One of the best ways to experience the winter season in the Hudson Valley is by cross-country skiing our area’s scenic parks and destinations. Miles of ski trails with varied terrain offer something for everyone. Not only is cross-country skiing an equal-parts strenuous and enjoyable workout, the sport also allows you to rediscover your favorite parks dressed in winter white! Here are a few of our favorites.
minnewaska state park preserve
location:
Kerhonkson
trails available:
32 kilometers (about 20 miles)
fees:
$10 Parking Fee $10 Ski Fee for Adult $9 Ski Fee for Senior $7 Ski Fee for Junior (17 and under)
rentals:
Not on site - Visit Rock and Snow in New Paltz
hours of operation:
9:00am - sunset
description:
With miles and miles and MILES of groomed carriage roads, in addition to many ungroomed trails, Minnewaska State Park in the Shawangunks is an excellent destination for cross-country skiing in the Hudson Valley. With its added elevation, this area holds on to snow better than its surrounding valley, making it a great locale for gliding through that powder. Plus, its unique ecology and geography of pitch pines and white Shawangunk conglomerate make it a mesmerizing place to explore!
mohonk preserve
Not only is cross-country skiing an equal-parts strenuous and enjoyable workout, the sport also allows you to rediscover your favorite parks dressed in winter white!
location:
Marbletown/Gardiner
trails available:
Exact mileage unknown, but MANY trails!
fees:
$15 per person entry fee (for non-members)
rentals:
Not on site - Visit Rock and Snow in New Paltz
hours of operation:
Sunrise to one hour after sunset
description:
Another gorgeous preserve nestled within the Shawangunk region of the Hudson Valley is Mohonk Preserve. This park offers a more “rugged” skiing experience as only certain carriage roads are groomed while other backcountry trails remain ungroomed. You can either begin your journey from the Spring Farm Trailhead or from the West Trapps Trailhead. For those looking for a more intense, perhaps even more advanced excursion, I’d suggest beginning at the Spring Farm Trailhead, which has immediate uphill climbs and a network of ungroomed trails. The West Trapps Trailhead offers a gentler (and straighter) skiing experience on the Overcliff and Undercliff carriage roads, though the trails are limited. Visit mohonkpreserve.org for more information on these skiing routes.
There you have it, folks—three wonderful places to cross-country ski this season right in your own backyard! Hopefully this adds another winter activity to your repertoire and gives you another way to ski those winter blues away. Fingers crossed we get just the right amount of snow … not too much, not too little … Goldilocks style. Happy skiing!
mohonk mountain house
location:
New Paltz
trails available:
About 50 kilometers (31 miles)
fees:
$21 per person – Midweek
$26 per person – Weekends and Holidays
rentals:
On-site (Adults: $24; Children under age 12: $17)
hours of operation:
9:00am – 4:30pm
description:
For those searching for an almost luxurious cross-country skiing experience, make Mohonk Mountain House your destination. With over 30 miles of groomed (yes, groomed!) trails to enjoy for both the beginner and the advanced skiier, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect route for your skill level. Bring your own equipment or rent from the hotel’s ski shop where the knowledgeable staff will guide you toward which trail is best suited for you. At this beautiful site, you can ski up to Skytop Tower, enjoy a lakeside jaunt, or explore any number of trails offering sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains.
