Ski trips near NYC: Hotel packages, transportation deals and more

Mountain Creek

1 hour and 20 minutes from NYC
This New Jersey resort boasts four peaks, 167 skiable acres and a 35-lane snow-tube park. Novice skiers should stick with the family-friendly Vernon Peak, while more experienced adrenaline junkies can get their fix at the steep, fast, jib-and-pipe-filled Bear Peak, which has a massive, 1,040-foot vertical drop. Take a break between sessions at Mountain Creek’s three-story lodge, where you can warm up by the fireplace and nab a bratwurst ($8.95), half-liter stein ($7.50) and other German fare in its biergarten. 200 Rte 94 between Sand Hill Rd and Mott Dr, Vernon, NJ (973-827-2000, mountaincreek.com.) Mon–Thu 9am–9pm; Fri, Sat 9am–10pm; Sun 9am–9pm. Lift tickets: Mon–Thu $51, Fri–Sun $65. Tubing tickets $20–$25. Equipment rental $45.

How to get there: On weekends and holidays, New Jersey Transit (njtransit.com/mountaincreek; $25.50, $10 off lift tickets or $5 off tubing) has round-trip bus rides from Port Authority.

Where to stay: The cozy Alpine House Bed & Breakfast (217 Rte 94 between Sand Hill Rd and Vanderhoof Ct, Vernon, NJ; 877-527-6854, alpinehausbb.com; $110–$235), just next door to Mountain Creek, boasts a ski package that includes two lift tickets ($189–$307).

Camelback Mountain Resort

1 hour and 40 minutes from NYC
Night skiers, take note: With 34 light-adorned trails, this Poconos park has your number. Try the intermediate, 800-feet-tall Nile Mile path before checking out Graffiti Park, where snowboarders shred on colorful boxes, bonks and rails. For some postski fun, catch live bands on weekends and holidays at the bar and grill, the Thirsty Camel. One Camelback Rd between Camelback Dr and High Mountain Ln, Tannersville, PA (570-629-1661, skicamelback.com). Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri 9am–10pm, Sat 8:30am–10pm, Sun 8:30am–9pm. Lift tickets: weekdays $51, weekends and holidays $61. Equipment rental: day $37, night $28.

How to get there: OvRride (347-559-1787, ovrride.com; $50–$145) offers round-trip bus rides from several locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as the option to add lift tickets, lessons and equipment rentals.

Where to stay: The wallet-friendly Budget Inn (320 Greentree Dr at Spring Ln, East Stroudsburg, PA; 570-424-5451, poconobudgetinn.com; $74–$190) has packages that include breakfast and lift tickets ($157–$290).

Belleayre Mountain

2 hours and 30 minutes from NYC
This modest, state-owned Catskills resort has hosted seasonal thrill-seekers on its 55 backcountry trails since 1949. The two-plus-mile-long Roaring Brook caters to neophyte snow bunnies. Seasoned slopers, meanwhile, opt for gliding down Cathedral Brook, a twisting, ungroomed, double-black-diamond run. Enjoy some much-needed respite and warmth—and a cocktail or two—at the appropriately named Overlook Lodge, a midmountain meeting spot that stands at more than 2,500 feet above sea level. Catskill State Park, Highmount, NY (845-254-5600, belleayre.com). Daily 9am–4pm. Lift tickets: weekdays $47, weekends and holidays $59. Equipment rental $33.

How to get there: Adirondack Trailways’ (800-858-8555, belleayre.com; $91) round-trip buses leave Port Authority daily; fees include a lift ticket and beginner lesson at Belleayre.

Where to stay: Skiers who stay at the Starlite Motel (8722 Rte 28 at Rose Mountain Rd, Big Indian, NY; 845-254-4449, starlite-motel.com; $95–$125) get 15 percent off lift tickets.

Stratton Mountain Ski Resort

4 hours from NYC
A haven for skiers from around the country (and former host of the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships), Stratton has 95 manicured trails as well as four high-speed, six-passenger lifts and a gondola—so you can better pack in as many runs as possible in a day. And there’s something for athletes of all stripes: skilled (the steep, black-diamond Liftline), adventurous (half-pipes are spread across five terrain parks) and newbies (the EZ Street run). Other wintry activities include 30-minute dogsled tours ($80–$129) and two-hour scenic snowshoe hikes (weekends and holidays 10am and 1pm; $45–$55). Make sure you spend some time window-shopping in Stratton’s überquaint village at the foot of the peak. 5 Village Lodge Rd at Founders Hill Rd, Stratton, VT
(800-787-2886, stratton.com). Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat–Sun 8:30am–4pm. Lift tickets: Mon–Fri $69–$76, Sat–Sun $82–$87. Equipment rental: Mon–Fri $35,
Sat–Sun $45.

How to get there: Nab a round-trip bus trip, departing from Manhattan or Brooklyn, via OvRride (347-559-1787, ovrride.com; $70–$195); breakfast service is included, and deals on lift tickets, lessons and equipment rental are available.

Where to stay: The Inn at Stratton Mountain (61 Middle Ridge Rd between Quarter Mile and Stratton Mt Access Rds, Stratton Mountain, VT; 802-297-4000, stratton.com; $69–$309) is a mere ten-minute walk from the lifts.