Cross Country Skiing the Hudson Valley
By Jessica Porter
The Hudson Valley, Shawangunk, Catskill Mountain, and Hudson Highland region is rich with old rail and carriage trails, which were primary means of transportation for tourists in the 1800s. Though the trails are no longer used for railroads or carriages, they now provide great paths for cross country skiing.
“This area is great for cross country skiing because of the simple fact that we have an extensive network of carriage trails, and the views that come with this area,” Mark Ruoff, Board of Directors, Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association, said. “There are lots of places with good trail networks but no views. When you ski in areas like the Gunks, it’s view after view.”
Whether you’re a beginner looking for lessons on groomed trails, or an expert ready to grab a map and hit backcountry trails, the following list includes cross country ski locations in the region.
Hudson Valley
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain has more than six miles of groomed trailed. Skiing is free, except for the parking fee.
Bear Mountain, NY
Clermont State Historic Site
Cross country skiers can use the carriage roads, farm roads and trails developed by the Clermont family in the early 20th century.
Germantown, NY
Fahnestock Winter Park
The winter park, which is in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, provides more than 10 miles of groomed cross country ski and snowshoe trails that go through a variety of terrain. A lodge with ski rentals is on site.
Carmel, NY
Hand Hollow State Forest
Though there are no official trails, the state forest has more than 500 acres that include a 10-acre lake for cross country skiers to explore.
New Lebenon
Mills-Norrie State Park
The park offers many multi-use trails, and eight that can be used for cross country skiing.
Staatsburg, NY
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
The park grooms nearly 20 miles of carriage trails for cross country skiers. Ungroomed trails also are available.
Kerhonkson, NY
Mohonk Mountain House
Located adjacent to the Mohonk Preserve, the mountain house has to 30 miles of cross country ski trails, as well as lessons for beginners and free equipment for overnight guests.
New Paltz, NY
Mohonk Preserve
Select carriage trails are groomed for cross country skiers; many more ungroomed miles of trails are available as well. Membership fee required for use.
New Paltz, NY
Omi International Arts Center
The Fields Sculpture Park and Architecture Omi at the arts center provides groomed cross country ski trails that are free and open to the public.
Ghent, NY
The Rockefeller Preserve
The preserve offers ungroomed cross country ski trails on old carriage roads.
Tarrytown, NY
Thomas Bull Memorial Park
Cross country skiing available, as well as snow tubing, sledding and skating.
Montgomery, NY
Wallkill Flats
In 2015, the Open Space Institute opened cross country ski loops that start west of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and head toward the New Paltz boat launch.
Wallkill, NY
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The 22-mile rail trail runs from Wallkill to Kingston, passing through towns such as New Paltz and Rosendale, and providing views of gorges, creeks and rivers.
Wallkill to Kingston, NY
Catskill Mountains
Bearpen Mountain
A former ski resort, the mountain’s clearings offer multi-use trails that are great for backcountry cross country skiing.
Prattsville, NY
Belleayre Mountain
The ski center provides more than five miles of cross country trails that are free to use. The trails are only open with natural snow and are not groomed.
Highmount, NY
Catskill Scenic Trail
The multi-use trail follows an old rail trail from Bloomville to Roxbury. With proper snow conditions, the trail can be used for cross country skiing.
Stamford, NY
Emerson Resort and Spa
The resort is home to more than two miles of groomed cross country ski trails, as well as equipment rentals and ski lessons. Lodging available.
Mount Tremper, NY
Frost Valley YMCA
More than 25 miles of cross country ski trail are available for all skill levels. Some are groomed trails and others are ungroomed backcountry trails. Lodging is available.
Claryville, NY
Mountain Trails Cross Country Ski Center
More than 30 miles of cross country ski trails that are groomed and track set for all skill levels are available. The center provides equipment sales and rentals, as well as lodging and snack bar.
Tannersville, NY
Windham Mountain’s Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Center
The center is home to groomed cross country ski trails with beautiful mountain and creek views for all skill levels. Lessons, rentals and a lodge are available.
Windham, NY
The Windham Path
The two-mile path provides multi-use trails for cross country skiers that pass streams and beaver dams with mountain views.
Windham, NY
Winter Clove Inn
The inn is located on more than 300 acres with multi-use trails that can be used for cross country skiing. Equipment is free to guests.
Round Top, NY
North of the Hudson
Oak Hill Farms Cross Country Ski Center
The center is home to more than 25 groomed, track-set trails for all skill levels. Rentals, a lodge and a snack bar are available.
Esperance, NY
Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area
The center provides more than 20 miles of groomed trails, nearly 10 miles of ungroomed backcountry trails and more than two miles of lighted trails for night cross country skiing. Equipment rentals, lessons and a retail shop are available.
Petersburgh, NY
The Hudson Valley, Shawangunk, Catskill Mountain, and Hudson Highland region is rich with old rail and carriage trails, which were primary means of transportation for tourists in the 1800s. Though the trails are no longer used for railroads or carriages, they now provide great paths for cross country skiing.
“This area is great for cross country skiing because of the simple fact that we have an extensive network of carriage trails, and the views that come with this area,” Mark Ruoff, Board of Directors, Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association, said. “There are lots of places with good trail networks but no views. When you ski in areas like the Gunks, it’s view after view.”
Whether you’re a beginner looking for lessons on groomed trails, or an expert ready to grab a map and hit backcountry trails, the following list includes cross country ski locations in the region.
Hudson Valley
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain has more than six miles of groomed trailed. Skiing is free, except for the parking fee.
Bear Mountain, NY
Clermont State Historic Site
Cross country skiers can use the carriage roads, farm roads and trails developed by the Clermont family in the early 20th century.
Germantown, NY
Fahnestock Winter Park
The winter park, which is in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, provides more than 10 miles of groomed cross country ski and snowshoe trails that go through a variety of terrain. A lodge with ski rentals is on site.
Carmel, NY
Hand Hollow State Forest
Though there are no official trails, the state forest has more than 500 acres that include a 10-acre lake for cross country skiers to explore.
New Lebenon
Mills-Norrie State Park
The park offers many multi-use trails, and eight that can be used for cross country skiing.
Staatsburg, NY
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
The park grooms nearly 20 miles of carriage trails for cross country skiers. Ungroomed trails also are available.
Kerhonkson, NY
Mohonk Mountain House
Located adjacent to the Mohonk Preserve, the mountain house has to 30 miles of cross country ski trails, as well as lessons for beginners and free equipment for overnight guests.
New Paltz, NY
Mohonk Preserve
Select carriage trails are groomed for cross country skiers; many more ungroomed miles of trails are available as well. Membership fee required for use.
New Paltz, NY
Omi International Arts Center
The Fields Sculpture Park and Architecture Omi at the arts center provides groomed cross country ski trails that are free and open to the public.
Ghent, NY
The Rockefeller Preserve
The preserve offers ungroomed cross country ski trails on old carriage roads.
Tarrytown, NY
Thomas Bull Memorial Park
Cross country skiing available, as well as snow tubing, sledding and skating.
Montgomery, NY
Wallkill Flats
In 2015, the Open Space Institute opened cross country ski loops that start west of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and head toward the New Paltz boat launch.
Wallkill, NY
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The 22-mile rail trail runs from Wallkill to Kingston, passing through towns such as New Paltz and Rosendale, and providing views of gorges, creeks and rivers.
Wallkill to Kingston, NY
Catskill Mountains
Bearpen Mountain
A former ski resort, the mountain’s clearings offer multi-use trails that are great for backcountry cross country skiing.
Prattsville, NY
Belleayre Mountain
The ski center provides more than five miles of cross country trails that are free to use. The trails are only open with natural snow and are not groomed.
Highmount, NY
Catskill Scenic Trail
The multi-use trail follows an old rail trail from Bloomville to Roxbury. With proper snow conditions, the trail can be used for cross country skiing.
Stamford, NY
Emerson Resort and Spa
The resort is home to more than two miles of groomed cross country ski trails, as well as equipment rentals and ski lessons. Lodging available.
Mount Tremper, NY
Frost Valley YMCA
More than 25 miles of cross country ski trail are available for all skill levels. Some are groomed trails and others are ungroomed backcountry trails. Lodging is available.
Claryville, NY
Mountain Trails Cross Country Ski Center
More than 30 miles of cross country ski trails that are groomed and track set for all skill levels are available. The center provides equipment sales and rentals, as well as lodging and snack bar.
Tannersville, NY
Windham Mountain’s Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Center
The center is home to groomed cross country ski trails with beautiful mountain and creek views for all skill levels. Lessons, rentals and a lodge are available.
Windham, NY
The Windham Path
The two-mile path provides multi-use trails for cross country skiers that pass streams and beaver dams with mountain views.
Windham, NY
Winter Clove Inn
The inn is located on more than 300 acres with multi-use trails that can be used for cross country skiing. Equipment is free to guests.
Round Top, NY
North of the Hudson
Oak Hill Farms Cross Country Ski Center
The center is home to more than 25 groomed, track-set trails for all skill levels. Rentals, a lodge and a snack bar are available.
Esperance, NY
Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area
The center provides more than 20 miles of groomed trails, nearly 10 miles of ungroomed backcountry trails and more than two miles of lighted trails for night cross country skiing. Equipment rentals, lessons and a retail shop are available.
Petersburgh, NY
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Jessica Porter is a freelance writer, editor, and thru hiker based in Catskill, NY. She moved to the area after thru hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2014. Now she spends her time exploring the Catskill Mountains. For more information, visit www.JessicaLynnePorter.com.
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