avenue, which is specifically for skiers and snowboarders who want to experiment and perform tricks. With the encouragement of the weather forecasts, Pezak expects a great season and has great faith in Hunter’s snowmakers. The Hunter Mountain Expedition and Sports Center features apparel, equipment, and gear. The Board Room snowboard shop is the stop to make for last-minute purchases. The Board Room features brands from Gyro and k2 to Skullcandy and Spacecraft. The Tuning and Repair Shop is a must-see at the mountain, whether you want to view the carving of a new board, or get a board shaped.

Hunter Mountain is also home to many events and festivals. On December 20, the mountain will host the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a casual competition for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. New Year’s Eve festivities include a torchlight parade followed by a fireworks display.