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Top skiing day trips from Long Island

BY MARSHALL S. BERDAN | Special to Newsday

November 8, 2008

Playing in the snow at Belleayre Mountain in upstate Highmount
(Belleayre Mountain Photo)

If 10 hours is more than you care to spend in a car - even if it is to eastern North America's perennial top resort, Mont Tremblant in Quebec - not to worry. There are plenty of places to hit the slopes sliding much closer to home, and we don't mean Vermont or New Hampshire.

Generally, you won't be defying double-black diamonds or crushing multi-mile cruisers, but you will be saving lots of time, gas money and usually the cost of overnight accommodations. Best of all, you can go at the drop of a hat - or several inches of fresh powder - even after work.

What you'll save

Fair warning: You won't save much on lift tickets or on-mountain food, as resorts that cater to metro New York-area skiers tend to charge metro New York-area prices.

When to go

These resorts tend to attract metro New York-area crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Even though they rely heavily on extensive snowmaking systems, a little warm weather can wreak major havoc. Be sure to call ahead or visit their Web sites to check snow conditions and how many lifts and/or trails are open before piling into the family minivan.

About the resorts

All resorts listed here offer equipment rentals (skis and boards), lessons and - with the exception of Hunter and Belleayre - night skiing, though not necessarily on all trails. Only the most expensive one-day lift ticket price is listed, so you'll likely pay less.

How to choose

Driving to mountains within a 100-mile radius of Long Island will get you to some halfway-decent-size resorts. Advanced skiers may still get bored, but everyone else, especially kids, should find ample action to keep them happy.

If you're willing to drive 150 miles, you can reach both the Poconos and the Catskills, legitimate mountains with legitimate expert terrain whose higher base elevations also make for more dependable snowmaking.

While each can be done in a single (long) day, you can double your pleasure and investment by overnighting at either on-site accommodations or in nearby resort communities.

IF YOU WANT ...

... to stay within 50 miles

Campgaw Mountain, Mahwah, N.J., 201-327-7800, skicampgaw.com

MAX LIFT TICKET $34

There's only one resort this close. But with only five trails, 18 acres and 270 feet vertical, Campgaw favors first-timers and other beginners, or those desperate for a quick (in more ways than one) downhill fix.

... an upscale resort

Mountain Creek, Vernon, N.J., 973-827-2000, mountaincreek.com

MAX LIFT TICKET $62