The best ski trips near NYC

If the idea of spending hours in the car and missing that fresh morning powder fills you with dread, then this popular Jersey mountain’s location, just 47 miles from Manhattan, should make your snow bunny heart leap for joy. The one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Mountain Creek is available through the NYC Snow Bus, which runs daily from Downtown Brooklyn, Union Square and Times Square and offers great all-inclusive deals that cover round-trip travel, lift passes and equipment rental. 200 Rte 94, Vernon, NJ (973-827-2000)

Another winner for those who hope for slopes without a serious commute, Thunder Ridge is only 50-some miles north of NYC. On weekends and holidays—including the whole week of Presidents’ Day—hop on the Metro North for a speedy, car-free trip and great package deal. The combo train and lift ticket ($67.50) includes your trip from Grand Central Terminal or 125th Street to Patterson, New York, where a shuttle will take you directly from the station to the resort (about an hour and a half total). Want to keep the fun going? Overnight packages with a hotel stay and shuttles to and from your lodging start at just an extra $99. Talk about an affordable winter getaway. 137 Birch Hill Rd, Patterson, NY (845-878-4100)

A favorite for New Yorkers looking to show off their skills, Hunter Mountain is the closest “big mountain” to the city and is well-known for its selection of jumps, boxes and rails for snowboarders and skiers, as well as its dozens of more traditional trails. Multiple bus lines will take New Yorkers on the three-hour voyage to the Catskills, but many skiers swear by OVR Ride (packages offer full mountain access, transportation and equipment rental for $179.95). With multiple early-morning pick-up locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, plus breakfast, refreshments and "sporadic raffles" included, it’s easy to get psyched for a full day away. 64 Klein Ave, Hunter, NY (518-263-4223)

Vermont is famous for having the best ski country on the East Coast, and Mount Snow is one of the reasons why. While this glorious resort, located in the gorgeous Green National Forest, is a bit far for a day trip (four hours), charter busses make it easy to navigate the terrain and save cash. OVR Ride and Adventure North East offer charter buses to the area, but we recommend looking into Sourced Adventures' two-night weekend trip. The bus leaves Friday afternoon, and the package includes a two-night stay at the Snow Lake Lodge, breakfast and lift access for two full days of skiing and snowboarding for prices starting as low as $425. 39 Mount Snow Rd, West Dover, VT (800-245-7669)

Owned by New York State, the 47 trails at Belleayre Mountain resort in upstate New York are not only budget-friendly but also free of the crowds attracted to other more flashy mountains in the area. Of the bus companies that take New Yorkers to Belleayre, Adirondack Trailways has the most options and the best deals: a one-day, round-trip ride with an all-day lift pass will set you back $111. Belleayre Mountain Rd, Pine Hill, NY (845-254-5600)

Windham Mountain has all the fun of a big resort—an adventure park, various trails well-suited for different levels, multiple dining options—but the convenience of being less than three hours away from New York City. There are several buses that go to Windham, including NYC Snow Bus and Adirondack Trailways. First-time skiers or folks nervous about picking up the poles again can try the beginners package from Urban Sherpa: for $140 you get round-trip transportation, a lift ticket, equipment rental and a 90-minute group lesson. Whee! 19 Resort Dr, Windham, NY (800-754-9463)