I've decided to take advantage of the recent snowfall and get one last day of skiing in this season. I'm thinking of going to Hunter or Jiminy Peak, as I'm just going for the day and not looking to drive 3+ hours to Vermont.
I understand Hunter is a larger mountain but is notoriously crowded from what I understand (I was at Windham earlier this year and it was a zoo). I imagine Jiminy will not be as crowded but is a little smaller. A few people I asked said Jiminy was much better and to avoid Hunter at all costs.
Hunter is 2 hours from my house and Jiminy is 2.5. Is it worth the exrta 30 minutes each way to go to Jiminy or am I better off just going to Hunter since it's just for a day?
Thanks in advance!
I did not make a special trip to go to Jiminy though, I was there because one of my kids was playing in the Bay State Games.
Still liked it though.
Lake Placid got over 40 inches of snow which means that it might be the one time during the year that Whiteface isn't called "Iceface"
]
It has 1000ft vertical drop, cheaper, less people and is a good mountain with some challenging runs.
Butternut in Great Barrington is another great smaller mountain only 20 min from Catamount.
Look into Plattekill, wyndham, bellayre
Also in the poconos, I like Jack Frost
Otherwise, i'd pick Windham or drive north to Gore.
I've skied all the mountains in the Catskills and most in Vermont and the Adirondacks. And I prefer the trails on Hunter over the trails on Windham, but Windham is a little more crowd friendly IMHO.
All the places will be ridiculously crowded, hence I'd plan on a longer drive to avoid the out of control crowds that will be within easy driving distance. What's an extra hour or two of driving anyway once you've already committed to a couple. Early rising (4:30 -5:00AM), stop for breakfast. Relax and take in the sights for a longer drive. The Adirondacks have some of the most beautiful views in the nation and Lake Placid is a stunningly beautiful village.