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NEW YORK: Small mountains where families can ski without crowds

BY TOM MOORE | Special to Newsday

January 15, 2006

When I grew up in upstate New York in the 1970s, there were a half-dozen ski areas within 30 to 40 minutes of home: everything from a rope tow in a cow pasture to fairly big places with multiple chairlifts.

Since then, some of the smaller family ski areas have either gone out of business or grown beyond their original cozy dimensions. Surprisingly, many stayed small and still operate. Returning to them to ski with my kids over the past few years, I've been surprised to find that their size, picnic table-filled lodges, relatively low prices - and short lift lines - seem just the way they were 30 years ago.

As close as a three- or four-hour drive from Long Island and the New York metro area, they are a great place for families to ski and snowboard without the crowds found at the larger and better-known venues. Lift tickets also are far less than the $50 to $70 prices of the big-name mountains.

Three family areas I've skied recently with my three teenage children are Royal Mountain and Willard Mountain north of Albany, and Plattekill on the western edge of the Catskills.

ROYAL MOUNTAIN, CAROGA LAKE, N.Y.

For beginning skiers or a family with young skiers and snowboarders, Royal Mountain is a good choice.

Located in Caroga Lake, N.Y., about 50 miles northwest of Albany, Royal Mountain offers 13 trails, including five for new or beginning skiers or boarders. Particularly convenient for beginners is an extremely gentle learning slope served by its own chairlift. My two daughters learned to ski on this slope and quickly mastered the hill.

Snow-making covers about half of the 550-foot mountain, including all of the "more difficult" and "most difficult" trails. There is no night skiing.

Lift tickets are $30 for adults $20 for ages 12 and younger and free for ages 5 and younger. Seniors ski or board at half price. Ski rentals are $25; snowboard, $20. Beginning skiers or boarders can get lessons, equipment and a lift ticket for $50. For details, see www.royal mountain.com, or call 518-835-6445.

WILLARD MOUNTAIN, GREENWICH, N.Y.

Willard Mountain is in the rolling foothills of Vermont's Green Mountains north of Troy, N.Y. For a small mountain - only 500 feet vertical - it offers several expert "black diamond trails" that will test the skilled skier or boarder; my teenage son could master most of the mountain, but the chute on the Upper Colonel was more than he was willing to try. Willard also has about a half-dozen "blue-square" slopes for intermediate skiers. There is not much variety for beginners, although there is a practice slope with a rope and one gentle trail from the summit. For thrill-seekers, Willard has a terrain park with jumps and rails. Most of the mountain is open for night skiing.

Weekend tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for ages 12 and younger. Ski or snowboard rental packages are $24 ($20 for juniors) each, $18 for skis or snowboard alone. Weekday adult tickets are $20. Lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson packages start at $38. See www.willardmountain .com or call 518-692-7337.

PLATTEKILL MOUNTAIN, ROXBURY, N.Y.

Plattekill Mountain is a midsize ski area about 180 miles from Long Island. Even with 1,100 feet of vertical and 35 trails, Plattekill still feels much like a family area. Trails are split evenly among "easiest," "more difficult," "most difficult" and "experts only" double black diamonds. For beginners, a rope-tow serves a small, gentle incline.

When my two children and I skied the mountain on New Year's Day, we found virtually no lift lines. Because of warmer weather and recent rain, one-half of the mountain was not open, including all of the challenging "diamond" and "double diamond" trails. Nonetheless, there were steep stretches on two of the "blue square" trails that allowed us to test ourselves on about 3 inches of fresh powder and small mogul fields.

Like Royal and Willard, Plattekill offers family-friendly prices: weekendandholiday rates of $44 for adults and $34 for children 6-17; ages 5 and younger ski free. Weekday rates are $27 and $20. See www.plattekill.com or call 607-326-3500.

MAKING A WEEKEND OF IT

If you are considering a weekend of skiing, Saratoga Springs offers easy access to Royal and Willard - a drive of 30 miles or less.

Saratoga features its well-known "Broadway," with about one mile of shops, restaurants and nightspots in classic 19th and early 20th century brick and brownstone buildings.

For those willing to take the gamble, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway offers wagering on harness races and plenty of slot machines.

In-town accommodations range from $99 and up at the Holiday Inn, to $140 to $240 a night at the Courtyard Marriott.

No city of any size is convenient to Plattekill. The historic village of Roxbury (www.roxburyny.com), just a few miles from slopes, offers several inns and motels, as well as a coffee house, nightspot and two art galleries.

In Roxbury and surrounding villages and towns, accommodations generally range from $75 to $150.

See www.plattekill.com for details on area lodging, including the establishments that offer guests free tickets for children and youth at Plattekill.