It is a crisp clear morning in the Catskills. You stand knee-bent at the crest of the slope, pumped with adrenaline and ready to do some carving down the fresh, untrodden snow—but it’s hard to leave the still view. After all, you’re perched atop the second highest peak in the county.
Hunter Mountain is now one of the top ski destinations in New York State. And with a slew of new deals and affordable transportation options they’re making sure everyone from ski bunnies to ski bums will be there this winter for a season of sweet rides.
The Cool Deals
Over three mountains, there are 58 slopes and trails—including 17 green slopes, 14 black diamond runs and two terrain parks—which total 240 acres of mountable terrain. Easily accessible by bus and only two and a half hours from Manhattan, Hunter Mountain not only offers a variety of slopes but also learning program for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The Progression Session Six Pack includes six individual group sessions over the course of the season that focus on skills like control, linking turns, and extremes for mastering the entire mountain. “You can pick and choose what you want to learn and where you want to improve,” said communications director Jessica Pezak.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
In addition to their learning packages, Hunter also offers discounts on multi-day tickets and rentals as well as a Valentine’s day deal for you and your snow-loving sweetheart.
Après-ski and Stay
Still reeling from your last gnarly run down the mountain, swap the chairlift for a seat at the cozy Island Bar in the Copper Tree Restaurant and a quick replenishing meal. If you’ve worked your glutes enough for one day, head five minutes away from the slopes to Pancho Villa’s in Tannersville, a popular local spot for burritos and margaritas. Nearby Last Chance Cheese & Antiques Café has a fun European bistro vibe and is great if you’re in the mood for a cheese platter and a craft beer (there are over 100 to choose from). Consider accommodations at the Kaatskill Mountain Club, which is equipped with all the amenities for a luxuriating winter weekend escape: jacuzzi, restaurant and bar, spa, indoor and outdoor pools. Rates begin at $150 for midweek stays, and $250 on weekends, but be sure to review the site’s ongoing specials.
What’s Fresh
A year-round playground for adults and kids alike, Hunter Mountain is the home to what was once the world’s tallest, longest zipline as well as a 20+ lane snow tubing park. Always looking to improve, Hunter was also the first to install first six-passenger high speed detachable lift in New York, as well as another high-speed detachable quad on the West Side. And with 120 high-efficiency snowguns, you can be sure this mountain will be ready for action every day of the season. Review Hunter Mountain’s calendar for information on cool, adrenaline-pumping events you don’t want to miss.
How to get there
Hunter has teamed up with Sourced Adventures to offer a day pass and transportation package. There are 9 local bus companies picking up from around Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan so make sure to check-out the options for almost daily service from NYC to Hunter.
Header photo by Dan Nugent. Other photos from badkleinkirchheim.
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram