New York City: secret skier’s paradise? Well… we wouldn’t go that far. But did you know that New York has more ski areas–44, at last count–than other state in America? (Yes, that’s more than California, or Colorado.) And that Southern Vermont has another dozen or so, all within easy weekend-away distance? Best of all, even if you don’t have a car (or a chalet), there are plenty of well-organized one-day ski trips and weekend ski trip leaving from Manhattan to points north and snowy… albeit often machine-made. These weekend ski trip packages are some of most reliably-excellent excursions, embarking from all over town, to a variety of mountains, with varying degrees of amenities and add-ons.
Emilio’s Ski Shop
For quantity, variety, and accessibility, it’s tough to beat the day ski trips–first started almost 50 years ago!–organized by Emilio’s Ski Shop. Five mornings a week Emilio’s boards busloads of skiers and snowboarders from all over Manhattan including: Forest Hills, Cobble Hill, Bay Ridge, the Upper East Side for day trips to Okemo, Hunter, Windham, Bromley, Gore and more. Prices start around $80, and include transportation and lift tickets. For more information and reservations, see Emilio’s Ski Shop website.
Blades Board & Skate Shops Bus Trips
Another enthusiastically-attended series of ski trips sets off from the Blades Board and Skate shops in Noho and on the Upper West Side in NYC, every Saturday and Sunday to Hunter, and on Wednesdays to Windham. Shredders, it should be noted, are more than welcome. A mere $79 will get you transportation, breakfast, and an all-area ski lift ticket, and there are ski trip package deals for rentals and lessons, too. Click here for more info and reservations through Blades Board & Skate Shops.
Urban Sherpa / NYC Ski and Board
Urban Sherpa works with NYC Ski and Board to shuttle thousands of New York City snow-lovers each season to Hunter and Windham as well as those big Southern Vermont favorites Jay Peak, Killington and Stratton. Buses depart from Union Square and Times Square in Manhattan, and a day’s worth of shredding the ski slopes will set you back around $85. Note: this year Urban Sherpa also added a Burton Flagship Store ski bus trip, leaving from the Burton Soho store, and with an emphasis on "ridin’ and partyin’ with a large posse." For more info and to book a spot on any Urban Sherpa / NYC Ski and Board day trip, click here.
Paragon Sports Ski / Snowboard Express
From New York City’s best all-around sporting goods store (yes, it’s a little expensive, but no matter what sport/outdoor activity brings you through the doors, they seem to ALWAYS have what you?re looking for) comes, no surprise, one of our favorite NYC ski trip packages. Meet in front of the centrally-located Paragon just north of Union Square every Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, and for $84 you get a luxury bus (with breakfast and movies) and a ski lift ticket to either Hunter or Windham. To reserve your seat, check out the Paragon Sports Ski website.
The Ski and Snowboard Club
Weekend ski trip packages from New York City are little less common, especially ones as well organized as Mark and Marina’s Upper West Side, non-for-profit, just-for-fun venture, The Ski and Snowboard Club in NYC. Still taking reservation for their two remaining weekend ski trips this season–to Stowe in February, and Lake Placid in March–the Ski and Snowboard Club "includes a wide variety of personalities, ages and abilities, but can be generalized as fun-loving people who enjoy sharing outdoor activities with each other." Nice. For more info and tickets (and photos!), see the Ski and Snowboard Club website.
