Ulster County's 2026–2027 Ski Season: Where to Carve, Glide, and Snowshoe This Winter |
Belleayre's projected Nov 20 opener, Plattekill's independent spirit, and the groomed trails waiting across the Shawangunks |
Winter in Ulster County doesn't shut the outdoors down — it hands over the keys to a different dress code. As soon as the temperatures drop and the snow guns fire up, the region's mountains, carriage roads, and preserve trails reopen for a season that stretches from late November well into April. Here's what the 2026–2027 winter looks like for anyone planning to ski, ride, or snowshoe in the Catskills and the Shawangunks.
Belleayre Mountain: The Big Mountain in Ulster County's Backyard
The anchor of the region's downhill season is Belleayre Mountain, the state-owned resort in Highmount that many longtime skiers once overlooked and now rank among the best in New York. Belleayre projects an opening date of November 20, 2026 and a closing date of April 11, 2027 — a projected 128 days on snow.
The numbers explain the draw. Belleayre offers 175 skiable acres, a 1,404-foot vertical drop, eight lifts (including a gondola and a high-speed quad), and 62 trails. The longest run stretches 2.2 miles. Terrain breaks down at roughly 48 percent intermediate, with beginner and advanced runs filling out the rest, so a family of mixed abilities can spend the day together without splitting up. Snowmaking blankets about 164 of those acres — roughly 96 percent of the terrain — which matters in a season where natural snowfall can be fickle. The resort's four lodges (Discovery, Overlook, Longhouse, and Sunset) handle everything from rentals and ski school to a summit cafeteria.
Plattekill Mountain: The Independent Alternative
For skiers who prefer character over crowds, Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury is the Catskills' answer. This independently owned hill is smaller and steeper, beloved for its steep, narrow runs, glades, and a no-frills vibe that regulars describe as the way skiing used to feel. Because the mountain relies more on natural snow and opens when conditions allow, it rewards flexible, spontaneous plans — the kind of place where a good storm turns a Tuesday into a powder day. It's the counterweight to Belleayre: less groomed, less predictable, and entirely worth a visit for anyone who wants terrain that pushes back . Minnewaska State Park: Snowshoeing and Cross-Country on the Ridge
Winter recreation in Ulster County isn't only downhill. At Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Kerhonkson, snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails open for the winter season as conditions permit. The preserve's carriage roads and footpaths cross a high plateau of pitch pine, glacial lakes, and cliff-edge views, and when the snow arrives, several trails are opened specifically for cross-country skiing while a few others are kept for snowshoeing. A winter day on the ridge — quiet, cold, and bright — is one of the region's best-kept experiences. Check the park's Winter Recreation Map and trail status before you go, since closures shift with the snowpack.
Mohonk Preserve: 70 Miles of Winter Trails
Across the valley, the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz keeps roughly 70 miles of carriage roads and trails open for hikers, with skiing and snowshoeing groomed on natural terrain as snowfall allows. Winter hiking is typically available unless deep snow requires skis or snowshoes, and visitors can rent or borrow equipment on site. Annual memberships give regulars access all season — a smart move if you plan to return week after week.
How to Plan Your Ulster County Winter
The trick to a good season here is flexibility. Book a lodge stay or lift ticket around Belleayre's projected calendar, but keep an eye on storm forecasts — a surprise dump is when Plattekill and the ridge trails become magical. Layer up, check trail conditions the morning of your trip, and remember that a snowshoe walk at Minnewaska costs nothing more than a state park entry. From the state's biggest ski mountain to a quiet carriage road above the Hudson Valley, Ulster County's winter is wide open — and it runs from November to April.
Local Information
|
0 Comments
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment
Share your thoughts above.