Seekers of winter thrills and adventure can find it on the slopes of Roxbury this season, as Plattekill Mountain is ramped up and ready to greet skiers of all skill levels with a safety-conscious, streamlined ski experience. “We’re going to have alot of fun up here this year, but we are also going to do whatever we can and need to do to keep our guests and staff safe. We want to be sure we have a season, so we plan to put all precautions in place to be as sure of that as we can.”
Tubing is offered in 2-hour sessions:
11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm
It’s hard to imagine a better way to bust that cabin fever than a day spent gliding down the trails, wind singing past your ears.
Cruising down the slopes embraces social distancing—fastening long boards to your feet will be sure to keep just about anyone six feet away. Recognizing that skiing and snowboarding can be a major force for joy and sanity this year, New York State’s Governor Andrew M. Cuomo allowed ski resorts to reopen on Friday, November 6, with 50 percent indoor capacity and with strict health and safety protocols under state-issued guidance.
“The state guidance lines up with what we were already planning,” says Danielle. “Life needs to continue, but with precautions, so we had assumed all along that we’d have to do some adapting.”
Tickets and rental equipment need to be reserved online; they’ll get everything you need together and have it ready for stress-free pickup, thoroughly sanitized and disinfected.
Danielle says Plattekill will manage density by requiring online ticket purchase. “People were already moving in that direction, and it’s always been an option, but this year you’ll have to,” she says. “You can still decide to hop in the car and head up here, just make sure you initiate the reservation online first. There may not be the same kinds of time-sensitive discounts available that people had been used to—but we’re the best value out there already.” It’s not an idle boast; Plattekill Mountain is unique, beloved by those who know it as an authentic gem.
“This is the coolest damn ski hill in the state of New York. Yes, it’s the smallest of the four Catskills mountains by acreage and vertical drop and number of lifts and size of the parking lot and size of the lodge. No, there are no high-speed lifts and the trails are shockingly narrow in places and the lodge is not some starchitect-designed spaceship ready to transport you to Jupiter,” wrote Stuart Winchester in a blog entry introducing an interview with Danielle and her co-owner and husband Lazlo on “The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast” in October of 2019.
“This is what skiing looks like when it’s run not by block grants airlifted from Broomfield but real people who lovetheir mountain and love skiing and put every damn thing they have into making it work. Plus, it’s never crowded, the lift tickets are fairly priced, they have the friendliest lifties I’ve ever encountered, and, yes, it feels like skiing in the 1960s. I think. Since I have no first-person recollection of the 1960s, I’m going to make some assumptions here and say it feels like skiing in some indeterminate bygone era when kids didn’t spend all their time smartphoning and playing the Halo.”
Indoors will be limited to 50% capacity, but Danielle says you will find newly installed firepits, deck heaters, and wind protection on the deck, meaning you can enjoy your hot dogs, brats, burritos, and beer outside in comfort, while luxuriating in the mountain views. “You’ll be able to minimize your indoor time; we’re going to feel out guests and see how they like the arrangements,” she says. “If our guests feel happy and safe, then we’re happy. We’ll be making adjustments as needed for the best possible experience.”
Plattekill Mountain is unique, beloved by
those who know it as an authentic gem.
Kids’ programs and group lessons are on hold for now. “The guidance says no more than 10, but we wanted to start slow,” Danielle says. “So we’re offering private and semi-private, and you can rent an instructor for small groups. Everything will be absolutely clear and transparent and available for purchase online.” Rental equipment will also need to be reserved online; employees will get everything you need
“If our guests feel happy and safe, then we’re happy. We’ve been making adjustments as needed for the best possible experience.” – Danielle Vajtay, co-owner
together and have it ready for stress-free pickup, thoroughly sanitized and disinfected. “You just fill out a form and the information goes directly to the rental shop,” says Danielle. “No standing in line.” It goes without saying that Plattekill Mountain is abiding by best public health practices: masks in indoor areas, social distancing, and restricting lift occupancy to members of the same party. But it’s hard to imagine a better way to bust that cabin fever than gliding down the trails, with the wind singing past your ears.
“We just want people to have a
range of options and feel safe.”
“We need to operate flexibly and we’re confident we can do that, and we hope you’ll feel confident, too,” Danielle says. “And above all else, we’re excited to get outside. Fresh air and skis! That’s where we’re at. We just want people to have a range of options and feel safe. We’ve really always been good at safety and welcome, so we feel confident. Plus, they say the outdoor fresh air is good for the soul. So grab your pod and c’mon up. We’d love to see you.”
Plattekill Mountain
469 Plattekill Road, Roxbury 607-326-3500
plattekill.com
