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Off-Mountain Fun in the Catskills

Explore winter in the Catskills off the slopes. Enjoy the season your way.

There are plenty of ways to tap into the glee of winter in the Great Northern Catskills without ever clipping into a pair of downhill skis.

Go Winter Hiking!

Here's the thing you need to know about hiking in the winter: prepare or beware! Wear layers. Bring food and water. Wear grippy shoes or add spikes to your footwear. And make sure you know exactly where you are going. Then you'll be ready to put your best foot forward and enjoy the trek. One of our favorite places to hike is along the Windham Path. It is scenic, simple and close to Windham's restaurants and bars. The Huckleberry Trail is great for snowshoeing and hiking. It's also close to some really great restaurants – such as Maggie's Krooked Café in Tannersville.

Go Snowshoeing!

Bearpen Mountain Sports is one of the Catskills top spots for all things winter fun in New York. There are trails to enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing and fat biking as well as hills for snow tubing and ice for skating. For those who like to kick it old school, sledding is also on the menu at Bearpen with Airboard Snow Sled and Tube Pro Ice Sleds available for rent. Rentals are available for all activities too, so you don’t have to worry about a thing besides checking that the weather conditions are right for your winter pastime of choice! 

Have your own gear? Head to Mountain Top Arboretum to explore the gardens and groves in winter, or hit up one of the many designated snowshoe trail networks in Greene County.

Relax and Do Nothing!

What’s better than staying indoors on a frosty day? Check in to one of our infamous Catskills resorts for a few nights and literally do nothing more than relax. Review our winter packages and enjoy excellent food, great views, a trip or two to the spa and the simple pleasure of curling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book and an even better drink. Discover the Great Northern Catskills under-the-radar food scene offering unique dining and lodging options like those found at Jessie’s Harvest House, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, and many more!

If you are seeking the thrill of skiing or snowboarding, discover the full wintry fun-scape of the Great Northern Catskills and start planning your Catskills winter vacation by including some downhill options.

downhill resorts in the Catskills >

Downhill Skiing in the Catskill Mountains

From Hunter Mountain’s wild slopes with incredible snow coverage due to snowmaking being available on 100% of the trails, to Windham Mountain’s family-friendly vibe and great cruisers, you’re about to score some epic runs.