It’s always risky writing about something you know very little about, but in the spirit of sharing, I thought the small tidbits I’ve learned about skiing could help some other novice NYC-based skiers. Feel free to come at me in the comments; it’ll likely be helpful knowledge!
The upside of living in a cold environment is being in close proximity to the coveted Northern Hemisphere slopes! But for many, like me, the thought of paying thousands to explore the beginner slopes with three-year-old U.S. and Canadian children is off-putting. Therefore, exploring some of the cheaper alternatives close to home might be a better option as you learn.
1. First Lesson: Use the term “Ski Resort”, not “Ski Field”
I learned this the hard way when my colleagues snickered about yet another weird expression I used to explain something fairly normal. Thanks to ChatGPT, we quickly determined that you may continue to use the term ski field to your Aussie and Kiwi pals but you might receive some strange expressions when you use it with an American.
2. Consider the proximity of the local town to the slopes
For both beginners and those less comfortable driving in winter conditions, a few experienced skiers recommended that novices take into account the proximity of the local town to the ski resort. Not only will this offer greater convenience, but it could also provide additional entertainment beyond skiing for those with less experience. While the idea of committing to multiple days on the slopes may seem exciting, it can also be exhausting. Experienced skiers recommend starting with a beginner-friendly run at a well-located resort to ease into the experience.
These ski RESORTs near NYC include:
- Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts: Ideal for beginners, or so I’m told, it also offers nearby town amenities and a selection of hotels to choose from, so you aren’t stuck at the ski resort.
- Bousquet Mountain Ski Area, Massachusetts: With a dedicated First-Timers Package, Bousquet offers the full experience for novices, with tubing an option if you can’t stay on your feet!
3. Choose Local
Beyond the two listed above, there are several smaller local choices people can do day trips to, or stay onsite or nearby. Here is a selection that I’ve come across in my searches:
- Belleayre, New York, offers a fun day out approximately a two and a half hour drive from New York. Belleayre Mountain has over 60 trails, parks and glades, eight lifts, a high-speed gondola, and a rich history that has grown out of the demand of being close to the city.
- Ski Holiday Mountain, New York: This place mightn’t rival the beauty of Vail or the Austrian peaks but it does promise a lot of relatively low-cost fun. It offers eight ski trails accessed by two chairlifts and is located approximately two hours from NYC.
- Mountain Creek, New Jersey: Two hours from NYC, Mountain Creek is New Jersey’s largest ski area, and in NJ-style, has 1000 snow guns to keep the mountain covered in case we have a warmer-than-expected winter. For those who like the sound of having a post-ski beverage, Mountain Creek also has an onsite Biergarten for that European feel.
- Shawnee Mountain, Pennsylvania: In the Poconos, Shawnee Mountain is known as a family and beginner-friendly ski resort offering a less daunting vertical of 700 feet, 23 trails, and a tubing offering. It’s also about two hours drive from NYC.
- To cap it off with something Aussie-sounding and also containing stunning scenery, the Blue Mountains ski resort is located in the Poconos near the Appalachian Trail. It is home to Pennsylvania’s highest vertical at 1,082 feet and the longest runs in the state, with 40 trails tailored to all skill levels.
While slightly further afield but still only a four-hour drive away, Gore Mountain in NY is also a good option for those who like a pretty setting when they ski; the Adirondacks are the backdrop to Gore Mountain, and they offer twilight skiing!
4. Doing it for the Fame (ahem, Instagram)
In the words of Coachella’s 2025 headliner, Lady Gaga, if you’re doing it for the fame, fame, then some of the more noteworthy ski resorts in the Northeast include:
- Stowe, Vermont: For the full experience, check out Stowe, a world-renowned slope with something for everyone. Down the road from Vermont’s highest peak is the Trapp Family Lodge, an Austrian-based lodge owned by the von Trapp family of The Sound of Music fame.
- Killington, Vermont: Possibly one for the more advanced or mixed-experience groups, Killington is renowned for attracting adventure enthusiasts. It hosts an annual ski race that is part of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour and is famously known by its nickname, “The Beast.” The nickname is based on its 155 trails (with the highest vertical drop exceeding 3,000 feet) spread over 1,500 skiable acres (the largest on the East Coast).
Thrifty Passes
Perhaps one for next year, given many of them go on sale at the start of the season, but a thriftier way for you to try a few different ski slopes is to buy an annual pass. This is a cheaper alternative to purchasing a multi-day pass with a specific ski resort but it does have its limitations such as blackout dates.
Try these popular passes:
Have we missed your favorite novice-friendly skiing spot? Drop us a comment below!
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 