Looking for the perfect winter wonderland just two hours from Manhattan? Save this post to plan your next NYC getaway! 🥰
When we were still living in Milan, Italy, Luca and I used to ski in the Alps – we even got married on the slopes! In the picture below, we were about to hang a “just married” sign on the chair lift – LOL.
Of course, we HAD TO find a ski resort near NYC. That’s how we ended up at Hunter Mountain, where Luca has been teaching skiing for over 10 years and where we got our beautiful home (also featured on HGTV!).
I love NYC’s pulsing energy, its chaotic streets, and even the endless hustle. Though, I honestly think I’ve been able to fully dive into my fast-paced city life because I can easily escape for unique getaways and cozy weekends Upstate NY, year-round.
If you’re looking for a place to recharge your soul – for a day, a weekend, or even longer – this Hunter Mountain guide is for you. I put together all my insider tips so that YOU can experience it like a local 😎
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Hunter Mountain Backstory
In the 1980s, Hunter Mountain was already the ultimate winter getaway for New Yorkers – a bustling, family-friendly ski haven that captured the spirit of the Catskills. Over time, it experienced a slow decline (which didn’t stop us from buying our home – we still loved it!). Then, two key factors led to its comeback:
1️⃣ The Vail Resorts Acquisition: Just before the pandemic, Vail Resorts acquired Hunter Mountain, investing in lift infrastructure, snowmaking capabilities, and Epic Pass access. Now, New Yorkers who love skiing out West during the holidays could use the same pass to ski just two hours from the city all winter long. Game-changer!
2️⃣ The Pandemic Property Boom: During COVID, many New Yorkers bought second homes here, realizing just how important it is to have space and nature in their lives.
Today, Hunter Mountain is back – and better than ever! It’s a dreamy winter escape for skiers and non-skiers alike.
Things To Do Near Hunter Mountain – Not Just For Skiers
Hunter Mountain is a playground for both beginners and seasoned skiers/snowboarders with diverse terrain and modern lifts.
Pro Tip:
❄️ Plan your visit on a weekday or outside of peak holidays to avoid long lines.
🎿 Book a ski lesson to skip the crowds and improve your skills (you can even ask for a private lesson with “my Luca!“)
If skiing isn’t your thing, don’t worry – Hunter Mountain has plenty of winter magic waiting for you:
1. Snow Tubing
It’s one of the largest tubing parks in NY – nearly 1,000 feet long!
Pro Tip: tickets sell out quickly. Purchase yours online in advance to secure your spot.
📍Located at the base of the Kaatskill Mountain Club Hotel.
🗓️ Open through March 16, 2025
🕒 12pm- 7pm.
🎟️ Starting at $39 (single tube) or $59 (double tube) for 2 hours.
👶 Height 42″+ (single tube), 36-44″ (double tube, must ride with an adult).
2. Kaaterskill Falls Hike
Walk through a snowy landscape that looks straight out of a winter fairytale. When the falls freeze, the cascading ice formations create an ethereal, sparkling display.
⚠️ Just remember to wear proper snow/hiking shoes; the terrain gets slippery!
3. Have Fun While Working Out
🧘 Take a Yoga or Pilates class at Studios On Main
📍Studios On Main, 6045 Main St, Tannersville- $25 per person
📍 Scribner’s Lodge – Every Saturday, 9-10 AM (complimentary for guests, $25 for community guests)
⛸️ Ice skate at Scribner’s Glice Rink
🕒 Mon-Thur: 3 PM to 6:30 PM. Fri-Sun: 11 AM to 7 PM
🎟️ Lodge Guests: Free. Community Guests: $10 Mon-Thur / $20 Fri-Sun & holidays – Admission includes skate rentals and an hour-long skate time
🧖♀️Indulge in a spa treatment at Serenity Skincare
🛍️ Stroll through Tannersville: explore local shops, cafés, and restaurants along Main Street
How to Get There: Your Scenic Two-Hour Escape
One of the best things about Hunter Mountain? It’s only two hours from NYC by car – with breathtaking scenic views along the way, including Kaaterskill Falls.
We drove up with Toyota on a recent weekend press trip, and honestly, their RAV4 Hybrid impressed me – smooth, fuel-efficient, and super responsive to drive. Next time, I’d just opt for a moonroof model!
🚙 Need a rental? I recommend Discover Cars – they have great customer service and a price comparison tool that helps you save up to 70%.
🚌 Prefer not to drive? You can hop on one Hunter Mountain bus from NYC – approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes
– Trailways Bus: Offers daily routes, with one-way fares starting from $56
– Megabus: Provides service with the earliest bus departing at 8:30 AM, with one-way fares starting from $40
– OvRride (that’s how Luca and I spent our first weekend on the slopes when we first moved to NYC): Specializes in ski day trips, offering packages that include round-trip transportation and lift tickets. Prices vary, with bus-only rides starting at $99.95.
Pro Tip: Book your bus tickets in advance, especially during peak ski season, to ensure availability.
Where to Stay near Hunter Mountain
When it comes to staying overnight, this area has so many luxury, charming, and budget-friendly options.
Before buying our home, Luca and I stayed at Kaatskill Mountain Club at Hunter Mountain. Next to the slopes, it’s definitely convenient for its location. I personally loved their heated pool, hot tubs, gym, and cozy rooms with fireplaces and full kitchens.
As part of the Toyota Winter Escape press trip, I stayed for the first time at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, a boutique hotel with 38 guest rooms and 11 luxury cabins, and I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT!
Stylish, cozy and 3 min drive to Hunter Mountain, the lodge is probably the spot to stay.
My friend Gosia and I stayed in one of the 11 luxury Rounds – fairytale cabins located above the main lodge.
The vibe is laid-back yet super chic, with an abundance of natural light. After a day on the slopes, nothing beats unwinding in your own yurt-style cabin, soaking into your private outdoor hot tub, and relaxing by the window next to the fire pit or stargazing through the skylight.
I still dream about it!!! They are absolutely PERFECT if you want to impress your date for an incredibly romantic getaway!
The locally inspired restaurant, Prospect, needs to be in your radar even if you’re not staying here! The food is simply DIVINE (see more below)!!!! From breakfast to dinner, you can savor New American dishes with a focus on local purveyors and produce from their on-property garden. Another plus? Their wine selection and creative cocktails at the bar.
✨Amenities of The Scribner’s Lodge include:
– The Apex Lounge, located in the rounds area, with fireplace and a coffee/tea station inside, plus a S’mores station outside
– The Library, inside the main Lodge, next to the reception, with a super cozy circular fireplace, shelves filled with books, a billiards table, and an inviting co-working space near the windows
– The Barrel Sauna outdoor, by the main Lodge, seating up to 6 people. It’s complimentary for all guest and you’ll simply need to make a reservation to reserve your spot.
– The Pool (open in the summer)
– The Glice’ Rink – complimentary for guests, including skate rental.
…and you can even participate to Saturday morning wellness classes!!!
Other Options:
There are plenty of cute VRBO offering, and I’m planning to check out the one-of-a-kind boutique Hotel Lilien soon – will report back with a personal review. Stay tuned!
Must-try Local Eats – A True Insider’s Guide
Hungry? In the mood for something special? Let me share some local favorites that will make your NYC getaway even more delicious.
🍳 Pantry on Main, Tannersville
This family-owned gem serves DELICIOUS breakfast, lunch, and brunch (only on Sunday). Open Thursday through Monday with dine-in and takeout options – including gluten-free choices! They also have specialty groceries and catering services. I like to try something new every time, however, their eggs, falafel, and French fries never disappoint!
🧀 Last Chance Antiques & Cheese, Tannersville
The cozy atmosphere and rustic vibes immediately make you feel at home. I personally love the old- school grocery store charm – who doesn’t enjoy browsing wrapped candies?! The menu has a mix of burgers, steaks, and a fantastic cheese selection. I usually start with their onion soup (so good!) and potato knish… then indulge in their Brownie Sundae (3,000 calories, give or take – LOL).
🍰 Shandaken Bake Pastry Shop, Tannersville
Craig’s freshly baked goods are simply IRRESISTIBLE – a little slice of heaven! This charming pastry shop is all about nostalgia, and even the interior was designed based on Craig’s 20-year-old sketchbook vision!
Some of our favorites (Luca is a big fan too!) include: chocolate pudding, “chubby squirrel,” and the key lime pie.
Open Thursday from 3pm to 6pm, and Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 2pm, the bakery serves coffee, teas, pastries, pies, tarts, and cakes. It’s SO GOOD that people start lining up before it opens, and his most popular items sell out quickly, so make sure to go early!
🥖 Fellow Mountain Café, Hunter
Open daily from 8am to 3pm, this café serves breakfast and lunch options crafted from locally sourced ingredients, complemented by artisanal coffees brewed with Peaks Coffee Co. beans. I’m still in awe with their focaccia: soft and yet crispy, rich in olive oil – Italian-approved!
…the secret? Angelo Santelli is a third-generation baker, and his roots are Italian!!!
Pro Tip: On Saturdays, they host an Après Ski event from 2:30pm to 5:30pm featuring a special menu.
👨🍳Prospect at Scribner’s
This hidden gem at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge takes New American cuisine to a whole new level… no wonder it’s owned by the same owner as Fellow Mountain Café! And yes, you can taste the Fellow’s sourdough bred at the restaurant!
Prospect blends rustic charm with a modern twist, offering a menu that celebrates local, seasonal ingredients. Every dish feels thoughtfully crafted… even their winter salad (with kale, arugula, baby red oak lettuce, prosciutto, black berry, plums, red wine pears, gorgonzola, candied pepitas, and peach yuzu dressing) is to die for!
And if you make it for breakfast, make sure to order their pancakes!!! The ambience is both intimate and lively, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or a relaxed après-ski meal with friends.
Chef Alejandro, originally from Puebla, Mexico, previously worked at, Cocina Hermanos Torres, a prestigious restaurant in Barcelona, Spain. He was part of the team when they elevated the restaurant from 2 to 3 Michelin Star… he knows what he’s doing!
🥕 I have mixed feelings about… La Tabla, Tannersville
La Tabla serves delicious food that’s loved by many, but be prepared for some service quirks. The restaurant focuses on Mediterranean and Italian-inspired small plates using local Upstate NY ingredients. We went once to celebrate our wedding anniversary and unfortunately, the experience didn’t match the price tag. The flavors were amazing, though the service definitely needed work… we’ll give it a second chance and report back!
What to Pack for Your Winter Escape
Layers, layers, layers! Catskills weather is as unpredictable as NYC traffic. Here’s my go-to checklist:
- Undies + bras + sport bra
- Thermal base layers (leggings + long sleeves)
- Snow pants + waterproof jacket (maybe even a heated vest!)
- Warm tights + socks
- Cozy sweaters + warm pants + sweatpants
- Yoga/Pilates/workout outfit
- Bathing suit
- Hand warmers + toe warmers
- Sturdy boots (good for both the slopes and scenic hikes)
- Gloves, hats, and goggles
🎿 If skiing: Bring your skis, snowboard, boots, helmet.
🚰 Don’t forget: Snacks + refillable water bottle!
Final Thoughts: The Magic of Hunter Mountain
There’s something truly special about Hunter Mountain that goes beyond the thrilling slopes and cozy lodges – it’s about reconnecting with nature, slowing down, and recharging your soul. For New Yorkers, it’s a chance to step away from the chaos, breathe in crisp mountain air, and savor the beauty of winter. Every trip here leaves me refreshed, recharged, and inspired.
Hit the slopes or unwind by the fire – Hunter Mountain is the ultimate winter escape. Ready to plan your trip? So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for a winter escape you’ll never forget.
❄️ See you in the mountains! Ciaooo!!! ⛷️
